“Are they Devil worshippers, then?â€? Anso asked.

“I think not.â€? She said. “I’ve known devil worshippers, and they do not seem the like.â€? Her grin sent chills through my spine. “But I do not know for sure, they speak not of their faith to outsiders. They face the sun as they pray and I ask no questions.â€?

Her ambivalence towards them made Anso nervous. “Don’t you care? Perhaps they could do you some harm.â€?

“Ah there is the concern for my soul.â€? Lucrezia scowled. “I had begun to suspect that you were no priest at all, for the lack of God in your speech. You are a strange one padre.â€?

“I wasn’t speaking of your soul.â€? Anso said. “But if you must know, you are right. I am no priest. Mine is a lay order, but no less devoted to Christ and the truth.â€? He bristled at explaining himself to this girl. She was full of contradictions; daughter of the Holy Father, and yet cavorting with heathens.

“I see.â€? She said. “Are you one of those troublemaker friends of Savonarola that have been such a thorn in father’s side?â€?