"Such，then，isthewayinwhichwesoftenmattersinregardtothebeneficiaries。
　　Andnowforthepriests—wehavemaximsprettyfavourabletothemalso。
　　Takethefollowing，forexample，fromourfour—and—twentyelders："Canapriest，whohasreceivedmoneytosayamass，takeanadditionalsumuponthesamemass？Yes，saysFiliutius，hemay，byapplyingthatpartofthesacrificewhichbelongstohimselfasapriesttothepersonwhopaidhimlast；providedhedoesnottakeasumequivalenttoawholemass，butonlyapart，suchasthethirdofamass。’""Surely，father，"saidI，"thismustbeoneofthosecasesinwhichtheproandtheconhaveboththeirshareofprobability。Whatyouhavenowstatedcannotfail，ofcourse，tobeprobable，havingtheauthorityofsuchmenasFiliutiusandEscobar；
　　andyet，leavingthatwithinthesphereofprobability，itstrikesmethatthecontraryopinionmightbemadeouttobeprobabletoo，andmightbesupportedbysuchreasonsasthefollowing：That，whiletheChurchallowspriestswhoareinpoorcircumstancestotakemoneyfortheirmasses，seeingitisbutrightthatthosewhoserveatthealtarshouldlivebythealtar，sheneverintendedthattheyshouldbarterthesacrificeformoney，and，stillless，thattheyshoulddeprivethemselvesofthosebenefitswhichtheyoughtthemselves，inthefirstplace，todrawfromit；towhichI
　　mightaddthat，accordingtoSt。Paul，thepriestsaretooffersacrificefirstforthemselvesandthenforthepeople；andthat，accordingly，whilepermittedtoparticipatewithothersinthebenefitofthesacrifice，theyarenotatlibertytoforegotheirsharebytransferringittoanotherforathirdofamass，or，inotherwords，forthematteroffourpenceorfivepence。Verily，father，littleasIpretendtobeagraveman，I
　　mightcontrivetomakethisopinionprobable。""Itwouldcostyounogreatpainstodothat，repliedthemonk；"itisvisiblyprobablealready。Thedifficultyliesindiscoveringprobabilityintheconverseofopinionsmanifestlygood；andthisisafeatwhichnonebutgreatmencanachieve。
　　FatherBaunyshinesinthisdepartment。Itisreallydelightfultoseethatlearnedcasuistexaminingwithcharacteristicingenuityandsubtletythenegativeandaffirmativeofthesamequestion，andprovingbothofthemtoberight！Thusinthematterofpriests，hesaysinoneplace：
　　’Nolawcanbemadetoobligethecuratestosaymasseveryday；forsuchalawwouldunquestionably（hauddubie）exposethemtothedangerofsayingitsometimesinmortalsin。’Andyet，inanotherpartofthesametreatise，hesays，’thatpriestswhohavereceivedmoneyforsayingmasseverydayoughttosayiteveryday，andthattheycannotexcusethemselvesonthegroundthattheyarenotalwaysinafitstatefortheservice；becauseitisintheirpoweratalltimestodopenance，andiftheyneglectthistheyhavethemselvestoblameforitandnotthepersonwhomadethemsaymass。’Andtorelievetheirmindsfromallscruplesonthesubject，hethusresolvesthequestion：’Mayapriestsaymassonthesamedayinwhichhehascommittedamortalsinoftheworstkind，inthewayofconfessinghimselfbeforehand？’Villalobossaysno，becauseofhisimpurity；butSanciussays：’Hemaywithoutanysin；andIholdhisopiniontobesafe，andonewhichmaybefollowedinpractice—ettutaetsequendainpraxi。’""Followthisopinioninpractice！"criedI。"Willanypriestwhohasfallenintosuchirregularitieshavetheassuranceonthesamedaytoapproachthealtar，onthemerewordofFatherBauny？IshenotboundtosubmittotheancientlawsoftheChurch，whichdebarredfromthesacrificeforever，oratleastforalongtime，priestswhohadcommittedsinsofthatdescription—
　　insteadoffollowingthemodernopinionsofcasuists，whowouldadmithimtoitontheverydaythatwitnessedhisfall？""Youhaveaveryshortmemory，returnedthemonk。"DidInotinformyoualittleagothat，accordingtoourfathersCellotandReginald，’inmattersofmoralitywearetofollow，nottheancientfathers，butthemoderncasuists？’""Irememberitperfectly，"
　　saidI；"butwehavesomethingmorehere：wehavethelawsoftheChurch。"
　　"True，"hereplied；"butthisshowsyoudonotknowanothercapitalmaximofourfathers，’thatthelawsoftheChurchlosetheirauthoritywhentheyhavegoneintodesuetude—cumjamdesuetudineabierunt—asFiliutiussays。WeknowthepresentexigenciesoftheChurchmuchbetterthantheancientscoulddo。Werewetobesostrictinexcludingpriestsfromthealtar，youcanunderstandtherewouldnotbesuchagreatnumberofmasses。
　　NowamultitudeofmassesbringssucharevenueofglorytoGodandofgoodtosoulsthatImayventuretosay，withFatherCellot，thattherewouldnotbetoomanypriests，’thoughnotonlyallmenandwomen，werethatpossible，buteveninanimatebodies，andevenbrutebeasts—brutaanimalia—weretransformedintoprieststocelebratemass。’"IwassoastoundedattheextravaganceofthisimaginationthatIcouldnotutterawordandallowedhimtogoonwithhisdiscourse。"Enough，however，aboutpriests；
　　Iamafraidofgettingtedious：letuscometothemonks。Thegranddifficultywiththemistheobediencetheyowetotheirsuperiors；nowobservethepalliativewhichourfathersapplyinthiscase。CastroPalaoofourSocietyhassaid：’Beyondalldispute，amonkwhohasaprobableopinionofhisown，isnotboundtoobeyhissuperior，thoughtheopinionofthelatteristhemoreprobable。Forthemonkisatlibertytoadopttheopinionwhichismoreagreeabletohimself—quaesibigratiorfuerit—asSanchezsays。
　　Andthoughtheorderofhissuperiorbejust，thatdoesnotobligeyoutoobeyhim，foritisnotjustatallpointsorineveryrespect—nonundequaquejustepraecepit—butonlyprobablyso；and，consequently，youareonlyprobablyboundtoobeyhim，andprobablynotbound—probabiliterobligatus，etprobabiliterdeobligatus。’""Certainly，father，"saidI，"itisimpossibletoohighlytoestimatethispreciousfruitofthedoubleprobability。""Itisofgreatuseindeed，"hereplied；"butwemustbebrief。LetmeonlygiveyouthefollowingspecimenofourfamousMolinainfavourofmonkswhoareexpelledfromtheirconventsforirregularities。
　　Escobarquoteshimthus：’Molinaassertsthatamonkexpelledfromhismonasteryisnotobligedtoreforminordertogetbackagain，andthatheisnolongerboundbyhisvowofobedience。’""Well，father，"criedI，"thisisallverycomfortablefortheclergy。Yourcasuists，Iperceive，havebeenveryindulgenttothem，andnowonder—theywerelegislating，sotospeak，forthemselves。Iamafraidpeopleofotherconditionsarenotsoliberallytreated。Everyoneforhimselfinthisworld。""Thereyoudouswrong，"returnedthemonk；"theycouldnothavebeenkindertothemselvesthanwehavebeentothem。Wetreatall，fromthehighesttothelowest，withaneven—handedcharity，sir。Andtoprovethis，youtemptmetotellyouourmaximsforservants。Inreferencetothisclass，wehavetakenintoconsiderationthedifficultytheymustexperience，whentheyaremenofconscience，inservingprofligatemasters。For，iftheyrefusetoperformalltheerrandsinwhichtheyareemployed，theylosetheirplaces；andiftheyyieldobedience，theyhavetheirscruples。Torelievethemfromthese，ourfour—and—twentyfathershavespecifiedtheserviceswhichtheymayrenderwithasafeconscience；suchas’carryinglettersandpresents，openingdoorsandwindows，helpingtheirmastertoreachthewindow，holdingtheladderwhichheismounting。Allthis，’saythey，’isallowableandindifferent；itistruethat，astoholdingtheladder，theymustbethreatened，morethanusually，withbeingpunishedforrefusing；foritisdoinganinjurytothemasterofahousetoenteritbythewindow。’Youperceivethejudiciousnessofthatobservation，ofcourse？""Iexpectednothingless，"saidI，"fromabookeditedbyfour—and—twentyJesuits。""But，"addedthemonk，"FatherBaunyhasgonebeyondthis；hehastaughtvaletshowtoperformthesesortsofofficesfortheirmastersquiteinnocently，bymakingthemdirecttheirintention，nottothesinstowhichtheyareaccessary，buttothegainwhichistoaccruefromthem。
　　InhisSummaryofSins，p。710，firstedition，hethusstatesthematter：
　　’Letconfessorsobserve，’sayshe，’thattheycannotabsolvevaletswhoperformbaseerrands，iftheyconsenttothesinsoftheirmasters；butthereverseholdstrue，iftheyhavedonethethingmerelyfromaregardtotheirtemporalemolument。’Andthat，Ishouldconceive，isnodifficultmattertodo；forwhyshouldtheyinsistonconsentingtosinsofwhichtheytastenothingbutthetrouble？ThesameFatherBaunyhasestablishedaprimemaximinfavourofthosewhoarenotcontentwiththeirwages：
　　’Mayservantswhoaredissatisfiedwiththeirwagesusemeanstoraisethembylayingtheirhandsonasmuchofthepropertyoftheirmastersastheymayconsidernecessarytomakethesaidwagesequivalenttotheirtrouble？Theymay，incertaincircumstances；aswhentheyaresopoorthat，inlookingforasituation，theyhavebeenobligedtoaccepttheoffermadetothem，andwhenotherservantsofthesameclassaregainingmorethanthey，elsewhere。’""Ha，father！"criedI，"thatisJohnd’Alba’spassage，Ideclare。""WhatJohnd’Alba？"inquiredthefather："whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Strange，father！"returnedI："doyounotrememberwhathappenedinthiscityintheyear1647？Whereintheworldwereyoulivingatthattime？"
　　"IwasteachingcasesofconscienceinoneofourcollegesfarfromParis，"
　　hereplied。"Iseeyoudon’tknowthestory，father：Imusttellittoyou。Ihearditrelatedtheotherdaybyamanofhonour，whomImetincompany。HetoldusthatthisJohnd’Alba，whowasintheserviceofyourfathersintheCollegeofClermont，intheRueSt。Jacques，beingdissatisfiedwithhiswages，hadpurloinedsomethingtomakehimselfamends；andthatyourfathers，ondiscoveringthetheft，hadthrownhimintoprisononthechargeoflarceny。Thecasewasreportedtothecourt，ifIrecollectright，onthe16thofApril，1647；forhewasveryminuteinhisstatements，andindeedtheywouldhardlyhavebeencredibleotherwise。Thepoorfellow，onbeingquestioned，confessedtohavingtakensomepewterplates，butmaintainedthatforallthathehadnotstolenthem；pleadinginhisdefencethisverydoctrineofFatherBauny，whichheproducedbeforethejudges，alongwithapamphletbyoneofyourfathers，underwhomhehadstudiedcasesofconscience，andwhohadtaughthimthesamething。WhereuponM。
　　deMontrouge，oneofthemostrespectedmembersofthecourt，said，ingivinghisopinion，’thathedidnotseehow，onthegroundofthewritingsofthesefathers—writingscontainingadoctrinesoillegal，pernicious，andcontrarytoalllaws，natural，divine，andhuman，andcalculatedtoruinallfamilies，andsanctionallsortsofhouseholdrobbery—theycoulddischargetheaccused。Buthisopinionwasthatthistoofaithfuldiscipleshouldbewhippedbeforethecollegegate，bythehandofthecommonhangman；
　　andthat，atthesametime，thisfunctionaryshouldburnthewritingsofthesefatherswhichtreatedoflarceny，withcertificationthattheywereprohibitedfromteachingsuchdoctrineinfuture，uponpainofdeath。’
　　"Theresultofthisjudgement，whichwasheartilyapprovedof，waswaitedforwithmuchcuriosity，whensomeincidentoccurredwhichmadethemdelayprocedure。Butinthemeantimetheprisonerdisappeared，nobodyknewhow，andnothingmorewasheardabouttheaffair；sothatJohnd’Albagotoff，pewterplatesandall。Suchwastheaccounthegaveus，towhichheadded，thatthejudgementofM。deMontrougewasenteredontherecordsofthecourt，whereanyonemayconsultit。Wewerehighlyamusedatthestory。"
　　"Whatareyoutriflingaboutnow？"criedthemonk。"Whatdoesallthatsignify？Iwasexplainingthemaximsofourcasuists，andwasjustgoingtospeakofthoserelatingtogentlemen，whenyouinterruptmewithimpertinentstories。""Itwasonlysomethingputinbytheway，father，"Iobserved；
　　"andbesides，Iwasanxioustoappriseyouofanimportantcircumstance，whichIfindyouhaveoverlookedinestablishingyourdoctrineofprobability。"
　　"Ay，indeed！"exclaimedthemonk，"whatdefectcanthisbethathasescapedthenoticeofsomanyingeniousmen？""Youhavecertainly，"continuedI，"contrivedtoplaceyourdisciplesinperfectsafetysofarasGodandtheconscienceareconcerned；fortheyarequitesafeinthatquarter，accordingtoyou，byfollowinginthewakeofagravedoctor。Youhavealsosecuredthemonthepartoftheconfessors，byobligingpriests，onthepainofmortalsin，toabsolveallwhofollowaprobableopinion。Butyouhaveneglectedtosecurethemonthepartofthejudges；sothat，infollowingyourprobabilities，theyareindangerofcomingintocontactwiththewhipandthegallows。Thisisasadoversight。""Youareright，"
　　saidthemonk；"Iamgladyoumentionedit。Butthereasoniswehavenosuchpowerovermagistratesasovertheconfessors，whoareobligedtorefertousincasesofconscience，inwhichwearethesovereignjudges。"
　　"SoIunderstand，"returnedI；"butif，ontheonehand，youarethejudgesoftheconfessors，areyounot，ontheotherhand，theconfessorsofthejudges？Yourpowerisveryextensive。Obligethem，onpainofbeingdebarredfromthesacraments，toacquitallcriminalswhoactonaprobableopinion；
　　otherwiseitmayhappen，tothegreatcontemptandscandalofprobability，thatthosewhomyourenderinnocentintheorymaybewhippedorhangedinpractice。Withoutsomethingofthiskind，howcanyouexpecttogetdisciples？""Thematterdeservesconsideration，"saidhe；"itwillneverdotoneglectit。IshallsuggestittoourfatherProvincial。Youmight，however，havereservedthisadvicetosomeothertime，withoutinterruptingtheaccountIwasabouttogiveyouofthemaximswhichwehaveestablishedinfavourofgentlemen；andIshallnotgiveyouanymoreinformation，exceptonconditionthatyoudonottellmeanymorestories。"Thisisallyoushallhavefrommeatpresent；foritwouldrequiremorethanthelimitsofonelettertoacquaintyouwithallthatIlearnedinasingleconversation。MeanwhileIam，&；c。LETTERVIIParis，April25，1656SIR，Havingsucceededinpacifyingthegoodfather，whohadbeenratherdisconcertedbythestoryofJohnd’Alba，heresumedtheconversation，onmyassuringhimthatIwouldavoidallsuchinterruptionsinfuture，andspokeofthemaximsofhiscasuistswithregardtogentlemen，nearlyinthefollowingterms："Youknow，"hesaid，"thattherulingpassionofpersonsinthatrankoflifeis’thepointofhonor，’whichisperpetuallydrivingthemintoactsofviolenceapparentlyquiteatvariancewithChristianpiety；sothat，infact，theywouldbealmostallofthemexcludedfromourconfessionals，hadnotourfathersrelaxedalittlefromthestrictnessofreligion，toaccommodatethemselvestotheweaknessofhumanity。AnxioustokeepongoodtermsbothwiththeGospel，bydoingtheirdutytoGod，andwiththemenoftheworld，byshowingcharitytotheirneighbour，theyneededallthewisdomtheypossessedtodeviseexpedientsforsonicelyadjustingmattersastopermitthesegentlementoadoptthemethodsusuallyresortedtoforvindicatingtheirhonour，withoutwoundingtheirconsciences，andthusreconciletwothingsapparentlysooppositetoeachotheraspietyandthepointofhonour。
　　But，sir，inproportiontotheutilityofthedesign，wasthedifficultyoftheexecution。Youcannotfail，Ishouldthink，torealizethemagnitudeandarduousnessofsuchanenterprise？""Itastonishesme，certainly，"
　　saidI，rathercoldly。"Itastonishesyou，forsooth！"criedthemonk。"I
　　canwellbelievethat；manybesidesyoumightbeastonishedatit。Why，don’tyouknowthat，ontheonehand，theGospelcommandsus’nottorenderevilforevil，buttoleavevengeancetoGod’；andthat，ontheotherhand，thelawsoftheworldforbidourenduringanaffrontwithoutdemandingsatisfactionfromtheoffender，andthatoftenattheexpenseofhislife？
　　Youhavenever，Iamsure，metwithanythingtoallappearancemorediametricallyopposedthanthesetwocodesofmorals；andyet，whentoldthatourfathershavereconciledthem，youhavenothingmoretosaythansimplythatthisastonishesyou！""Ididnotsufficientlyexplainmyself，father。Ishouldcertainlyhaveconsideredthethingperfectlyimpracticable，ifIhadnotknown，fromwhatIhaveseenofyourfathers，thattheyarecapableofdoingwitheasewhatisimpossibletoothermen。Thisledmetoanticipatethattheymusthavediscoveredsomemethodformeetingthedifficulty—
　　amethodwhichIadmireevenbeforeknowingit，andwhichIprayyoutoexplaintome。""Sincethatisyourviewofthematter，"repliedthemonk，"Icannotrefuseyou。Knowthen，thatthismarvellousprincipleisourgrandmethodofdirectingtheintention—theimportanceofwhich，inourmoralsystem，issuchthatImightalmostventuretocompareitwiththedoctrineofprobability。Youhavehadsomeglimpsesofitinpassing，fromcertainmaximswhichImentionedtoyou。Forexample，whenIwasshowingyouhowservantsmightexecutecertaintroublesomejobswithasafeconscience，didyounotremarkthatitwassimplybydivertingtheirintentionfromtheeviltowhichtheywereaccessarytotheprofitwhichtheymightreapfromthetransaction？Nowthatiswhatwecalldirectingtheintention。
　　Yousaw，too，that，wereitnotforasimilardivergenceofthemind，thosewhogivemoneyforbeneficesmightbedownrightsimoniacs。ButIwillnowshowyouthisgrandmethodinallitsglory，asitappliestothesubjectofhomicide—acrimewhichitjustifiesinathousandinstances；inorderthat，fromthisstartlingresult，youmayformanideaofallthatitiscalculatedtoeffect。""Iforeseealready，"saidI，"that，accordingtothismode，everythingwillbepermitted；itwinstickatnothing。""Youalwaysflyfromtheoneextremetotheother，"repliedthemonk："pritheeavoidthathabit。For，justtoshowyouthatwearefarfrompermittingeverything，letmetellyouthatweneversuffersuchathingasaformalintentiontosin，withthesoledesignofsinning；andifanypersonwhatevershouldpersistinhavingnootherendbutevilintheevilthathedoes，webreakwithhimatonce：suchconductisdiabolical。Thisholdstrue，withoutexceptionofage，sex，orrank。Butwhenthepersonisnotofsuchawretcheddispositionasthis，wetrytoputinpracticeourmethodofdirectingtheintention，whichsimplyconsistsinhisproposingtohimself，astheendofhisactions，someallowableobject。Notthatwedonotendeavour，asfaraswecan，todissuademenfromdoingthingsforbidden；butwhenwecannotpreventtheaction，weatleastpurifythemotive，andthuscorrecttheviciousnessofthemeansbythegoodnessoftheend。Suchisthewayinwhichourfathershavecontrivedtopermitthoseactsofviolencetowhichmenusuallyresortinvindicationoftheirhonour。Theyhavenomoretodothantoturnofftheirintentionfromthedesireofvengeance，whichiscriminal，anddirectittoadesiretodefendtheirhonour，which，accordingtous，isquitewarrantable。AndinthiswayourdoctorsdischargealltheirdutytowardsGodandtowardsman。Bypermittingtheaction，theygratifytheworld；andbypurifyingtheintention，theygivesatisfactiontotheGospel。Thisisasecret，sir，whichwasentirelyunknowntotheancients；theworldisindebtedforthediscoveryentirelytoourdoctors。
　　Youunderstanditnow，Ihope？""Perfectlywell，"wasmyreply。"Tomenyougranttheoutwardmaterialeffectoftheaction；andtoGodyougivetheinwardandspiritualmovementoftheintention；andbythisequitablepartition，youformanalliancebetweenthelawsofGodandthelawsofmen。But，mydearsir，tobefrankwithyou，Icanhardlytrustyourpremisses，andIsuspectthatyourauthorswilltellanothertale。""Youdomeinjustice，rejoinedthemonk；"IadvancenothingbutwhatIamreadytoprove，andthatbysucharicharrayofpassagesthataltogethertheirnumber，theirauthority，andtheirreasonings，willfillyouwithadmiration。Toshowyou，forexample，thealliancewhichourfathershaveformedbetweenthemaximsoftheGospelandthoseoftheworld，bythusregulatingtheintention，letmereferyoutoReginald：’Privatepersonsareforbiddentoavengethemselves；forSt。PaulsaystotheRomans（12），"Recompensetonomanevilforevil"；andEcclesiasticussays（28），"HethattakethvengeanceshalldrawonhimselfthevengeanceofGod，andhissinswillnotbeforgotten。"
　　BesidesallthatissaidintheGospelaboutforgivingoffences，asinchapters6and18ofSt。Matthew。’""Well，father，ifafterthathesaysanythingcontrarytotheScripture，itwillnotbefromlackofscripturalknowledge，atanyrate。Pray，howdoesheconclude？""Youshallhear，"
　　hesaid。"Fromallthisitappearsthatamilitarymanmaydemandsatisfactiononthespotfromthepersonwhohasinjuredhim—not，indeed，withtheintentionofrenderingevilforevil，butwiththatofpreservinghishonour—
　　’nonutmalumpromaloreddat，sedutconservethonorem。’Seeyouhowcarefullytheyguardagainsttheintentionofrenderingevilforevil，becausetheScripturecondemnsit？Thisiswhattheywilltolerateonnoaccount。ThusLessiusobserves，that’ifamanhasreceivedablowontheface，hemustonnoaccounthaveanintentiontoavengehimself；buthemaylawfullyhaveanintentiontoavertinfamy，andmay，withthatview，repeltheinsultimmediately，evenatthepointofthesword—etiamcumgladio！’Sofararewefrompermittinganyonetocherishthedesignoftakingvengeanceonhisenemiesthatourfatherswillnotallowanyeventowishtheirdeath—
　　byamovementofhatred。’Ifyourenemyisdisposedtoinjureyou，’saysEscobar，’youhavenorighttowishhisdeath，byamovementofhatred；
　　thoughyoumay，withaviewtosaveyourselffromharm。’Solegitimate，indeed，isthiswish，withsuchanintention，thatourgreatHurtadodeMendozasaysthat’wemayprayGodtovisitwithspeedydeaththosewhoarebentonpersecutingus，ifthereisnootherwayofescapingfromit。’"
　　"Mayitpleaseyourreverence，"saidI，"theChurchhasforgottentoinsertapetitiontothateffectamongherprayers。""TheyhavenotputineverythingintotheprayersthatonemaylawfullyaskofGod，"answeredthemonk。
　　"Besides，inthepresentcase，thethingwasimpossible，forthissameopinionisofmorerecentstandingthantheBreviary。Youarenotagoodchronologist，friend。But，nottowanderfromthepoint，letmerequestvourattentiontothefollowingpassage，citedbyDianafromGasparHurtado，oneofEscobar’sfour—and—twentyfathers：’Anincumbentmay，withoutanymortalsin，desirethedeceaseofalife—renteronhisbenefice，andasonthatofhisfather，andrejoicewhenithappens；providedalwaysitisforthesakeoftheprofitthatistoaccruefromtheevent，andnotfrompersonalaversion。’""Good！"criedI。"Thatiscertainlyaveryhappyhit；andIcaneasilyseethatthedoctrineadmitsofawideapplication。
　　Butyettherearecertaincases，thesolutionofwhich，thoughofgreatimportanceforgentlemen，mightpresentstillgreaterdifficulties。""Proposethem，ifyouplease，thatwemaysee，"saidthemonk。"Showme，withallyourdirectingoftheintention，"returnedI，"thatitisallowabletofightaduel。""OurgreatHurtadodeMendoza，"saidthefather，"willsatisfyyouonthatpointinatwinkling。’Ifagentleman，’sayshe，inapassagecitedbyDiana，’whoischallengedtofightaduel，iswellknowntohavenoreligion，andifthevicestowhichheisopenlyandunscrupulouslyaddictedaresuchaswouldleadpeopletoconclude，intheeventofhisrefusingtofight，thatheisactuated，notbythefearofGod，butbycowardice，andinducethemtosayofhimthathewasahen，andnotaman，gallina，etnonvir；inthatcasehemay，tosavehishonour，appearattheappointedspot—not，indeed，withtheexpressintentionoffightingaduel，butmerelywiththatofdefendinghimself，shouldthepersonwhochallengedhimcomethereunjustlytoattackhim。Hisactioninthiscase，viewedbyitself，willbeperfectlyindifferent；forwhatmoralevilisthereinonesteppingintoafield，takingastrollinexpectationofmeetingaperson，anddefendingone’sselfintheeventofbeingattacked？Andthusthegentlemanisguiltyofnosinwhatever；forinfactitcannotbecalledacceptingachallengeatall，hisintentionbeingdirectedtoothercircumstances，andtheacceptanceofachallengeconsistinginanexpressintentiontofight，whichwearesupposingthegentlemanneverhad。’""Youhavenotkeptyourwordwithme，sir，"saidI。"Thisisnot，properlyspeaking，topermitduelling；onthecontrary，thecasuistissopersuadedthatthispracticeisforbiddenthat，inlicensingtheactioninquestion，hecarefullyavoidscallingitaduel。""Ah！"criedthemonk，"youbegintogetknowingonmyhand，Iamgladtosee。ImightreplythattheauthorIhavequotedgrantsallthatduellistsaredisposedtoask。
　　Butsinceyoumusthaveacategoricalanswer，IshallallowourFatherLaymantogiveitforme。Hepermitsduellinginsomanywords，providedthat，inacceptingthechallenge，thepersondirectshisintentionsolelytothepreservationofhishonourorhisproperty：’Ifasoldieroracourtierisinsuchapredicamentthathemustloseeitherhishonourorhisfortuneunlessheacceptsachallenge，Iseenothingtohinderhimfromdoingsoinself—defence。’ThesamethingissaidbyPeterHurtado，asquotedbyourfamousEscobar；hiswordsare：’Onemayfightadueleventodefendone’sproperty，shouldthatbenecessary；becauseeverymanhasarighttodefendhisproperty，thoughattheexpenseofhisenemy’slife！’"I
　　wasstruck，onhearingthesepassages，withthereflectionthat，whilethepietyofthekingappearsinhisexertingallhispowertoprohibitandabolishthepracticeofduellingintheState，thepietyoftheJesuitsisshownintheiremployingalltheiringenuitytotolerateandsanctionitintheChurch。Butthegoodfatherwasinsuchanexcellentkeyfortalkingthatitwouldhavebeencrueltohaveinterruptedhim；sohewentonwithhisdiscourse。"Inshort，"saidhe，"Sanchez（mark，now，whatgreatnamesIamquotingtoyou！）Sanchez，sir，goesastepfurther；forheshowshow，simplybymanagingtheintentionrightly，apersonmaynotonlyreceiveachallenge，butgiveone。AndourEscobarfollowshim。""Provethat，father，"
　　saidI，"andIshallgiveupthepoint：butIwillnotbelievethathehaswrittenit，unlessIseeitinprint。""Readityourself，then，"hereplied：and，tobesure，IreadthefollowingextractfromtheMoralTheologyofSanchez："Itisperfectlyreasonabletoholdthatamanmayfightadueltosavehislife，hishonour，oranyconsiderableportionofhisproperty，whenitisapparentthatthereisadesigntodeprivehimoftheseunjustly，bylaw—suitsandchicanery，andwhenthereisnootherwayofpreservingthem。Navarrejustlyobservesthat，insuchcases，itislawfuleithertoacceptortosendachallenge—licetacceptareetofferreduellum。Thesameauthoraddsthatthereisnothingtopreventonefromdespatchingone’sadversaryinaprivateway。Indeed，inthecircumstancesreferredto，itisadvisabletoavoidemployingthemethodoftheduel，ifitispossibletosettletheaffairbyprivatelykillingourenemy；for，bythismeans，weescapeatoncefromexposingourlifeinthecombat，andfromparticipatinginthesinwhichouropponentwouldhavecommittedbyfightingtheduel！""Amostpiousassassination！"saidI。"Still，however，piousthoughitbe，itisassassination，ifamanispermittedtokillhisenemyinatreacherousmanner。""DidIsaythathemightkillhimtreacherously？"