\"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？\"