Section 8: Chapter 17 and 18 Summary

In chapter seventeen, the Benedictines treat Vivaldi and Paulo's wounds until they are taken to the jail at St. Peter's. They enter Rome at midnight in the midst of a carnival and are handed into a jailor's care at the prison of the Inquisition. Vivaldi is taken to the chief officer where he expects to be tortured for a confession. Swearing an oath to tell the truth before the tribunal, Vivaldi denies the charge of stealing a nun from her convent and is threatened with torture for the impiety of his denial. He refuses to answer the tribunal's questions about Ellena, and they reminds him that the court is merciful to those who confess their crimes; only obstinate refusal meets with torture. When the tribunal refuses to reveal the name of Vivaldi's accuser or witnesses, he repeats his innocence...