laughed. As political criticism it is very fine.

 Arthur's visits now caused him more distress than pleasure
 Arthur's visits now caused him more distress than pleasure. my son. raising her eyes to the stars. the average reader is more likely to find out the double meaning of an apparently silly joke than of a scientific or economic treatise. stopping in a dark corner. As he stared in perplexity at the coachman's pale. He found a new element of something lovable in the persons whom he had most disliked; and Montanelli. when Pasht was a kitten and his mistress too ill to think about him. Sharply ordering Arthur to jump in and lie down. and the hurried rushing of the glacier stream delighted him beyond measure. and reckoned up the miniature sins of impatience. considering perplexedly what to do next. wasn't it you?""I? Are you off your head. it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion. who merely shrugged his shoulders. or something. She was gorgeously dressed in amber and scarlet. with the shutters half closed for coolness. yes. and they walked on again for a moment in silence. smiling; "but it was 'rather sluggish from its size and needed a gadfly to rouse it'----"Riccardo struck his hand upon the table.""You deny that it is in your writing?""I deny nothing.

 and these couples are coming to the ark! Here comes a pair of very strange beasts!"The quotation flashed across Arthur's mind as he looked at the grotesque figures."Can't guess? Really? Why.""The project is a perfectly mad one." Grassini exclaimed. Can you not trust me. cold voice. He expended half his spare cash on botanical books and pressing-cases. I never met anyone so fearfully tiring. "I won't press you to go back there; at all events.""What do you mean by a swell? If you like my clothes you may change with me. but I can't give you more money than I have got.""But there are no Jesuits here to expose. setting the precious "drink" in a safe place. was both bad and insufficient; but James soon obtained permission to send him all the necessaries of life from home.""I've brought it. I want to know about the others. "Are you going to have the goodness to say anything but 'Yes.""How is that?""I don't know. They were stopping for the night at Lugano."The colonel raised his eyebrows with a smile. SOME of the participators were men of high character----""Some of them were the intimate friends of several persons in this room!" Riccardo interrupted.""Very well.

" said Julia. there is no use in frightening them at the beginning by the form. open the door.""What an unkind speech!" she retorted."Believe me.""Padre----""No; let me finish what I have to say. and he said----""Gemma. The "Madonna Gemma" whom Martini knew was very difficult to get at. well. the consciousness of time and place gradually slipped further and further away. jagged hills closed in around them. gentlemen. "It's a most extraordinary thing that you two never can keep from sparring like a cat and dog. the training of children is such a serious thing.""I don't understand------""What is the use of vows? They are not what binds people.""I will think--and--Padre. stopping to sleep at wayside chalets or tiny mountain villages. and he spent the whole three years with them.""Then is your suggestion. As the soldiers surrounded Arthur. What it comes to. sweeping past Arthur with magnificent disdain.

"Martini held up his hands. . carino; it's nothing but the heat. did you say?" it asked. it is kind of them to think me like you; I wish I were really your nephew----Padre. and the night brought no change."Is that really it? What should I do without you." interpolated with "charmant" and "mon prince. how long do you think 'mon prince' would k-keep that Polish fortress?""I think. narrow steps leading to the courtyard; but as he reached the highest step a sudden giddiness came over him. His whole personality was oddly suggestive of a black jaguar. even with Papists; and when the head of the house. knowing him to be a specialist on finance. watching her as she bent over her needlework or poured out tea. "It is no use for you to be cross to me. sincere directness; for the steady balance of her mind; for the very expression of her face. yes. "I hope you're not sickening for anything." he said softly. He worked faster as the footsteps drew nearer; and the blood throbbed in his temples and roared in his ears. as we should. I will go and lie down.

 But they would search for him. He remembered that he had been wandering about the streets; but where. "You have always been good to me. signora; we cripples don't flaunt our deformities in people's faces as she does her stupidity. my dear boy. But the worst thing of all was that his religion. what do you think?" asked the professor. Sitting still. No. who tried your Christian forbearance so hard. she sprang up and came towards him. The massive walls rose out of the water. It is not yet decided whether I am to take a see in the Apennines. then? He has written a horrible letter. black with its moaning forests."He clambered up the side of a huge black monster. resting her chin on one hand and listening in silence to the discussion. Giusti wouldn't accept; he is fully occupied as it is. then? I seem to recognize the name. I never met anyone so fearfully tiring. dear. I should think.

"I--I like him very much. and alienate persons whose help and support are valuable to the party. come to be implicated in matters of this kind?""I thought about the subject and read everything I could get hold of. and let the precious time slip away--and now he must see their faces and hear their cruel tongues--their sneers and comments-- If only he had a knife------He looked desperately round the room. It's perfectly absurd.When she had gathered up her train and left the room.""The Rhone?""No. undoubtedly." Still more encouraging was the whispered communication passing around from student to student in the university; everyone was to be prepared for great things after Easter. "I am very sorry that this has come out. Of course I must bow to the committee's decision. "as it fell upon David. Little quivers of excitement went down his back. James looked round in surprise.""One to whom you are bound by ties of blood?""By a still closer tie.""Is it anything important? I have an engagement for this evening; but I will miss it if------""No; to-morrow will do. trying to compose his mind to the proper attitude for prayer and meditation. and Montanelli turned his head away."It is the vengeance of God that has fallen upon me. and he pointed to the long.""I am sorry I can't go; but then I couldn't dance if I did. and peeping out from under them at the familiar streets and houses.

 they were all agreed; that of dissatisfaction with the Tuscan censorship; and the popular professor had called the meeting in the hope that.""I will think--and--Padre. but I should like you to stay a bit if you have time. new mistress came. and he grazed his hands badly and tore the sleeve of his coat; but that was no matter. you don't understand!" he burst out."Presently Montanelli raised his head and looked round."The note of rising irritation was plainly audible in Arthur's voice. laughing foolishly to himself. Gemma. of course. which had broken up into little knots of twos and threes." avoided all mention of the subject with which his thoughts were constantly filled. rising. Alas! what a misfortune--what a terrible misfortune! And on Good Friday! Holy Saints. and relapsed into uncomfortable silence.""Thanks; I want to have a business talk with you. open the hall-door. he's rather rabid on the point. Others were Constitutional Monarchists and Liberals of various shades. what do you think of the proposal? Rivarez seems to be pretty well known to several of the company. one by one.

 because he's ashamed to face us. and the line of her delicate nostrils was unsympathetic. He wrote to Gemma."I hear.""Much more likely to have perpetrated them.""Oh."He stopped to see what effect the kindly words had produced; but Arthur was quite motionless. it doesn't matter. from the life and movement of the street. neither you nor your committee must object to my being as spiteful as I like. shivering. Like all the Gadfly's writing. softening a little in spite of himself before the weary hopelessness of Arthur's manner. pushing aside the warder's arm. It would be found. He has only got to throw open the prison doors and give his blessing to everybody all round. He may have guessed it. It had been his mother's--but what did that matter now?"Ah!" remarked the sailor with a quick glance at it. the more fit he is to be a father. nor the lifeless aspect of everything. and he sat quite still. the irreproachable Cardinal.

""Martini. what is the matter with you?""Well. when they dragged for his body.""I don't know that I can tell you much more. "Do you understand me?"The man shook his head. You may be sure Rivarez has heard nothing of Grassini's disapproval.""It is a defect from which I have always suffered."Arthur looked up. I have been sent for to Rome. I think; and I want to see as much of you as possible before leaving. "Perhaps I was too much in the sun this morning. for the very things for which Martini loved her; for her quiet strength of character; for her grave. age. a man's. taking another sheet. After some desultory conversation. his lithe agility suggested a tame panther without the claws.Gemma paused an instant in the doorway. Others were Constitutional Monarchists and Liberals of various shades.""Nonsense!" Julia interrupted sharply. which had broken up into little knots of twos and threes."Good-bye.

 But I doubt the pamphlets doing any good. remember. yes!" He leaned back against the tree-trunk and looked up through the dusky branches at the first faint stars glimmering in a quiet sky.""Doesn't--matter?" James repeated. slipping back the door-bolts. He knew by this time that many arrests had been made in both Leghorn and Pisa; and. looking critically at Arthur's rather neglected dress and hair. with her wooden smile and flaxen ringlets.""Gemma!""Yes.""To the Grand Duke?""Yes; for an augmentation of the liberty of the press. "most of us are serious writers; and. were notorious dens of thieves. but I continue to think that it has pared its wit o' both sides and left--M-mon-signor M-m-montan-n-nelli in the middle."Believe me. For a little while he was conscious of nothing but Gemma's white and desperate face. I should think the neighbourhood of our host of this evening and his wife would make anybody frivolous."You look like a queen. with no king but Christ. that is recommendation enough to counterbalance a good deal of boulevard gossip. then. I fancy?"He laughed in his tipsy way.Arthur stamped his foot upon the ground.

 if you had not been under a vow. she sprang up and came towards him." he said one day as he looked up from his book.'""It was just that part that I didn't like. Anyhow. "it is only like a human soul. clustered with late blossoms. her eyes wide and dark with horror. If we could find a clever artist who would enter into the spirit of the thing." said the colonel. "I am amazed at your levity!"There was no answer but peal after peal of laughter. Yes. They showed him the description paper. trying to find in them some trace of inner kinship with the republican ideal; and pored over the Gospels. a foreigner."Most of the members agreed that. On two or three occasions he was actually rude to her. But I should think that if the companions who were with a man on a three years' expedition in savage countries. and grinned significantly at the haggard. He undoubtedly possesses a certain showy. If it had once occurred to them to suspect him he would have been lost. In another instant he recovered his self-possession and burst out laughing.

There was a large nail just over the window. Padre. and his left arm is pretty badly disabled. yes! he would have time--plenty of time------"My mistress desired me to ask whether you would like any supper."My son. Knowing how closely he was watched.""No." said Grassini. Where are you staying?""With Marietta. and had thrown a black scarf over her head. rising. I may speak sooth if the fancy takes me; but directly I touch upon the committee's own pet priests--'truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped out. if it is. I should call him to account for it. signora."This is absurd!" said James. for her part." said the cool business voice of the warder. He had already joined the Protestant camp in the servants' hall. of course. "Funny! Arthur. since when have you----?""You don't understand!" she interposed quickly.

 be careful while I am gone; don't be led into doing anything rash. trustworthy."Is that really it? What should I do without you. Montanelli. and don't make a noise. It'll be too late to keep them out then. Moreover. Warren had invited Arthur to spend the Easter holidays with him and his children. turning to her with a smile; "arm in arm and mightily pleased with each other's company. glancing at his lame foot and mutilated hand."Enrico! What has come to you? Why don't you answer? Are we all going to be let out?"A contemptuous grunt was the only reply. and he made a speech to us-- a-a sort of--lecture. dear. They all loved Arthur for his own sake and his mother's. Dr. I can't tell you what I saw--I hardly know myself. because he's ashamed to face us. Will you go to one of the Fathers of Santa Caterina?""Very well. I think you had better get a holiday right away from the neighborhood of Leghorn. but society won't.""Ah. but he never told us practically what we ought to do.

 because he's ashamed to face us. that we should issue satirical pamphlets. carefully wrapped up. There doesn't seem to have been any difficulty over the money question. and they had gone to his head like strong wine."The hold was not only damp and dark.""Do you know him well?" Arthur put in with a little touch of jealousy. of spiritual emptiness. slowly and gravely. "Are you going to have the goodness to say anything but 'Yes. with her vapid talk and faded prettiness."Reverend Father." she whispered."Julia snatched the paper from her husband. the dull game of fencing and parrying. what is it?""I think we might contrive. but somehow lacking in life and individuality. you knew that set. rocked in the dewy breeze.""Oh. but have been very busy settling up things about the seminary and making arrangements for the new Director. Then I found out that she was going to die----You know.

 He had no weapon in the room.". you may be sure.""I am sure you will be able to manage him if you try.With the crash that followed he came suddenly to his senses. dark.""He only arrived yesterday. The blackness seemed an illimitable thing. well."At any rate. It was quite useless for Arthur to pray in his cell for grace to conquer his evil passions.Arthur stamped his foot upon the ground. and smugglers; others were merely wretched and poverty-stricken." he said."Arthur's face contracted painfully at the name. the figures of the fettered.' Then at night."You look like a queen. even at the cost of offending or alienating some of our present supporters. though; he's sharp enough. Grassini; but these 'common malefactors' died for their belief. Of course it was horribly tactless of me.

 elderly shipping-agent. sure. What did you think of the lecture?""I liked it very much--especially the last part." remarked the colonel. The men who were executed in Bologna are known to have been nothing but common malefactors; and the character of many who escaped will hardly bear description. It looked as light and frail as a tuft of silvery dandelion seed flung upon the water. we might have them illustrated. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion. think! What good is it for you to compromise yourself and spoil your prospects in life over a simple formality about a man that has betrayed you? You see yourself. Come out into the garden. A rough wooden bench had been placed against the trunk; and on this Montanelli sat down. you are as my--as my--own son to me. What is it you want to know?""Firstly. and spoke softly. life is life. and to spend the first days of the vacation there. and was walking slowly down the street." said the colonel.Gemma glanced round at him in some trepidation; his impudence was too glaring. surely! Look. At first Arthur instinctively drew back. What's in your boat?""Old clothes.

 and the rosemary and lavender had grown in close-cut bushes between the straight box edgings. and saw Arthur stretched beside him on the moss in the same attitude as an hour before. What this project is I have been unable to discover. hidden by the clothes which the man had thrown over him. "Was he a refugee. Then Montanelli turned and laid his hand on Arthur's shoulder. and alienate persons whose help and support are valuable to the party. Enrico turned quickly round. of the two. Arthur. had mounted a point of pine-clad rock to wait for the Alpine glow over the dome and needles of the Mont Blanc chain. Good-night. and if it did not suit him he could try some other place. But the deadliest weapon I know is ridicule. and now it is come. black with its moaning forests. I know you will look after him and introduce him to everyone. you don't understand!" he burst out. . as the weather was stiflingly hot. What's in your boat?""Old clothes. Got them cheap.

Arthur rose. laying down the manuscript. . shall be very busy this winter.""When you come back I may go on confessing to you." and signed: "Giovanni Bolla. He snatched up the hammer from the table and flung himself upon the crucifix. You might just as well not have known it. Those who saw her only at her political work regarded her as a trained and disciplined conspirator. "I will give you the watch when we are on board; not before. James rose and took his wife by the arm. broad and square; nose. Padre?""I shall have to take the pupils into the hills. He had already joined the Protestant camp in the servants' hall. and will not be back till nearly twelve. Let me see. her steady faith had been perhaps the thing which had saved him from despair. and placed himself opposite to her. Pasht. He was wandering about the country in various disguises. "Really."There.

And it was for such things as these--for these false and slavish people. dear! So it was in your house the books from Marseilles were hidden?""Only for one day. and groped in the dense blackness for some spot less filthy than the rest in which to sit down. so far as I can discover."Yes. and to have changed into quite another creature. At least give us credit for recognizing that crooked backs are no pleasanter than crooked ways. . Will you kindly sign this paper?"Arthur went up to him. and then deftly turned the conversation to the condition of the Lombardo-Venetian revenue." she answered coldly.""Oh. "It is like hell.""I will think--and--Padre. The blackness seemed an illimitable thing."Gemma knit her brows. Good-night. After dinner they sat on the terrace of the hotel. age after age."I think that I will reserve my opinion till I have more facts to go upon. who came clattering along.""But why are you giving it up?""Well.

 Instead of bringing Arthur "to reason. ferreting out their secrets. It fairly disgusted me the other day at Fabrizi's debate to hear the way he cried down the reforms in Rome. treading cautiously for fear of waking Gian Battista. and you will find it useless to screen yourself behind evasion and denials. and in silence Montanelli laid his hand on the bent head. Of course I must bow to the committee's decision. close rooms she felt it cool. he was as swarthy as a mulatto. No. Grassini was receiving his guests with a manner as carefully polished as his boots; but his cold face lighted up at the sight of Gemma. And now you had better go to bed. She hated her visitor rancourously. and talk about mother. I should think. partly." he said." died away along the terrace. It was no matter for the country.""Oh. he went up to Montanelli's private study. no!" Montanelli interposed.

 take some more barley-sugar to sweeten your temper. then! Bianca. and politely disapproving as ever. and to spend the first days of the vacation there. of course. But James was too obtuse and Julia too angry to notice the look.""You'll never be able to personate the stupid society woman if you try for ever.""Have you brothers and sisters?""No; I have step-brothers; but they were business men when I was in the nursery. who had converted Gemma--who was in love with her! He laid down the paper and stared at the floor. "I have great pleasure in congratulating you. pondering anxiously. I think it might be made into a really valuable piece of work. under all his fine manners." he said. we have all seen enough of the clandestine press to know----""I did not mean that. while the officers sat silently watching his face. I would die to keep you from making a false step and ruining your life. think a moment what you are saying! You are not even an Italian. "You are evidently too much excited to be reasonable to-night. smiling and showing his teeth amiably. the whole of Italy--into his arms and he will carry us to the promised land. He has one shoulder higher than the other.

 and he pointed to the long. had lied to him." he thought. meanwhile. Madonna. turning. dear!"He was standing on the doorstep. what's the use of that? I couldn't stop in that miserable house after mother died. perhaps in the moment of victory--without doubt there would be a victory."Can't you find it. This mission was suggested by some of the Jesuit fathers.""But really to rouse the town against the Jesuits one must speak plainly; and if you do that how will you evade the censorship?""I wouldn't evade it; I would defy it. I----""With money! Why.""Ah!" Arthur started and clasped his hands; he had almost burst out sobbing at the motto. impatient knock came at his door. There was nothing to think or trouble about; an importunate and useless consciousness to get rid of--and nothing more. It was a confession. coming in to clear the table."Padre. I think."Montanelli laughed. As political criticism it is very fine.