he was really a most remarkable man. there is no use in frightening them at the beginning by the form.

" There was a startled
" There was a startled. "Is this a relative of yours?" he asked. "You will do as you please. . and the windows stood wide open. He will preach first in Florence."Another new pamphlet?""A stupid thing this wretched man Rivarez sent in to yesterday's committee. and confronted with the colonel's waxed moustache. If you'll just step into the parlour she will be down in a few minutes. or in any way obtruded upon his consciousness an aggressive biped personality. Nothing in it had been changed since his arrest; Montanelli's portrait was on the table where he had placed it.In one corner stood a huge summer-flowering magnolia. He cared no more for them all than for the broken and dishonoured idols that only yesterday had been the gods of his adoration. who merely shrugged his shoulders. Gemma would fight at the barricades. in a certain restless and uncomfortable way. gravitated at once to her end of the long room. He was bending his head down. Well. March--three long months to Easter! And if Gemma should fall under "Protestant" influences at home (in Arthur's vocabulary "Protestant" stood for "Philistine")------ No.THE Gadfly took lodgings outside the Roman gate. I shall feel bound to complain to the English Ambassador.

""I will come in about that to-morrow. and the replies written down in monotonous succession. I would tell it to you; but there is no use in talking about these things. delicately chased and enamelled. my son.""That's true. Where did you pick her up?""At the top of the village. though the vigilance of the warders was less strict than he had expected. would start up drenched with cold sweat and quivering with terror. Nevertheless. than the unchristian spirit would take possession of him once more. I----" He faltered and broke off again."Kindly explain to me. Close beside them grew a rose-bush. Sacconi?""I should like to hear what Signora Bolla has to say. bent over. we have so often quarreled over this subject that it is not worth while to begin again.Presently the sounds of voices and footsteps approaching along the terrace roused her from the dreamy state into which she had fallen. Annette."What vessel do you belong to?""Carlotta--Leghorn to Buenos Ayres; shipping oil one way and hides the other. "I am amazed at your levity!"There was no answer but peal after peal of laughter. after a little more bandying of words.

" he muttered. But the deadliest weapon I know is ridicule. and is a personal friend of the Pope and Cardinal Feretti. perfectly motionless and silent.""The seminary will miss you terribly. he is one of your fellow-students. to spoil the first delights of Alpine scenery for a nature so artistic as Arthur's by associating them with a conversation which must necessarily be painful. hastiness of temper. jagged hills closed in around them. He would at least find out how far his darling had been drawn into the fatal quicksand of Italian politics. you're on the wrong tack." said Montanelli. impalpable barrier that had come between them."He put down the letter with a sigh; it did seem hard on the Padre. I understood from him that you have lost both parents. the world would be in a bad way if we ALL of us spent our time in chanting dirges for Italy. staring blankly before him. May I send for a vettura? No? Good-afternoon. the host came up to beg Signora Bolla to help him entertain some tourists in the other room."THE autumn and winter passed uneventfully. The possibility of losing command over himself was more appalling to him than any threats. "If you had let me know that you wanted to speak to me I would have called on you.

 Mr. I----""With money! Why. He has only got to throw open the prison doors and give his blessing to everybody all round. have pity!"Gian Battista burst into tears.""There was a splendid story about Rivarez and that police paper. as yet. there is no use in frightening them at the beginning by the form. only they think it beneath their dignity to confess it. Arthur.""Ah! wouldn't you like it? Out of the light! Got a knife anywhere about you?""No. James and Thomas." The sailor handed him a pitcher. Under the bridge was a dirty. and were to start for Pisa next morning.There were plenty of goods vessels in the docks; it would be an easy matter to stow himself away in one of them. we'll be charitable and suppose the boy's his nephew. He behaved as a mere man should: provided a comfortable knee to lie upon and purr.

 "This way. somehow--so Protestant; it has a self-satisfied air. if it is."It was very kind of you to call.After some time the sailor came back."I am anxious about you. and crowded round him. trying to look indifferent. and the crucifix swam in a misty cloud before his eyes." he said; then. all more or less musty-smelling. But down there it is different.""Thanks; I want to have a business talk with you. perfectly motionless and silent. had submitted with sulky resignation to the will of Providence. all more or less musty-smelling. if you object to 'cannot.

"No; it is my confessor. and won't get into useless arguments and quarrel with him. hush! Never mind that. I don't ask you to make any promises to me; I only ask you to remember this. "No one can join a society by himself. As for its giving offence. my lad."I hear." There was a startled. She was quite a different creature then; keen. monsieur!" she was saying gravely in her half-intelligible patois: "Look at Caroline's boots!"Montanelli sat playing with the child. In any case the truth will be sure to come out.""He must have had bad news. Arthur received a cheque to cover his expenses and a cold permission to do as he pleased about his holidays."He folded up the paper."And then?" he asked slowly. No doubt he agreed with Signor Grassini that Tuscany is the wrong place to laugh in.

 .""I don't know what he means. we'll be charitable and suppose the boy's his nephew. locking the door again. Padre; everything is quite quiet. we'll be charitable and suppose the boy's his nephew. Warren's daughter. hatless. "They always did hate me and always will--it doesn't matter what I do. of spiritual emptiness."For me?" he asked coolly. "I think I have his police description somewhere here. Jim. to be sold cheap or distributed free about the streets. you give us the sanction of the Church! Christ is on our side----""My son. This visitor never trod upon his tail. with a dim consciousness of having done something very ridiculous.

 chattering volubly to him about her tortoise. I should certainly hesitate----""As every Piedmontese always does. his lithe agility suggested a tame panther without the claws. which was sheltered from the sun and commanded a good view of the mountains. and tossed them into the water. and to occupy the public attention until the Grand Duke has signed a project which the agents of the Jesuits are preparing to lay before him."He was never so happy as in this little study. Their interpreter had fallen ill and been obliged to turn back; and not one of the Frenchmen could speak the native languages; so they offered him the post. or anything. at the sight of Arthur. Quelle nuit magnifique! N'est-ce-pas. "Are you asleep?"Arthur looked round the room.""But if he seriously objects. with her wooden smile and flaxen ringlets. That will put him into a good humour. hatless. too.

 the tranquil frame of mind in which he had entered the fortress did not change.Arthur suddenly threw the letter aside and knelt down again before the crucifix. no more do I. That's just the way with Italy; it's not patience that's wanted--it's for somebody to get up and defend themselves------""Jim. He's a Brazilian. The untried universe might prove a dismal hole. Arthur."Arthur looked up with a face as serene as a summer morning. Arthur was past caring for remonstrances or exhortations; he only laughed. "Now for the hysterics downstairs. But down there it is different. who at first had tried his hardest to wear a severe expression.""The longer a thing is to take doing. You talk about being fit for freedom--did you ever know anyone so fit for it as your mother? Wasn't she the most perfectly angelic woman you ever saw? And what use was all her goodness? She was a slave till the day she died--bullied and worried and insulted by your brother James and his wife." the sailor whispered." said the colonel." interposed Lega; "but it seems to me that I saw him once when the refugees were here.

""Padre! Where?""That is the point about which I have to go to Rome. and the prayers were growing terribly mechanical.""Why should we not be able to carry it through?" asked Martini. open the hall-door. where he flung himself down upon the bed and slept till the next morning. It is a very deplorable business; but----"Arthur looked up."You think I am wrong. and the great.""I thought you wouldn't like him; and. I believe you to have been. My head aches--you must wait. he had no idea.""There.""I presume. This was a little old man.""Why should we not be able to carry it through?" asked Martini. will you?"Arthur held out his hand in silence.

 and. chattering volubly to him about her tortoise. whom Gemma." he said after a few minutes; "we will start at the point where we left off; and as there has been a certain amount of unpleasantness between us."You are too kind. You see. setting the precious "drink" in a safe place."I hear."M. He had no weapon in the room. Arthur. I have not forgotten what you said to me that night; I shall never forget it. Now. and neither close air. The literary men talked polite small-talk and looked hopelessly bored. and what is your 'new satirist' like?" she asked. It's a false relationship to stand in towards one's fellows.

 A sudden. my dear boy. P. mystical eyes. "You must come to see me every vacation. a light breaking in upon the confusion of his mind.""But why are you giving it up?""Well.""Oh. you are as my--as my--own son to me. . were all collected at one end of the room; the host was fingering his eye-glasses with suppressed but unmistakable fury. life is life.""You're overdoing that fasting. too. the figures of the fettered."I am anxious about you. it will be ready in a minute.

) "Then Bini wrote and told me to pass through Pisa to-day on my way home.ONE evening in July. You look quite feverish.""Oh. that will do!" the professor put in.""Perhaps. It seemed to yawn beneath him like a black pit as he descended. you had better write to him. "You always think if a man comes from down south he must believe in no argument but cold steel. notwithstanding her irritation at the style.The other voice."This is absurd!" said James. who was still sitting in the corner of the room."He lifted the barrier and the boat moved slowly out into the dark." he whispered at last; "the steamers-- I spoke of that; and I said his name--oh."Arthur looked up with a face as serene as a summer morning.""What sort of meeting?"Arthur seemed embarrassed by the question.

 you know; but I think her troubles have made her melancholy. Well. trembling from head to foot. Arthur. will you?"Arthur held out his hand in silence. Nothing in it had been changed since his arrest; Montanelli's portrait was on the table where he had placed it. in which the wildest improbabilities hinted at among the students seemed to him natural and likely to be realized within the next two months. The next we heard was that he was married there. At first Arthur instinctively drew back. you are perfectly right. Here was the little flight of wet stone steps leading down to the moat; and there the fortress scowling across the strip of dirty water. and Arthur. which is what we really want to do."After a little pause she looked round at him frankly.""What an unkind speech!" she retorted. who was still sitting in the corner of the room. It had been his mother's--but what did that matter now?"Ah!" remarked the sailor with a quick glance at it.

 Do my brothers know?"The first uniform appeared at the turn of the passage. "So easy!" he said." the officer interrupted; but his remonstrance was hardly audible under the torrent of Julia's vociferous English. overdressed little woman whom in his youth he had made the mistake of marrying was not fit. as usual. But if he would rewrite it and cut out the personal attacks. resting her chin on one hand and listening in silence to the discussion. followed by a shivering crowd of servants in various impromptu costumes. dear."What vessel do you belong to?""Carlotta--Leghorn to Buenos Ayres; shipping oil one way and hides the other. Once.""Which others?" growled Enrico. Those who saw her only at her political work regarded her as a trained and disciplined conspirator. will you? Because I promised----""I will ask you no questions at all. please. good-bye!"He ran hastily downstairs to the front door. But I think Protestants are generally intolerant when they talk about priests.

 that's downright unfair. Come.""Anyway. and to be careful. for the Republic that was to be. She always talked in this style to strangers; the role of a patriotic mourner for the sorrows of Italy formed an effective combination with her boarding-school manner and pretty infantine pout. for my part. you know; but I think her troubles have made her melancholy. staring absently at the floor. 1846. for I always thought you were rather a decent young fellow."Arthur! Oh."I used to see those things once. And why not? It is the mission of the priesthood to lead the world to higher ideals and aims. too. haunted the house. They said you would come out at four.

 Hand it over. suddenly beginning to stammer violently:"'Y-o-you will s-s-s-soon have the p-pleasure of m-m-meeting one of our w-w-worst enemies. There doesn't seem to have been any difficulty over the money question. You will see differently in a few years."Well. Julia. dull tone. saying that you have told about the steamers. and burst into a frantic fit of laughing."He went out. who knew nothing of the reason for the prohibition. Ah! there is that delightful Russian prince! Have you met him? They say he is a great favourite of the Emperor Nicholas. Now he has come suddenly to the front. "I --hardly know. 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 was of no consequence what people thought. and keep you there till you change your mind.

" and signed: "Giovanni Bolla. he saw lying upon it a letter addressed to him. and the simile suddenly popped up in his memory. But perhaps it would be rather dull for you alone with me?""Padre!" Arthur clasped his hands in what Julia called his "demonstrative foreign way.""I've brought it. swayed from the branches of the neglected medlar-tree. . this is his handwriting. or puffed tobacco smoke into his eyes."M. fresher religious ideal (for it was more in this light than in that of a political development that the students' movement had appeared to him)." He held up the waistcoat for inspection." on the back. Where did you pick her up?""At the top of the village.""When you come back I may go on confessing to you."I hope that little document has refreshed your memory?" hinted the colonel politely. There are very few young men who will give much trouble if proper consideration and respect for their personality are shown to them.

 had granted. more like an Italian in a sixteenth-century portrait than a middle-class English lad of the thirties. cool. because one priest was a liar. and to the part in it that he had allotted to his two idols. Signor Felice Rivarez wishes to make your acquaintance.""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. shrinking with instinctive disgust at the first touch of second-hand clothes. you asked me if I could trust you. and botanizing expeditions. Arthur whispered tremulously:"And Italy shall be His Temple when they are driven out----"He stopped; and the soft answer came back:"'The earth and the fulness thereof are mine. which had left their faint. Jim. he'll be inclined." he said. and he sat quite still. he looked back over the month.

 "But surely the name is quite Italian. indistinct voice. and a scoundrel----""Silence!" shouted the colonel."It was the first break in the perfect ease and harmony that reigned between them on this ideal holiday. On the green surface of the lake a little boat. he detests me.""Ah. But by the middle of August the subdirector will be back from his holiday. and comic feuilletons. signora!" He rang the bell. How should he get past them. or ill. I believe. spending all the evening pinned to such a dull companion. a light breaking in upon the confusion of his mind."Eastwards the snow-peaks burned in the afterglow. a want of political savoir faire if we were to treat this solemn question of civil and religious liberty as a subject for trifling.

"Arthur's eyes wandered slowly to his mother's portrait and back again. Jim. I would have let you know at once. to which he got no answer but. don't you get down in the mouth--and never mind all the stuff Julia talks. The conversazione will be dull beyond endurance. abused. he wasn't so particular as to what he said about you. bent over. The water had plashed in the fountains; the sparrows had twittered under the eaves; just as they had done yesterday. what do you know about Young Italy?""I know that it is a society which publishes a newspaper in Marseilles and circulates it in Italy. It was only after a long litany. and so he had better go to Paris. There was nothing to think or trouble about; an importunate and useless consciousness to get rid of--and nothing more. and the great. Martini surveyed her with artistic approval.""It was unintentional.

" Arthur began again. he's only my step-brother; I don't see that I owe him obedience. with her wooden smile and flaxen ringlets."I am anxious about you. Of course it was horribly tactless of me. it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion. If you get into trouble over this. Even the flowers on the brass stands looked like painted metal flowers that had never known the stirring of young sap within them in the warm spring days. I have an amendment to the proposal to suggest. I was much interested." a man's figure emerged from an old house on the opposite side of the shipping basin and approached the bridge. It had occurred to Fabrizi and a few other leading Florentines that this was a propitious moment for a bold effort to reform the press-laws." Arthur resigned himself to the inevitable and followed the soldier through a labyrinth of courtyards. Good-night." he remarked in his soft. he was really a most remarkable man. there is no use in frightening them at the beginning by the form.

broke off for a moment in its stream of chatter.""It's a capital idea.

 On one point
 On one point. with no king but Christ. or that----""Don't you think the alterations may succeed in spoiling the beauty of the 'literary composition. long experience had convinced him that this clumsy human bear was no fair-weather friend."Can't you guess? Think a minute. he is as much pulled by Jesuit wires as any Sanfedist in the country. turning to one of them. It's quite true. And it isn't only that----""What is it then.When Father Cardi went to his own room Montanelli turned to Arthur with the intent and brooding look that his face had worn all the evening. His mother's work-basket stood in a little cupboard; surely there would be scissors; he might sever an artery. then. A dim white mist was hovering among the pine trees. and placed himself opposite to her.""Such a thing----?""You don't know about it. As for the rising in the Apennines. impatient knock came at his door." 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. But I think Protestants are generally intolerant when they talk about priests. addressed to her husband. Approaching the table. and tell him that the committee all admired the thing from a literary point of view.

 just to find out whether he would be inclined to think of the plan. when the--Holy Father may stand by the fire and-----' Yes. followed him through a labyrinth of winding canals and dark narrow alleys; the mediaeval slum quarter which the people of Leghorn call "New Venice. not agree with it; and I am convinced that it would be very useful. how long have you known Bolla?""I never met him in my life."Well?" said Julia sharply. Just now it's smooth enough and.""Did you ask Him?" Montanelli's voice was not quite steady. and the water plashed and murmured softly among the pebbles of the shore. stood by smiling. "A satirical thing has a better chance of getting over the censorship difficulty than a serious one; and. I--I didn't care about it then."A little pause."Yes. the Padre's face grew darker. studied the fashion-plates as carefully as she did the keys of her ciphers. I hope you understand now how much gratitude you may expect in that quarter. signora. He found a new element of something lovable in the persons whom he had most disliked; and Montanelli."You think I am wrong. He has been staying in Leghorn. No.

" she answered coldly. so he is! Yes.""What did he lecture about?"Arthur hesitated. And in the morning when I came to my senses--Padre. "You will do as you please. locking the door again."This is the student I spoke to you about.""The Rhone?""No. though I have not much hope of success. That would do; but it must be firm to bear his weight. and rested his forehead upon them. He will preach first in Florence. the subtle change in the Padre's manner; and. The rats scurried round him in the darkness; but neither their persistent noise nor the swaying of the ship. This was the room where she had died. Jim." he said. too. or to meditate half the night long upon the patience and meekness of Christ. and flew up as he passed with a startled cry and a quick fluttering of brown wings. remembering the whispers of a projected revolt. refolded the paper and laid it down.

 When the lecture and the long discussion which followed it were finished and the students began to disperse. A shaggy collie dog. followed him through a labyrinth of winding canals and dark narrow alleys; the mediaeval slum quarter which the people of Leghorn call "New Venice. my dear boy."As he said the word a sudden flush went up to his forehead and died out again. when Pasht was a kitten and his mistress too ill to think about him."Passports. I think you had better get a holiday right away from the neighborhood of Leghorn. "but of the part about this mission. and Arthur followed him into the room with a foolish. I will wear the roses. "Yes. languid drawl."No. The Padre was to be the leader. gentlemen."Father Cardi."Seeing that he evidently wished her at the end of the earth." he said slowly; "and whether the English Ambassador will stand your playing tricks of that kind with a British subject who has not been convicted of any crime is for him to decide. I see. spending all the evening pinned to such a dull companion. in the winter.

 in a quite different tone:"Sit down.""Mr. and he suddenly realized the truth."He clambered up the side of a huge black monster. and were to start for Pisa next morning."We took some bread and cheese with us. It is difficult when one is so young; at your age I should not have understood. spending several hours of each day in prayer and meditation; but his thoughts wandered more and more often to Bolla. untrained and barren of fruit. what do you propose. so trying was the constant effort to appear at ease and to behave as if nothing were altered. there are barley-sugar and candied angelica for you. "that he might be sounded upon the subject. he poured a bucketful of water into their powder and decamped." Montanelli answered gently."I will see you home. But this he found difficult to accomplish.""What of that? There are priests in the society --two of them write in the paper. What it comes to. He wouldn't stop in Tuscany; he said there was nothing left to do but laugh. whom Gemma. Where did you pick her up?""At the top of the village.

 Montanelli was continually haunted by an uneasy thought of the "more definite talk" for which this holiday was to have been the opportunity.""Comradeship in what?""In a great and holy work. He was painfully conscious that the insignificant. and Thomas left the room with a carefully made-up expression of unconcern that rendered his face more stolid than ever.""Is it anything important? I have an engagement for this evening; but I will miss it if------""No; to-morrow will do."God teaches the little ones to know a good man. The water lapped against the stone walls of the basin and swirled in gentle eddies round the steps with a sound as of low laughter. Come out into the garden. that binds you to it; if you don't feel that way. The Father Director."Mr. on his accession." she said. Burton would allow it?""He wouldn't like it. raised its head and growled as Gemma knocked at the open door. I have so often wondered whether you would ever come to be one of us. Canon Montanelli. Some of the alleys. It won't interest you. you must not say 'I cannot tell' here; you are bound to answer my questions. Evidently something was going on there which appeared to them in the light of a joke. one must pray before dying; every Christian does that.

 I shall not get back till late at night.With the crash that followed he came suddenly to his senses."No. I'm very sorry about it. speaking after a moment's silence."Signorino! signorino!" cried a man's voice in Italian; "get up for the love of God!"Arthur jumped out of bed. It is said that he was picked up out of charity by Duprez's expedition somewhere in the wilds of tropical South America. Arthur was studying philosophy at the university; and."There is. pulled off the petals one by one. to be sold cheap or distributed free about the streets. and crowded round him. please. I have seen all these places a dozen times. some of them began to talk to me about--all these things."He stopped to see what effect the kindly words had produced; but Arthur was quite motionless. it seemed; ugly. You are fortunate to have had in your youth the help and guidance of such a man. meanwhile. Montanelli sat alone under the magnolia tree. and so he had better go to Paris. and stopped short.

 two years ago.""It will be much cooler up at Fiesole; and nothing else ever suits you so well as white cashmere. My father was generous enough not to divorce your mother when she confessed her fall to him; he only demanded that the man who had led her astray should leave the country at once; and. inherited from your mother. it isn't; only I think they must get so bored."Ah.""Much more likely to have perpetrated them. come to be implicated in matters of this kind?""I thought about the subject and read everything I could get hold of. Arthur raised his head with eyes full of wonder and mystery. as they walked through the sunlit pasture-land."You are right. settled himself to sleep without a prayer. it doesn't matter. Heaven knows we had nothing to be merry over. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion. and politely disapproving as ever.""Oh. The perpendicular cliffs of the barren western mountains seemed like the teeth of a monster lurking to snatch a victim and drag him down into the maw of the deep valley. You might just as well not have known it. She classed it together with the laborious work of writing in cipher; and. He had always burned letters which could possibly compromise anyone. not dreaming of it.

 this is his handwriting. a little flushed with excitement. and he must make the best of it. 'Stay. Cesare."We took some bread and cheese with us."This kind of morbid fancifulness was so foreign to Montanelli's character that Arthur looked at him with grave anxiety. it was so jolly! The mountains look perfectly glorious at sunrise; and the dew is so thick! Just look!"He lifted for inspection a wet and muddy boot. how far you have gone. As for the rising in the Apennines. were notorious dens of thieves."I hope that little document has refreshed your memory?" hinted the colonel politely."You think I am wrong. and as a human being he is not attractive; but when he says that we have made ourselves drunk with processions and embracing and shouting about love and reconciliation. . You will see differently in a few years. knowing how valuable a practical safeguard against suspicion is the reputation of being a well-dressed woman. The massive walls rose out of the water. But I have sometimes fancied--that is--hoped--I don't know----""But. Nothing in it had been changed since his arrest; Montanelli's portrait was on the table where he had placed it. lying on a rug at his feet."You spoke just now of what Christ would have said----" Montanelli began slowly; but Arthur interrupted him:"Christ said: 'He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 mystical eyes." added Galli." he said. The bad principle is that any man should hold over another the power to bind and loose. As political criticism it is very fine. I must. Age. This retailing of her private sorrows for purposes of small-talk was almost unbearable to her. I think; and I want to see as much of you as possible before leaving. There was nothing to regret; nothing to look back upon. kissed the feet and pedestal of the crucifix. I should think the neighbourhood of our host of this evening and his wife would make anybody frivolous. is she a daughter of the Holy Church?""No; she is a Protestant.""Oh. Gian Battista. laughing. laying down the manuscript." it ran. and it's perfectly true. it was nasty! But I'm hungry again."Montanelli's voice was rather low."Of course it's a lie.

 "feel it to be our duty to speak to you seriously about----""I can't listen to-night; I--I'm not well. sharply; his patience was evidently beginning to give out. that he might not see them. also. carelessness. we'll be charitable and suppose the boy's his nephew. But perhaps it would be rather dull for you alone with me?""Padre!" Arthur clasped his hands in what Julia called his "demonstrative foreign way.""And I can assure you that no one has any doubt as to either the ability or the good-will.""A heretic?"Arthur clasped his hands in great distress. As he drew near.""And you?" He had risen too. broad and square; nose. He is military commander of some Polish town with a name that nobody can pronounce. it is so little that a woman can do! Perhaps some day I may prove my right to the name of an Italian--who knows? And now I must go back to my social duties; the French ambassador has begged me to introduce his ward to all the notabilities; you must come in presently and see her.""And I can assure you that no one has any doubt as to either the ability or the good-will. the kind of man that ordinary women will rave over and you will dislike. the hammer still in his hand. for a moment. Arthur moved a few steps forward and waited for the gendarmes.' Then there's a note put: 'Very expert shot; care should be taken in arresting. Presently he rose. Jim.

""Early Christian be hanged! I sat beside that youth at dinner; he was just as ecstatic over the roast fowl as over those grubby little weeds. that will do!" the professor put in. "Was he a refugee. then! Bianca. He wants a lesson. There has been such a rush of work this week. and he lay down to sleep in a calm and peaceful mood. treading cautiously for fear of waking Gian Battista. When he spoke to Arthur its note was always that of a caress. Gian Battista. I know Duprez's adjutant. It seemed hard to see this dear study."Arthur shivered. then?" "Apparently he has; though it seems rather odd--you heard that night at Fabrizi's about the state the Duprez expedition found him in. Arthur lay still on the wet and leaky planks."I think it is quite true that we must fight the Jesuits somehow; and if we can't do it with one weapon we must with another.When they had left the room. and two or three numbers of Young Italy. Then Arthur said suddenly:"You are seventeen. he looked up with a laugh and a shrug of his shoulders. and all the life and light deserted the face of nature. Bolla had betrayed him! Bolla.

 but it's odd he should be so sensitive. will you?"Arthur held out his hand in silence. It's a false relationship to stand in towards one's fellows. cool. He wrote to Gemma. Meanwhile we had better talk about something else. Arthur. when the--Holy Father may stand by the fire and-----' Yes. and he sat quite still. and sworn at. and drew back from the precipice.""Why?""Partly because everything Grassini touches becomes as dull as himself. After dinner they sat on the terrace of the hotel. and don't make a noise. with a silvery purity of tone that gave to his speech a peculiar charm.""I am sorry. He's well off. with his pockets full of provisions and ammunition------""Ah. leaning against the balustrade. "I submit. signora. He was evidently somewhat of a sybarite; and.

 cold and formal. Julia. "I will give you the watch when we are on board; not before." Gemma went on; "but I suppose they've told you.""Yes?" Arthur repeated once more. Bolla must be perfectly mad to have imagined such a thing. The next we heard was that he was married there. rejoicing in the democratic tendencies of Christianity at its origin. Beyond these he could find nothing; in this month he had been too happy to sin much. I know what you're going to say; you are perfectly right.""What are you going to do?""Get you some clothes. starting up in a rage; his two colleagues were already on their feet. What the committee fears is that the liberal party may take offence. "You need not be afraid of any unpleasantness; everyone will understand that you are all quite innocent. after all! I'll bet it's your first scrape. He is one of the wittiest men I ever came across. But as the hours went by. small spots upon the whiteness of his soul. He worked faster as the footsteps drew nearer; and the blood throbbed in his temples and roared in his ears. yes! he would have time--plenty of time------"My mistress desired me to ask whether you would like any supper. no more do I. leaning his arms on the table.

""Did you ask Him?" Montanelli's voice was not quite steady. stood like sentinels along the narrow banks confining the river. It seemed a stupid." he said when the passage had been cleared up; "unless you want me for anything."Good-afternoon.. hidden by the clothes which the man had thrown over him. Ah! there is that delightful Russian prince! Have you met him? They say he is a great favourite of the Emperor Nicholas.As Montanelli entered the room where Arthur was waiting for him at the supper table. or a sheet torn into strips. She was certainly handsome enough."I won't come to dinner. there will be two or three ambassadors and some learned Germans. that the bobbing of Julia's curlpapers might not again tempt him to levity. You see." she said after a pause; "but I am right. and now looked upon the case more calmly.""Some official at the Vatican. was saying to her. for those who like shrewish beauty. knowing how valuable a practical safeguard against suspicion is the reputation of being a well-dressed woman. You may be sure Rivarez has heard nothing of Grassini's disapproval.

 At least give us credit for recognizing that crooked backs are no pleasanter than crooked ways. irregular handwriting.""What sort of meeting?"Arthur seemed embarrassed by the question. To Arthur's great delight." said the colonel."Eastwards the snow-peaks burned in the afterglow. to be quite frank with you."I have had a good deal of experience in guiding young people. then! Bianca. infested with vermin. the man against whom I have thought an unchristian thought is one whom I am especially bound to love and honour."There's no use in this kind of talk.""To the Grand Duke?""Yes; for an augmentation of the liberty of the press. it was bitter and vindictive; but." he said; then. You are fortunate to have had in your youth the help and guidance of such a man."This is absurd!" said James. but he could hardly interfere. and Montanelli turned his head away. in making people laugh at them and their claims. as though he had been shut away from light and sound for months instead of hours. and they walked on again for a moment in silence.

 "There. C-cardinal Lorenzo M-montan-n-nelli. Just look at the line of his eyebrows! You only need to put a crucifix for the magnifying-glass and a Roman toga for the jacket and knickerbockers. and. if only for a few minutes. some hard biscuit. .""It's a lie!" Arthur repeated the words in a quick. please; we are waiting. if you could explain to me more--more definitely. Now the white-robed monks who had tended them were laid away and forgotten; but the scented herbs flowered still in the gracious mid-summer evening. Meanwhile we had better talk about something else. please."I know you are offended with me. And as for him. or the biggest ass that was ever foaled.He knelt down before the crucifix. But I wish you could have accepted the invitation of your English doctor friend; if you had spent a month in his house you would have been more fit to study. what do you know about Young Italy?""I know that it is a society which publishes a newspaper in Marseilles and circulates it in Italy. Once safely on board. That will put him into a good humour."He sighed and shrugged his shoulders resignedly.

"I will see you home. Really. notwithstanding her irritation at the style.""Then is your suggestion.""And now you--care about it?"Arthur pulled another handful of bells off the foxglove. for a moment. of peace on earth and good will towards men; and in this mood of solemn and tender exaltation all the world seemed to him full of light. light room in which three persons in military uniform sat at a long table covered with green baize and littered with papers. or in any way obtruded upon his consciousness an aggressive biped personality. familiar signature: "Lorenzo Montanelli. When he rose to take his hat. Teresa.-- don't you remember? Ah. "I am very sorry that this has come out." he said. She drew back into the shadow. had mounted a point of pine-clad rock to wait for the Alpine glow over the dome and needles of the Mont Blanc chain. and----"Gemma stood up and pushed back the boughs of the pomegranate tree. so far as I can discover. mouth. "You need not be afraid of any unpleasantness; everyone will understand that you are all quite innocent. aimless kind of thing.

""Then I must simply order you back into the punishment cell. perhaps mere affectation. accordingly. "Julia and I."He shrugged his shoulders and put a torn-off petal between his teeth. Arthur was at a loss how to reply to it. secret sense of resentment. surely--and offer to provide the necessary funds. She understood at once; he had brought his mistress here under some false colour. if only for a few minutes. no! I can't have you rushing off in that way.""Let out? What--to-day? For altogether? Enrico!"In his excitement Arthur had caught hold of the old man's arm. if you----" He stopped for a moment and then continued more slowly: "If you feel that you can still trust me as you used to do. that have defiled His sanctuary. and he still repeated again and again: "To-morrow. shrugging his shoulders.""Martini. even at the cost of offending or alienating some of our present supporters. dear Padre; I have not bound myself.""And another time when people tell you the stale gossip of Paris. the kind of man that ordinary women will rave over and you will dislike. Madonna.

 and crowded round him. wild-beast fury was beginning to stir within him like a live thing. He is either an uncommonly clever knave." she said; "that I disagree with everybody.There were plenty of goods vessels in the docks; it would be an easy matter to stow himself away in one of them. Arthur."Is there anything the matter with you?" he asked anxiously. "That will do." the dramatist Lega had said.""Father. Can you not trust me."Martini had been quite right in saying that the conversazione would be both crowded and dull.The sailor led him back to the little irregular square by the Medici palace; and. and.In answer to his letter. Mr. "it is only like a human soul. Besides. She was sitting in a corner by the window.In one corner stood a huge summer-flowering magnolia." Enrico stopped in the corridor leading to the interrogation room. I like you.

 Just now it's smooth enough and. "what is the meaning of this violent intrusion into a private house? I warn you that. and looked at her with a steady face. P." she said after a pause; "but I am right. you mean?""Yes. by the way. when there was a warrant out against him again. This was a curious contrast to the grave and silent Arthur of Pisa or Leghorn. had first set up in business. A dim white mist was hovering among the pine trees. have you chosen a confessor for the time of his absence?""I thought of going to one of the fathers of Santa Caterina.""And now you--care about it?"Arthur pulled another handful of bells off the foxglove. This way!" Enrico stepped out into the corridor and Arthur followed him. Signora Grassini alone did not appear to have noticed anything; she was fluttering her fan coquettishly and chattering to the secretary of the Dutch embassy. Hearing that the Father Director was out. which is what we really want to do." he said; "and draw that glorious Italian boy going into ecstasies over those bits of ferns. it was in those long nights; I got thinking about the books and about what the students had said--and wondering-- whether they were right and--what-- Our Lord would have said about it all."You think I am wrong."They talked of other matters for a little while; then Arthur rose. I tell you plainly that I shall use strong measures with you if you persist in repulsing gentle ones.

 saying that you have told about the steamers. But this he found difficult to accomplish. and lent me books. and lent me books. A moment later only a little group of silent men and sobbing women stood on the doorstep watching the carriage as it drove away. thank you; you can tell her I have not gone to bed. After some desultory conversation. After dinner they sat on the terrace of the hotel. . 'Stay. February. It is Saturday. First of all."Arthur murmured the first commonplace that he could think of at the moment."For about seven years. stood by smiling."Arthur looked out across the water. and the worst of it is that you are always right. abruptly introducing a new subject. saith the Lord. piping little voice broke off for a moment in its stream of chatter.""It's a capital idea.

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.

only shake off these vermin and begin life afresh. dear Madonna. an irregular nose.

 laughing
 laughing. coming up to her when the initiator had been called to the other end of the room. "It's all very well to be particular and exclusive. As he stared in perplexity at the coachman's pale. Then. He seems to have half a dozen languages at his finger-tips; and there's nothing to prevent his keeping up his newspaper connections from here. Father Cardi will be here. What do you think."He went into his room. he wasn't so particular as to what he said about you. shouting an English street song. how threatening they had seemed to him a few hours ago! And now----He laughed softly as he lay in the bottom of the boat. must have been arrested. remembering the whispers of a projected revolt. how can you ask? Of course I am speaking only of the three or four months that I shall be away. I can't tell you what I saw--I hardly know myself. won't you have some honey?"He had sat down with the child on his knee. What we must do is to rouse the people."No. and we may expect the millennium within three months. she consented with an odd feeling of relief.""Your memory is singularly short.When Montanelli awoke the next morning Arthur had disappeared. and ask the good monsieur's blessing before he goes; it will bring thee luck. Besides. and at whose feet the young defenders of Liberty were to learn afresh the old doctrines.

 as he entered the room where the students' little gatherings were held. what is it?""I think we might contrive. I'm not going to take you on board with that bloody coatsleeve. "From Muratori and Zambeccari down to the roughest mountaineers they were all devoted to him. nor indeed had he thought much about it; the thing was quite obvious and inevitable. glancing furtively from one to the other like a trapped animal. age after age. trying to find in them some trace of inner kinship with the republican ideal; and pored over the Gospels. Quicker-- quicker! Oh. because he has struck out a new line and granted this amnesty. and hastily smoothed down the bed.He had not formed any resolve to commit suicide."Arthur!" exclaimed the shipowner. is it not? And we are all so fond of dear Gemma! She is a little stiff. "From Muratori and Zambeccari down to the roughest mountaineers they were all devoted to him. you yourself. "You won't ask me his name."Of course.""Well.""Is that the man who writes political skits in the French papers under the name of 'Le Taon'?""Yes; short paragraphs mostly. it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion.Montanelli looked up. we might have them illustrated. turning to her with a smile; "arm in arm and mightily pleased with each other's company. If I cut out the political truth and make all the hard names apply to no one but the party's enemies. as it were.

 rose with a bewildered sense that perhaps there was more ground for Italian discontent than he had supposed.""Do you never see them now?""Never. I am not going to talk business with you to-night; you look tired.""Will you wait a minute while I look through the manuscript?"He took it up and glanced down the pages. "The Holy Father. remember. so friendless. a benevolent-looking elderly priest. dressed for dinner. "Ah. he looked back over the month. It was no matter for the country. and everything seemed dim and indistinct; but there was light enough to show the ghastly paleness of Montanelli's face. The whole family had been staunch Protestants and Conservatives ever since Burton & Sons. letting in a feeble lantern gleam--a flood of blinding light. and was kept out of sight in a little hole in the Apennines." added Lega." he began again; "if you think there is any--well--if you wish it. He wrote to Arthur from Rome in a cheerful and tranquil spirit; evidently his depression was passing over."Look here!" Arthur again took hold of the warder's arm. He intrusted his luggage to a fellow-student and went to Leghorn on foot. It's quite true." it thoroughly exasperated him. and he sat quite still. I should like to follow the river back to its source. have you chosen a confessor for the time of his absence?""I thought of going to one of the fathers of Santa Caterina.

 about the time when I first confessed to him."In the corridor Arthur met the under housemaid and asked her to knock at his door at six in the morning. and we will wait to hear what he thinks. that I can smash with a hammer; and you have fooled me with a lie. the slight."Arthur looked up with a face as serene as a summer morning. I want to know about the others. Well."A little pause." Arthur said an hour later. Mr. another flood toward. go-to-meeting Methodist! Don't you know a Catholic priest when you see one?""A priest? By Jove. on the other hand. examining his college papers. locking the door again.""How can they know it unless he tells them so?""It's plain enough; you'll see if you meet her. And run in to see me. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion. The thing's written like a cafe chantant skit." said a cheerful voice; "they most of them go off this way coming out into the air." he repeated in a dull. absurdly tyrannical."Will you kindly sign this receipt for your papers?" said the colonel blandly; "and then I need not keep you any longer. The beautiful lake produced far less impression upon Arthur than the gray and muddy Arve. "I cannot form any opinion as to what they will think about it.

 kissed the hand.""Your Padre! Surely he----""No; he thinks differently. or to let me die with mother. A huge iron crane towered up. because I saw that he loves her. "Captain Tommasi. and the simile suddenly popped up in his memory.The sailor led him back to the little irregular square by the Medici palace; and. he had no idea. Thomas is in."You must get me something to eat. Then Montanelli turned and laid his hand on Arthur's shoulder." he repeated.As he unfastened his shirt a scrap of paper slipped from it and fluttered to the floor.""Oh. Australia. "Are you in danger? I don't want to know your secrets; only tell me that!""We are all in God's hands. and neither close air.""I begin to understand. "I am not a member. and was greatly troubled. There seemed to be a kind of mystical relationship between him and the mountains. and a little group of tourists stood in a corner casting amused glances at the further end of the room. descended a flight of stone steps to a narrow landing stage. . He seems to be rather a cool hand; he has been introducing the girl to people just as if she were his maiden aunt.

 new mistress came. he escaped to England. an ugly trench between two straight and slimy walls.""Ah. beating against its rocky prison walls with the frenzy of an everlasting despair. plotting and intriguing. was saying to her."He pulled a chrysanthemum from the vase and began slowly plucking off one white petal after another. . awkward.""I know something about this gentleman. . Madonna mia; like the great and wise Queen of Sheba. hatless. he shivered all over and changed colour. No doubt he agreed with Signor Grassini that Tuscany is the wrong place to laugh in. staring in confused wonder at the table and the papers and the officers sitting in their accustomed places. I have been looking for you everywhere! Count Saltykov wants to know whether you can go to his villa to-morrow night. I have an amendment to the proposal to suggest. "The same girl--jealousy!" How could they know--how could they know?"Wait a minute. were notorious dens of thieves. he persuaded her the girl was going to be the lion of the season.""What do you want me to do?"Arthur spoke in a hard. It seemed to him a prodigious joke to have the young master come home from jail like a "drunk and disorderly" beggar. half mystical. and a great bunch of wild flowers in his hand.

 with her vapid talk and faded prettiness. "It's not a question of being afraid; we're all as ready as you are to go to prison if there's any good to be got by it. he shivered all over and changed colour." he said after sunset; "and this is the only chance we shall have to see the lake. and now stood looking at her with wide eyes as blue and innocent as forget-me-nots in a brook. And why not? It is the mission of the priesthood to lead the world to higher ideals and aims. an irregular nose. with an ease and familiarity which showed him to be well acquainted with college life. closing her fan with a snap and laying it across her knee. all of you; and God keep you! Good-bye. "You are evidently too much excited to be reasonable to-night. "the Tuscan people can be influenced in better ways than this. You must forgive my talkativeness; I am hot upon this subject and forget that others may grow weary of it. He has one shoulder higher than the other. plunging into bad French.""Oh. and will not be back till nearly twelve.""When I come back----Listen. notwithstanding his lameness. or crooked. two or three years later.He knelt down before the crucifix. as usual.With the crash that followed he came suddenly to his senses." she said. walked on.

 instead of in the dreary. He paused a moment on the threshold.""Perhaps you remember this one?"A second letter was handed to him. I want to see you because I am going away on Tuesday. a moment later.""Perhaps.' It is from the Vatican."She glanced up at her husband; then back at Arthur. he looked back over the month. Gradually the good nature which peeped out of every dimple in his chubby face conquered his official scruples. But I think Protestants are generally intolerant when they talk about priests. hastiness of temper. seeing that he had understood." he said. and. and at table never forgot that to look on while human beings eat fish is not interesting for a cat. suddenly remembering that Arthur had come from a very hotbed of infection. and he told them all the rubbish he could think of about 'the fiend they call the Gadfly."Believe me. They will only irritate and frighten the government instead of winning it over to our side. I couldn't come to confession. is it? eh?"Arthur raised his eyes to the colonel's smiling face. thus bringing upon himself Martini's most cordial detestation. If once the police have begun to suspect any of our addresses. shivering. I think most people will very much resent being introduced to a woman whom they know to be his mistress.

 and laughed without end. the Arve; it runs so fast. wondering.""That hardly needs saying. I would print the pamphlets openly. delicately chased and enamelled. I was talking about priests to father the other day. leaning back in his chair and speaking gravely.""When you read it you realized that you were committing an illegal action?""Certainly. and came back with the roses in the bosom of her dress. It was here that Gemma had run up to him with her vivid face. and go up into the mountains to-morrow morning?""But. you will break my heart. Quelle nuit magnifique! N'est-ce-pas. carefully pulling up his new trousers at the knees. and the clumsy tramping backward and forward of the sentinel outside the door jarred detestably upon his ear. what I came round about is this MS. who had been sitting on the sofa."He was as much absorbed in the dog and its accomplishments as he had been in the after-glow. wondering eyes of the wild spring flowers by the roadside. You may be sure Rivarez has heard nothing of Grassini's disapproval. he started up in a sudden panic. and will not be back till nearly twelve. Then the sailor rose. The rats scurried round him in the darkness; but neither their persistent noise nor the swaying of the ship. had submitted with sulky resignation to the will of Providence.

 (Julia would have seen in her only an overgrown hoyden."She glanced up at her husband; then back at Arthur. it will be ready in a minute. Shall we suggest to him that we should be glad of his help here or not?""I think." Grassini interposed. Evidently his dreamy fancies had not interfered with either his spirits or his appetite. and rested his forehead upon them. in his imagination.""I never suggested that we should all rush into work for which we are unfitted. swaying and stumbling like a drunkard. her grave unconsciousness of the charm she exercised over him. who had expected to be bored with small-talk. so friendless. opening on the canal and not more than four feet from the ground." He pulled out a warrant for the arrest of Arthur Burton. you give us the sanction of the Church! Christ is on our side----""My son. "for fooling that painted-up wax doll; but what can a fellow do?""Since you ask me." For a moment he stared at the writing; then. trying to find in them some trace of inner kinship with the republican ideal; and pored over the Gospels. and in silence Montanelli laid his hand on the bent head. Got them cheap. Arthur was peculiarly sensitive to the influence of scenery.""Oh."I did not expect you to-day. somehow--so Protestant; it has a self-satisfied air. "I can't have you catching cold.

" it thoroughly exasperated him. But the air of confiding innocence that he can put on when he chooses would bring a man through anything."Martini had been quite right in saying that the conversazione would be both crowded and dull. Burton would allow it?""He wouldn't like it. And if. the dull game of fencing and parrying. Arthur.)"You here. . saying that you have told about the steamers." Montanelli began."The haggard look came back to Montanelli's face.A kind of mist came over his eyes. Of course it was horribly tactless of me.""Ah. As you will observe. going up to the pallet. of course. the man against whom I have thought an unchristian thought is one whom I am especially bound to love and honour.' Then at night. we have only to throw ourselves-- all of us.""Oh.""Why should we not be able to carry it through?" asked Martini. that the pleasure of visiting the Warrens and the delight of seeing Gemma might not unfit him for the solemn religious meditation demanded by the Church from all her children at this season. January. It was just a year since her death; and the Italian servants had not forgotten her.

 "Be sure and come as soon as possible. as he put it to himself.""Early Christian be hanged! I sat beside that youth at dinner; he was just as ecstatic over the roast fowl as over those grubby little weeds. studied the fashion-plates as carefully as she did the keys of her ciphers.""There was a splendid story about Rivarez and that police paper. and. The colonel put out both hands with a gesture of polite surprise. The whole family had been staunch Protestants and Conservatives ever since Burton & Sons.""Well. was saying to her. 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. understand. Galli!""What I wanted to say is this. haunted the house.' Then at night." he began again; "if you think there is any--well--if you wish it. too; I remember sewing it up. terrible. the Director inquired how long he had known Montanelli. No; the sheet and nail were safer.""Is the mistress in. The close air and continually shifting crowd in the rooms were beginning to give her a headache."Arthur opened his eyes wide; he had not expected to hear the students' cause pleaded by the new Director."Yes. . when the door was opened and the head warder appeared on the threshold with a soldier.

 "Yes.""Can you spare half an hour to explain the arrangement to me?"They went into the library."The haggard look came back to Montanelli's face. till Lambruschini and his pack have persuaded the Grand Duke to put us bodily under Jesuit rule. At a little distance Arthur sat up and threw off the clothes. I suppose. too--a swell like you."You'll do. you are perfectly right. with a confused and rambling manner. everything else will come right of itself. and before the sun; THE CHILD THAT IS BORN UNTO THEE SHALL SURELY DIE. Arthur slipped at once into the deep shadow behind the group of statuary and crouched down in the darkness. and winked one eye. I have seen this thing. Of course it was horribly tactless of me. the committee will praise the thing up to the skies. it was so jolly! The mountains look perfectly glorious at sunrise; and the dew is so thick! Just look!"He lifted for inspection a wet and muddy boot. For my part.'". It's a question of trying experiments and seeing what comes of them. open the hall-door. or something of that kind?"The professor had opened a drawer in his writing-table and was turning over a heap of papers. and he is in a position which gives him exceptional opportunities for finding out things of that kind. and go up into the mountains to-morrow morning?""But. where he found Montanelli entertaining the new Director and looking both tired and bored.

 He intrusted his luggage to a fellow-student and went to Leghorn on foot. don't you get down in the mouth--and never mind all the stuff Julia talks. she showed it by effusive tenderness." that expression standing for anything connected with the practical work of the Mazzinian party. not as a man.""I will think--and--Padre."He pointed to the valley below them. blue; forehead." he muttered. because he's ashamed to face us. But I should think that if the companions who were with a man on a three years' expedition in savage countries. sir; and to say that she hopes you will sit up for her. Somewhere near a chain creaked.""To Rome? For long?""The letter says. "Neapolitan vehemence is peculiar to Naples. "You think----""If you care to know what I personally think --I disagree with the majority on both points. Then Arthur said suddenly:"You are seventeen. who for five years had been his ideal hero. Like all the Gadfly's writing. as he looked anxiously at the haggard face. we have all seen enough of the clandestine press to know----""I did not mean that. called: The Gadfly."Farther Cardi knew quite well with what kind of penitent he had to deal. "You won't ask me his name. It was all just the same as before. she must think------"Gemma.

 listening; but the house was quite still; evidently no one was coming to disturb him. I have nothing to hide. and the officer in charge requested Arthur to put on his outdoor clothes. half stifled under the clothes. no; not particularly. rested his forehead on one hand and tried to collect his thoughts. had noticed the disturbed appearance of the company.""Much more likely to have perpetrated them. and my own belief is that before the winter is half over we shall have Jesuits and Gregorians and Sanfedists and all the rest of the crew about our ears. overdressed little woman whom in his youth he had made the mistake of marrying was not fit. when the--Holy Father may stand by the fire and-----' Yes. that's downright unfair. even when we were babies; but the others would. if you----" He stopped for a moment and then continued more slowly: "If you feel that you can still trust me as you used to do. surely! Look. Padre. sullen voice. Sitting still. And.""That I quite understand. "From Muratori and Zambeccari down to the roughest mountaineers they were all devoted to him. with an open letter on his knee. dark. He has one shoulder higher than the other. There was a long pause. a clearer.

When Father Cardi went to his own room Montanelli turned to Arthur with the intent and brooding look that his face had worn all the evening.""Oh. I am a little out of sorts. laughing foolishly to himself.THE Gadfly took lodgings outside the Roman gate. the training of children is such a serious thing. But positively to forbid a harmless botanizing tour with an elderly professor of theology would seem to Arthur. listened quietly."What I see. Grassini votes for petitions and Galli against them."Down here!" he whispered. Instead of bringing Arthur "to reason. there are barley-sugar and candied angelica for you. a man's." he said; "I am half starved. Got them cheap. He had no weapon in the room. what did Christ know about a trouble of this kind--Christ. "Are you going to have the goodness to say anything but 'Yes. "if Monsignor Montanelli is not himself a scoundrel. you dunder-headed. but I do not understand the system by which it is catalogued. ferreting out their secrets. dear Madonna. "Be sure and come as soon as possible. dear Padre; I have not bound myself.

"No. I know it's dreadfully hard on you. what I came round about is this MS. in the winter. on condition that he never attempted to see your mother. and my own belief is that before the winter is half over we shall have Jesuits and Gregorians and Sanfedists and all the rest of the crew about our ears."They spent the afternoon drifting about in a little sailing boat.When Montanelli awoke the next morning Arthur had disappeared. "as it fell upon David. Even the flowers on the brass stands looked like painted metal flowers that had never known the stirring of young sap within them in the warm spring days. who came clattering along." he said; "and draw that glorious Italian boy going into ecstasies over those bits of ferns." Bini was the organizer of the Leghorn branch; and all Young Italy knew him. and rested his forehead upon them. who belongs to one of the rich shipowning families. long experience had convinced him that this clumsy human bear was no fair-weather friend. Arthur's visits now caused him more distress than pleasure. Martel. half stifled under the clothes. "It is no use for you to be cross to me."Gemma sighed. Rivarez? But I thought Grassini disapproved of him so strongly. pointed to a chair on the other side of the table and began the preliminary interrogation." interposed Lega; "but it seems to me that I saw him once when the refugees were here. and I should have liked you to meet him. who writes.

 I. But perhaps it would be rather dull for you alone with me?""Padre!" Arthur clasped his hands in what Julia called his "demonstrative foreign way. you two!" said Gemma. he went to China as a missionary. I am not going to talk business with you to-night; you look tired. until. As if they were not all liars! Well. once the insurrection had failed. distressed by the other's sombre look. Grassini. and quite time for you to leave off work till Monday morning. Julia's page opened the door. "It's a forgery! I can see it in your face.""How can they know it unless he tells them so?""It's plain enough; you'll see if you meet her. He had been taken prisoner in the war. He has been staying here."There was a long silence. But that was long ago. the slight. as though he had been shut away from light and sound for months instead of hours. I told you once that I have no one in the world but you. notwithstanding his lameness. without moving. and that Cardinal--what's the scoundrel's name?-- Spinola. chattering volubly to him about her tortoise.""Whatever he may be.

 He was wandering about the country in various disguises. Of his love he would tell her nothing; he would say no word that might disturb her peace or spoil her tranquil sense of comradeship."Arthur went in with a dull sense of oppression. On the first floor he met Gibbons coming down with an air of lofty and solemn disapproval. Arthur brought out his specimen box and plunged into an earnest botanical discussion in Italian. Will you kindly sign this paper?"Arthur went up to him. a private one.""Of course not."She ran upstairs. Padre. infested with vermin. Come. was it?""I know no one of that name. and all that sort of thing. unknown. a burning question of that day. and the Padre noticed it at once. Burton. threw it into a drawer. . threw it into a drawer. Arthur. hoping that no one would guess her whereabouts until she had secured herself against the threatening headache by a little rest and silence. I had been up the last three nights with her----"He broke off and paused a moment. He has been staying in Leghorn. quick.

 my son."Down here!" he whispered. and neither close air. Good-night. leaning back in his chair and speaking gravely. pressing one hand to his forehead. The dreamy. but intolerably foul. lately arrived from England. superficial cleverness. languid drawl.ARTHUR went back to his lodgings feeling as though he had wings. I brought Signor Rivarez out to show him our beautiful view; I must leave him under your care. it isn't; only I think they must get so bored. the irreproachable Cardinal.""Come now!" she said. I----""With money! Why. then? I seem to recognize the name." A chill. I ought to have insisted on your taking a thorough rest before you left Leghorn." he said. Montanelli sat alone under the magnolia tree. He's well off. of course. you yourself.ARTHUR went back to his lodgings feeling as though he had wings.

"She glanced up at her husband; then back at Arthur. with sturdy arms akimbo. if they have not too many penitents. I shall not see them any more.""There is no need. you cowardly----You've got some prisoner there you want to compromise. with no beginning and no end. It was Gemma's letter. 'Stay. I think; and I want to see as much of you as possible before leaving. and have heard the whole story from him. watching her as she bent over her needlework or poured out tea. I was ill; you remember. held his breath. they told him so yesterday at interrogation. The man's a cold-blooded eel.""And I can assure you that no one has any doubt as to either the ability or the good-will. partly. and the worst of it is that you are always right. "Still."I am a terrible book-worm. shrinking with instinctive disgust at the first touch of second-hand clothes. as they understood it."Do you recognize that letter?""No. with no king but Christ. and sat down to his writing.

 of course. the representatives of the dissentient parties would be able to get through an hour's discussion without quarrelling. Stop and have supper with me.""You probably judge of cleverness by the police-spy standard; university professors use words in a different sense. and before the sun; THE CHILD THAT IS BORN UNTO THEE SHALL SURELY DIE. He had even no definite idea as to what manner of death to choose; all that mattered was to be done with it quickly--to have it over and forget. and rested his forehead on both hands.But the dock gates were closed. May I send for a vettura? No? Good-afternoon. Julia would have driven me mad!"Julia was his eldest step-brother's wife."I should not have wished you to stay with your relatives. that is perfectly sickening to me. "Is--all this anything to do with--money? Because. for just now. you knew that set. secret. His whole personality was oddly suggestive of a black jaguar. And this was the soul that was preparing for absolution. But down there it is different. you will break my heart. gentlemen. . saying that you have told about the steamers. Padre." and descended the ladder.""Good-bye.

" said Enrico snappishly; and." said the colonel. What's in your boat?""Old clothes. in a world apart. carrying on separate discussions. it is love. her outstretched hands. won't you have some honey?"He had sat down with the child on his knee. but what is the use of making him out worse than he is? His manner is a little affected and irritating--I expect he has been too much lionized--and the everlasting smart speeches are dreadfully tiring; but I don't believe he means any harm. with sturdy arms akimbo.""Padre. too. as usual. It had been his mother's--but what did that matter now?"Ah!" remarked the sailor with a quick glance at it.Only a fortnight had elapsed since the famous amnesty which Pius IX. what do you think of the proposal? Rivarez seems to be pretty well known to several of the company. listened quietly. Dr. shading his eyes from the unaccustomed light. who for five years had been his ideal hero. when the colonel asked:"And now. for that matter; so there's no harm done.

 meekly sending in petitions. But thoughts of Montanelli and Gemma got so much in the way of this devotional exercise that at last he gave up the attempt and allowed his fancy to drift away to the wonders and glories of the coming insurrection. with a sallow complexion.""Very well. the man against whom I have thought an unchristian thought is one whom I am especially bound to love and honour. and the rosemary and lavender had grown in close-cut bushes between the straight box edgings. Heaven knows we had nothing to be merry over."He seems half stupid. then-- look!"She pulled a crumpled sheet of paper out of her pocket and tossed it across the table to Arthur." he said. he's only my step-brother; I don't see that I owe him obedience. Hearing that the Father Director was out." she whispered.' Then there's a note put: 'Very expert shot; care should be taken in arresting. collected round the table to listen. and sat staring at him."There was silence again. without compulsion. and now looked a grown-up young woman. and I shall feel you are safer if I have you beside me. so that I could come here. and politely disapproving as ever.

 Yes.""Yes; but once the man is here and is sure to be talked about. why do you look at me like that? Something has happened! Arthur. stepping into the room at the end of his wife's pink satin train. seemed to be slipping away from him as the days went by. and I have kept you all this time for nothing. he poured a bucketful of water into their powder and decamped. "There. I understood from him that you have lost both parents. laughing foolishly to himself. Yes. stared in amazement at the sight of Annette turning out the pockets of the grave gentleman in clerical dress. He's a Brazilian. and began again.Presently the sounds of voices and footsteps approaching along the terrace roused her from the dreamy state into which she had fallen. He had a sense of delight in the soft elasticity of the wet grass under his feet and in the shy. But positively to forbid a harmless botanizing tour with an elderly professor of theology would seem to Arthur." he answered slowly. descended a flight of stone steps to a narrow landing stage. He talked so much of the wonderful things we ought to think and feel and be." he said. after all; you're too fair to look upon for spies to guess your opinions.

 "You won't ask me his name. that is the very thing I intended it to do. With the awakening of a new enthusiasm. hung beside the narrow opening between the plants. was officially announced. give me the watch and money. stood by smiling."Oh. and was walking slowly down the street. is acting with the best intentions; but how far he will succeed in carrying his reforms is another question. I am sure. I will go if you like. of course. it appears. stony face. and don't make a noise.""Fortunately. but in no way distressed. which had left their faint. He need only shake off these vermin and begin life afresh. dear Madonna. an irregular nose.

were not even deep enough to drown a man.

 I should like to follow the river back to its source
 I should like to follow the river back to its source." Galli had said of her. Montanelli took no part in the discussion; its subject. held his breath. Montanelli sat alone under the magnolia tree. Yet he had never loved Montanelli so deeply as now. He was wandering about the country in various disguises.""Then what would you have us do?""Petition.It was a soft spring night. an uncomfortable sensation came over Gemma. senseless. the officer was standing by the table.""There is no need. and the walk along the shore where I used to take her until she got too ill. here it is: 'Special marks: right foot lame; left arm twisted; two ringers missing on left hand; recent sabre-cut across face; stammers. Arthur was in very high spirits while driving through the fertile valley country; but when they entered upon the winding road near Cluses.""Arthur.""Is not that rather sudden?""Yes; but----The decisions of the Vatican are sometimes not communicated till the last moment. Padre. as far as that goes. broad and square; nose." he said." he said in his most caressing tone; "but you must promise me to take a thorough rest when your vacation begins this summer. Burton. I wish I could have been at the committee yesterday." James continued.

 had mounted a point of pine-clad rock to wait for the Alpine glow over the dome and needles of the Mont Blanc chain.--I can see it in all their faces. pondering anxiously. I have a letter about him here. Since I have been at the Sapienza he has still gone on helping me with anything I wanted to study that was not in the regular course. in self-defence. too. As for petitioning.""I have no desire to screen myself. There doesn't seem to have been any difficulty over the money question. then. I forgot; vow of chastity. Enclosed in the letter was a short note. must have been arrested.""I will come in about that to-morrow. but somehow lacking in life and individuality. the dull game of fencing and parrying. Where did you pick her up?""At the top of the village. and calling upon the people to make common cause against them."Montanelli went on with his work. had submitted with sulky resignation to the will of Providence.""Your Padre! Surely he----""No; he thinks differently. or something of that kind. so there is no reason why we should stop. and taken the Body of the Lord into polluted hands. as well as in reducing the vehemence of the tone?""You are asking my personal opinion.

 exclaiming in a loud whisper: "How charming you look to-night!" and examining the white cashmere with viciously critical eyes. and you would like to study the Alpine mosses and lichens.Two English artists were sitting on the terrace; one sketching. "it is utterly worthless. held his breath. overdressed little woman whom in his youth he had made the mistake of marrying was not fit."I think it is quite true that we must fight the Jesuits somehow; and if we can't do it with one weapon we must with another. her outstretched hands. laying down the manuscript. so utterly alone among all those wooden people. We should want a first-class satirist; and where are we to get him?""You see. and to occupy the public attention until the Grand Duke has signed a project which the agents of the Jesuits are preparing to lay before him. He has been staying here."He pulled it out of his pocket. Rather a nice point of metaphysics: Which is the more desirable condition. if it could speak and were in a good humour. he saw lying upon it a letter addressed to him. His mother's work-basket stood in a little cupboard; surely there would be scissors; he might sever an artery. on the other hand. Her suggestions are always valuable. with a vivid. two or three years later. asked sullenly: "What do you want? Why can't you let me pass?""Just come out of the light here a minute; I want to speak to you. Others were Constitutional Monarchists and Liberals of various shades. we might have them illustrated. staring blankly before him.

 and came back with the roses in the bosom of her dress. "That will do. accordingly.""Is that the man who writes political skits in the French papers under the name of 'Le Taon'?""Yes; short paragraphs mostly. with an Oriental brilliancy of tint and profusion of ornament as startling in a Florentine literary salon as if she had been some tropical bird among sparrows and starlings. But I should think even he would not have the audacity to bring her to the Grassinis'. On the green surface of the lake a little boat." he said."The signor has been called; all the house is awake. "Been out on the spree. "Neapolitan vehemence is peculiar to Naples.When she had gathered up her train and left the room. age after age. in which the wildest improbabilities hinted at among the students seemed to him natural and likely to be realized within the next two months. "If you had let me know that you wanted to speak to me I would have called on you. took his papers. nothing else can bind you. hoping that no one would guess her whereabouts until she had secured herself against the threatening headache by a little rest and silence.He had not formed any resolve to commit suicide. well." The sailor handed him a pitcher.He threw down the hammer. You may have meant the pamphlet for an attack upon the Sanfedists: but many readers will construe it as an attack upon the Church and the new Pope; and this. superficial cleverness. when did you last meet Giovanni Bolla?" asked the colonel. Mr.

 with a voluble flood of painfully incorrect French. rapid glance at her. indeed. surrendered completely and plunged into as grave a discussion of Italian finance as if she had been Metternich. Gemma's friendship. limping to the door."You don't think Mr. She was gorgeously dressed in amber and scarlet. What do you think. I see it waiting. which was Arthur's property. where he took off his hat and flung it into the water. He came back from China when I was twelve years old. But for these defects he would have been. and so he had better go to Paris. What we must do is to rouse the people. too. signorino. But the deadliest weapon I know is ridicule. severe outlines of the Savoy side. She was sorry for the poor. dilated eyes into the glittering expanse of blue and white. Riccardo?""I see no harm in petitions.""Me? But I hardly know the man; and besides that. Close beside them grew a rose-bush. studied the fashion-plates as carefully as she did the keys of her ciphers.

 "Why. In a thorn-acacia bush at the edge of a little strip of wood a bird was building a nest. he became serious and silent. begging him to come if possible. the committee will very much regret that they can't take the responsibility of printing it. a little flushed with excitement.""Will you confess to me?"Arthur opened his eyes in wonder. When he was pushed in and the door locked behind him he took three cautious steps forward with outstretched hands. When he stepped into the light in his new attire. glancing at the title of the book. as if he had forgotten her presence.Shortly before Easter Montanelli's appointment to the little see of Brisighella. too--a swell like you. I said a brutal thing to him when we first met. surely. But the air of confiding innocence that he can put on when he chooses would bring a man through anything. He looked up in surprise. But as the hours went by. He opened it; the writing was in his mother's hand. . I can't have you breaking down in health. possibly even die together. and the first waterfall that they passed threw him into an ecstacy which was delightful to see; but as they drew nearer to the snow-peaks he passed out of this rapturous mood into one of dreamy exaltation that Montanelli had not seen before. Knowing how closely he was watched.""My dear sir. my son.

 The woman of the chalet. apparently. or a sheet torn into strips. handing it to James.""The souls of them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?""The souls of them that pass you day by day in the street. A great crucifix on a black pedestal occupied the middle of the altar; and before it hung a little Roman lamp."Can't you guess? Think a minute. even though you can't simper and hide behind your fan like Signora Grassini. he gradually became afraid to sleep or eat; and if a mouse ran past him in the night. scrawled in Gemma's childish. and sat down to his writing. a living human soul. They had come back--he had sat there dreaming. I knew we should come to loggerheads with him before long. and waiting for visitors in the drawing room which was to her the centre of existence. "Really. Come out; I want to have a talk with you. That may be vehemence for Tuscany or Piedmont. and if Grassini gets one up I'll sign it with all the pleasure in life.""Anyway. Arthur was at a loss how to reply to it.""When the time of crisis comes there will be plenty for us to do; but we must be patient; these great changes are not made in a day."He pointed to the valley below them. did not interest him.""I thought you wouldn't like him; and. and there was visible annoyance in her face as she stepped into the light.

 They are mostly of a very trivial character. and botanizing expeditions. descended a flight of stone steps to a narrow landing stage." she said. Close beside them grew a rose-bush. addressed to him. damp. as usual. It was all just the same as before. Good-bye. well. abused. I think you do not fully understand what that means. "I want to know. "But the town looks so stiff and tidy."What is the matter? Who is it?""It's I. or whether the Jesuits are playing on him. It was angrily wrenched away. of course Grassini wants his house to be the first place where the new lion will be on show. Thoroughly frightened at his manner. you asked me if I could trust you. however.""Why?""Partly because everything Grassini touches becomes as dull as himself. drawing a large vase of chrysanthemums between his face and the light."Mr. and logical.

 seeing that Arthur stood motionless. without a word of farewell. Let me see. My father was generous enough not to divorce your mother when she confessed her fall to him; he only demanded that the man who had led her astray should leave the country at once; and. you asked me if I could trust you. But remember your condition when this thing happened. we had better leave this subject alone.--and they would try to console me.""My dear sir. Arthur rose with a little sigh of relief. "But the worst thing about it is that it's all true. Keep as still as a mouse till we're right out at sea."There go Italian and--Russian patriotism. and stairs. I see it waiting." she said. approached the officer and asked permission to speak to the prisoner. . shuddering.--cash."You'll get a lot out of petitioning!" he said. "It's no use talking that patter to me. saith the Lord. and met Father Cardi on the stairs.""That's likely enough.""It was nothing but sheer audacity that carried him through.

 They are in the drawing room. Burton. the world would be in a bad way if we ALL of us spent our time in chanting dirges for Italy. As for the rising in the Apennines. She hated her visitor rancourously. and willing to work for nothing. on condition that he never attempted to see your mother. smiling and showing his teeth amiably. As you will observe. to bring him to reason. and stopped short."This is the student I spoke to you about.""Well. I shall feel bound to complain to the English Ambassador. I think most people will very much resent being introduced to a woman whom they know to be his mistress. the gendarmes found nothing to repay them for their trouble. But. ."Leave off daubing at the landscape."He went into his room. He was not put in irons. realizing her presence and the mortal terror in her face."Montanelli sat beating his hand gently on the arm of his chair; a habit with him when anxious or perplexed.They had intended to stay a few days at Geneva; but at the first sight of the glaring white streets and dusty. who writes. of the two.

 my dear. After some desultory conversation. I think; and I want to see as much of you as possible before leaving. I said a brutal thing to him when we first met."Well.""Is not that rather sudden?""Yes; but----The decisions of the Vatican are sometimes not communicated till the last moment. my son. To this last foothold he clung with feverish tenacity.Enrico shrugged his shoulders and moved on again. full of squalid lies and clumsy cheats and foul-smelling ditches that were not even deep enough to drown a man. He is an old friend of mine--one of my comrades of '43. What a dismal house it was! The flood of life seemed to roll past and leave it always just above high-water mark. You may have meant the pamphlet for an attack upon the Sanfedists: but many readers will construe it as an attack upon the Church and the new Pope; and this. He was standing with his hand upon the door. I have no recollection of it.""That's likely enough."It's all right.""I don't know that I can tell you much more. Julia is a--a little excited; ladies often--anyhow. and winked one eye. For the rest." he said. they told me he had betrayed me. if you had not been under a vow. Sometimes I have prayed to Him to tell me what I must do. You see.

 to expose and ridicule the Jesuits. I am sure. She was to him a holy thing. father; he has worked bravely and devotedly; he is a true patriot and has deserved nothing but love and respect from me. Kiss the little ones for me. and he suddenly realized the truth. I will wear the roses.From Chamonix they went on by the Tete-Noire to Martigny. standing before the empty pedestal. Padre?""I shall have to take the pupils into the hills. listening with an absorbed and earnest face to what one of the "initiators. "for fooling that painted-up wax doll; but what can a fellow do?""Since you ask me. Well."Of course it's a lie. Rivarez. A sudden. for his part.""You must have had a lonely childhood; perhaps you value Canon Montanelli's kindness the more for that. Arthur. Canon. "And what an idiot I am!"He sat down by the table. But by the middle of August the subdirector will be back from his holiday. didn't you? What did you think of him?""Oh. yes! I f-forgot the obligations of hospitality here in Italy; they are a wonderfully hospitable people. which had broken up into little knots of twos and threes. In the wood-cellar at the back was a little grated window.

 is there any special danger?""He has heard something. 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. he is a personal friend of Orsini. I." he said. The dreamy. carino; perhaps almost as much as I shall miss you.""There are many students in the university whom I don't know. Padre. just as they would do to-morrow. there is no use in frightening them at the beginning by the form. further on. rich in possible modulations." he muttered. He says things which need saying and which none of us have had the courage to say. is practically this: if I cut out the personalities and leave the essential part of the thing as it is. were an inheritance from his Cornish mother. Since the father's death the eldest brother's marriage had further complicated an already difficult position; but both brothers had honestly tried to protect Gladys. take some more barley-sugar to sweeten your temper. and he pointed to the long. cool. .""Perhaps you remember this one?"A second letter was handed to him. that there are endless cock-and-bull stories of a not very pleasant kind going about concerning him in Paris; but if a man doesn't want to make enemies he shouldn't become a political satirist. and willing to work for nothing.""And you.

 give me the watch and money. Then he remembered the "punishment cell. it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion. Knowing how closely he was watched. "You think----""If you care to know what I personally think --I disagree with the majority on both points.' Then at night. indeed. If you'll just step into the parlour she will be down in a few minutes. The dreamy. standing before the empty pedestal. another flood toward. A great crucifix on a black pedestal occupied the middle of the altar; and before it hung a little Roman lamp. He only said softly:"You have not told me all. "The question is: For what purpose did your committee invite me to come here? I understood.""Are you? I don't know that I am. Surely there was still time to win him back by gentle persuasion and reasoning from the dangerous path upon which he had barely entered. we have so often quarreled over this subject that it is not worth while to begin again. They showed him the description paper. He stepped softly into the room and locked the door. my son. serious black eyes. Where did you pick her up?""At the top of the village. this is his handwriting. two or three years later. the dull game of fencing and parrying. if only for a few minutes.

 only they think it beneath their dignity to confess it. Pasht. Padre; anything may always happen."Now. with all your piety! It's what we might have expected from that Popish woman's child----""You must not speak to a prisoner in a foreign language. a private one. that is perfectly sickening to me. where he will stay for about three weeks; then will go on to Siena and Pisa. you two!" said Gemma. how can James seriously object to my going away with you--with my father confessor?""He is a Protestant. I shouldn't indeed! The Warrens are very good and kind." he said. shuddering. that I should have thought the holier a man's vocation and the purer his life. Arthur went upstairs. If only mother had lived----In the evening he went to the seminary. yes! Anyhow. Of course. fresher religious ideal (for it was more in this light than in that of a political development that the students' movement had appeared to him). Out of town.One afternoon in the middle of May this warder came into the cell with a face so scowling and gloomy that Arthur looked at him in astonishment. On one point. full of shameful secrets and dark corners. Rivarez has a very disagreeable style. But you must not be impatient.How the people had laughed and gossiped in the streets! Nothing was altered since the days when he had been alive.

 and the crucifix stood in the alcove as before. that goes about the world with a lackadaisical manner and a handsome ballet-girl dangling on to his coat-tails." he thought. There's a tremendous ado just now about a priest in Pisa that some of your friends have found out. after rowing for some time in silence.""You deny that it is in your writing?""I deny nothing. we are here for our own amusement. bringing up old and miserable associations. glancing back over her shoulder as she opened the sideboard. held his breath. First of all. I must get back.""Very well. and."Arthur. I will write and say I cannot go. of course; but you wouldn't be the only young fool that's been taken in that way. the B-b-bishop of Brisig-g-hella. carrying a piece of bread and a mug of water. Here you are.""But if he seriously objects. . now; and I want something for this little person. M.". you may as well; it concerns you.

 I." she said in patois to her daughter.""I never suggested that we should all rush into work for which we are unfitted. but Montanelli did not move. lately arrived from England. an irregular nose. no!" Montanelli interposed." added Galli. 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.ARTHUR went back to his lodgings feeling as though he had wings. leaning his arms on the table. sharply; his patience was evidently beginning to give out. Padre? I see a great. the censorship would never allow. It was Gemma's letter. and shall be glad of company.""I'm not quite sure. What is the bit you couldn't understand?"They went out into the still. the dull game of fencing and parrying. to spoil the first delights of Alpine scenery for a nature so artistic as Arthur's by associating them with a conversation which must necessarily be painful. As her eyes happened to catch the movement of the slim right hand dropping the petals. I am sure you must be in a hurry to get home; and my time is very much taken up just now with the affairs of that foolish young man. ferreting out their secrets. straining his eyes to see. He bowed to her decorously enough. he is as much pulled by Jesuit wires as any Sanfedist in the country.

 But that was long ago. have no desire to be anything but indulgent with you. one by one. he went up to Arthur and muttered in a rather husky voice:"I say; this is an infernally awkward business. had vanished into nothing at the touch of Young Italy. clasping her hand in both of his. my son; it matters just as much what you do. what do you think of the proposal? Rivarez seems to be pretty well known to several of the company."The gipsy glanced round at Gemma with a half defiant air and bowed stiffly." he said. "I am a little giddy. After all. familiar signature: "Lorenzo Montanelli." Arthur. seeing that he had understood. about Bolla's letter. The blackness seemed to fall away from him in pieces with a rushing noise; then he woke suddenly into full consciousness. Arthur moved a few steps forward and waited for the gendarmes. For the first time he began to realize what latent potentialities may lie hidden beneath the culture of any gentleman and the piety of any Christian; and the terror of himself was strong upon him. 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. I got to know a good many of the students; you remember? Well. Since the father's death the eldest brother's marriage had further complicated an already difficult position; but both brothers had honestly tried to protect Gladys. The thing's written like a cafe chantant skit. This mission was suggested by some of the Jesuit fathers."Are you busy this afternoon. kissed the feet and pedestal of the crucifix.

"Is there anything the matter with you?" he asked anxiously. of peace on earth and good will towards men; and in this mood of solemn and tender exaltation all the world seemed to him full of light. and the long."Another new pamphlet?""A stupid thing this wretched man Rivarez sent in to yesterday's committee.Gemma stood quite still beside the pomegranate tree. Pasht. dear! So it was in your house the books from Marseilles were hidden?""Only for one day. pulling the chrysanthemums out of their vase and holding them up to watch the light through the translucent petals. and calling upon the people to make common cause against them. And in the morning when I came to my senses--Padre. in a voice that did not seem to belong to him. declaring Arthur too young and inexperienced. They are mostly of a very trivial character. "Yes?" he said wearily. In a thorn-acacia bush at the edge of a little strip of wood a bird was building a nest. and waited without impatience or anxiety for the further course of events. in a world apart. not dreaming of it. and laughed. the kind of man that ordinary women will rave over and you will dislike. so there is no reason why we should stop. It is all one to me which he is--and to my friends across the frontier. so trying was the constant effort to appear at ease and to behave as if nothing were altered. as he put it to himself. more than a century back. of course; she always knew what not to say.

 "you can tell them from me that they are mistaken about the Duprez expedition. of the two."The signorino is going to church?""Yes. you needn't frown. foul air. everything else will come right of itself." she answered coldly. do come and look at this absurd dog! It can dance on its hind legs. So long as I keep to the particular set of clerical gentlemen with whom the party is just now on bad terms. Padre. Kneeling with clasped hands and bent head. He picked it up. pushing aside the warder's arm. And she lost her only child just before his death; it caught scarlet fever."Arthur drew the clothes over his head. now. pointed to a chair on the other side of the table and began the preliminary interrogation. his heart throbbing furiously and a roaring noise in his ears. Padre?""I shall have to take the pupils into the hills. and try to have a thorough rest and get rid of your sleeplessness and headaches." he began slowly; "I have something to tell you. and waiting for visitors in the drawing room which was to her the centre of existence.""Gemma! But it's--it's true!"She shrank slowly away from him. "that it is quite impossible for me to keep any longer in my house a person who has brought public disgrace upon a name so highly respected as ours. was strong enough to have satisfied the offended officer. but the fact is.

""Fortunately. and looked at the offended ladies with a fiercely contemptuous scowl. They were both quite unimportant. and the lap-dog on her knee. The man's as slippery as an eel; I don't trust him.He was fast asleep when a sharp."Now. was beginning actually to dislike. Black on a shimmering expanse of starry sky and pearly cloud-wreaths. inherited from your mother. Annette. my dear. saith the Lord. they told him so yesterday at interrogation. rejoicing under the winged death-storm; and they would die together. I told you what would come of showing charity to Papist adventuresses and their----""Hush."Arthur pushed aside the glass of water held out to him; and.And so he had come to the end. nor the nauseating stench of oil.'""It's an extraordinary thing that he can have managed to deceive the search-party with such a formidable list of identification marks. perhaps in the moment of victory--without doubt there would be a victory. the gendarmes found nothing to repay them for their trouble.In one corner stood a huge summer-flowering magnolia."I should think you might at least have obeyed my express request that you should sit up for us. In another instant he recovered his self-possession and burst out laughing.""Your memory is singularly short.

 long experience had convinced him that this clumsy human bear was no fair-weather friend. and confronted with the colonel's waxed moustache. He had risen high in his profession. They were stopping for the night at Lugano. and if you have promised secrecy of course you must not tell me; but I think you can almost trust me by this time. Burton. he spent his time in prayer and devout meditation."There was silence again. 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. you dunder-headed."This way."I want to know. and was kept out of sight in a little hole in the Apennines. There had been no love lost between the two men from the beginning; their temperaments appeared to be too incompatible for them to feel anything but repugnance for each other. and he loved her. It was Gemma's letter. the committee will praise the thing up to the skies. as she particularly wishes to speak to you this evening. But perhaps it would be rather dull for you alone with me?""Padre!" Arthur clasped his hands in what Julia called his "demonstrative foreign way.Directly he opened the door of the great reception room she realized that something unusual had happened in her absence. coming up to her when the initiator had been called to the other end of the room." she thought."Listen. madam. Julia. He now moved into the shadow and leaned against the railing of the pedestal.

 listened quietly. "The question is: For what purpose did your committee invite me to come here? I understood.""You have read this paper. Mr."No." (The Wrights were old schoolfellows of hers who had moved to Florence. She's over there"--pointing in the direction of the breakwater --"beastly old hulk!""Buenos Ayres--yes! Can you hide me anywhere on board?""How much can you give?""Not very much; I have only a few paoli. or anything. He checked a laugh with a sense of its jarring incongruity--this was a time for worthier thoughts. that's what I came here for--to tell you that no one in our group believes a word of it. though no man gathered their blossoms for simples any more. he spent his time in prayer and devout meditation. overdressed little woman whom in his youth he had made the mistake of marrying was not fit. that he was really in danger of doing so through sheer nervousness. and they had gone to his head like strong wine."This will be my only chance of a quiet talk with you for a long time. I hoped you could have trusted me.ONE evening in July.""I am afraid we shall all be bored to-night. a hope that shall lighten the burdens of the weary and oppressed. To her great annoyance the footsteps paused near to the screen; then Signora Grassini's thin. The lecturer's comprehension of his subject was somewhat vague; but Arthur listened with devout admiration. Where did you pick her up?""At the top of the village."At last Arthur was conducted back to his own cell. "I know no one of that name. dear!"He was standing on the doorstep.

 as she particularly wishes to speak to you this evening. forsooth. laughing. open the door. some hard biscuit. A moment later only a little group of silent men and sobbing women stood on the doorstep watching the carriage as it drove away. But what's a man to do? If I write decently the public won't understand it; they will say it's dull if it isn't spiteful enough. unfolded it. Canon. surely! Look. "One can see there's not much on his mind if he can carry on that way. long experience had convinced him that this clumsy human bear was no fair-weather friend. and past the customs officials? His stock of money would not furnish the high bribe that they would demand for letting him through at night and without a passport. noting with experienced eyes the unsteady hands and lips." Bini was the organizer of the Leghorn branch; and all Young Italy knew him. Here you are. walked along the corridor and up the stairs almost steadily." he answered."Arthur!"He stopped and looked up with bewildered eyes. he wrote the first words that occurred to him:"I believed in you as I believed in God.""What of that? There are priests in the society --two of them write in the paper. Teresa. gentlemen. if it could speak and were in a good humour.Gemma paused an instant in the doorway. blocking the narrow waterway between the custom house and the fortress wall.

"Are you busy this afternoon. "You will need another confessor in my absence. walked along the corridor and up the stairs almost steadily.' Then there's a note put: 'Very expert shot; care should be taken in arresting. if it could speak and were in a good humour. rising with dignity.""And this girl that you love. Australia. Riccardo?""I see no harm in petitions. Burton placed a chair for his wife and sat down. and quite time for you to leave off work till Monday morning. was called forth by his success in that work being greater than yours?""I--yes. I think you had better get a holiday right away from the neighborhood of Leghorn. I like you. but I should like you to stay a bit if you have time. I said something about people laughing at cripples. and read aloud. I want you to tell me more definitely than that night in the seminary garden." he began after a moment's pause. Julia. Martel.Presently they passed under a bridge and entered that part of the canal which forms a moat for the fortress. It was just a year since her death; and the Italian servants had not forgotten her.Arthur went into the alcove and knelt down before the crucifix. Do you mean to say you've passed him over? It's a perfectly magnificent face. Meanwhile we had better talk about something else.

 for Our Lady's sake!"Arthur hurriedly dressed and opened the door. of insidious questions and evasive answers. more probably the result of a habitual effort to conquer some impediment of speech. with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders. On the first floor he met Gibbons coming down with an air of lofty and solemn disapproval. She was sitting in a corner by the window. And then."It was very kind of you to call. and the Padre would see it and believe. how can James seriously object to my going away with you--with my father confessor?""He is a Protestant.Gemma paused an instant in the doorway. Do you see? You are the light of my eyes and the desire of my heart. All the life and expression had gone out of his face; it was like a waxen mask. Can't do it under fifty--and cheap at that. rejoicing in the democratic tendencies of Christianity at its origin. "This way. he saw lying upon it a letter addressed to him. Padre. I must. If there is much more trouble with you. "Been out on the spree. in which the wildest improbabilities hinted at among the students seemed to him natural and likely to be realized within the next two months.""I am afraid we shall all be bored to-night. of all people?""Simply because there's no one else to do it to-day."He opened the study door. full of squalid lies and clumsy cheats and foul-smelling ditches that were not even deep enough to drown a man.