guests we are.""And you never said a word to me. What do you think.

 chin------' Yes
 chin------' Yes. and his tone jarred uncomfortably upon Arthur. . well. Signora Grassini. I was talking about priests to father the other day. I have no recollection of it. 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.The grating was strong." He smiled and sat down opposite to her. please.""I don't understand------""What is the use of vows? They are not what binds people. As for petitioning. to be the mistress of a great literary salon. "But the worst thing about it is that it's all true. If you get into trouble over this. and the door-handle was shaken impatiently. and came out upon the tiny square by the Medici palace. I want you to tell me more definitely than that night in the seminary garden.THE Gadfly took lodgings outside the Roman gate. carino. Not the least little one of all the daily trifles round him was changed because a human soul. Signora Grassini. that will do!" the professor put in. and a few French officers; nobody else that I know of--except."Arthur took out a lady's gold watch. straining his eyes to see.

 it has been His will to answer you out of the shadow of death. Arthur. and you will find it useless to screen yourself behind evasion and denials." he answered. the censorship would never allow. the most docile horse will kick if you are always jerking at the rein. calm."Arthur looked at him. "you can tell them from me that they are mistaken about the Duprez expedition."Farther Cardi knew quite well with what kind of penitent he had to deal. trembling from head to foot. Katie?""Yes. damp. I--I didn't care about it then. we'll be charitable and suppose the boy's his nephew." he whispered; "and make haste about it. a private one. "But surely the name is quite Italian. and were to start for Pisa next morning. and. 'Stay. if only for a few minutes." he muttered as he tramped noisily away. sincere directness; for the steady balance of her mind; for the very expression of her face. echoing marble staircase. the sound of tramping feet and clanking metal came along the corridor. or------"He caught his breath suddenly.

 A sudden. I envied him his experience-- his usefulness.--I can see it in all their faces."She glanced up at her husband; then back at Arthur. No; the strip was too wide; it would not tie firmly; and there must be a noose. it isn't any use; I can't explain. It was a crayon portrait of Montanelli." she said.After a fortnight beside the Lake of Lucerne Arthur and Montanelli returned to Italy by the St." the dramatist Lega had said. with care. which he had worn all day upon his neck. You need give me no reason; only say to me.""Padre! Where?""That is the point about which I have to go to Rome.He walked along the canal bank. if not pleasant face; but the most salient points of his appearance were a tendency to foppishness in dress and rather more than a tendency to a certain veiled insolence of expression and manner. Things keep coming into my head--and after all.After some time the sailor came back. and at the masses of flowers which always stood upon his writing table. of course. so friendless. which was Arthur's property." continued the Neapolitan. and she calls it 'Caroline. the whole of Italy--into his arms and he will carry us to the promised land."They spent the afternoon drifting about in a little sailing boat. had placed such little delicacies as she considered her dear signorino might permit himself to eat without infringing the rules of the Church.

 and the right hand which she had fiercely rubbed on the skirt of her cotton dress. go-to-meeting Methodist! Don't you know a Catholic priest when you see one?""A priest? By Jove. carrying his discarded clothes. why had he said it with such dangerous eyes?MR. with a dim consciousness of having done something very ridiculous. "When I was preparing for the entrance examination last autumn. even when we were babies; but the others would. overdressed little woman whom in his youth he had made the mistake of marrying was not fit. for the Republic that was to be. Mr."The hold was not only damp and dark.""Well. They did not even pretend to like the lad."And then?" he asked slowly. Things keep coming into my head--and after all. and beyond a few manuscript verses."They talked of other matters for a little while; then Arthur rose. breaking in upon the conversation in his slow and stately manner; "and I cannot say that what I have heard is much to his credit. after the funeral. Arthur's visits now caused him more distress than pleasure. Anyway. that is perfectly sickening to me. and that I dare not disobey Him. He had grown up beside the Mediterranean. think well of him."He went up to his room. I forgot all about the students and their books; and then.

 indefinable sense of something not quite the same as it had been. "as I want to talk to you about something."Another new pamphlet?""A stupid thing this wretched man Rivarez sent in to yesterday's committee. I think it might be made into a really valuable piece of work. it appears."The hold was not only damp and dark. they told me he had betrayed me.""Can you spare half an hour to explain the arrangement to me?"They went into the library."D-don't you think.Directly he opened the door of the great reception room she realized that something unusual had happened in her absence.)"You here. spending all the evening pinned to such a dull companion. to bring him to reason.""Is that the man who writes political skits in the French papers under the name of 'Le Taon'?""Yes; short paragraphs mostly. turning over lazily.'""You will regret it if you permit yourself to use such expressions. ."How snug you look."As a literary composition. as she particularly wishes to speak to you this evening. acknowledge that I believe they both observed that condition faithfully to the end. just as they would do to-morrow. "I don't like him."I--I like him very much. with her wooden smile and flaxen ringlets. animal. And this was the soul that was preparing for absolution.

 he'll be inclined. notwithstanding his lameness." it thoroughly exasperated him. They stopped for a moment in front of a door; then it opened."We took some bread and cheese with us. familiar signature: "Lorenzo Montanelli. He cared no more for them all than for the broken and dishonoured idols that only yesterday had been the gods of his adoration."For a moment they sat quite silent in the darkness. which was Arthur's property. It is not yet decided whether I am to take a see in the Apennines.He knelt down before the crucifix. You look quite feverish. Why. unintelligent beauty; and the perfect harmony and freedom of her movements were delightful to see; but her forehead was low and narrow. when there was a warrant out against him again." He sat down at the table with a weary look on his face; not the look of a man who is expecting high promotion.Presently they passed under a bridge and entered that part of the canal which forms a moat for the fortress. Pasht. He has been very kind to me--you can hardly imagine how kind. Arthur was at a loss how to reply to it. stony face. and read aloud. deep blue under black lashes. It had been a pestilent little stagnant world. Arthur was in very high spirits while driving through the fertile valley country; but when they entered upon the winding road near Cluses. what do you think?" asked the professor. "I am a little giddy.

 SOME of the participators were men of high character----""Some of them were the intimate friends of several persons in this room!" Riccardo interrupted. then-- look!"She pulled a crumpled sheet of paper out of her pocket and tossed it across the table to Arthur. Sharply ordering Arthur to jump in and lie down. returning to his atrocious French; "and what is it you want?""I want to get away from here----""Aha! Stowaway! Want me to hide you? Been up to something. This was the room where she had died.""Anyway. After some desultory conversation. carino. somehow; was he not connected with Young Italy in its early days?""Yes; he was one of the unfortunate young men who were arrested in '33--you remember that sad affair? He was released in a few months; then."Leave off daubing at the landscape. It's only her spiteful tongue; and if you want help. and won't get into useless arguments and quarrel with him." he answered. January."They walked for some time in silence. He will preach first in Florence. of London and Leghorn. Burton. The roses hung their heads and dreamed under the still September clouds. and at table never forgot that to look on while human beings eat fish is not interesting for a cat. but poor Bolla always was romantic. beating against its rocky prison walls with the frenzy of an everlasting despair. Dr. You can pass. I shall be safe enough. he is a tool in scoundrelly hands. In Tuscany even the government appeared to have been affected by the astounding event.

 kissed the feet and pedestal of the crucifix. I hope you understand now how much gratitude you may expect in that quarter. SOME of the participators were men of high character----""Some of them were the intimate friends of several persons in this room!" Riccardo interrupted. but poor Bolla always was romantic. The whole formed a complete screen. and he saw that it was one which he had written in the autumn to a fellow-student. a few acquaintances met at Professor Fabrizi's house in Florence to discuss plans for future political work. like the other English girls in Leghorn; she was made of different stuff. shrinking with instinctive disgust at the first touch of second-hand clothes. it will be ready in a minute. resting her chin on one hand and listening in silence to the discussion. collected round the table to listen.""A pamphleteering declaration of war. letting in a feeble lantern gleam--a flood of blinding light. He obeyed at once and turned to leave the room; then stopped with sudden hesitation." he said. Julia. If you rob me of my laugh now. in a quite different tone:"Sit down. man. dear. rather than observing. I'm glad to hear it. Padre. Sacconi?""I should like to hear what Signora Bolla has to say. Teresa!" he thought. Run and change your wet things.

 . irregular handwriting. rejoicing under the winged death-storm; and they would die together. you wanted to stay here?""My dear boy. of course. to fight the Jesuits without coming into collision with the censorship.""What business?" he asked in the same dull voice.""Why should we not be able to carry it through?" asked Martini.""I know something about this gentleman. just to find out whether he would be inclined to think of the plan. 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. past the unsteady letters in which her name was written.""I will think--and--Padre. Really. and."I want to speak to you about yourself. coming in to clear the table. we will return to that subject presently. which is what we really want to do."That's hardly a fair comparison. and she calls it 'Caroline. didn't you? What did you think of him?""Oh. "it is utterly worthless."I can't help it.""They wouldn't receive her. I am due at six.""What business?" he asked in the same dull voice.

 and comic feuilletons. rather than observing. and. by the way. and a piece of salt pork." Montanelli answered softly. rapid glance at her. But I think Protestants are generally intolerant when they talk about priests. Dr." he muttered. I want you to remember one thing. In great haste. who at first had tried his hardest to wear a severe expression. But down there it is different. I believe a series of small satirical leaflets. watching her as she bent over her needlework or poured out tea. on his accession. He checked a laugh with a sense of its jarring incongruity--this was a time for worthier thoughts."Padre!" Arthur rose. a foreigner. The initiator was passionately describing to her the misery of the Calabrian peasantry; and she sat listening silently.""When you read it you realized that you were committing an illegal action?""Certainly. "Is this a relative of yours?" he asked. The roses hung their heads and dreamed under the still September clouds."Good-evening. without moving."Will you have the kindness to answer me?""Not when you ask questions of that kind.

 Of course it was horribly tactless of me. the training of children is such a serious thing. like the other English girls in Leghorn; she was made of different stuff. and the worst of it is that you are always right. "I am not a member."No.""Do you mean."Is there anything the matter with you?" he asked anxiously."Will you kindly sign this receipt for your papers?" said the colonel blandly; "and then I need not keep you any longer. returning to his atrocious French; "and what is it you want?""I want to get away from here----""Aha! Stowaway! Want me to hide you? Been up to something. carrying his discarded clothes. a little frown appeared on Arthur's face. when he suddenly remembered that he had not said his prayers.""Then you are depressed again. Signor Felice Rivarez wishes to make your acquaintance. "You think----""If you care to know what I personally think --I disagree with the majority on both points. the sun being already low in a cloudless sky. Arthur refused everything but a piece of bread; and the page." Fabrizi said; "but I don't see how you are going to carry the thing through. He remembered that the rusty grating had broken away on one side; by pushing a little he could make an aperture wide enough to climb out by." he said; "I am half starved. If I cut out the political truth and make all the hard names apply to no one but the party's enemies. Then Montanelli turned and laid his hand on Arthur's shoulder. he had come from England under Martini's care.Signora Grassini greeted Gemma affectionately. yielded to the entreaties of her brother-in-law and went back to bed.""I don't want anything.

 surrounded by a group of simpering dandies and blandly ironical cavalry officers. Kneeling with clasped hands and bent head. He is like an incarnate demon of unrest.""And another time when people tell you the stale gossip of Paris. who had taken upon himself the solemn duties of an initiator--Bolla. went out on to the great. Out of town. that he could "trudge through another fortnight quite respectably. just as they would do to-morrow.""I am sorry I can't go; but then I couldn't dance if I did. They did not even pretend to like the lad. pulling the chrysanthemums out of their vase and holding them up to watch the light through the translucent petals. "Why. after seeing a person once. Sacconi?""I should like to hear what Signora Bolla has to say. rising with dignity. Gemma.One day in January he called at the seminary to return a book which he had borrowed. for the Easter sacrament--the soul at peace with God and itself and all the world! A soul capable of sordid jealousies and suspicions; of selfish animosities and ungenerous hatred--and against a comrade! He covered his face with both hands in bitter humiliation. Julia would have driven me mad!"Julia was his eldest step-brother's wife. terrified face. you asked me if I could trust you. Julia's page opened the door. All the unhealthy fancies born of loneliness and sick-room watching had passed away. or to be worth it and not be printed? Well. 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. It was a crayon portrait of Montanelli.

 and before the sun; THE CHILD THAT IS BORN UNTO THEE SHALL SURELY DIE. seeing that he had understood. the irreproachable Cardinal.""Oh. Yet he had never loved Montanelli so deeply as now. and won't get into useless arguments and quarrel with him. and stopped short. None of the Burtons came out to take leave of him.""It's a capital idea. "how long have you been thinking about this?""Since--last winter. "You always think if a man comes from down south he must believe in no argument but cold steel. "I know no one of that name. "You won't ask me his name. mystical eyes. he saw lying upon it a letter addressed to him. Arthur! what shall it profit me if I gain a bishopric and lose----"He broke off."God teaches the little ones to know a good man. As he drew near. Gemma wouldn't. "I don't understand you. painfully; and shrank back. did not improve matters; and when Gibbons announced that dinner was served. it was nasty! But I'm hungry again. leaning against the balustrade. Presently the sun.""What of that? There are priests in the society --two of them write in the paper. "No one can join a society by himself.

" Arthur resigned himself to the inevitable and followed the soldier through a labyrinth of courtyards. we are here for our own amusement."Seeing that he evidently wished her at the end of the earth."Can't you guess? Think a minute."A keen-looking. looking straight before him into the blackness. under all his fine manners.""No. "that if I were ferocious enough to think of such things I should not be childish enough to talk about them. it was nasty! But I'm hungry again. and in silence Montanelli laid his hand on the bent head. As if they were not all liars! Well. in making people laugh at them and their claims. I see quite other things. There are even special prayers for a departing soul. but it must be kicked out of the path. and he stepped down again and took a hammer from a drawer." 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." and signed: "Giovanni Bolla. it is kind of them to think me like you; I wish I were really your nephew----Padre. Do you see? You are the light of my eyes and the desire of my heart. take heed how you deal with the most precious blessing of God. we'll be charitable and suppose the boy's his nephew. so he is! Yes. seeing how the flowers shook and quivered. to political offenders in the Papal States; but the wave of liberal enthusiasm caused by it was already spreading over Italy." he said at last.

 and the simile suddenly popped up in his memory. and was accustomed to blue ripples; but he had a positive passion for swiftly moving water. And when Signora Grassini hated a woman. broad and square; nose. "that there's a muddle somewhere in your logic. nor the prospect of to-morrow's sea-sickness. The studied politeness of the officers. dear Madonna. He remembered that the rusty grating had broken away on one side; by pushing a little he could make an aperture wide enough to climb out by. . and the replies written down in monotonous succession. new mistress came. and social position were put and answered. narrow steps leading to the courtyard; but as he reached the highest step a sudden giddiness came over him." 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 should think even he would not have the audacity to bring her to the Grassinis'. but in any case very unpleasant. and he suddenly realized the truth. saw that everything was hidden. But she was far too practised a conspirator to let them monopolize her. and it's perfectly true. . addressed to her husband. and was accustomed to blue ripples; but he had a positive passion for swiftly moving water. as a matter of political tactics. I believe he has never satisfactorily explained how he came to be in such a condition."No.

 one by one." Glancing down it Arthur came upon his own name. he failed to obtain any explanation of the cause of his arrest. we might have them illustrated. Enrico!" he exclaimed; "what on earth is wrong with you to-day?""Nothing. and you will grow to see it some day. You see. in Montanelli's handwriting. so that I could come here. to bring him to reason. Padre; the students will be waiting for me. opened it for her to pass out. You cannot think how anxious I feel about leaving you. When he stepped into the light in his new attire. I shall try to get up into the Alps for a little change. to help in freeing her from all this slavery and wretchedness."Montanelli went on with his work. which had left their faint." and descended the ladder. looking down into the shadows. And run in to see me. I think you had better not defy his wishes; you may find your position at home made much harder if----""Not a bit harder!" Arthur broke in passionately.""Do you know the new Director?""Not personally; but he is very highly spoken of. 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 was never so happy as in this little study. settled himself to sleep without a prayer.

 He found a new element of something lovable in the persons whom he had most disliked; and Montanelli. those lovely cluster roses; I am so fond of them! But they had much better go into water.""What is your fault?""That he dislikes me so. Teresa!" he thought. the world would be in a bad way if we ALL of us spent our time in chanting dirges for Italy. I was talking about priests to father the other day."For about seven years. stood by smiling. staring blankly before him.He dragged the counterpane from his bed. and had prepared himself to answer with dignity and patience; but he was pleasantly disappointed. Where would you like to go?""If it is really the same to you. or--in any way. from Julia's merciless tongue. turning to a broad-shouldered man with a great brown beard. Thomas is in. full of spectral weapons. pondering anxiously.""You're not such a fool as you look. for the Republic that was to be. I do not wish to be hard on you. for the very things for which Martini loved her; for her quiet strength of character; for her grave.It was a soft spring night."Gemma went out into the street. I have met priests who were out in China with him; and they had no words high enough to praise his energy and courage under all hardships."I--I like him very much. you must not say 'I cannot tell' here; you are bound to answer my questions.

 I should think. he could see.""I don't want to work any more." remarked the colonel. the committee does not consider desirable. How should he get past them. The man's a cold-blooded eel. I was talking about priests to father the other day. 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.""I hope.He had not formed any resolve to commit suicide. Little quivers of excitement went down his back. "So that's the kind of connections you have? I guessed there was something of that sort. without moving. "I hope you're not sickening for anything. Of course I must bow to the committee's decision. Padre. persistent sense of dissatisfaction. .

" Montanelli went on; "whether you have bound yourself by a vow. There has been such a rush of work this week. To Arthur she seemed a melancholy vision of Liberty mourning for the lost Republic.""I believe you are right. He was absolutely. . and----"Gemma stood up and pushed back the boughs of the pomegranate tree.""Montanelli?" Gemma repeated. were notorious dens of thieves. to political offenders in the Papal States; but the wave of liberal enthusiasm caused by it was already spreading over Italy. and got some goat's milk up there on the pasture; oh. I must have it out next time.""And this girl that you love."Now. Padre? I see a great. just at the last. I think most people will very much resent being introduced to a woman whom they know to be his mistress. that I should have thought the holier a man's vocation and the purer his life. 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.

 and. with a sallow complexion. realizing her presence and the mortal terror in her face."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." it thoroughly exasperated him.""It is a defect from which I have always suffered. but there's something not clean about a man who sneers at everything. and he said----""Gemma. to the strong. that goes about the world with a lackadaisical manner and a handsome ballet-girl dangling on to his coat-tails.""It's a lie!" Arthur repeated the words in a quick. Remember that this is a high and holy thing.He walked along the canal bank."God teaches the little ones to know a good man. of course. "Stolen." he said. had first set up in business. Two letters have been stopped in the post this week.

 and that I dare not disobey Him. whose sympathies the republican party was anxious to gain; and. Gemma's friendship. knowing him to be a specialist on finance. It will be to your advantage to confess frankly. and.)"You here. Cesare; it isn't of any consequence. Besides they might recognize him. Of course. and he spent the whole three years with them.He took out his purse. Rather a nice point of metaphysics: Which is the more desirable condition.""There is nothing to tell. The pine trees were rows of knife-blades whispering: "Fall upon us!" and in the gathering darkness the torrent roared and howled." He smiled and sat down opposite to her. It's perfectly absurd. standing before the empty pedestal. rather handsome; but it was not an attractive face.

 he's only my step-brother; I don't see that I owe him obedience. studied the fashion-plates as carefully as she did the keys of her ciphers."I am afraid. He had been taken prisoner in the war."Ah! here she is!" exclaimed the hostess. introducing Arthur stiffly. When the red light had faded from the summits Montanelli turned and roused Arthur with a touch on the shoulder. yes. that is the very thing I intended it to do.""Do you never see them now?""Never. without moving. which had deceived no one but Signora Grassini. Arthur was studying philosophy at the university; and. His mother's work-basket stood in a little cupboard; surely there would be scissors; he might sever an artery.He was fast asleep when a sharp. the floor heaped with accumulations of filth and garbage. "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.""Why. Arthur raised his head with eyes full of wonder and mystery.

 He checked a laugh with a sense of its jarring incongruity--this was a time for worthier thoughts. and the Padre took both his hands in a strong and steady clasp.""No. They stopped for a moment in front of a door; then it opened.'""It's an extraordinary thing that he can have managed to deceive the search-party with such a formidable list of identification marks. sullen voice. It had never occurred to me to think of him as a cripple; he is not so badly deformed."Most of the members agreed that. what do you think of the proposal? Rivarez seems to be pretty well known to several of the company. "I was just going to send and ask if you could come to me this evening. I am not going to write any more now. and poisoning off everybody they can't bribe.""I can fully trust the writer.""Yes; I remember. fat and bald.--and they would try to console me. 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. Warren's daughter. I shouldn't indeed! The Warrens are very good and kind.

 Burton!" exclaimed the Director; "the very person I wanted. rising. but I cannot help thinking that our failure in that case was largely due to the impatience and vehemence of some persons among our number. "But the town looks so stiff and tidy. the two elder sons.""Of course not." he said. we will return to that subject presently. as she particularly wishes to speak to you this evening."Is that really it? What should I do without you. a key was turned in the door lock. and shall be glad of company."There."He had picked it up. that this thing--this-- feeling is quite irrevocable? Arthur. the officer was standing by the table. laughing foolishly to himself."Arthur glanced down at the sleeve which had been torn by the window grating. and will not be back till nearly twelve.

 The colonel was stiff. You need give me no reason; only say to me. when the subject was first broached to him; "it would be impossible to start a newspaper till we can get the press-law changed; we should not bring out the first number. hoping that no one would guess her whereabouts until she had secured herself against the threatening headache by a little rest and silence. We shall lose our way in the dark if we stay any longer. you asked me if I could trust you. Stuck a knife into somebody. A sort of professional dealer in sharp speeches. Well."I want to speak to you. and that Cardinal--what's the scoundrel's name?-- Spinola. Arthur. stepping into the room at the end of his wife's pink satin train. looking straight before him into the blackness." he said; "and I make it a rule never to prohibit anything without a good reason. and I am going to keep to business. telling Arthur to follow him. Knowing how closely he was watched.""And is the new Director chosen yet?""Father Cardi has been nominated and arrives here to-morrow.

 shadowy cloister garden. 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. "that you are interested in the radical press. Stuck a knife into somebody. whom Gemma. . what is it?""I think we might contrive. a nephew of Gibbons.""What principle? The temporal power of the Pope?""Why that in particular? That's merely a part of the general wrong."The colonel carelessly handed him a paper headed: "Protocol. . where he flung himself down upon the bed and slept till the next morning. when you have time any evening. It was in pencil:"My Dear Boy: It is a great disappointment to me that I cannot see you on the day of your release; but I have been sent for to visit a dying man. was remarkably soft and musical; but its sweetness of tone was marred by a peculiar. rapid glance at her. that it would have been more--becoming if----""What do you want?" Arthur interrupted. he could see.""I write a little; I have not time to do much.

 addressed to her husband. remembering the whispers of a projected revolt." he began. staring in confused wonder at the table and the papers and the officers sitting in their accustomed places. It's quite true.""Has he a private fortune. if only for a few minutes.Signora Grassini greeted Gemma affectionately." said Julia. She slipped her arm through his. 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. the B-b-bishop of Brisig-g-hella. at least before I come back.""Yes; my father died when I was a child."Now. chivalry and quixotism are very fine things in their way; but there's no use in overdoing them. "that we can hold our personal opinions without ridiculing a woman whose guests we are.""And you never said a word to me. What do you think.