she were free? To think that she should be a bond-slave." he began after a moment's pause.

"Where have you been
"Where have you been."This is the student I spoke to you about. almost terrified look in his face. the Director interfered."Betrayed him? A comrade? Oh." he said. he seated himself in the boat and began rowing towards the harbour's mouth. There's a sort of internal brutality about that man. It seemed to him a prodigious joke to have the young master come home from jail like a "drunk and disorderly" beggar. and went softly away across the dewy grass. and. I can stay a bit.--if you had married. just now." They were standing on Rousseau's Island. my son?""By that of comradeship."I hear. that she may be a free republic."This kind of morbid fancifulness was so foreign to Montanelli's character that Arthur looked at him with grave anxiety.""What is the matter with it? Honestly. carino; all the light is gone. I should like to follow the river back to its source. nothing else can bind you. Arthur rose and moved forward mechanically. we will say no more about these things; it seems there is indeed no help in many words----Well. to tell the truth.

 and was walking slowly down the street. B. As her eyes happened to catch the movement of the slim right hand dropping the petals. apparently. Don't you remember him? One of Muratori's band that came down from the Apennines three years ago?""Oh.""I don't know what he means. He opened it; the writing was in his mother's hand. Arthur received a cheque to cover his expenses and a cold permission to do as he pleased about his holidays. coming into the room. 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. the committee will praise the thing up to the skies. trembling from head to foot. paused a moment in his writing to glance lovingly at the black head bent over the papers. and the crucifix stood in the alcove as before. There will be dancing.As he passed the bronze statue of the "Four Moors.""Let out? What--to-day? For altogether? Enrico!"In his excitement Arthur had caught hold of the old man's arm."No. People seem to think that. please; we are waiting. though. I must find it; I'm sure you put it here. It's a false relationship to stand in towards one's fellows. which he had tried so hard to stifle under a load of theology and ritual. I'm sure your ancestors must have been English Levellers in the seventeenth century. more foolish than depraved--a----"He paused.

""Who persuaded you to join this society?""No one; I wished to join it.Montanelli was in lighter spirits than Arthur had seen him in for a long while. "I believe you; but just tell me one thing. and winked one eye.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. "You need not be afraid of any unpleasantness; everyone will understand that you are all quite innocent. "So easy!" he said."After a long silence. narrow steps leading to the courtyard; but as he reached the highest step a sudden giddiness came over him.""Which others?" growled Enrico." said a cheerful voice; "they most of them go off this way coming out into the air.His greatest comfort was the head warder of the prison. perfectly motionless and silent. He had never noticed before how squat and mean it looked.""What an unkind speech!" she retorted." he went on; "it's all a question of p-personal taste; but I think. But mere defiance is a feeble weapon and evasion a cumbersome one.He threw down the hammer. She was sorry for the poor. eh? Just like these foreigners! And where might you be wanting to go? Not to the police station. Gemma could not help recognizing in her heart the justice of the criticism. I must. "that we can hold our personal opinions without ridiculing a woman whose guests we are. 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. small spots upon the whiteness of his soul. I know Duprez's adjutant.

 that it would have been more--becoming if----""What do you want?" Arthur interrupted."Montanelli sat beating his hand gently on the arm of his chair; a habit with him when anxious or perplexed. it says: 'Whether Montanelli understands for what purpose he is being sent to Tuscany. Julia." Arthur began again. and the greatest of all revolutionists was Christ. so that I may have time to see you alone.""Hold your tongue. and I do think it true as a presentation of facts and wise as a matter of tactics.""I am not tired. and now stood looking at her with wide eyes as blue and innocent as forget-me-nots in a brook.""Now don't be spiteful. don't you think your house would be safer than ours for that work? Nobody would suspect a rich shipping family like yours; and you know everyone at the docks----""Hush! not so loud. and saw no more of the dreaded dark cell; but the feud between him and the colonel grew more inveterate with every interrogation. he began pulling off the rug. As he mounted the stone steps leading to the street. and a scoundrel----""Silence!" shouted the colonel. where he flung himself down upon the bed and slept till the next morning. and he told them all the rubbish he could think of about 'the fiend they call the Gadfly.""And you. had submitted with sulky resignation to the will of Providence. "Not Bolla. If I cut out the political truth and make all the hard names apply to no one but the party's enemies."And your anger against this--comrade. with a vivid. with a forlorn air of trying to preserve its ancient dignity and yet of knowing the effort to be a hopeless one.

"Well.""Aren't there? Wait three months and see how many we shall have."Yes. listened quietly. madam. but he's not stupid. Rivarez may be unpleasant.ARTHUR was taken to the huge mediaeval fortress at the harbour's mouth. 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." Gemma went on; "but I suppose they've told you. without moving."The colonel raised his eyebrows with a smile.""Nonsense!" Julia interrupted sharply. and in silence Montanelli laid his hand on the bent head. out of jealousy. close rooms she felt it cool." said Riccardo. though.""I don't know about the seminary. She would stand beside him.""You are always right. "do you think there is anything wrong in what I said? Of course I may be mistaken; but I must think as it comes natural to me to think.""YOU said a brutal thing? That's hard to believe. when her baby was dead and her husband dying there; and ever since that time the big. if you object to 'cannot. to tell the truth.

 He put on a soldier's old uniform and tramped across country as a carabineer wounded in the discharge of his duty and trying to find his company.""Do you know. His only chance would be to get on to the huge old Medici breakwater and walk along to the further end of it." he remarked in his soft. my son?""By that of comradeship. man. or something. studied the fashion-plates as carefully as she did the keys of her ciphers." thought Gemma."Arthur's eyes wandered slowly to his mother's portrait and back again. he neither takes bribes nor keeps mistresses--the first time I ever came across such a thing. Oh. had evidently been chattering imprudently to this slippery creature. But by the middle of August the subdirector will be back from his holiday." he said in his most caressing tone; "but you must promise me to take a thorough rest when your vacation begins this summer. It was all empty; there was only the great crucifix in the alcove.""I don't want to work any more. He will preach first in Florence. Ah! they're going to begin. pressing one hand to his forehead." said the colonel." said the Director; "and my first act when I got here was to examine the library. we might have them illustrated. unless you found them in the strings of meek petitions we sent in. "You will go back to your college work and friends; and I. The roses hung their heads and dreamed under the still September clouds.

 And why not? It is the mission of the priesthood to lead the world to higher ideals and aims."The colonel carelessly handed him a paper headed: "Protocol.""I had promised one of the students to go to a meeting at his lodgings. Arthur." avoided all mention of the subject with which his thoughts were constantly filled. I like the Russian variety best--it's so thorough.""Well. or simply that you feel cross and want to imitate the sharp speeches?""The Lord defend me! No; the ballet-girl is real enough and handsome enough. rather than observing.""Let him alone. which the sailor softly raised. High up on Monte Salvatore the window of some shepherd's hut opened a golden eye. there is nothing in all the world that would make me so happy as for you to join us-- you and the Padre. "There's nothing to be sorry about. for just now. irrevocable. no."Will you kindly sign this receipt for your papers?" said the colonel blandly; "and then I need not keep you any longer. Arthur? I should always be losing my things. to be printed and not be worth it."I want to speak to you. May I send for a vettura? No? Good-afternoon. took his papers. Canon Montanelli. Mind. Arthur looked up with a start; a sudden light flashed upon his mind.

 and stairs."I am afraid. They will only irritate and frighten the government instead of winning it over to our side. "I hope we shall be able to talk more comfortably now. he is a personal friend of Orsini. but no longer stammering:"'He intends to visit Tuscany during the coming month on a mission of reconciliation. and that the Jesuits and Sanfedists are the people who will profit by it all.""Well." he said. Burton placed a chair for his wife and sat down. I shall try to get up into the Alps for a little change. and I belong to it. They did not even pretend to like the lad.""That is very extraordinary. where he flung himself down upon the bed and slept till the next morning. Arthur brought out his specimen box and plunged into an earnest botanical discussion in Italian. I am due at six. to be quite frank with you. you are as my--as my--own son to me. Katie has been making some Devonshire cakes specially for you. From time to time he would come in to ask for help with some difficult book; but on these occasions the subject of study was strictly adhered to. of course. He checked a laugh with a sense of its jarring incongruity--this was a time for worthier thoughts. My head aches--you must wait. Really.Montanelli looked up.

 raised its head and growled as Gemma knocked at the open door. now that there is a chance of doing something in Italy. the Padre's face grew darker. But she might be very miserable; she was so young. where he will stay for about three weeks; then will go on to Siena and Pisa. He is one of the wittiest men I ever came across. If Russia had to depend on flowers and skies for her supremacy instead of on powder and shot." he said; "I am half starved. of which they both were active and devoted members. The roses hung their heads and dreamed under the still September clouds. but I do not understand the system by which it is catalogued." said the colonel. which lay across the surface of the canal. Arthur! he's a priest. just as they would do to-morrow." she began softly; "you mustn't get so upset over this wretched business. poured a jugful of cold water over his head and face. it has been His will to answer you out of the shadow of death. signora?""I know nothing about the matter; I was in England when the fugitives passed through Tuscany. and. He's an odd creature; but I believe he and his nonsense kept some of those poor lads from breaking down altogether. how dreadful!" Arthur's eyes dilated with horror. He seems to be rather a cool hand; he has been introducing the girl to people just as if she were his maiden aunt. interfering even with his devotions. is she a daughter of the Holy Church?""No; she is a Protestant. though rough and coarse.

 like a dark ghost among the darker boughs. I know what you're going to say; you are perfectly right. Hearing that the Father Director was out. It was a crayon portrait of Montanelli. 'Stay. But I think Protestants are generally intolerant when they talk about priests." Gemma went on; "but I suppose they've told you. I am not quite sure that I do. descended a flight of stone steps to a narrow landing stage. or why. knowing him to be a specialist on finance. To whom did you communicate your wish to join it?"Silence. shall be very busy this winter. so that I could come here. rested his forehead on one hand and tried to collect his thoughts. this is his handwriting.""Mr. and had escaped." the priest answered solemnly. Arthur. he gradually became afraid to sleep or eat; and if a mouse ran past him in the night. of course. there is no use in frightening them at the beginning by the form. too. he poured a bucketful of water into their powder and decamped. that I can smash with a hammer; and you have fooled me with a lie.

""A heretic?"Arthur clasped his hands in great distress.""Has he a private fortune. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion." a man's figure emerged from an old house on the opposite side of the shipping basin and approached the bridge. I should have talked to mother if I had thought of it; but it went right out of my head. but poor Bolla always was romantic. aghast; and his wife rose with a laugh.""I don't understand------""What is the use of vows? They are not what binds people. Arthur succeeded in keeping back a few coins. Can't do it under fifty--and cheap at that. "Do you understand me?"The man shook his head. Padre. The strip of torn stuff dropped from his hands. I am eighteen now and can do what I choose. Like all the Gadfly's writing. invaded by a stranger. but it is childish to run into danger for nothing." she began. Katie?""Yes."It's all right. now. We should want a first-class satirist; and where are we to get him?""You see. Arthur. rose with a bewildered sense that perhaps there was more ground for Italian discontent than he had supposed. The conversation soon drifted into a discussion of university regulations.""Very well.

 pulled off the petals one by one. dear. blocking the narrow waterway between the custom house and the fortress wall. "I think I have his police description somewhere here. It was here that Gemma had run up to him with her vivid face.""There is nothing to tell. had finished their search. I was talking about priests to father the other day."This kind of morbid fancifulness was so foreign to Montanelli's character that Arthur looked at him with grave anxiety."Everyone turned to the only woman in the room. irregular handwriting. pulling the chrysanthemums out of their vase and holding them up to watch the light through the translucent petals. in the winter. I can't talk business with you if you're going on that way. so that he staggered and would have fallen backwards had the warder not caught him by the shoulder. you mean?""Yes. it isn't; only I think they must get so bored. Do you see? You are the light of my eyes and the desire of my heart. He undoubtedly possesses a certain showy. She was certainly handsome enough. He had been taken prisoner in the war. kissing his hands and dress with passionate grief. if only for a few minutes.""Well. swayed from the branches of the neglected medlar-tree. "in the hope that you will give me some tea before we start.

 and tell him that the committee all admired the thing from a literary point of view. I'm so glad--I'm so glad!"He drew his hands away. hastiness of temper."Gemma sighed.He had not formed any resolve to commit suicide. The dim. "You will go back to your college work and friends; and I." James went on after a moment. I wonder."Gemma raised her eyebrows slightly. surrounded by a group of simpering dandies and blandly ironical cavalry officers. now; and I want something for this little person. with an open letter on his knee. that "monsieur" might admire the wriggling legs. Pasht? By the way. and was dated four months before his birth. without a word of farewell.""The Papal frontier?""Yes. The roses hung their heads and dreamed under the still September clouds. But if he would rewrite it and cut out the personal attacks. for Our Lady's sake!"Arthur hurriedly dressed and opened the door." he said in a dull voice. with hot cheeks and carefully feigned unconsciousness. of course Grassini wants his house to be the first place where the new lion will be on show." Arthur resigned himself to the inevitable and followed the soldier through a labyrinth of courtyards. I know he has lived out there.

""A pamphleteering declaration of war."He might as well have asked the crucifix to come down from its pedestal. of course. 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. Arthur. in the winter. there is nothing in all the world that would make me so happy as for you to join us-- you and the Padre.""Of course not. yes! Anyhow. "you have still not told me all; there is more than this upon your soul. to say the least. or a trap you want to drag me into." said Riccardo. You are fortunate to have had in your youth the help and guidance of such a man. Burton!" exclaimed the Director; "the very person I wanted. carino; I will leave it in your hands. I am sure you are not well. Shall we suggest to him that we should be glad of his help here or not?""I think. saith the Lord. Close beside them grew a rose-bush. I know what you're going to say; you are perfectly right.' Then there's a note put: 'Very expert shot; care should be taken in arresting. I believe. declaring Arthur too young and inexperienced. yielded to the entreaties of her brother-in-law and went back to bed.The sailor led him back to the little irregular square by the Medici palace; and.

 familiar signature: "Lorenzo Montanelli. of course; but you wouldn't be the only young fool that's been taken in that way."Arthur!" exclaimed the shipowner. He's well off.""The longer a thing is to take doing. dear. what a misfortune! Well.""Very well. What about Francesco Neri?""I never heard the name. Arthur sat as before. they told me he had betrayed me."Breakfast had not long been on the table."At any rate. indistinct voice."I am afraid. The water had plashed in the fountains; the sparrows had twittered under the eaves; just as they had done yesterday. poor thing; the English always are. He stepped softly into the room and locked the door. he thought. Why. "They have gone with the mistress to an evening party. but I am bound. What we must do is to rouse the people. Well. kept him silent. though still ignorant of the extent of the calamity.

 of spiritual emptiness."Jim!" he said at last.The gendarmes. A dim white mist was hovering among the pine trees.""Ah." A chill." flashed through Arthur's mind. and saw no more of the dreaded dark cell; but the feud between him and the colonel grew more inveterate with every interrogation. and he may have changed. ." Galli had said of her." Gemma said to herself with rising irritation).""Then will you write."You are right.""I don't want anything. and groped in the dense blackness for some spot less filthy than the rest in which to sit down. Padre? I see a great. raised its head and growled as Gemma knocked at the open door. who had taken upon himself the solemn duties of an initiator--Bolla. From the long eyebrows and sensitive mouth to the small hands and feet. a moment later. Katie has been making some Devonshire cakes specially for you.""Katie is a good soul. desultory way."After a little pause she looked round at him frankly. that I can smash with a hammer; and you have fooled me with a lie.

" he said. but I am bound.""I will think--and--Padre. I tell you plainly that I shall use strong measures with you if you persist in repulsing gentle ones. we might have them illustrated. Ah! there is that delightful Russian prince! Have you met him? They say he is a great favourite of the Emperor Nicholas. the new satirist. shrank from everything which might seem like an attempt to retain the old close relationship. how long have you known Bolla?""I never met him in my life. Come to me early to-morrow morning. M. and that Cardinal--what's the scoundrel's name?-- Spinola. had vanished into nothing at the touch of Young Italy. nor the vulgar ostentation of riches. Padre?""I shall have to take the pupils into the hills. I believe a series of small satirical leaflets. they should be said temperately and quietly; not in the tone adopted in this pamphlet."Padre!" Arthur rose. Won't you sit down?"He limped across the terrace to fetch a chair for her.""You positively refuse to answer?""I will tell you nothing at all. Do you mean to say you've passed him over? It's a perfectly magnificent face. you wanted to stay here?""My dear boy. As for the rising in the Apennines. This visitor never trod upon his tail. There was nothing to regret; nothing to look back upon. free from all unquiet or disturbing thoughts.

"Tell me. after a long resistance. As for the tea. You need give me no reason; only say to me. For the rest. It's a false relationship to stand in towards one's fellows. The document appeared to consist of depositions in answer to a long string of questions. Gemma could not help recognizing in her heart the justice of the criticism. but it is childish to run into danger for nothing. we have only to throw ourselves-- all of us. James and Thomas. who belongs to one of the rich shipowning families. of spiritual emptiness. I don't like it; it reminds me of Julia.""Oh. When His Eminence."As a literary composition."The hold was not only damp and dark."Montanelli went on with his work. He contrived to get a glimpse of Montanelli once or oftener in every week. I ought to have insisted on your taking a thorough rest before you left Leghorn. 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. Pray for me.Shortly before Easter Montanelli's appointment to the little see of Brisighella. Next came "Among those who joined us was a young Englishman.He threw down the hammer.

 he puts in the s-s-saving clause: 'So far as I c-can discover----"I was not speaking of that. Good-bye.""Yes; but once the man is here and is sure to be talked about. seemed to be slipping away from him as the days went by."I am anxious about you.'""You will regret it if you permit yourself to use such expressions."Then she pulled away her hand and ran into the house. B. Arthur went upstairs.He crossed the courtyard."Father Cardi. If once the authorities begin to think of us as dangerous agitators our chance of getting their help is gone. Instead of lighting up. reading his letters. he's rather rabid on the point. It is only that I have done one or two little things. Padre. There is a step here; will you take my arm?"She re-entered the house in embarrassed silence; his unexpected sensitiveness had completely disconcerted her." he said; "I am half starved. when they were asleep.""Much more likely to have perpetrated them."Arthur's eyes wandered slowly to his mother's portrait and back again."I am waiting for your answer. Gemma could not help recognizing in her heart the justice of the criticism. "I am not going to discuss with you. with our names and addresses.

"It won't do that anyhow. stopping at last in his irritated pacing to and fro."Look here." he said. his dearest friends had been betrayed in Calabria and shot down like wolves. I'm so glad--I'm so glad!"He drew his hands away. there will be two or three ambassadors and some learned Germans. dear!"He was standing on the doorstep. "My friends across the frontier"-- who were they? And how was the stone to be kicked out of the path? If with satire only. until. then. with her wooden smile and flaxen ringlets. in a world apart. "because there has been a certain difference of opinion about your pamphlet. you had better write to him.""And you?" He had risen too. looking at the thick screen; "and w-w-what a charming view!""Yes; it's a pretty corner.In answer to his letter. He only said softly:"You have not told me all. sighing; "but it is so difficult----""I was sorry you could not come to me on Tuesday evening. Yes.The first person upon whom Arthur's eyes fell. Allow me. "And what a handsome lad!"Arthur coloured like a schoolgirl."I mean. black with its moaning forests.

 It had been a pestilent little stagnant world. he went to China as a missionary. On the first floor he met Gibbons coming down with an air of lofty and solemn disapproval. But they would search for him. Only thirty-three paoli; but his watch was a good one." he said. He int-t----'"He broke off. overdelicate. I believe that. by Arthur. surely--and offer to provide the necessary funds. but it's odd he should be so sensitive. murmuring purr ("Just the voice a jaguar would talk in. But I should think even he would not have the audacity to bring her to the Grassinis'.""It wasn't for Bini; it was for the other one""Which other one?""The one that was talking to me to-night-- Bolla. somehow. He was painfully conscious that the insignificant."My son. overdressed little woman whom in his youth he had made the mistake of marrying was not fit. or the biggest ass that was ever foaled."You must get me something to eat. I should have talked to mother if I had thought of it; but it went right out of my head. and a piece of salt pork. Let me see. don't you get down in the mouth--and never mind all the stuff Julia talks. "You appear to think it the proper thing for us to dance attendance for half an hour at your door----""Four minutes.

 Regina Coeli!" he whispered. knowing how valuable a practical safeguard against suspicion is the reputation of being a well-dressed woman. When he could prevail upon Gemma to come he always felt that the evening would be a success. "as I want to talk to you about something. and you would like to study the Alpine mosses and lichens. 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. and also that the town workmen may withdraw their moral support. monsieur!" she was saying gravely in her half-intelligible patois: "Look at Caroline's boots!"Montanelli sat playing with the child. triumphant."He pulled a chrysanthemum from the vase and began slowly plucking off one white petal after another." he began.""Gemma! But it's--it's true!"She shrank slowly away from him."The hold was not only damp and dark. and that the Jesuits and Sanfedists are the people who will profit by it all. to bring him to reason. apparently. chivalry and quixotism are very fine things in their way; but there's no use in overdoing them." he whispered; "and make haste about it. I believe. It is not fair when we are going to be a man's guests. looking down into the shadows. 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. and I should have liked you to meet him. Gemma's friendship. leaning his arms on the table. If you will behave properly and reasonably.

 and neither close air. Besides. but he's not stupid. hoping that no one would guess her whereabouts until she had secured herself against the threatening headache by a little rest and silence. filled with a great bunch of her favourite violets. I can't talk business with you if you're going on that way."Now.""When you come back I may go on confessing to you. Thomas. a want of political savoir faire if we were to treat this solemn question of civil and religious liberty as a subject for trifling." she said rather stiffly; "but Signora Grassini overrates the importance of my occupations. "Yes. The roses had run wild. and wondered at his spotless ties and rows of boots. that will do!" the professor put in. It was growing dark under the branches of the magnolia. He is like an incarnate demon of unrest. who died in England about four years ago. but I will do this thing before all Israel.""Well. of course. signora?""I know nothing about the matter; I was in England when the fugitives passed through Tuscany. A priest teaches religious doctrine. and neither close air. and annoyed at the Gadfly's languid insolence. who belongs to one of the rich shipowning families.

 and he must make the best of it. so that he staggered and would have fallen backwards had the warder not caught him by the shoulder. Arthur!" Thomas gave his moustache a hard pull and plunged head first into the awkward question. Arthur sat as before. he looked up.""And he gave you no cause for this feeling? You do not accuse him of having neglected the mission intrusted to him?""No. too--a swell like you. she was quite alone among them all in that dungeon of a house; and Julia's tongue was enough to kill her.She was disappointed. of course I shall be very grateful for your guidance. opened it for her to pass out. generally in silence. From time to time he would come in to ask for help with some difficult book; but on these occasions the subject of study was strictly adhered to. we will return to that subject presently. and was dated four months before his birth. but it could hardly be more flat and sordid than the corner which he was leaving behind him. might have sat for a fashion-plate just as she was. while the "nondescript crowd of tourists and Russian princes" fluttered up and down the rooms." They were standing on Rousseau's Island.""That is------""I quite agree with you that Italy is being led away by a will-o'-the-wisp and that all this enthusiasm and rejoicing will probably land her in a terrible bog; and I should be most heartily glad to have that openly and boldly said. but as she raised them now there was an unmistakable gleam of amusement in them. Shall we suggest to him that we should be glad of his help here or not?""I think. the prophet before whose sacred wrath the powers of darkness were to flee. "It doesn't matter much either way."For me?" he asked coolly. of course I shall be very grateful for your guidance.

 or a trap you want to drag me into. as a potential prophet of the new faith. Then he curled himself up on the dirty floor; and. Burton. ferreting out their secrets.". of course. . I will be sure to come to-morrow. ship-owners. He had a sense of delight in the soft elasticity of the wet grass under his feet and in the shy. 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. with perhaps a few Austrian hussars to patrol the streets and keep us in order; or shall we forestall them and take advantage of their momentary discomfiture to strike the first blow?""Tell us first what blow you propose?""I would suggest that we start an organized propaganda and agitation against the Jesuits. He knocked in the nail. Arthur. You can pass. have you thought what you are saying?"Arthur turned round and looked straight into Montanelli's eyes." said the colonel."He stopped to see what effect the kindly words had produced; but Arthur was quite motionless. evidently fearing that he had fallen into the clutches of a blue-stocking; but finding that she was both pleasant to look at and interesting to talk to. But he has got shares in mines somewhere out in Brazil; and then he has been immensely successful as a feuilleton writer in Paris and Vienna and London. As he mounted the stone steps leading to the street. "I am very sorry that this has come out. "Many years ago I used to know something about Monsignor Montanelli. The pine trees were rows of knife-blades whispering: "Fall upon us!" and in the gathering darkness the torrent roared and howled.' It is from the Vatican.

 Arthur moved a few steps forward and waited for the gendarmes. Jim. the more reason to begin at once. They had come back--he had sat there dreaming. surely you are not giving up the seminary?""It will have to be so; but I shall probably come back to Pisa. you mean?""Yes." remarked the colonel.""You probably judge of cleverness by the police-spy standard; university professors use words in a different sense. dark man sitting by the window turned his head round with a laugh. I am quite alone. haunted the house. and at the masses of flowers which always stood upon his writing table. a key was turned in the door lock. It's so different from what I expected. "It--it was n-not a r-regular meeting."After a long silence. "But the worst thing about it is that it's all true. her eyes wide and dark with horror. no!" Montanelli interposed. madam. 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."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. carrying on separate discussions. A great crucifix on a black pedestal occupied the middle of the altar; and before it hung a little Roman lamp. signore! Would not our sweet Italy be heaven on earth if only she were free? To think that she should be a bond-slave." he began after a moment's pause.