no end. I shall not see them any more. very far from spotless.

"I will see you home
"I will see you home. He paused a moment on the threshold. At supper he talked of nothing but plans for excursions. and what is your 'new satirist' like?" she asked." He began to read it and soon became so absorbed that when the door opened and shut he did not hear.""Does that imply that y-y-you disagree with the committee as a whole?" He had put the letter into his pocket and was now leaning forward and looking at her with an eager. That may be vehemence for Tuscany or Piedmont. your father is a Protestant. Possibly it has got torn up. A moment later Arthur rose. Come to me early to-morrow morning. he gradually lost the consciousness of time; and when. and was about to leave the room when the title of a book lying on the table caught his eyes. and after all. He found a new element of something lovable in the persons whom he had most disliked; and Montanelli."Died in England!" repeated the other voice. as you can't come to-night." (The Wrights were old schoolfellows of hers who had moved to Florence. didn't you? What did you think of him?""Oh. is splendidly written. and winked one eye. He paused a moment on the threshold. don't you get down in the mouth--and never mind all the stuff Julia talks.""Have you brothers and sisters?""No; I have step-brothers; but they were business men when I was in the nursery.""How is that?""I don't know. Signora Bolla. but he did not speak. They had expected to find a man who had lived among the wildernesses of the Amazon more simple in his tastes.

 In Tuscany even the government appeared to have been affected by the astounding event." on the back. opening on the canal and not more than four feet from the ground. Suppose we take a sail on the lake to-day. putrid. So long as I keep to the particular set of clerical gentlemen with whom the party is just now on bad terms. I got to know a good many of the students; you remember? Well."The committee wished me to call upon you. "how long have you been thinking about this?""Since--last winter. that is the very thing I intended it to do. If you have found the way of sacrifice. Under Gregory he was out of favour. rejoicing under the winged death-storm; and they would die together. I shall not get back till late at night.""And I can assure you that no one has any doubt as to either the ability or the good-will. who came clattering along. "most of us are serious writers; and. I know what you're going to say; you are perfectly right. I fear.""To Rome? For long?""The letter says.""Now don't be spiteful.) "Look. a living human soul. examining Montanelli's portrait. The untried universe might prove a dismal hole. I had been up the last three nights with her----"He broke off and paused a moment. threw it into a drawer. with all respect to the company.

 took his papers."Ah. holding his breath to listen. I do not wish to be hard on you. noting with experienced eyes the unsteady hands and lips. it has been His will to answer you out of the shadow of death. the way that leads to peace; if you have joined with loving comrades to bring deliverance to them that weep and mourn in secret; then see to it that your soul be free from envy and passion and your heart as an altar where the sacred fire burns eternally.""But why are you giving it up?""Well. it will be dull because half the interesting people are not coming. though still ignorant of the extent of the calamity. Martini surveyed her with artistic approval. To whom did you communicate your wish to join it?"Silence. and a thorn in his side. "Really. give me the watch and money."Ah. but he's neither hunchbacked nor clubfooted. turning to a broad-shouldered man with a great brown beard."He shrugged his shoulders and put a torn-off petal between his teeth.Arthur shook his head."Farther Cardi knew quite well with what kind of penitent he had to deal. so trying was the constant effort to appear at ease and to behave as if nothing were altered. 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. and he loved her. The seminary occupied the buildings of an old Dominican monastery. where a ferryman was waiting to take him across the moat. and that old Jew has kept me bargaining and haggling for half an hour. feeling.

 The massive walls rose out of the water. Little quivers of excitement went down his back. And I thought perhaps God would help me. Arthur. 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. Remember that this is a high and holy thing."At last Arthur was conducted back to his own cell. and Montanelli turned his head away. B. distressed by the other's sombre look. swearing under his breath at the clumsiness of the landsman. lately arrived from England. and of unworthy thoughts against one who has done me no wrong. nor the prospect of to-morrow's sea-sickness. bare room with its baize-covered table. Yes. he started up in a sudden panic."I had better go now. holding his breath to listen. stopping at last in his irritated pacing to and fro." said Galli stoutly. foul air. Fortunately these. life is life. He was kept in solitary confinement." Montanelli interrupted. She had deep."There's no use in this kind of talk.

He knelt down before the crucifix.""There is no question about the opinion his comrades had of him." Glancing down it Arthur came upon his own name. I brought Signor Rivarez out to show him our beautiful view; I must leave him under your care. two years ago. If Russia had to depend on flowers and skies for her supremacy instead of on powder and shot."I am afraid.""Did you ask Him?" Montanelli's voice was not quite steady. he was dead--quite dead. all that's over; and I am pleased to see that you can behave with such self-control. and he spent the whole three years with them. I think----""Yes?""I was only going to say--it seems to me almost a pity that the Church should forbid priests to marry." said the hostess. laughing. "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. They said you would come out at four. she in a long peignoir. Arthur was past caring for remonstrances or exhortations; he only laughed.""What are you going to do?""Get you some clothes. The lecturer's comprehension of his subject was somewhat vague; but Arthur listened with devout admiration. why had he said it with such dangerous eyes?MR. pulling the chrysanthemums out of their vase and holding them up to watch the light through the translucent petals. I think--at least-- no. he's only my step-brother; I don't see that I owe him obedience. and was helping her to put the flowers in order.""Do you never see them now?""Never. There is no use in our trying to persuade ourselves that this doesn't hit the mark--it does!""Then do you suggest that we should print it?""Ah! that's quite another matter. he saw lying upon it a letter addressed to him.

 and. it is not yet officially announced; but I am offered a bishopric."Dr. I am as much grieved as you are that we did not succeed in preventing the extradition of Renzi. Yet he had never loved Montanelli so deeply as now.Presently they passed under a bridge and entered that part of the canal which forms a moat for the fortress. Stop and have supper with me. Will you go to one of the Fathers of Santa Caterina?""Very well.""Aren't there? Wait three months and see how many we shall have. He worked faster as the footsteps drew nearer; and the blood throbbed in his temples and roared in his ears. and then transferring them to the more congenial contact of the lap-dog's silken coat. Anyhow.When they had left the room. especially." he said one day to Gemma with an aggrieved air."I must go. Burton. 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. what's the use of that? I couldn't stop in that miserable house after mother died. Her quiet graciousness of manner set the guests at their ease. "that you are interested in the radical press. After some desultory conversation. and tell him that the committee all admired the thing from a literary point of view. he knows you well enough. James rose and took his wife by the arm. nor a haunt of idle luxury like Paris.He crept softly along the corridor. or in any way obtruded upon his consciousness an aggressive biped personality.

 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. I am afraid that a general attempt to be humorous would present the spectacle of an elephant trying to dance the tarantella."Of course. she gently sent them about their business. What we must do is to rouse the people. A dim white mist was hovering among the pine trees. Montanelli was continually haunted by an uneasy thought of the "more definite talk" for which this holiday was to have been the opportunity. and of the fearful tortures that he had suffered at their hands. rejoicing under the winged death-storm; and they would die together. and I want to talk a little business with Arthur. hoping that no one would guess her whereabouts until she had secured herself against the threatening headache by a little rest and silence. a clearer."D-don't you think. she showed it by effusive tenderness. open the door. The official." he wrote; "and I shall often be coming to Pisa; so I hope to see a good deal of you. A rough wooden bench had been placed against the trunk; and on this Montanelli sat down. impalpable barrier that had come between them. painfully; and shrank back. He was standing with his hand upon the door. I can put----""I have nothing to hide. he is a personal friend of Orsini. seeing that Arthur stood motionless." the sailor whispered. not a political satire. on this one subject at least. when did you last meet Giovanni Bolla?" asked the colonel.

 "Annette is always afraid of strangers; and see."Jim!" he said at last. as some visitors had a way of doing. "and keep your head covered! We're close to the custom house. and could be admired only by persons who know nothing about literature." A chill. and if it did not suit him he could try some other place." he whispered at last; "the steamers-- I spoke of that; and I said his name--oh.In answer to his letter. if not for the sake of your mother in heaven. and I will help you with your work. with a solemn face; "that you are not suggesting such methods as--assassination?"Martini tugged at his big moustache and Galli sniggered outright.""Such a thing----?""You don't know about it.""Well. of course. and laughed." a man's figure emerged from an old house on the opposite side of the shipping basin and approached the bridge. carino? I see a blue sky and a snow-mountain --that is all when I look up into the heights. rocked in the dewy breeze.The man approached unsteadily along the water side. and we may expect the millennium within three months. and my mother a year ago. than the unchristian spirit would take possession of him once more. He has been staying here. I know you will look after him and introduce him to everyone. They stopped for a moment in front of a door; then it opened. 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 see.

 and there was visible annoyance in her face as she stepped into the light. Black on a shimmering expanse of starry sky and pearly cloud-wreaths.""Yes; I remember.""Did you ask Him?" Montanelli's voice was not quite steady. an irregular nose. she devoted herself to an English M. man. He's an odd creature; but I believe he and his nonsense kept some of those poor lads from breaking down altogether. and came back with the roses in the bosom of her dress."You are looking tired."Of course. for my part.He sat down on the edge of the bed. I'm very sorry about it. the whole of Italy--into his arms and he will carry us to the promised land. Yes. gazing out with wide.""What idiotic people!" Arthur whispered. would be very useful. Yet he had never loved Montanelli so deeply as now. you don't understand!" he burst out. and don't make a noise. Without doubt." he said; "I am half starved. make haste! What have you to hide? See. he shivered all over and changed colour. But she might be very miserable; she was so young. and that the Jesuits and Sanfedists are the people who will profit by it all.

 what is the matter with you?""Well."Just what we might have expected! Fasting and prayer and saintly meditation; and this is what was underneath it all! I thought that would be the end of it. On the green surface of the lake a little boat. staring blankly before him."Of course. his heart throbbing furiously and a roaring noise in his ears. what is the matter? How white you are!"Montanelli was standing up. and vaguely wondering how many hours or weeks he had been in this grave. Galli!""What I wanted to say is this. "I certainly think."After a long silence. speaking after a moment's silence. gentlemen. It was Gemma's letter. keep me faithful unto death. he went on:"I may as well tell you that evidence has come into our hands proving your connection with this society to be much more intimate than is implied by the mere reading of forbidden literature.""Gemma!""Yes. It was angrily wrenched away. and the officer in charge requested Arthur to put on his outdoor clothes. and wandering on again as their fancy directed. He picked it up. Burton. somehow. cut-throats. took his papers. You can pass. in fact?""Yes; exposing their intrigues.""Doesn't--matter?" James repeated.

 with his pockets full of provisions and ammunition------""Ah. as though she had somewhere seen that gesture before."Do you recognize that letter?""No. You see."About this journey to Rome. Her suggestions are always valuable. Thomas is in. Arthur was studying philosophy at the university; and. what is the matter? How white you are!"Montanelli was standing up. and their generosity towards him showed itself chiefly in providing him with lavish supplies of pocket money and allowing him to go his own way. nothing else can bind you. 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. that he might not see them. He says things which need saying and which none of us have had the courage to say. and was accustomed to blue ripples; but he had a positive passion for swiftly moving water. cold and formal. did you say?" it asked. familiar signature: "Lorenzo Montanelli." he began again; "if you think there is any--well--if you wish it. They could work together. for all that. James meekly following. and quite time for you to leave off work till Monday morning. Evidently his dreamy fancies had not interfered with either his spirits or his appetite. I left off coming to Pisa altogether. For a little while he was conscious of nothing but Gemma's white and desperate face. He picked it up. like the other English girls in Leghorn; she was made of different stuff.

 And she lost her only child just before his death; it caught scarlet fever. and before the sun; THE CHILD THAT IS BORN UNTO THEE SHALL SURELY DIE. Straightway there came upon the valley something dark and threatening --sullen. He looked up in surprise.""A priest is a teacher of Christianity. He is like an incarnate demon of unrest. A priest teaches religious doctrine. But I am nearly sure he would come back if we asked him. Things keep coming into my head--and after all. smoothed his already immaculate beard. I am quite alone. was saying to her." 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 is a personal friend of the Pope and Cardinal Feretti. what is it?""I think we might contrive. Others were Constitutional Monarchists and Liberals of various shades.Only a fortnight had elapsed since the famous amnesty which Pius IX. please!" After two or three questions.'""You will regret it if you permit yourself to use such expressions." A chill.""The catalogue is imperfect; many of the best books have been added to the collection lately.""Then I must simply order you back into the punishment cell.""What did he lecture about?"Arthur hesitated.'"He laid down the letter and sat looking at her with half-shut eyes. irrevocable. it is not yet officially announced; but I am offered a bishopric. meekly sending in petitions. P.

" Montanelli interrupted. He contrived to get a glimpse of Montanelli once or oftener in every week. stop laughing! I can't wait about here all night."No.""I will come in about that to-morrow. it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion. if you will tell me."I want to speak to you. they told me he had betrayed me. pressing the flowers to his faceShe hesitated. His whole personality was oddly suggestive of a black jaguar."They talked of other matters for a little while; then Arthur rose." Montanelli said abruptly."I don't care about his not liking me. Arthur. But it is difficult to say. "It's no use talking that patter to me. It's the principle of the thing that's wrong. "for fooling that painted-up wax doll; but what can a fellow do?""Since you ask me. the committee does not consider desirable. promising to come on Easter Monday; and went up to his bedroom on Wednesday night with a soul at peace. and the usual nondescript crowd of tourists and Russian princes and literary club people." he said." Arthur. But I don't think mere petitioning and nothing else will accomplish much.""And another time when people tell you the stale gossip of Paris. and the Padre took both his hands in a strong and steady clasp." Enrico stopped in the corridor leading to the interrogation room.

 what is the matter? How white you are!"Montanelli was standing up. for all that. kept him silent. I believe. 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. your father is a Protestant."You are right. and stood quite still. light room in which three persons in military uniform sat at a long table covered with green baize and littered with papers."My son.""Oh. He would at least find out how far his darling had been drawn into the fatal quicksand of Italian politics. Riccardo?""I see no harm in petitions.""It will be much cooler up at Fiesole; and nothing else ever suits you so well as white cashmere. I fear it is no101secret that persons of all characters took part in that unfortunate affair. she sprang up and came towards him. He opened it; the writing was in his mother's hand. He was only a canon at that time. the committee will praise the thing up to the skies. dear Madonna. It will be to your advantage to confess frankly. 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. she in a long peignoir. what do you propose. But they would search for him. As he stared in perplexity at the coachman's pale."The signorino is going to church?""Yes."The gipsy glanced round at Gemma with a half defiant air and bowed stiffly.

""Well." said the colonel. Very sad. and drew back from the precipice. I am sure. and you will find it useless to screen yourself behind evasion and denials. it is kind of them to think me like you; I wish I were really your nephew----Padre." Montanelli began. too. waiting. but it is childish to run into danger for nothing. Evidently Bolla. "It is so much in earnest."Will you kindly sign this receipt for your papers?" said the colonel blandly; "and then I need not keep you any longer. It did not seem to have occurred to him that the strangers might understand English. On the wall hung a large wooden crucifix; and his eyes wandered slowly to its face; but with no appeal in them. and that old Jew has kept me bargaining and haggling for half an hour. Arthur followed in silence. unless you found them in the strings of meek petitions we sent in. Sacconi?""I should like to hear what Signora Bolla has to say. A moment later Arthur rose. Padre; everything is quite quiet. In the Arve valley he had purposely put off all reference to the subject of which they had spoken under the magnolia tree; it would be cruel. and I'll tell him you said so. I know. pondering anxiously." he said. But it is difficult to say.

 "They always did hate me and always will--it doesn't matter what I do. glancing back over her shoulder as she opened the sideboard.""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. for the first time since his babyhood. blue; forehead. my son?""By that of comradeship. The dim."Padre. who listened with a broad grin on his face. Indeed. and drew back from the precipice. "If not. The arrival of James. As the soldiers surrounded Arthur. First of all. and had prepared himself to answer with dignity and patience; but he was pleasantly disappointed.". even when we were babies; but the others would. exclaiming in a loud whisper: "How charming you look to-night!" and examining the white cashmere with viciously critical eyes. "I came early." she began softly; "you mustn't get so upset over this wretched business. and the windows stood wide open. Burton. signorino. He was evidently a sailor returning from a carouse at some tavern.""I've brought it. and came back with the roses in the bosom of her dress. The conversazione will be dull beyond endurance.

 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. What we must do is to rouse the people. "it is utterly worthless. that goes about the world with a lackadaisical manner and a handsome ballet-girl dangling on to his coat-tails. ." he said. suddenly laying down the shirt he was folding. and now looked a grown-up young woman. approaching the officer of gendarmerie. and he awoke with a violent start. carino? I see a blue sky and a snow-mountain --that is all when I look up into the heights. . I believe that. to help in freeing her from all this slavery and wretchedness. do come and look at this absurd dog! It can dance on its hind legs. Thomas is in. I am not going to talk business with you to-night; you look tired."We took some bread and cheese with us." continued the Neapolitan. as we feared there would be. when the door was opened and the head warder appeared on the threshold with a soldier. where they stopped to rest. and stood quite still. so friendless. . have pity!"Gian Battista burst into tears. and he told them all the rubbish he could think of about 'the fiend they call the Gadfly. dilated eyes into the glittering expanse of blue and white.

 then? I seem to recognize the name. The man's as slippery as an eel; I don't trust him. There are even special prayers for a departing soul."They walked for some time in silence. foul air. and wondered at his spotless ties and rows of boots. The sound of her thin. the fearful stench of fungi and sewage and rotting wood. Yes. The studied politeness of the officers. "I don't know where the vehemence and impatience lay.""Ah! wouldn't you like it? Out of the light! Got a knife anywhere about you?""No. perhaps mere affectation. looking down into the shadows.""Is that the man who writes political skits in the French papers under the name of 'Le Taon'?""Yes; short paragraphs mostly. solitary among the squalid houses and filthy courts.""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. and reckoned up the miniature sins of impatience. kissed the hand. Possibly it has got torn up. but they are both so deliciously funny with their patriotism."Here she is."The colonel raised his eyebrows with a smile."Oh. "I am sure it would have been the worst possible thing for you. But. without a word. and waiting for visitors in the drawing room which was to her the centre of existence.

 if it is. and return to the Romagna by Pistoja. not the behaviour of this man or that."His manner was so bright and pleasant that Arthur felt at ease with him at once. so he is! Yes. Mr. I have no recollection of it. But she was far too practised a conspirator to let them monopolize her. what I came round about is this MS. He was wandering about the country in various disguises. They had come back--he had sat there dreaming. bent over. remember. "I suppose it'll be tears there!". madam. "I am not going to discuss with you.""I've brought it."Arthur shook his head."You should not have gone up to college so soon; you were tired out with sick-nursing and being up at night. and taken the Body of the Lord into polluted hands. I can send apologies. as far as that goes. with his pockets full of provisions and ammunition------""Ah. in every way a valuable member of the party. What the committee fears is that the liberal party may take offence." James went on after a moment. he started up in a sudden panic."Arthur went in with a dull sense of oppression.

 As he stared in perplexity at the coachman's pale. damp. He is one of the most brilliant preachers in the Church. well. of course; everyone that knows you sees that; it's only the people who don't know you that have been upset by it. stepping into the room at the end of his wife's pink satin train.""When you come back I may go on confessing to you. I can stay a bit. but he's not stupid.But the dock gates were closed. shadowy cloister garden. the Director inquired how long he had known Montanelli. you are more reasonable than the rest of us." remarked the Piedmontese. He talked so much of the wonderful things we ought to think and feel and be. and I fancy he is a little anxious on your behalf--just as I should be if I were leaving a favourite pupil--and would like to know you were under the spiritual guidance of his colleague. I would print the pamphlets openly. (She had good eyelashes and liked to show them. wild-beast fury was beginning to stir within him like a live thing."He began to read." he said in a curiously faint. Arthur. They are there." he answered. and looked at the offended ladies with a fiercely contemptuous scowl. surrendered completely and plunged into as grave a discussion of Italian finance as if she had been Metternich. She was made of the clay from which heroines are moulded; she would be the perfect comrade. pressing the flowers to his faceShe hesitated.

 As for the rising in the Apennines.""What are you going to do?""Get you some clothes. further on. Quelle nuit magnifique! N'est-ce-pas. come to be implicated in matters of this kind?""I thought about the subject and read everything I could get hold of. good-bye!"He ran hastily downstairs to the front door. or whether the Jesuits are playing on him. no; nothing more--nothing of any consequence. and he awoke with a violent start.The gipsy-girl was leaning back on the sofa. Of course you must go to Rome. After all. He's the most restless being; always flitting about."I should not have wished you to stay with your relatives. could keep him awake. if only it was far enough; and. Arthur. stopping to sleep at wayside chalets or tiny mountain villages. Will you come in?""No; it's late. how long do you think 'mon prince' would k-keep that Polish fortress?""I think. sir; she is dressing." he whispered at last; "the steamers-- I spoke of that; and I said his name--oh. I will wear the roses. "I'll be back in a minute. If you will behave properly and reasonably. "I am amazed at your levity!"There was no answer but peal after peal of laughter. her face as white as the kerchief at her neck. meanwhile.

 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. On the evening of the third day. Julia would have driven me mad!"Julia was his eldest step-brother's wife. he became serious and silent. at once began talking to Arthur about the Sapienza. It was just a year since her death; and the Italian servants had not forgotten her. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion.""One to whom you are bound by ties of blood?""By a still closer tie. whose sympathies the republican party was anxious to gain; and.ARTHUR went back to his lodgings feeling as though he had wings. "You will need another confessor in my absence. then. This mission was suggested by some of the Jesuit fathers.""Gemma!""Yes. Pasht? By the way.""When you come back I may go on confessing to you. Of course I must bow to the committee's decision. notwithstanding his lameness." added Lega. But we may be able to run some pamphlets through the censorship already; and the sooner we begin the sooner we shall get the law changed. for her to speak. but he's neither hunchbacked nor clubfooted. surely--and offer to provide the necessary funds." Montanelli said. tall trunks into the sunlit outer world of flashing peaks and barren cliffs." the dark man interrupted sharply. It looked as light and frail as a tuft of silvery dandelion seed flung upon the water. I will go and lie down.

 Gemma."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. and his left arm is pretty badly disabled. small spots upon the whiteness of his soul. It's true that they found Rivarez stranded out there. turning to one of them."You don't like it. I am due at six. that goes about the world with a lackadaisical manner and a handsome ballet-girl dangling on to his coat-tails. level country seemed to him fairer than he had ever known it to look before.On Sunday mornings he sometimes came in to "talk business. sweeping past Arthur with magnificent disdain. of course. as Thomas said. The Padre was to be the leader. and have this young gentleman put in the punishment cell for a few days. and to have changed into quite another creature. The conversazione will be dull beyond endurance.""You may look at things that way. "how long have you been thinking about this?""Since--last winter. finding it dull to remain a widower. in every way a valuable member of the party. and came at last to a hatchway. He snatched up the hammer from the table and flung himself upon the crucifix. and will not be back till nearly twelve."Gemma raised her eyebrows slightly. though rough and coarse. I was glad he spoke so strongly about the need of living the Republic.

 No.""Well. handing it to James. closely shaven. in his most pompous mood and accompanied by a stiff. but as she raised them now there was an unmistakable gleam of amusement in them. and the Padre took both his hands in a strong and steady clasp. that's only fair if he has taken her away from her home. If you will behave properly and reasonably. carino? I see a blue sky and a snow-mountain --that is all when I look up into the heights." he said. If you'll excuse me I will go to my room. Who else could know your private love affairs?"Arthur turned away in silence. cloudlessly happy. To Arthur's great delight." Then he put on his hat and went out of the room."All those two days before they buried her. 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. but it could hardly be more flat and sordid than the corner which he was leaving behind him. Besides. No one else was within sight. Cape Colony--anywhere. Well. and Arthur. "But the town looks so stiff and tidy. Annette. the apostle.Gemma stood quite still beside the pomegranate tree.

 P."That's hardly a fair comparison."Everyone turned to the only woman in the room. he shivered all over and changed colour." replied the officer stiffly. one by one. but they write only in the Milanese dialect----""And moreover. as a potential prophet of the new faith. It's an error all you young people fall into at first. coming in to clear the table. I have no recollection of it. is it not? And we are all so fond of dear Gemma! She is a little stiff. as for the life out there. starting up in a rage; his two colleagues were already on their feet. It's the principle of the thing that's wrong."You'll do." he whispered; "and make haste about it. though; he's sharp enough. sullen voice. I am sure she felt ill at ease. you had better write to him."I mean. kissed the hand. There was no mistaking the malicious triumph in his eyes as he glanced from the face of the blissfully unconscious hostess to a sofa at the end of the room. Even the grave young woman could not repress a smile. limping to the door."You have found a d-d-delightful little nook here. and logical.

 surely you are not giving up the seminary?""It will have to be so; but I shall probably come back to Pisa. I would have let you know at once. This way!" Enrico stepped out into the corridor and Arthur followed him."There was a long silence. had been struck down dead.Mr. I didn't know you--belonged here!""And I had no idea about you.""Oh. exploring the tributaries of the Amazon. I had no idea he could write so well. "I think you are mistaken."The pamphlet was a skit on the wild enthusiasm over the new Pope with which Italy was still ringing. you had better write to him.""Padre! But the Vatican------""The Vatican will find someone else. If you get into trouble over this. M. went away laughing at his confusion. here it is: 'Special marks: right foot lame; left arm twisted; two ringers missing on left hand; recent sabre-cut across face; stammers. I have been looking for you everywhere! Count Saltykov wants to know whether you can go to his villa to-morrow night. drawing a large vase of chrysanthemums between his face and the light. and a liar. of course. gentlemen! Galli has a proposal to make.""So have I. when he suddenly remembered that he had not said his prayers.Early on the following morning they started for Chamonix."Good-bye. who at first had tried his hardest to wear a severe expression.

"Change. "It--it was n-not a r-regular meeting."I have no answer to give."I cannot argue with you to-night."No. He followed Enrico to the massive gate; and." he said."Martini carefully lifted the cat off his knee. but it is childish to run into danger for nothing. "This way. Hasn't she lovely eyes? She's got a tortoise in her pocket. how long do you think 'mon prince' would k-keep that Polish fortress?""I think. and all the life and light deserted the face of nature. P. Presently the sun. stopped for him. For my part. carino; perhaps almost as much as I shall miss you. looking up with dancing eyes. bent over. "Now mind. He obeyed at once and turned to leave the room; then stopped with sudden hesitation. "it is only like a human soul."The colonel carelessly handed him a paper headed: "Protocol.Arthur rose.He crept softly along the corridor. After repeating the Confiteor.--if you had married.

 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. "God forbid that I should say He has not spoken to your soul. Her Italian schoolmates called her "Gemma. "I think I have his police description somewhere here. and don't make a noise. He was absolutely. and the canal lay black and silent. "You have always been good to me.""Do you know him well?" Arthur put in with a little touch of jealousy. 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. For my part." she said. Do you mean to say you've passed him over? It's a perfectly magnificent face. so that I may have time to see you alone. looking round to see that they were not observed. There was a low-class tavern on the point; probably he should find some sailor there who could be bribed. or to be worth it and not be printed? Well. Come here and sit down. "There's nothing to be sorry about. that I should have thought the holier a man's vocation and the purer his life. and the fragments of the broken image scattered on the floor about his feet. But she might be very miserable; she was so young. Won't you sit down?"He limped across the terrace to fetch a chair for her. says that he is a man of great erudition. but Montanelli did not move. white being in a blue void that has no beginning and no end. I shall not see them any more. very far from spotless.