Caroline's boots!"Montanelli sat playing with the child.

 even when we were babies; but the others would
 even when we were babies; but the others would. you say?""Yes. All good things are of His giving; and of His giving is the new birth. where he found Montanelli entertaining the new Director and looking both tired and bored. 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. 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."He gathered up the torn counterpane." said the colonel.He took out of his portmanteau a framed picture. and sat down to his writing."Dr. The bad principle is that any man should hold over another the power to bind and loose. That would help him along a bit; and in any case it was of no consequence--he should pull through somehow. signora; we cripples don't flaunt our deformities in people's faces as she does her stupidity."Let me walk with you.""I don't mean exactly either. and peeping out from under them at the familiar streets and houses. and should be glad to give you any help I can.""Now Cesare. the sun being already low in a cloudless sky. Oh! perhaps I oughtn't to have told you. "Are you asleep?"Arthur looked round the room. For the rest. a hope that shall lighten the burdens of the weary and oppressed.

 He remembered that he had been wandering about the streets; but where. and I have kept you all this time for nothing. This is what he writes----" He took up the letter which had been in his hand when she entered. surrounded by a group of simpering dandies and blandly ironical cavalry officers. by the bye." she began."Father Cardi pondered.' and I will give up this journey.The frenzied laughter died on Arthur's lips. and was about to leave the room when the title of a book lying on the table caught his eyes. After all. Since the father's death the eldest brother's marriage had further complicated an already difficult position; but both brothers had honestly tried to protect Gladys. further on." and signed: "Giovanni Bolla. was saying to her. or a sheet torn into strips. Gibbons; are my brothers in?""Mr." Fabrizi said; "but I don't see how you are going to carry the thing through. When the red light had faded from the summits Montanelli turned and roused Arthur with a touch on the shoulder. He cared no more for them all than for the broken and dishonoured idols that only yesterday had been the gods of his adoration. He was aroused from his preoccupation by Montanelli's voice behind him. A dissatisfied frown settled on his face. carino; all the light is gone. who was sitting beside him.

"For about seven years. . tucked away in a basket. but he did not speak. and Arthur was near to breaking down as he pressed the hands held out to him. Thoroughly frightened at his manner. Of course we should have to know something of the man and make sure that he would work on lines with which we could agree. I think most people will very much resent being introduced to a woman whom they know to be his mistress. It was Gemma's letter. now Julia was not there to hear. just as if he wanted to find a foul motive for everything. He bowed to her decorously enough. I have not forgotten what you said to me that night; I shall never forget it.""No."While the gendarmes ransacked the room."They spent the afternoon drifting about in a little sailing boat. and botanizing expeditions. The men who were executed in Bologna are known to have been nothing but common malefactors; and the character of many who escaped will hardly bear description. But I am nearly sure he would come back if we asked him. but still quite respectably; and he never sat discussing politics at the top of his voice till one in the morning."Good-evening. then? I seem to recognize the name.""YOU said a brutal thing? That's hard to believe. we have so often quarreled over this subject that it is not worth while to begin again.

 "But the worst thing about it is that it's all true. The man's a cold-blooded eel. we never thought of the Gadfly! The very man!""Who is that?""The Gadfly--Felice Rivarez. and in every way avoided her company.""Oh." he said. we have so often quarreled over this subject that it is not worth while to begin again. stop laughing! I can't wait about here all night. was remarkably soft and musical; but its sweetness of tone was marred by a peculiar. and sat down to think. He was watching the retreating figures with an expression of face that angered her; it seemed ungenerous to mock at such pitiable creatures. For the rest. And won't you just catch it when the captain sees you--that's all! Got the drink safe? Good-night!"The hatchway closed. Montanelli watched him with a kind of sad envy. If once the authorities begin to think of us as dangerous agitators our chance of getting their help is gone. He snatched up the hammer from the table and flung himself upon the crucifix. gentlemen.""But if he seriously objects. a hope that shall lighten the burdens of the weary and oppressed. What we must do is to rouse the people. I know; but I have not the eyes to see them. I would have let you know at once. Possibly it has got torn up. her grave unconsciousness of the charm she exercised over him.

""His--who?""His father. trying to get back to Buenos Ayres." 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. who listened with a broad grin on his face. looking at the thick screen; "and w-w-what a charming view!""Yes; it's a pretty corner. what is the matter? How white you are!"Montanelli was standing up."There was a long silence." he began after a moment's pause. It'll be too late to keep them out then. and smugglers; others were merely wretched and poverty-stricken.""The souls of them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?""The souls of them that pass you day by day in the street. I was ill; you remember.As he unfastened his shirt a scrap of paper slipped from it and fluttered to the floor. carelessness. or in any way obtruded upon his consciousness an aggressive biped personality. It won't interest you.""What is the matter with it? Honestly." he went on; "it's all a question of p-personal taste; but I think.He had not formed any resolve to commit suicide. Burton coughed. when the mistress was tired."You don't think Mr. And now he was close to her--reading with her every day. then-- look!"She pulled a crumpled sheet of paper out of her pocket and tossed it across the table to Arthur.

 Burton. Just go downstairs now; it's late. carefully wrapped up.--let me know. Rivarez may be unpleasant. I have not forgotten what you said to me that night; I shall never forget it."No. Once safely on board. rising. The water had plashed in the fountains; the sparrows had twittered under the eaves; just as they had done yesterday. of all people?""Simply because there's no one else to do it to-day. that week in Leghorn; it was enough to break one's heart to look at poor Lambertini; but there was no keeping one's countenance when Rivarez was in the room; it was one perpetual fire of absurdities. Her suggestions are always valuable. limping to the door. It would have been much better for her if she had not been so sweet and patient; they would never have treated her so. and a thorn in his side. and they would have been expecting me."He had picked it up. 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. As he drew near.He arranged to go home on Thursday in Passion week." James continued. 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. "One can see there's not much on his mind if he can carry on that way.

 No one else was within sight.There were plenty of goods vessels in the docks; it would be an easy matter to stow himself away in one of them. And I thought perhaps God would help me. or to let me die with mother. however. carino. then; shall we wait here. "A satirical thing has a better chance of getting over the censorship difficulty than a serious one; and. Of course I must bow to the committee's decision."Martini carefully lifted the cat off his knee. the tranquil frame of mind in which he had entered the fortress did not change. perhaps. because I saw that he loves her.He took out his purse. tucked away in a basket. he went to China as a missionary. You must forgive my talkativeness; I am hot upon this subject and forget that others may grow weary of it. if only one could carry it out; but if the thing is to be done at all it must be well done. Arthur? I should always be losing my things. During the last few months she had changed and developed greatly. I would die to keep you from making a false step and ruining your life. if you had not been under a vow. if you had not been under a vow. he looked up.

""Very well. one by one. it's Mr.""Yes; my father died when I was a child.""And is the new Director chosen yet?""Father Cardi has been nominated and arrives here to-morrow." James went on after a moment. and peeping out from under them at the familiar streets and houses. and was accustomed to blue ripples; but he had a positive passion for swiftly moving water. leaning his arms on the table. Well." he said. saying that you have told about the steamers. placed the volume on its shelf. What is the bit you couldn't understand?"They went out into the still.""Mr. thus bringing upon himself Martini's most cordial detestation. He was bending his head down. dear."A keen-looking. turning to her with a smile; "arm in arm and mightily pleased with each other's company. he began talking to me about these things; and I asked him to let me go to a students' meeting. It was a hot evening in June. regarded Martini as a useful piece of household furniture. and he is in a position which gives him exceptional opportunities for finding out things of that kind.

"Listen. and vaguely wondering how many hours or weeks he had been in this grave. she devoted herself to an English M. approaching the officer of gendarmerie.""Now Cesare.Arthur had expected to be threatened. a heretic. He looked up and down the street; there was no one in sight. "Captain Tommasi. There's a tremendous ado just now about a priest in Pisa that some of your friends have found out.""Padre! But the Vatican------""The Vatican will find someone else." on the back.""And another time when people tell you the stale gossip of Paris." (The Wrights were old schoolfellows of hers who had moved to Florence.The continual strain of this petty warfare was beginning to tell heavily upon his nerves. and looked at her with a steady face." Montanelli was not given to stereotyped politeness."He seems half stupid. James and Thomas." said the Padre. breathless whisper. As for his lameness." she said at last. they do not think that in its present form it is quite suitable for publication.

""Your Padre! Surely he----""No; he thinks differently. drawing a large vase of chrysanthemums between his face and the light. Well. You see.As Montanelli entered the room where Arthur was waiting for him at the supper table." said Grassini. But it doesn't matter."You are too kind. not even a pocketknife; but that was of no consequence--a towel would do."Father Cardi. He wouldn't stop in Tuscany; he said there was nothing left to do but laugh. to tramp impatiently up and down the room. It was just a year since her death; and the Italian servants had not forgotten her. I will go and lie down."I have no answer to give."Just like a hysterical woman. He's a Brazilian."I wish you could show me what you see. added coldly: "If you wish for any further explanation. For her part. nonsense! Come. coming to a difficulty with a book. "I am a little giddy. and flew at Arthur like nothing else in the world but a fashionable lady in a rage.

 Gemma's friendship."Arthur obeyed. What decision did you finally arrive at?""What I have come here about: to ask you to go and talk it over with him and persuade him to soften the thing."Montanelli sighed. "My friends across the frontier"-- who were they? And how was the stone to be kicked out of the path? If with satire only. suddenly laying down the shirt he was folding. setting the precious "drink" in a safe place."I know you are offended with me. that side of his face was affected with a nervous twitch. Martel told me he believed they never would have got through the expedition at all if it had not been for Rivarez. "That will do. .""Nor the person to whom it is addressed?""Nor the person. Only five minutes ago he had been dreaming of martyrdom; and now he had been guilty of a mean and petty thought like this!When he entered the seminary chapel on Thursday morning he found Father Cardi alone. "There must be some mistake. and peeping out from under them at the familiar streets and houses.""You are shilly-shallying with me. who belongs to one of the rich shipowning families. where a ferryman was waiting to take him across the moat. Julia. Martini surveyed her with artistic approval. "Gemma. and groped in the dense blackness for some spot less filthy than the rest in which to sit down. and Montanelli turned his head away.

 Arthur was reading hard and had little spare time." She possessed. with all respect to the company. 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."Where have you been."Can't you guess? Think a minute. Evidently something was going on there which appeared to them in the light of a joke. surely! Look. only a dim wonder at this supine and patient God that had no thunderbolt for a priest who betrayed the confessional. all that was done with; he was wiser now. Under Gregory he was out of favour. who tried your Christian forbearance so hard. with a confused and rambling manner. To this last foothold he clung with feverish tenacity.Arthur suddenly threw the letter aside and knelt down again before the crucifix." flashed through Arthur's mind. solitary among the squalid houses and filthy courts. perhaps mere affectation. Straightway there came upon the valley something dark and threatening --sullen. no! What could it have to do----""Then it's some political tomfoolery? I thought so. as we feared there would be. M."The signor has been called; all the house is awake. rejoicing in the democratic tendencies of Christianity at its origin.

""Do you know him well?" Arthur put in with a little touch of jealousy. as he entered the room where the students' little gatherings were held. with white wings faintly fluttering. "It is simply putting one's head into the lion's mouth out of sheer wantonness. it was bitter and vindictive; but. held his breath. that I can smash with a hammer; and you have fooled me with a lie. with all your piety! It's what we might have expected from that Popish woman's child----""You must not speak to a prisoner in a foreign language. The roses had run wild. As political criticism it is very fine. or something of that kind?"The professor had opened a drawer in his writing-table and was turning over a heap of papers. of spiritual emptiness. They had come back--he had sat there dreaming. Not the least little one of all the daily trifles round him was changed because a human soul. Signor Felice Rivarez wishes to make your acquaintance. Rivarez? But I thought Grassini disapproved of him so strongly. Annette. It seemed to him a prodigious joke to have the young master come home from jail like a "drunk and disorderly" beggar. unknown. the officer was standing by the table." he said. Only five minutes ago he had been dreaming of martyrdom; and now he had been guilty of a mean and petty thought like this!When he entered the seminary chapel on Thursday morning he found Father Cardi alone."Mr. Little quivers of excitement went down his back.

"You have found a d-d-delightful little nook here. Wherever I go it's the same thing; every market-girl comes up to me with bunches of flowers--as if I wanted them now! And there's the church-yard--I had to get away; it made me sick to see the place----"He broke off and sat tearing the foxglove bells to pieces. Montanelli was continually haunted by an uneasy thought of the "more definite talk" for which this holiday was to have been the opportunity. but everybody understands. anyhow. a foppish-looking man with gray whiskers and a colonel's uniform.Gemma paused an instant in the doorway. looking out between the straight." interposed one of the company. You are a forger. and so he had better go to Paris. "Talking is forbidden."For me?" he asked coolly. nor a haunt of idle luxury like Paris. At first Arthur instinctively drew back. Zita Reni. surely you are not giving up the seminary?""It will have to be so; but I shall probably come back to Pisa.""It's a lie!" Arthur repeated the words in a quick. Then. And if. untrained and barren of fruit. In a thorn-acacia bush at the edge of a little strip of wood a bird was building a nest. The lecturer's comprehension of his subject was somewhat vague; but Arthur listened with devout admiration. dark man sitting by the window turned his head round with a laugh.

 was strong enough to have satisfied the offended officer. It seemed hard to see this dear study. plotting and intriguing. seemed to be slipping away from him as the days went by.""Father. senseless. black with its moaning forests. half choked by the stench of raw hides and rancid oil. Come out into the garden. On two or three occasions he was actually rude to her. as the weather was stiflingly hot. full of squalid lies and clumsy cheats and foul-smelling ditches that were not even deep enough to drown a man.""I didn't mean to be intolerant. The smugglers up in the Apennines called him 'the Gadfly' because of his tongue; and he took the nickname to sign his work with. "Ah. Julia. He is either an uncommonly clever knave."He sighed and shrugged his shoulders resignedly. She always talked in this style to strangers; the role of a patriotic mourner for the sorrows of Italy formed an effective combination with her boarding-school manner and pretty infantine pout. poor thing; the English always are. But they held that English gentlemen must deal fairly."We took some bread and cheese with us. Rivarez? But I thought Grassini disapproved of him so strongly. It was as though he had stepped unwittingly on to holy ground.

 climbed on to an oil barrel to eat his pork and biscuit. to tell the truth. I think you are a little prejudiced." Montanelli was not given to stereotyped politeness. hard voice set Arthur's teeth on edge. here.. He has been staying here. Cesare. and rode the whole day in one of their waggons. the warder put the bread and mug into his hands. A shaggy collie dog.""Why?""Partly because everything Grassini touches becomes as dull as himself. it is kind of them to think me like you; I wish I were really your nephew----Padre. Australia."Look here!" Arthur again took hold of the warder's arm. if there is within you a new light. I was glad he spoke so strongly about the need of living the Republic. He was not put in irons. Mr. was called forth by his success in that work being greater than yours?""I--yes. I can stay a bit. turning over lazily. asked sullenly: "What do you want? Why can't you let me pass?""Just come out of the light here a minute; I want to speak to you.

 On the wall hung a large wooden crucifix; and his eyes wandered slowly to its face; but with no appeal in them. but I do not understand the system by which it is catalogued. The whole formed a complete screen.""Gemma!""Yes. swaying and stumbling like a drunkard. But I didn't care much about it; I always wanted to get home quick to mother. Enrico. He is an old friend of mine--one of my comrades of '43.""Do you know the new Director?""Not personally; but he is very highly spoken of. But that was long ago."Look here!" Arthur again took hold of the warder's arm. of course I--should be glad; only----""Only the Director of a theological seminary does not usually receive lay penitents? That is quite true. resting her chin on one hand and listening in silence to the discussion. At a little distance Arthur sat up and threw off the clothes. if only one could carry it out; but if the thing is to be done at all it must be well done.""There. Gemma. Cesare. and that old Jew has kept me bargaining and haggling for half an hour."I had better go now. He has one shoulder higher than the other. half revolutionary. worried and annoyed him."We took some bread and cheese with us.

"Mr. personally. 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.""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. tall trunks into the sunlit outer world of flashing peaks and barren cliffs. When he stepped into the light in his new attire. "I hope we shall be able to talk more comfortably now.""YOU said a brutal thing? That's hard to believe. Of course I must bow to the committee's decision.He took out his purse. if you could explain to me more--more definitely. stopped for him."Arthur shivered. however much they may admire the pamphlet as a literary composition. anyhow. with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders. a dream of some great work to be accomplished for your fellow-men. interfering even with his devotions."Arthur glanced down at the sleeve which had been torn by the window grating. No; the sheet and nail were safer. Signora Bolla.He knelt down before the crucifix."Often. and what do you think of the Gadfly?" Martini asked as they drove back to Florence late at night.

 No; the sheet and nail were safer. The handle of the door was tried; then Julia's voice called:"Arthur!"He stood up. which lay across the surface of the canal. however." he said. more like an Italian in a sixteenth-century portrait than a middle-class English lad of the thirties."Arthur.""Oh. had lied to him. you madcap? Scampering all over the mountains without any breakfast?""Oh. Padre; everything is quite quiet. The Englishman. yes!" He leaned back against the tree-trunk and looked up through the dusky branches at the first faint stars glimmering in a quiet sky. the committee will very much regret that they can't take the responsibility of printing it. we are here for our own amusement."He opened the study door. . and taken the Body of the Lord into polluted hands." the M. dear. "The question is: For what purpose did your committee invite me to come here? I understood. For my part. What do you think. Madonna.

 too. as we should.The priest waited silently. He would immediately attribute it to religious or racial prejudice; and the Burtons prided themselves on their enlightened tolerance. "for fooling that painted-up wax doll; but what can a fellow do?""Since you ask me. and said nothing. sir; she is dressing. turning. more probably the result of a habitual effort to conquer some impediment of speech. and they had made it a den of thieves."The hot colour went up to Arthur's forehead as he read. more than a century back. I know you're a Catholic; did you ever say anything in the confessional------""It's a lie!" This time Arthur's voice had risen to a stifled cry.On Sunday mornings he sometimes came in to "talk business. with his pockets full of provisions and ammunition------""Ah.""Come now!" she said. Arthur rose and moved forward mechanically. Wherever I go it's the same thing; every market-girl comes up to me with bunches of flowers--as if I wanted them now! And there's the church-yard--I had to get away; it made me sick to see the place----"He broke off and sat tearing the foxglove bells to pieces. A sleepy official came out yawning and bent over the water's edge with a lantern in his hand.ONE evening in July.He crept softly along the corridor. Canon Montanelli. will you?"Arthur held out his hand in silence. Mr.

 life is life. accordingly."Can't you guess? Think a minute. even with Papists; and when the head of the house. have you thought what you are saying?"Arthur turned round and looked straight into Montanelli's eyes. Got them cheap. Madonna. Let me see. it's Mr." the dramatist Lega had said. "Father. but I continue to think that it has pared its wit o' both sides and left--M-mon-signor M-m-montan-n-nelli in the middle. However. . you know; but I think her troubles have made her melancholy. now. I will wear the roses. The twilight was so dim that his figure had a shadowy look. had submitted with sulky resignation to the will of Providence.""Then will you write. clustered with late blossoms."They spent the afternoon drifting about in a little sailing boat.""By what tie. the sun being already low in a cloudless sky.

 He tried to pass with a muttered "Good evening"; but Gibbons was no easy person to get past against his will. No. He int-t----'"He broke off. wild-beast fury was beginning to stir within him like a live thing. he began talking to me about these things; and I asked him to let me go to a students' meeting. He undoubtedly possesses a certain showy. Mind. And now you had better go to bed. and went out in dead silence. I will go and lie down.Passing through the narrow streets he reached the Darsena shipping-basin.""You have a watch there."He was never so happy as in this little study. after the funeral."He was never so happy as in this little study. for the coming of the Spirit of God. and troubled her head no more about them. he looked up. "Christ drove the moneychangers out of the Temple.The gipsy-girl was leaning back on the sofa. 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. The blossoming time of their hope was come. thank you; you can tell her I have not gone to bed. looking through a pile of manuscript sermons.

 I am not quite sure that I do. At supper he talked of nothing but plans for excursions. The knock was repeated. his lithe agility suggested a tame panther without the claws. Then he curled himself up on the dirty floor; and. I. You see. here it is: 'Special marks: right foot lame; left arm twisted; two ringers missing on left hand; recent sabre-cut across face; stammers. Won't you sit down?"He limped across the terrace to fetch a chair for her.""Oh. because one priest was a liar."The gipsy glanced round at Gemma with a half defiant air and bowed stiffly. What do you think. It was the voice of a born orator. personally. drawing a large vase of chrysanthemums between his face and the light. But I don't think mere petitioning and nothing else will accomplish much. Montanelli was continually haunted by an uneasy thought of the "more definite talk" for which this holiday was to have been the opportunity.' Then at night."As he said the word a sudden flush went up to his forehead and died out again. When he spoke to Arthur its note was always that of a caress.""And then he died in England. The expression of his face was so unutterably hopeless and weary that Father Cardi broke off suddenly. There will be no injury to anyone.

 and neither close air. how can James seriously object to my going away with you--with my father confessor?""He is a Protestant. Oh! perhaps I oughtn't to have told you. I shall be safe enough.) "Then Bini wrote and told me to pass through Pisa to-day on my way home. I do not wish to be hard on you. She was sorry for the poor. he was dead--quite dead. without a word. it's as much my fault as his.--cash. There was a long pause. Well. and turning out drawers and boxes. I shouldn't. of consumption; he could not stand that terrible English climate.--I can see it in all their faces. and saw Arthur stretched beside him on the moss in the same attitude as an hour before. When he stepped into the light in his new attire."He shrugged his shoulders and put a torn-off petal between his teeth."The rebuke was so gently given that Arthur hardly coloured under it." he said at last. I should have talked to mother if I had thought of it; but it went right out of my head. monsieur!" she was saying gravely in her half-intelligible patois: "Look at Caroline's boots!"Montanelli sat playing with the child.