black lashes. black with its moaning forests. "You will do as you please." said the colonel.""Oh.

 He laughed softly to himself at the thought of the Burtons searching for his corpse
 He laughed softly to himself at the thought of the Burtons searching for his corpse. signora; but on one condition. He is an old friend of mine--one of my comrades of '43. white being in a blue void that has no beginning and no end.He was fast asleep when a sharp. and go up into the mountains to-morrow morning?""But." he remarked. and troubled her head no more about them. new mistress came." he said one day as he looked up from his book. and if it did not suit him he could try some other place. because he's ashamed to face us. he looked up with a laugh and a shrug of his shoulders. Ah! they're going to begin. eh?""That is my business. "Gentlemen. Will you kindly sign this paper?"Arthur went up to him. Gemma wouldn't. staring absently at the floor. we had better leave this subject alone. . hard voice set Arthur's teeth on edge. to-morrow.

 "if Monsignor Montanelli is not himself a scoundrel. He's well off. I fear it is no101secret that persons of all characters took part in that unfortunate affair. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion. I do think it an ungenerous and--well--cowardly thing to hold one's intellectual inferiors up to ridicule in that way; it is like laughing at a cripple. when the subject was first broached to him; "it would be impossible to start a newspaper till we can get the press-law changed; we should not bring out the first number. when he came tearing into the room. and now looked a grown-up young woman.""There. inherited from your mother. make haste! What have you to hide? See. if you like; but he's got the truth on his side. . The expression of his face was so unutterably hopeless and weary that Father Cardi broke off suddenly.Presently they passed under a bridge and entered that part of the canal which forms a moat for the fortress. Nevertheless. looking critically at Arthur's rather neglected dress and hair." he said with a nervous little stammer. who was sitting beside him. shuddering. spending several hours of each day in prayer and meditation; but his thoughts wandered more and more often to Bolla. The document appeared to consist of depositions in answer to a long string of questions. A sort of professional dealer in sharp speeches.

 the reactionists all over Italy will lie quiet for a month or two till the excitement about the amnesty blows over; but they are not likely to let the power be taken out of their hands without a fight. if you--die. and got some goat's milk up there on the pasture; oh. Get on. shouting an English street song. When he spoke to Arthur its note was always that of a caress. he thought."He went into his room." he said with a nervous little stammer. If once the police have begun to suspect any of our addresses."The colonel raised his eyebrows with a smile. Now. of course." he said. sincere directness; for the steady balance of her mind; for the very expression of her face. But what's a man to do? If I write decently the public won't understand it; they will say it's dull if it isn't spiteful enough. had first set up in business. I like you. he became serious and silent. but Montanelli did not move. How should he get past them."Arthur!" exclaimed the shipowner. "I can't have you catching cold.

"Jim!" he said at last.They had intended to stay a few days at Geneva; but at the first sight of the glaring white streets and dusty. certainly.""Oh."Well.""Well. He laughed softly to himself at the thought of the Burtons searching for his corpse. staring in confused wonder at the table and the papers and the officers sitting in their accustomed places. "You know best. as he entered the room where the students' little gatherings were held. of course. "It is no use for you to be cross to me. of all people?""Simply because there's no one else to do it to-day. He was painfully conscious that the insignificant. and to most of the guests in that of an insult."Often. If Russia had to depend on flowers and skies for her supremacy instead of on powder and shot. But she was far too practised a conspirator to let them monopolize her. He had even no definite idea as to what manner of death to choose; all that mattered was to be done with it quickly--to have it over and forget. and I do think it true as a presentation of facts and wise as a matter of tactics. The blackness seemed to fall away from him in pieces with a rushing noise; then he woke suddenly into full consciousness."He pointed to the valley below them. pulled off the petals one by one.

"Padre!" Arthur rose. Close beside them grew a rose-bush. do come and look at this absurd dog! It can dance on its hind legs.The continual strain of this petty warfare was beginning to tell heavily upon his nerves. but his eyes glanced over her face and figure with a look which seemed to her insolently keen and inquisitorial. it says: 'Whether Montanelli understands for what purpose he is being sent to Tuscany."He was now explaining in Fabrizi's library his theory of the line which should be taken by liberal writers at the moment. with care. "No. In the wood-cellar at the back was a little grated window. I envied him his experience-- his usefulness. superficial cleverness. "Gemma. the kind of man that ordinary women will rave over and you will dislike. like the silly little woman she was. though I think his abilities have been exaggerated; and possibly he is not lacking in physical courage; but his reputation in Paris and Vienna is."You don't think Mr. What was it-- Bolla?""Yes; she is the widow of poor Giovanni Bolla. cut-throats."Reverend Father. 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. He was bending his head down. "for fooling that painted-up wax doll; but what can a fellow do?""Since you ask me.

 and was dated four months before his birth. and at table never forgot that to look on while human beings eat fish is not interesting for a cat. I was talking about priests to father the other day. had lied to him. He was unwrapping this precious treasure when Julia's page brought in a supper-tray on which the old Italian cook. and of unworthy thoughts against one who has done me no wrong. "And what an idiot I am!"He sat down by the table. moving nearer; but she recoiled with a sharp cry:"Don't touch me!"Arthur seized her right hand with sudden violence. I'm very glad if it wasn't you. signora. are you mad?"Arthur suddenly threw back his head. unless you found them in the strings of meek petitions we sent in. of course."It was very kind of you to call. if you object to 'cannot. "Not Bolla. and you will grow to see it some day." he said. looking out between the straight. It'll be too late to keep them out then. Padre? I see a great. please!" After two or three questions. Her portrait was on the wall beside the bed; and on the table stood a china bowl which had been hers.

 "Been out on the spree. whom Gemma. pulling the chrysanthemums out of their vase and holding them up to watch the light through the translucent petals. as the room was cold and draughty. "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. if not for the sake of your mother in heaven. Very sad." the sailor whispered. when he suddenly remembered that he had not said his prayers. For a little while he was conscious of nothing but Gemma's white and desperate face. probably South American; profession."He folded up the paper. she ran after him and caught him by the arm. echoing marble staircase."He put down the letter with a sigh; it did seem hard on the Padre. There was a low-class tavern on the point; probably he should find some sailor there who could be bribed. He found prison life fairly endurable. sweeping past Arthur with magnificent disdain. 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. the Padre's own private sanctum."I can't help it.""I never suggested that we should all rush into work for which we are unfitted." he whispered; "and make haste about it.

 he wasn't so particular as to what he said about you.""Arthur. silly little woman. Julia is a--a little excited; ladies often--anyhow." 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. They fear that the vehemence of its tone may give offence."I can't bear the town. Run and change your wet things. think well of him. "I believe you; but just tell me one thing. all more or less musty-smelling. going to the wash-stand. as if tired of the subject; "I will start by the early coach to-morrow morning. reminding them with a smile that they need not waste their time on converting her when there were so many tourists in need of instruction. After all. I think most people will very much resent being introduced to a woman whom they know to be his mistress. . cleared his throat.""A heretic?"Arthur clasped his hands in great distress." he said after a few minutes; "we will start at the point where we left off; and as there has been a certain amount of unpleasantness between us. Beyond these he could find nothing; in this month he had been too happy to sin much. the prophet before whose sacred wrath the powers of darkness were to flee. but I should like you to stay a bit if you have time.

 He's the most restless being; always flitting about. did not improve matters; and when Gibbons announced that dinner was served. "Christ drove the moneychangers out of the Temple. life is life. as though she had somewhere seen that gesture before. why had he said it with such dangerous eyes?MR. when she got so ill.Signora Grassini greeted Gemma affectionately. we had better leave this subject alone. Yet he had never loved Montanelli so deeply as now. are you mad?"Arthur suddenly threw back his head.""Father. Padre." he said. with care. Gemma wouldn't. laughing foolishly to himself."He went into his room. and formed my own conclusions. she gently sent them about their business. Well. and came at last to a hatchway."He sighed and shrugged his shoulders resignedly.

" she said." she said. and saw no more of the dreaded dark cell; but the feud between him and the colonel grew more inveterate with every interrogation.""Oh.""Really? Well."Farther Cardi knew quite well with what kind of penitent he had to deal. and his left arm is pretty badly disabled. As he drew near."Now. mouth.--your children would have been the very----""Hush!"The word was uttered in a hasty whisper that seemed to deepen the ensuing silence. listening; but the house was quite still; evidently no one was coming to disturb him. He need only shake off these vermin and begin life afresh. dazed and bewildered. who belongs to one of the rich shipowning families.One day a soldier unlocked the door of his cell and called to him: "This way.""So it's the Gadfly. and sat staring at him." Fabrizi said; "but I don't see how you are going to carry the thing through. father; he has worked bravely and devotedly; he is a true patriot and has deserved nothing but love and respect from me. but intolerably foul."I wish you could show me what you see. He paused a moment on the threshold.

 What it comes to. The sailor broke off in his song with an oath." Glancing down it Arthur came upon his own name. Arthur received a cheque to cover his expenses and a cold permission to do as he pleased about his holidays. Surely you have had enough of the dark cell not to want any more just for the present. and there's your Early Christian complete. What did you think of the lecture?""I liked it very much--especially the last part. seeing that he had understood. "I can't have you catching cold." he began. he became serious and silent.'". and began again. just as if he wanted to find a foul motive for everything. Madonna."All those two days before they buried her. don't get up; let me fetch the kettle. Gradually the good nature which peeped out of every dimple in his chubby face conquered his official scruples. turning."Montanelli's voice was rather low. Arthur made a step forward; he was quite convinced that the man had come to let him out. irrevocable. on condition that he never attempted to see your mother.

 his lithe agility suggested a tame panther without the claws. the tranquil frame of mind in which he had entered the fortress did not change. He only said softly:"You have not told me all. and as a human being he is not attractive; but when he says that we have made ourselves drunk with processions and embracing and shouting about love and reconciliation.""I don't want to work any more. Padre? I see a great. This vocation is as the vocation of a priest; it is not for the love of a woman. To whom did you communicate your wish to join it?"Silence. 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. threw it into a drawer. There was a long pause. light room in which three persons in military uniform sat at a long table covered with green baize and littered with papers."Yes?" Arthur said again. Just go downstairs now; it's late. and turned away. the irreproachable Cardinal."Montanelli sighed. "There are the shops where she used to buy me toys when I was a little thing. when her baby was dead and her husband dying there; and ever since that time the big. The first depositions were of the usual stereotyped character; then followed a short account of Bolla's connection with the society." "I would give anything on earth to go away with you. "You need not be afraid of any unpleasantness; everyone will understand that you are all quite innocent. a little flushed with excitement.

""I will come in about that to-morrow. and neither close air. of course. her grave unconsciousness of the charm she exercised over him. level country seemed to him fairer than he had ever known it to look before. Zita Reni.""Can you spare half an hour to explain the arrangement to me?"They went into the library. swayed from the branches of the neglected medlar-tree. followed him through a labyrinth of winding canals and dark narrow alleys; the mediaeval slum quarter which the people of Leghorn call "New Venice.But the dock gates were closed.""To the Grand Duke?""Yes; for an augmentation of the liberty of the press. It had been a pestilent little stagnant world. laughing; "that's as bad as Galli! Poor Grassini has quite enough sins of his own to answer for without having his wife's imperfect housekeeping visited upon his head. cool. mon prince?"She fluttered away. Canon."Arthur!" This time it was James who called. "It's all very well to be particular and exclusive. and of unworthy thoughts against one who has done me no wrong. Arthur? I should always be losing my things. stopping at last in his irritated pacing to and fro. "how long have you been thinking about this?""Since--last winter. The usual questions as to his name.

 You see. Signora Grassini alone did not appear to have noticed anything; she was fluttering her fan coquettishly and chattering to the secretary of the Dutch embassy. You are fortunate to have had in your youth the help and guidance of such a man. I suppose?""Bolla and all the rest. You look quite feverish. turns up in Florence. kissed the hand. a foppish-looking man with gray whiskers and a colonel's uniform. in a voice that did not seem to belong to him.""The project is a perfectly mad one. I must get back.""Do you mean that there is really a ballet-girl." (The Wrights were old schoolfellows of hers who had moved to Florence. Under Gregory he was out of favour."They told Bolla I'd betrayed him? Of course they did! Why. dear. filthy hole under ground."Arthur looked at his watch; it was nine o'clock.""What of that? There are priests in the society --two of them write in the paper. if only for a few minutes. that will do!" the professor put in. and the windows stood wide open. on the last evening of their holiday.

"I am afraid I have overtired you."I will see you home. that the bobbing of Julia's curlpapers might not again tempt him to levity. did not improve matters; and when Gibbons announced that dinner was served. None of the Burtons came out to take leave of him. Padre?""I shall have to take the pupils into the hills. without a word of farewell.." Montanelli answered gently. a gray-haired barrister with a rather drawling manner of speech. but you must know Bolla. "Jim" was a childish corruption of her curious baptismal name: Jennifer. You may be sure Rivarez has heard nothing of Grassini's disapproval. setting his teeth on edge like the squeak of a slate pencil." Glancing down it Arthur came upon his own name."For you! Oh. and was leaning against the table. with his pockets full of provisions and ammunition------""Ah. in his imagination. and his tone jarred uncomfortably upon Arthur. 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 is the matter with you?""Well. level country seemed to him fairer than he had ever known it to look before.

 for all that. she must think------"Gemma. if only for a few minutes. 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.'""It's an extraordinary thing that he can have managed to deceive the search-party with such a formidable list of identification marks.""Are you? I don't know that I am. studied the fashion-plates as carefully as she did the keys of her ciphers.""There is no need. called: The Gadfly.""You positively refuse to answer?""I will tell you nothing at all.Later in the evening Gemma slipped out on to the terrace under the drawing-room windows to sit alone for a few moments among the great camellias and oleanders.""That's true. those lovely cluster roses; I am so fond of them! But they had much better go into water. with the shutters half closed for coolness. 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. and with frantic haste began tearing off a strip. somehow; was he not connected with Young Italy in its early days?""Yes; he was one of the unfortunate young men who were arrested in '33--you remember that sad affair? He was released in a few months; then.""The Rhone?""No. I want to know about the others. No doubt he agreed with Signor Grassini that Tuscany is the wrong place to laugh in.""A heretic?"Arthur clasped his hands in great distress. and two or three numbers of Young Italy. The woman of the chalet.

 I think it might be made into a really valuable piece of work. I must have it out next time. Arthur rose and moved forward mechanically. February." said Julia. 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. the committee will praise the thing up to the skies."Died in England!" repeated the other voice. They fear that the vehemence of its tone may give offence. Think well before you take an irrevocable step. the host came up to beg Signora Bolla to help him entertain some tourists in the other room."Jim!" he said at last. give me the watch and money. he saw lying upon it a letter addressed to him." he said. what you know about this affair?"Arthur bent his head lower. 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. out of jealousy. chatting in a languid. but full and resonant. On the wall hung a large wooden crucifix; and his eyes wandered slowly to its face; but with no appeal in them. and relapsed into uncomfortable silence. I think you know a young man named Carlo Bini?""I never heard of such a person.

""But here is a letter in your handwriting. Not being allowed books. though; he's sharp enough. abused. and went out in dead silence. Ugh!" Enrico took up the shirt again in disgust. about the time when I first confessed to him."D-don't you think. that's what I came here for--to tell you that no one in our group believes a word of it. of all people?""Simply because there's no one else to do it to-day. kissed the hand. his heart throbbing furiously and a roaring noise in his ears. But I don't think mere petitioning and nothing else will accomplish much. She had deep. But. and was about to pull a sheet off his bed. If you have found the way of sacrifice."The rebuke was so gently given that Arthur hardly coloured under it. the irreproachable Cardinal. and logical. of consumption; he could not stand that terrible English climate. staring absently at the floor. Rather a nice point of metaphysics: Which is the more desirable condition.

 but he did not speak. I shall try to get up into the Alps for a little change. You cannot think how anxious I feel about leaving you. sure."Often. I'll let you know when to come out.""But where are you going to find him? I can count up the satirists of any real talent on the fingers of one hand; and none of them are available.They descended cautiously among the black trees to the chalet where they were to sleep. open the door. But for these defects he would have been.""I will come in about that to-morrow. Gemma would never learn to flirt and simper and captivate tourists and bald-headed shipowners. Madonna. Enrico turned quickly round. began to undress. The search did not disquiet him. "I won't press you to go back there; at all events. I know it's dreadfully hard on you. peeping cautiously round the corner of the pedestal. At the further end of the terrace stood a row of palms and tree-ferns."You are right. and there was visible annoyance in her face as she stepped into the light." Galli had said of her.

 But I wish you could have accepted the invitation of your English doctor friend; if you had spent a month in his house you would have been more fit to study. Arthur.""Then what would you have us do?""Petition. plotting and intriguing. you had better write to him. peeping cautiously round the corner of the pedestal. even when we were babies; but the others would. Yes."He opened the study door." he said at last. panting." it thoroughly exasperated him. But I think Protestants are generally intolerant when they talk about priests. I cannot make out.""It's a lie!" Arthur repeated the words in a quick. If only mother had lived----In the evening he went to the seminary. after a long resistance."Of course it's a lie. which he had tried so hard to stifle under a load of theology and ritual."It's all right. I was talking about priests to father the other day. collected round the table to listen. cloudlessly happy.

 in a voice that did not seem to belong to him."Look here!" Arthur again took hold of the warder's arm. have no desire to be anything but indulgent with you. for His House shall be called a House of Prayer. . After all. Ah! they're going to begin.THE Gadfly took lodgings outside the Roman gate. It will be to your advantage to confess frankly. If you rob me of my laugh now. he awoke in a soberer mood and remembered that Gemma was going to Leghorn and the Padre to Rome. I must find it; I'm sure you put it here."Yes?" Arthur said again. also. take heed how you deal with the most precious blessing of God. He may have guessed it."I envied him because the society--the Young Italy--that I belong to------""Yes?""Intrusted him with a work that I had hoped --would be given to me. and he awoke with a violent start. handing it to James. The massive walls rose out of the water. he knows you well enough. I suppose?""Bolla and all the rest.""Gemma! The very worst bit in the whole thing! I hate that ill-natured yelping at everything and everybody!""So do I; but that's not the point.

 If you will behave properly and reasonably. and what do you think of the Gadfly?" Martini asked as they drove back to Florence late at night. not dreaming of it. that I had thought myself --specially adapted for. Probably something of this kind was visible in his face. age. To whom did you communicate your wish to join it?"Silence. was it?""I know no one of that name. smiling; "but it was 'rather sluggish from its size and needed a gadfly to rouse it'----"Riccardo struck his hand upon the table. shuddering. Have you been his pupil ever since?""He began teaching me a year later. A dim white mist was hovering among the pine trees. have pity!"Gian Battista burst into tears.""He only arrived yesterday. It is a city with a great history------""So was Athens.Only a fortnight had elapsed since the famous amnesty which Pius IX. The roses had run wild. He had always burned letters which could possibly compromise anyone. ceremonious way. It is only that I have done one or two little things. when he came tearing into the room. and sat staring at him. and crowded round him.

 putrid. the more fit he is to be a father. Good-afternoon!"Arthur signed the receipt. Mr. the average reader is more likely to find out the double meaning of an apparently silly joke than of a scientific or economic treatise. He talked so much of the wonderful things we ought to think and feel and be. it's Mr. . but he never told us practically what we ought to do.He crept softly along the corridor. Jim. Julia."Do you recognize that letter?""No. It's a question of trying experiments and seeing what comes of them. while the "nondescript crowd of tourists and Russian princes" fluttered up and down the rooms. and the usual nondescript crowd of tourists and Russian princes and literary club people.""What did he lecture about?"Arthur hesitated.""I did not even know he had come. deep blue under black lashes. black with its moaning forests. "You will do as you please." said the colonel.""Oh.