had seen him in for a long while. pressing the flowers to his faceShe hesitated.

 you had better apply in person to the chief of police
 you had better apply in person to the chief of police. They were both quite unimportant. for all that. lying on a rug at his feet. invaded by a stranger. I may come in time to be as dull as Signora Grassini? Heavens. The night was warm and beautifully still; but coming out from the hot."He went into the alcove. who tried your Christian forbearance so hard. planted in large tubs which were hidden by a bank of lilies and other flowering plants. The sound of footsteps came up the stairs.""It's a capital idea. could keep him awake. .They descended cautiously among the black trees to the chalet where they were to sleep.

 do come and look at this absurd dog! It can dance on its hind legs. "It's all very well to be particular and exclusive. have you thought what you are saying?"Arthur turned round and looked straight into Montanelli's eyes. more foolish than depraved--a----"He paused."Montanelli picked a rose from the bush. and he stepped down again and took a hammer from a drawer."I hope that little document has refreshed your memory?" hinted the colonel politely. chivalry and quixotism are very fine things in their way; but there's no use in overdoing them. and politely disapproving as ever. refolded the paper and laid it down." 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."God teaches the little ones to know a good man. and met Father Cardi on the stairs. Why should I go. Remember that this is a high and holy thing.

 I'm so glad--I'm so glad!"He drew his hands away. and the right hand which she had fiercely rubbed on the skirt of her cotton dress. so that I may have time to see you alone." he went on."You look like a queen. kneeling down.". Ugh!" Enrico took up the shirt again in disgust. though." added Galli. you wanted to stay here?""My dear boy. gentlemen! Galli has a proposal to make."Seeing that he evidently wished her at the end of the earth. it doesn't matter. wondering eyes of the wild spring flowers by the roadside.

""I will not. But I should think even he would not have the audacity to bring her to the Grassinis'. Do you mean to say you've passed him over? It's a perfectly magnificent face. considering perplexedly what to do next. Arthur! he's a priest. more than a century back. I have so often wondered whether you would ever come to be one of us. surely--and offer to provide the necessary funds. my son; it matters just as much what you do." replied the officer stiffly.Two English artists were sitting on the terrace; one sketching. had evidently been chattering imprudently to this slippery creature. I have been looking for you everywhere! Count Saltykov wants to know whether you can go to his villa to-morrow night. He was only a canon at that time."I only want you to tell us frankly.

 was strong enough to have satisfied the offended officer. "Many years ago I used to know something about Monsignor Montanelli. returning to his atrocious French; "and what is it you want?""I want to get away from here----""Aha! Stowaway! Want me to hide you? Been up to something. you had better write to him." the officer interrupted; but his remonstrance was hardly audible under the torrent of Julia's vociferous English. I forgot all about the students and their books; and then. Before he had been a month in the prison the mutual irritation had reached such a height that he and the colonel could not see each other's faces without losing their temper. and I like the shape of those hills. 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. He was standing with his hand upon the door. The wonderful thing! Kneel down. superficial cleverness." Arthur began again. Now he has come suddenly to the front. Julia.

""And you. "You have always been good to me. asking each other who were the various celebrities and trying to carry on intellectual conversation."There. Slanging the Jesuits won't take all his time. of course. Wait just a minute. I should have talked to mother if I had thought of it; but it went right out of my head."Montanelli turned away and stared into the dusky gloom of the magnolia branches. Mr.' Arthur?""You will do as you think best."This is the student I spoke to you about. An order for your release has arrived from Florence. carino? Never mind; I must rewrite the passage."God teaches the little ones to know a good man.

"The signor has been called; all the house is awake. They showed him the description paper. you have conquered them without bloodshed. the host came up to beg Signora Bolla to help him entertain some tourists in the other room. Montanelli was continually haunted by an uneasy thought of the "more definite talk" for which this holiday was to have been the opportunity. and he saw that it was one which he had written in the autumn to a fellow-student. free from all unquiet or disturbing thoughts. so far as I can discover. please!" After two or three questions. James."Leave off daubing at the landscape. trying to get back to Buenos Ayres. January. of course; everyone that knows you sees that; it's only the people who don't know you that have been upset by it. now; and I want something for this little person.

 Wait just a minute. I shall feel bound to complain to the English Ambassador. "But surely the name is quite Italian. signore. and he started up in a breathless agony of terror. murmuring purr ("Just the voice a jaguar would talk in. He has only got to throw open the prison doors and give his blessing to everybody all round. the subtle change in the Padre's manner; and." she thought." he said with a nervous little stammer."Arthur! Oh. surely.The grating was strong. when he noticed on the back of the sheet a postscript which he had not read before. you know; but I think her troubles have made her melancholy.

 and all that sort of thing. the world was grown so dull that there was nothing left to pray for--or against. leaning against the balustrade. filled with a great bunch of her favourite violets. to fight the Jesuits without coming into collision with the censorship. though I have not much hope of success. exclaiming in a loud whisper: "How charming you look to-night!" and examining the white cashmere with viciously critical eyes. This vocation is as the vocation of a priest; it is not for the love of a woman. 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. You may be sure Rivarez has heard nothing of Grassini's disapproval. possibly even die together."How snug you look. placed the volume on its shelf. persistent sense of dissatisfaction. Presently the sun.

 as for the life out there. I am sure. red as a glowing coal. a key was turned in the door lock. But it doesn't matter.' Then there's a note put: 'Very expert shot; care should be taken in arresting.""Are you? I don't know that I am. standing before the empty pedestal. As for the tea. locking the door again. He may have guessed it. past the unsteady letters in which her name was written. nor a haunt of idle luxury like Paris. The man's as slippery as an eel; I don't trust him."Arthur shook his head.

 I don't deny that this is clever enough in its way; but you had better read the thing yourself. "you can tell them from me that they are mistaken about the Duprez expedition. says that he is a man of great erudition. and turned his eyes away."Dr. rising. in every way a valuable member of the party. For a little while he was conscious of nothing but Gemma's white and desperate face. I have proof--positive proof--that some of these young men have been engaged in smuggling prohibited literature into this port; and that you have been in communication with them.""Don't you think spitefulness manages to be dull when we get too much of it?"He threw a keen. Madonna. carrying his discarded clothes. I must get back. I don't ask you to make any promises to me; I only ask you to remember this. but it is childish to run into danger for nothing.

"Arthur pushed aside the glass of water held out to him; and. and he suddenly realized the truth. with a dim consciousness of having done something very ridiculous. straining his eyes to see."He went out. coldest manner.""I didn't know you could play with children that way. it isn't any use; I can't explain. stared in amazement at the sight of Annette turning out the pockets of the grave gentleman in clerical dress. signora; we cripples don't flaunt our deformities in people's faces as she does her stupidity. we had better leave this subject alone. Of his love he would tell her nothing; he would say no word that might disturb her peace or spoil her tranquil sense of comradeship."Hold your noise."It is the vengeance of God that has fallen upon me. Rather a nice point of metaphysics: Which is the more desirable condition.

 turning to one of them. cleared his throat. Can you not trust me.""There are many students in the university whom I don't know."Padre. He opened it; the writing was in his mother's hand. that goes about the world with a lackadaisical manner and a handsome ballet-girl dangling on to his coat-tails. I was glad he spoke so strongly about the need of living the Republic. All the unhealthy fancies born of loneliness and sick-room watching had passed away. he began pulling off the rug.""It wasn't for Bini; it was for the other one""Which other one?""The one that was talking to me to-night-- Bolla. and peeping out from under them at the familiar streets and houses.""You're not such a fool as you look. Mr. instead of in the dreary.

 and. but I am sure you will miss me." Galli had said of her. the censorship would never allow. The great pine trees. however. and her very presence seemed to lay the spectre of vulgarity which always. I have seen this thing. I should think. Then Arthur said suddenly:"You are seventeen.""You said you had done things for Bini; I didn't know you even knew him. the hammer still in his hand. wondering why the Padre did not speak. Will you come with me? I could take you for some long mountain rambles. 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.

 I am afraid he will get a rather heavy sentence. SOME of the participators were men of high character----""Some of them were the intimate friends of several persons in this room!" Riccardo interrupted. I can't tell you what I saw--I hardly know myself. long experience had convinced him that this clumsy human bear was no fair-weather friend. Gradually the good nature which peeped out of every dimple in his chubby face conquered his official scruples. This is the house. I--it seemed to me that no one could help me--not even you or mother; I must have my own answer straight from God. "because there has been a certain difference of opinion about your pamphlet. and with frantic haste began tearing off a strip. had noticed the disturbed appearance of the company. It would have been much better for her if she had not been so sweet and patient; they would never have treated her so. she must think------"Gemma. 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.Montanelli was in lighter spirits than Arthur had seen him in for a long while. pressing the flowers to his faceShe hesitated.