A certain tone of defiance in this speech left an awkward pause for
several minutes. At last Caraffa said carelessly--

'Of what were we speaking a while ago? Let us return to it.'

'It was of the Count Delia Rocca and his mission, your Eminence.'

'True. You said that he wished to see the Chevalier, to present his
letters. There can be no objection to that. The road to Orvieto is an
excellent one, and my poor house there is quite capable of affording
hospitality for even a visitor so distinguished.' With all his efforts
to appear tranquil, the Cardinal spoke in a broken, abrupt way, that
betrayed a mind very ill at ease.

'I am not aware, Massoni,' resumed he, 'that the affair concerns _me_,
nor is there occasion to consult me upon it.' This address provoked no
reply from the Pere, who continued patiently to scan the speaker, and
mark the agitation that more and more disturbed him.

'I conclude, of course,' said the Cardinal again, 'that the Chevalier's
health is so firmly re-established this interview cannot be hurtful to
him; that he is fully equal to discuss questions touching his gravest
interests. You who hear frequently from him can give me assurance on
this point.'

'I am in almost daily correspondence----''

'I know it,' broke in Caraffa.

'I am in almost daily correspondence with the Chevalier, and can answer
for it that he is in the enjoyment of perfect health and spirits.'

'They who speculated on his being inferior to his destiny will perhaps
feel disappointed!' said Caraffa, in a low, searching accent.

'They acknowledge as much already, your Eminence. In the very last
despatches Sir Horace Mann sent home there is a gloomy prediction of
what trouble a youth so gifted and so ambitious may one day occasion
them in England.'

'Your friend the Marchesa Balbi, then, still wields her influence at the
British legation?' said Caraffa, smiling cunningly; 'or you had never
known these sentiments of the Minister.'

'Your Eminence reads all secrets,' was the submissive reply, as the Pere
bowed his head.

'Has she also told you what they think of the youth in England?'

'No further than that there is a great anxiety to see him, and assure
themselves that he resembles the House of Stuart.'

'Of that there is no doubt,' broke in Caraffa; 'there is not a look,
a gesture, a trait of manner, or a tone of the voice, he has not
inherited.'

'These may seem trifles in the days of exile and adversity, but t