find that I
have been so basely ungrateful as not to say the thing I would when I
would thank you. Your _Dedication_ will be accepted with a true sense of
kindness and honor together; I shall be proud and thankful. But perhaps
you have changed your mind in the course of this long silence.

And now where's room for Robert?

* * * * *

_To Miss I. Blagden_

Villa Alberti, [Siena]:
Tuesday [September-October, 1859].

Ever dearest Isa,--Yes, I am delighted.

Evviva il nostro re! It isn't a very distinct acceptance, however, but
as distinct as could be expected reasonably.[68] Under conditions, of
course.

On Friday morning before noon up to our door came Mr. Russell's
carriage. He had closed with Robert's proposition at once, and we made
room for him without much difficulty, and were very glad to see him. I
didn't go in to dinner, and he and Robert went to the Storys in the
evening--so that it wasn't too much for me--and then I really like
him--he is refined and amiable, and acute and liberal (as an Englishman
can be), full of 'traditions' or prejudices, to use the right word. To
my surprise he _knew_ scarcely anything; and, as I modestly observed to
Robert, 'didn't understand the Italian question half as well as I
understand it.' Of course there was a quantity of gossip in the
anti-Napoleon sense; how the Emperor told the King of the peace over the
soup, twirling his moustache; and how the King swore like a trooper at
the Emperor in consequence; and how the Emperor took it all very
well--didn't mind at all and how, and how--things which are manifestly
impossible and which Robert tells me I ought not to repeat, in order not
to multiply such vain tales. There is Metternich the younger (ambassador
in Paris), a personal friend of Odo Russell's, in whose bosom Louis
Napoleon seems to pour the confidences of his heart about that '_coquin
de Cavour_ who led him into the Italian war,' &c., &c., but it simply
proves to you and me how an Austrian can lie, which we could guess
before.

My _facts_ are these: First, Ferdinando IV.[69] has an ambassador in
Rome, who has been received officially by the Pope (!!) ('The coolest
thing that ever was'), and is paid out of the private purse of the Royal
Highness. There is another ambassador at Naples, and another at
Vienna--on the same terms; so let no one talk of 'Decheance.'

Then let me tell you what Mr. Russell said to me. 'Napoleon,' said he,