"ask yourself what your husband is doing at
this moment. Not content with sowing the seeds of discord in Parliament
and by the press, he is wandering through Europe, gathering up the
adventurers who work in darkness in every country, and hatching a
conspiracy which would lead to a state of anarchy throughout the world."

Roma withdrew her hand from the hand of the Pope and made an exclamation
of dissent.

"Ah, I know what you would say, my daughter. He did not set out to
produce anarchy. Such men never do. They begin with evolution and end
with revolution. They begin with peace and end with violence. And the
only sequel to your husband's aims must be the destruction of civil
society, of Government, and of the Church."

Roma's fingers were clasped convulsively in her lap. She lifted her
timid but passionate face and said:

"I know nothing about that, your Holiness. I only know that whatever he
is doing his heart laid it upon him as a duty, and his heart is pure and
noble."

"My daughter, your husband may be the greatest of patriots in spirit and
intention, but nevertheless he is one of the criminal and visionary
teachers of this unhappy time who are deluding the ignorant crowd with
promises that can never be realised. Anarchy, chaos, the uprooting of
religion and morality, of justice, human dignity, and the purity of
domestic life--these are the only possible fruits of the seed he is
sowing."

The timid eyes began to flash. "I did not come here to hear this, your
Holiness." The Pope put his hand tenderly on her hands.

"Remember, my child, what you said yourself on your former visit."

Roma dropped her head.

"The authorities know all about it."

"Holy Father!"

"It was necessary."

"Then ... then somebody must have told them."

"I told them. The Holy Father revealed no more than was necessary to
relieve his conscience and to prevent crime. It was your own tongue that
told the rest, my daughter."

He recalled what had passed in the cabinet of the Prime Minister, and
Roma felt as if something choked her. "No matter!" she said, with the
same frightened but passionate face. "David Rossi is prepared for
anything, and he will be prepared for this."

"The authorities already knew more than I could tell them," said the
Pope. "They knew where your husband was and what he was doing. They know
where he is now, and they are preparing to arrest him."

Roma's nerves grew more and more excited, the timid look gav