hemselves are on
the verge of an irreparable quarrel,--the men of Savoy and the north for
Monarchy; the Genoese, wild with their own ancient ideas of a Ligurian
Republic. Is it the Lombards, think you, will conquer Lombardy? or
do you fancy that Florence and Pisa are the nurseries of heroes? No,
Morlache, the game of revolt is played out in Italy; the last trump is
Goito."

"But if, flushed with conquest, the Piedmontese press on to greater
successes?"

"They cannot,--they would not, even if they could," broke in D'Esmonde.
"Is it the Republicans will shed their blood to conquer a kingdom of
Upper Italy for Carlo Alberto? Is it the interest of Rome or Naples to
see such a power in the Peninsula? Will the troops of the Monarchy, on
the other hand, fight for a cause that is to obliterate the throne? No;
believe me, their mutual grudges have been well weighed and estimated.
We never dared this bold policy without seeing clearly that their
interests could never be reconciled.--I think I hear the sound of oars;
yes, he must be coming at last!" D'Esmonde opened the window as he
spoke, and looked out upon the river, which, reflecting along the sides
the gorgeous pageantry of the illumination, was dark as ink in the
middle of the stream. "Not a word of this, Morlache, when he joins us,"
added D'Esmonde.

"_He_ is not in your confidence, then?" asked the other.

"_He?_ Of course he is not! If for no weightier reasons than that he is
English and a Protestant,--two things which, however weak they may prove
either in patriotism or religion, never fail in their hatred of the
Church and her cause. Like one of the Condottieri of old, he has joined
the quarrel because hard knocks are usually associated with booty.
Whenever he finds that he has no stake on the table, he 'll throw down
his cards."

"And the other,--the Russian?"

"He is more difficult to understand; but I hope to know him yet Hush,
the boat is close in; be cautious!" And, so saying, he filled his glass,
and reseated himself in all the seeming ease of careless dalliance. In a
few minutes after, the prow of a light skiff touched the terrace, and a
man stepped out and knocked at the shutter.

"Welcome at last," said D'Esmonde, shaking hands with him. "We had
almost despaired of seeing you to-night you appear to have been favored
with a long audience!"

"Yes, confound it!" cried the other, who, throwing off his
travelling-cloak, showed the figure of Lord Norwood.