was--not a sight nor sound to shock it. The swell of the organ and
the odor of the incense follow you even to your pleasures, and, just as
the light streams in through the painted windows with its radiance of
gold and amber and rose, so does the Church tinge with its mellow lustre
all that goes on within its shadow. And how sweet and soothing it all
is! I don't know, I cannot know, if it lead to heaven, but it certainly
goes in that direction, so far as peace of mind is concerned. What has
become of Carlo Lambruschini? is he married? How good-looking he was,
and how he sung! I never heard Mario without thinking of him. How is it
that our people never have that velvety softness in their tenor voices;
there is no richness, no latent depth of tone, and consequently no power
of expression? Will his Eminence of the Palazzo Antinori know me
again? I was only a child when he saw me last, and used to give me his
"benedizione." Be sure you bespeak for me the same condescending favor
again, heretic though I be. Don't be shocked, dearest Dora, but I mean
to be half converted, that is to have a sort of serious flirtation with
the Church; something that is to touch my affections, and yet not wound
my principles; something that will surround me with all the fervor of
the faith, and yet not ask me to sign the ordinances. I hope I can do
this. I eagerly hope it, for it will supply a void in my heart which
certainly neither the money article, nor the share list, nor even the
details of a county contest, have sufficed to fill. Where is poor little
Santa Rosa and his guitar? I want them, Dolly--I want them both. His
little tinkling barcarolles were as pleasant as the drip of a fountain
on a sultry night; and am I not a highly imaginative creature, who
can write of a sultry night in this land of fog, east wind, gust, and
gaslight? How my heart bounds to think how soon I shall leave it! How
I could travesty the refrain, and cry, "Rendez-moi mon passeport, ou
laissez-moi mourir." And now, Dolly darling, I have done. Secure me the
villa, engage my people. Tanti saluti to the dear cardinal,--as
many loves to all who are kind enough to remember me. Send me a
lascia-passare for my luggage--it is voluminous--to the care of the
consul at Civita Vecchia, and tell him to look out for me by the arrival
of the French boat, somewhere about the 20th or 21st; he can be useful
with the custom-house creatures, and obtain me a carriage all to myself
in the tr