work together, possibly even die together, for the
Republic that was to be. The blossoming time of their hope was come, and
the Padre would see it and believe.

The next morning, however, he awoke in a soberer mood and remembered
that Gemma was going to Leghorn and the Padre to Rome. January,
February, March--three long months to Easter! And if Gemma should
fall under "Protestant" influences at home (in Arthur's vocabulary
"Protestant" stood for "Philistine")------No, Gemma would never learn to
flirt and simper and captivate tourists and bald-headed shipowners, like
the other English girls in Leghorn; she was made of different stuff. But
she might be very miserable; she was so young, so friendless, so utterly
alone among all those wooden people. If only mother had lived----

In the evening he went to the seminary, where he found Montanelli
entertaining the new Director and looking both tired and bored. Instead
of lighting up, as usual, at the sight of Arthur, the Padre's face grew
darker.

"This is the student I spoke to you about," he said, introducing Arthur
stiffly. "I shall be much obliged if you will allow him to continue
using the library."

Father Cardi, a benevolent-looking elderly priest, at once began talking
to Arthur about the Sapienza, with an ease and familiarity which showed
him to be well acquainted with college life. The conversation soon
drifted into a discussion of university regulations, a burning question
of that day. To Arthur's great delight, the new Director spoke strongly
against the custom adopted by the university authorities of constantly
worrying the students by senseless and vexatious restrictions.

"I have had a good deal of experience in guiding young people," he said;
"and I make it a rule never to prohibit anything without a good reason.
There are very few young men who will give much trouble if proper
consideration and respect for their personality are shown to them. But,
of course, the most docile horse will kick if you are always jerking at
the rein."

Arthur opened his eyes wide; he had not expected to hear the students'
cause pleaded by the new Director. Montanelli took no part in the
discussion; its subject, apparently, did not interest him. The
expression of his face was so unutterably hopeless and weary that Father
Cardi broke off suddenly.

"I am afraid I have overtired you, Canon. You must forgive my
talkativeness; I am hot upon this subject and forget that others may