back to Rome. Once more we were with
her, then, in most familiar every-day intercourse, and as at
this time a change of government had taken place,--the Pope
having gone to Molo di Gaeta.--we watched with her the great
movements of the day. Ossoli was now actively interested on
the liberal side; he was holding the office of captain in the
_Guardia Civica_, and enthusiastically looking forward to the
success of the new measures.

"During the spring of 1849, Mazzini came to Rome. He went at
once to see Margaret, and at her rooms met Ossoli. After this
interview with Mazzini, it was quite evident that they had
lost something of the faith and hopeful certainty with which
they had regarded the issue, for Mazzini had discovered
the want of singleness of purpose in the leaders of the
Provisional Government. Still zealously Margaret and Ossoli
aided in everything the progress of events; and when it was
certain that the French had landed forces at Civita Vecchia,
and would attack Rome, Ossoli took station with his men on the
walls of the Vatican gardens, where he remained faithfully
to the end of the attack. Margaret had, at the same time, the
entire charge of one of the hospitals, and was the assistant
of the Princess Belgioioso, in charge of '_dei Pellegrini_,'
where, during the first day, they received seventy wounded
men, French and Romans.

"Night and day, Margaret was occupied, and, with the princess,
so ordered and disposed the hospitals, that their conduct was
truly admirable. All the work was skilfully divided, so
that there was no confusion or hurry and, from the chaotic
condition in which these places had been left by the
priests,--who previously had charge of them,--they brought
them to a state of perfect regularity and discipline. Of money
they had very little, and they were obliged to give their time
and thoughts, in its place. From the Americans in Rome, they
raised a subscription for the aid of the wounded of either
party; but, besides this, they had scarcely any means to use.
I have walked through the wards with Margaret, and seen how
comforting was her presence to the poor suffering men. 'How
long will the Signora stay?' 'When will the Signora come
again?' they eagerly asked. For each one's peculiar tastes she
had a care: to one she carried books; to ano