nglishman, had been his companion in years
of dissipation. In every capital of Europe these two men had left
traditions of extravagance and excess. They had an easy access to the
highest circles in every city, and it was their pleasure to mix in all,
even to the lowest Between them there had grown what, between such men,
represented a strong friendship,--that is, either would readily have
staked his life or his fortune; in other words, have fought a duel, or
paid the play-debts of the other. Each knew the exact rules of honor
which guided the conduct of the other, and knew, besides, that no other
principles than these held any sway or influence over him.

Caffarelli saw that the Bourbon throne was in danger, and with it the
fortunes of all who adhered to the dynasty. If all his prejudices and
sympathies were with monarchy, these would not have prevented him from
making terms with the revolution, if he thought the revolution could be
trusted; but this was precisely what he did not, could not believe.

"_Ceux qui sont Bleus restent Bleus_" said the first Napoleon; and
so Caffarelli assured himself that a _canaille_ always would be a
_canaille_. Philip Egalite was a case in point of what came of such
concessions; therefore he decided it was better to stand by the
monarchy, and that real policy consisted in providing that there should
be a monarchy to stand by.

To play that mock game of popularity, the being cheered by the
lazzaroni, was the extent of toleration to which the king could be
persuaded. Indeed, he thought these _vivas_ the hearty outburst of a
fervent and affectionate loyalty; and many of his Ministers appeared
to concur with him. Caffarelli, who was Master of the Horse, deemed
otherwise, and confessed to Maitland that, though assassination
was cheap enough in the quarter of Santa Lucia, there was a most
indiscriminating indifference as to who might be the victim, and that
the old Marquess of Montanara, the Prefect of the Palace, would not cost
a _carlino_ more than the veriest follower of Mazzini.

Both Caffarelli and Maitland enjoyed secret sources of information. They
were members of that strange league which has a link in every grade and
class of Neapolitan society, and makes the very highest in station the
confidant and the accomplice of the most degraded and the meanest This
sect, called La Camorra, was originally a mere system of organized
extortion, driving, by force of menace, an impost on every tr