classes together, and even he could not elevate the populace; so that
nothing was left to him but to degrade the noble."

"I think, meanwhile, we are losing precious time," said Maitland, as he
took up his hat "Bosco should be reinforced. The squadron, too,
should be strengthened to meet the Sardinian fleet; for we have sure
intelligence that they mean to cover Garibaldi's landing; Persano avows
it."

"All the better if they do," said Caraffa. "The same act which
would proclaim their own treachery would deliver into our hands this
hare-brained adventurer."

"Your Excellency may have him longer in your hands than you care
for," said Maitland, with a saucy smile. The Prince bowed a cold
acknowledgment of the speech, and suffered them to retire without a
word.

"It is fated, I believe," said Caffarelli, as they gained the street,
"that the Prince and you are never to separate without anger; and
you are wrong, Maitland. There is no man stands so high in the King's
favor."

"What care I for that, Carlo mio? the whole thing has ceased to interest
me. I joined the cause without any love for it; the more nearly I saw
its working, the more I despised myself for acting with such associates;
and if I hold to it now, it is because it is so certain to fail. Ay,
my friend, it is another Bourbon bowled over. The age had got sick of
vested interests, and wanted to show what abuses they were; but you
and I are bound to stand fast; we cannot rescue the victim, but we must
follow the hearse."

"How low and depressed you are to-night! What has come over you?"

"I have had a heavy blow, mio Carlo. One of those papers whose envelopes
you broke and handed to me was a private letter. It was from Alice
Trafford to her brother; and the sight of my own name in it tempted me
to see what she said of me. My curiosity has paid its price." He paused
for some minutes, and then continued: "She wrote to refuse the villa I
had offered her,--to refuse it peremptorily. She added: 'The story of
your friend's duel is more public than you seem to know. It appeared in
the "Patrie" three weeks ago, and was partly extracted by "Galignani."
The provocation given was an open declaration that Mr. Maitland was
no Maitland at all, but the illegitimate son of a well-known actress,
called Brancaleone, the father unknown. This outrage led to a meeting,
and the consequences you know of. The whole story has this much of
authenticity, that it was given to the wor