"Would he think it was a city about to be attacked by an enemy, or
would he deem it a town in open revolt, or one given up to pillage
after the assault? I have seen to-night what might confirm any of these
impressions."

"And all three are present," said Maitland, moodily. "Your traveller
could scarcely be more puzzled than we are."

The other sighed wearily, and Maitland went on. "What do you trust, or
whom? Is it those noisy legions up there, who only muster to disband;
or that gallant fleet that has come to anchor, only the more easily to
surrender and change its flag?"

"There may be some traitors, but the great majority, I 'll swear, will
stand by the King."

"No; not one in fifty,--not one in a hundred. You don't seem to
apprehend that loyalty is not a sudden instinct. It is a thing a man
inherits. Take my word for it, Carlo, these men will not fight to keep
a certain set of priests around a bigoted old Queen, or support a King
whose highest ambition is to be a Jesuit."

"And if you thought so meanly of the cause, why have you adopted it?"

"Because, ill as I think of the Court, I hate the rabble more. Remember,
Carlo,"--and now he spoke in a rapid and marked tone,--"remember that,
when I joined you, I deemed myself a rich man, and I had my ambitions,
like the rest of you. Had I known what I now know,--had I foreseen that
the day was so near wherein I was to find myself a beggar--"

"No, no, Maitland; don't say this."

"And why not say it? It is true. You know as well as I do, that amongst
that yelling rabble there is none poorer than myself; and for this
reason, I repeat, I might have chosen my associates more wisely. You
yourself saw the treatment I met with this morning."

"Ay, but bear in mind, Maitland, what was the provocation you gave.
It is no small thing to tell a king, surrounded by his ministers and
generals, that he has not one loyal and true man in his train; that,
what between treachery and cowardice, he will find himself alone, at the
head of a few foreign regiments, who will only fight to cut their way
through towards home."

"I scarcely went so far as this," said Maitland, smiling.

"Did you not, _per Bacco!_ I was there and heard you. You accused
Laguila to his face of being bought, and named the sum; and you told
Cadorno that you had a copy of his letter promising to surrender the
flag-ship to Garibaldi."

"And they listened to me with an admirable patience."

"I don't know that