tood up, dressed in the blue blouse of a common workman, and
wearing the coarse shoes of the very humblest laborer; but yet, in the
calm dignity of his mien and the mild character of his sad but handsome
features, already proclaiming that he came of a class whose instincts
denote good blood.

"Greppi, you have a servant, it would seem, whose name is not in your
passport. How is this?"

"He is an humble friend who shares my fortunes, sir," said the artist.
"They asked no passport from him when we crossed the Tuscan frontier;
and he has been here some months without any demand for one."

"Does he assist you in your work?"

"He does, sir, by advice and counsel; but he is not a sculptor. Poor
fellow! he never dreamed that his presence here could have attracted any
remark."

"His tongue and accent betray a foreign origin, Greppi?"

"Be it so,--so do mine, perhaps. Are we the less submissive to the
laws?"

"The laws can make themselves respected," said the Podesta, sternly.
"Where is this man,--how is he called?"

"He is known as Guglielmo, sir. At this moment he is ill; he has caught
the fever of the Campagna, and is confined to bed."

"We shall send to ascertain the fact," was the reply.

"Then my word is doubted!" said the youth haughtily.

The Podesta started, but more in amazement than anger. There was,
indeed, enough to astonish him in the haughty ejaculation of the poorly
clad boy.

"I am given to believe that you are not--as your passport would imply--a
native of Capri, nor a Neapolitan born," said the Podesta.

"If my passport be regular and my conduct blameless, what have you or
any one to do with my birthplace? Is there any charge alleged against
me?"

"You are forgetting where you are, boy; but I may take measures to
remind you of it," said the Podesta, whispering to a sergeant of the
gendarmes at his side.

"I hope I have said nothing that could offend you," said the boy,
eagerly; "I scarcely know what I have said. My wish is to submit myself
in all obedience to the laws; to live quietly and follow my trade. If
my presence here give displeasure to the authorities, I will, however
sorry, take my departure, though I cannot say whither to." The last
words were uttered falteringly, and in a kind of soliloquy, and only
overheard by the two strangers, who now, having received their papers,
arose to withdraw.

"Will you call at our inn and speak with us? That's my card," said one,
as he passed out,