we Italian princes
can all indulge in. Look at the Pope himself, he is collecting the
imposts a year in advance!"

"I hope that this country is more equitably administered," said Stubber.

"So do I, sir. Were I not impressed with the full conviction that the
subjects of this realm were in the very fullest enjoyment of every
liberty consistent with public tranquillity, protected in the
maintenance of every privilege--By the way, talking of privileges,
they must n't play 'Trottolo' on the high roads; they sent one of those
cursed wheels flying between the legs of my horse yesterday, so that
if I had n't been an old cavalry soldier, I must have been thrown! I
ordered the whole village to be fined three hundred scudi, one half of
which to be sent to the shrine of our Lady of Loretta, who really, I
believe, kept me in my saddle!"

"If the people had sufficient occupation, they 'd not play 'Trottolo,'"
said Stubber, sternly.

"And whose the fault if they have not, sir? How many months have I been
entreating to have those terraced gardens finished towards the sea? I
want that olive wood, too, all stubbed up, and the ground laid out in
handsome parterres. How repeatedly have I asked for a bridge over that
ornamental lake; and as to the island, there's not a magnolia planted
in it yet. Public works, indeed; find me the money, Stubber, and I 'll
suggest the works. Then, there 's that villa, the residence of those
English people,--have we not made a purchase of it?"

"No, your Highness; we could not agree about the terms, and I have just
heard that the stranger who is travelling with Upton is going to buy
it."

"Stepping in between me and an object I have in view! And in my own
Duchy, too! And you have the hardihood to tell me that you knew of and
permitted this negotiation to go on?"

"There is nothing in the law to prevent it, sir."

"The law! What impertinence to tell me of the law I Why, sir, it is I
am the law,--I am the head and fountain of all law here; without my
sanction, what can presume to be legal?"

"I opine that the Act which admits foreigners to possess property in the
state was passed in the life of your Highness's father."

"I repeal it, then! It saps the nationality of a people; it is a blow
aimed at the very heart of independent sovereignty. I may stand alone
in all Europe on this point, but I will maintain it. And as to this
stranger, let his passport be sent to him on the spot."

"He may possibl