--this armour will make me safe
against covert attacks."

Tito put his hand on her neck and smiled. This little dialogue about
the armour had broken through the new crust, and made a channel for the
sweet habit of kindness.

"But my godfather, then," said Romola; "is not he, too, in danger? And
he takes no precautions--ought he not? since he must surely be in more
danger than you, who have so little influence compared with him."

"It is just because I am less important that I am in more danger," said
Tito, readily. "I am suspected constantly of being an envoy. And men
like Messer Bernardo are protected by their position and their extensive
family connections, which spread among all parties, while I am a Greek
that nobody would avenge."

"But, Tito, is it a fear of some particular person, or only a vague
sense of danger, that has made you think of wearing this?" Romola was
unable to repel the idea of a degrading fear in Tito, which mingled
itself with her anxiety.

"I have had special threats," said Tito, "but I must beg you to be
silent on the subject, my Romola. I shall consider that you have broken
my confidence, if you mention it to your godfather."

"Assuredly I will not mention it," said Romola, blushing, "if you wish
it to be a secret. But, dearest Tito," she added, after a moment's
pause, in a tone of loving anxiety, "it will make you very wretched."

"What will make me wretched?" he said, with a scarcely perceptible
movement across his face, as from some darting sensation.

"This fear--this heavy armour. I can't help shuddering as I feel it
under my arm. I could fancy it a story of enchantment--that some
malignant fiend had changed your sensitive human skin into a hard shell.
It seems so unlike my bright, light-hearted Tito!"

"Then you would rather have your husband exposed to danger, when he
leaves you?" said Tito, smiling. "If you don't mind my being poniarded
or shot, why need I mind? I will give up the armour--shall I?"

"No, Tito, no. I am fanciful. Do not heed what I have said. But such
crimes are surely not common in Florence? I have always heard my father
and godfather say so. Have they become frequent lately?"

"It is not unlikely they will become frequent, with the bitter hatreds
that are being bred continually."

Romola was silent a few moments. She shrank from insisting further on
the subject of the armour. She tried to shake it off.

"Tell me what has happened to-da