the very wealthiest men. And it would have
been rashness to speak slightingly of peacock's flesh, or any other
venerable institution, at a time when Fra Girolamo was teaching the
disturbing doctrine that it was not the duty of the rich to be luxurious
for the sake of the poor.

Meanwhile, in the chill obscurity that surrounded this centre of warmth,
and light, and savoury odours, the lonely disowned man was walking in
gradually narrowing circuits. He paused among the trees, and looked in
at the windows, which made brilliant pictures against the gloom. He
could hear the laughter; he could see Tito gesticulating with careless
grace, and hear his voice, now alone, now mingling in the merry
confusion of interlacing speeches. Baldassarre's mind was highly
strung. He was preparing himself for the moment when he could win his
entrance into this brilliant company; and he had a savage satisfaction
in the sight of Tito's easy gaiety, which seemed to be preparing the
unconscious victim for more effective torture.

But the men seated among the branching tapers and the flashing cups
could know nothing of the pale fierce face that watched them from
without. The light can be a curtain as well as the darkness.

And the talk went on with more eagerness as it became less disconnected
and trivial. The sense of citizenship was just then strongly forced
even on the most indifferent minds. What the overmastering Fra Girolamo
was saying and prompting was really uppermost in the thoughts of every
one at table; and before the stewed fish was removed, and while the
favourite sweets were yet to come, his name rose to the surface of the
conversation, and, in spite of Rucellai's previous prohibition, the talk
again became political. At first, while the servants remained present,
it was mere gossip: what had been done in the Palazzo on the first day's
voting for the Great Council; how hot-tempered and domineering Francesco
Valori was, as if he were to have everything his own way by right of his
austere virtue, and how it was clear to everybody who heard Soderini's
speeches in favour of the Great Council and also heard the Frate's
sermons, that they were both kneaded in the same trough.

"My opinion is," said Niccolo Ridolfi, "that the Frate has a longer head
for public matters than Soderini or any Piagnone among them: you may
depend on it that Soderini is his mouthpiece more than he is
Soderini's."

"No, Niccolo; there I differ from yo