diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:32:09 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:32:09 -0700 |
| commit | e168e93287f082f4598c4b93b6665ba3d1445c66 (patch) | |
| tree | a4bb54ddc72f4acaac561bdf36de79bb2868cc55 /8726-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '8726-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 8726-h/8726-h.htm | 25870 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 8726-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 463738 bytes |
2 files changed, 25870 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/8726-h/8726-h.htm b/8726-h/8726-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fae1767 --- /dev/null +++ b/8726-h/8726-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,25870 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Rome, of The Three Cities, by Émile Zola</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> +<style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +.toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + +pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + +<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Rome, by Émile Zola</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Rome</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Émile Zola</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: Ernest A. Vizetelly</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 5, 2003 [eBook #8726]<br /> +[Most recently updated: March 7, 2022]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Dagny and David Widger</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROME ***</div> + +<h1>ROME</h1> + +<h2 class="no-break">Of the Three Cities</h2> + +<h2 class="no-break">By Émile Zola</h2> + +<h3>Translated By Ernest A. Vizetelly</h3> + +<hr /> + + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> <b>ROME</b> </a><br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART1"> <b>PART I.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> III. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART2"> <b>PART II.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> VI. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART3"> <b>PART III.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0046"> VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0048"> IX. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART4"> <b>PART IV.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0050"> X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0051"> XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0052"> XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0053"> XIII. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART5"> <b>PART V.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0055"> XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0056"> XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0057"> XVI. </a> + </p> + + <hr /> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"></a> + ROME + </h2> + <h3> + FROM “THE THREE CITIES” + </h3> + + <h2> + By Émile Zola + </h2> + + <h3> + Translated By Ernest A. Vizetelly + </h3> + + <hr /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"></a> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + IN submitting to the English-speaking public this second volume of M. + Zola’s trilogy “Lourdes, Rome, Paris,” I have no prefatory remarks to + offer on behalf of the author, whose views on Rome, its past, present, and + future, will be found fully expounded in the following pages. That a book + of this character will, like its forerunner “Lourdes,” provoke + considerable controversy is certain, but comment or rejoinder may well be + postponed until that controversy has arisen. At present then I only desire + to say, that in spite of the great labour which I have bestowed on this + translation, I am sensible of its shortcomings, and in a work of such + length, such intricacy, and such a wide range of subject, it will not be + surprising if some slips are discovered. Any errors which may be pointed + out to me, however, shall be rectified in subsequent editions. I have + given, I think, the whole essence of M. Zola’s text; but he himself has + admitted to me that he has now and again allowed his pen to run away with + him, and thus whilst sacrificing nothing of his sense I have at times + abbreviated his phraseology so as slightly to condense the book. I may add + that there are no chapter headings in the original, and that the + circumstances under which the translation was made did not permit me to + supply any whilst it was passing through the press; however, as some + indication of the contents of the book—which treats of many more + things than are usually found in novels—may be a convenience to the + reader, I have prepared a table briefly epitomising the chief features of + each successive chapter. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + E. A. V. + + MERTON, SURREY, ENGLAND, + April, 1896. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DETAILED CONTENTS + + PART I. I + “NEW ROME”—Abbe Froment in the Eternal City—His First Impressions—His + Book and the Rejuvenation of Christianity + + II + “BLACK MOUTH, RED SOUL”—The Boccaneras, their Mansion, Ancestors, + History, and Friends + + III + ROMANS OF THE CHURCH—Cardinals Boccanera and Sanguinetti—Abbes + Paparelli and Santobono—Don Vigilio—Monsignor Nani +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CONTENTS TO PART II. IV + ROMANS OF NEW ITALY—The Pradas and the Saccos—The Corso and the Pincio + + V + THE BLOOD OF AUGUSTUS—The Palaces of the Caesars—The Capitol—The + Forum—The Appian Way—The Campagna—The Catacombs—St. Peter’s. + + VI + VENUS AND HERCULES—The Vatican—The Sixtine Chapel—Michael Angelo and + Raffaelle—Botticelli and Bernini—Gods and Goddesses—The Gardens—Leo + XIII—The Revolt of Passion +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CONTENTS TO PART III. VII + PRINCE AND PONTIFF—The International Pilgrimage—The Papal Revenue—A + Function at St. Peter’s—The Pope-King—The Temporal Power + + VIII + THE POOR AND THE POPE—The Building Mania—The Financial Crash—The + Horrors of the Castle Fields—The Roman Workman—May Christ’s Vicar + Gamble?—Hopes and Fears of the Papacy + + IX + TITO’s WARNING—Aspects of Rome—The Via Giulia—The Tiber by Day—The + Gardens—The Villa Medici—-The Squares—The Fountains—Poussin and the + Campagna—The Campo Verano—The Trastevere—The “Palaces”—Aristocracy, + Middle Class, Democracy—The Tiber by Night +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CONTENTS TO PART IV. X + FROM PILLAR TO POST—The Propaganda—The Index—Dominicans, Jesuits, + Franciscans—The Secular Clergy—Roman Worship—Freemasonry—Cardinal + Vicar and Cardinal Secretary—The Inquisition. + + XI + POISON!—Frascati—A Cardinal and his Creature—Albano, Castel Gandolfo, + Nemi—Across the Campagna—An Osteria—Destiny on the March + + XII + THE AGONY OF PASSION—A Roman Gala—The Buongiovannis—The Grey + World—The Triumph of Benedetta—King Humbert and Queen Margherita—The + Fig-tree of Judas + + XIII + DESTINY!—A Happy Morning—The Mid-day Meal—Dario and the Figs—Extreme + Unction—Benedetta’s Curse—The Lovers’ Death +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CONTENTS TO PART V. XIV + SUBMISSION—The Vatican by Night—The Papal Anterooms—Some Great + Popes—His Holiness’s Bed-room—Pierre’s Reception—Papal Wrath—Pierre’s + Appeal—The Pope’s Policy—Dogma and Lourdes—Pierre Reprobates his Book + + XV + A HOUSE OF MOURNING—Lying in State—Mother and Son—Princess and + Work-girl—Nani the Jesuit—Rival Cardinals—The Pontiff of Destruction + + XVI + JUDGMENT—Pierre and Orlando—Italian Rome—Wanted, a Democracy—Italy + and France—The Rome of the Anarchists—The Agony of Guilt—A + Botticelli—The Papacy Condemned—The Coming Schism—The March of + Science—The Destruction of Rome—The Victory of Reason—Justice not + Charity—Departure—The March of Civilisation—One Fatherland for All + Mankind +</pre> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2> + ROME + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_PART1" id="link2H_PART1"></a> + PART I. + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"></a> + I. + </h2> + <p> + THE train had been greatly delayed during the night between Pisa and + Civita Vecchia, and it was close upon nine o’clock in the morning when, + after a fatiguing journey of twenty-five hours’ duration, Abbe Pierre + Froment at last reached Rome. He had brought only a valise with him, and, + springing hastily out of the railway carriage amidst the scramble of the + arrival, he brushed the eager porters aside, intent on carrying his + trifling luggage himself, so anxious was he to reach his destination, to + be alone, and look around him. And almost immediately, on the Piazza dei + Cinquecento, in front of the railway station, he climbed into one of the + small open cabs ranged alongside the footwalk, and placed the valise near + him after giving the driver this address: + </p> + <p> + “Via Giulia, Palazzo Boccanera.” * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Boccanera mansion, Julia Street. +</pre> + <p> + It was a Monday, the 3rd of September, a beautifully bright and mild + morning, with a clear sky overhead. The cabby, a plump little man with + sparkling eyes and white teeth, smiled on realising by Pierre’s accent + that he had to deal with a French priest. Then he whipped up his lean + horse, and the vehicle started off at the rapid pace customary to the + clean and cheerful cabs of Rome. However, on reaching the Piazza delle + Terme, after skirting the greenery of a little public garden, the man + turned round, still smiling, and pointing to some ruins with his whip, + </p> + <p> + “The baths of Diocletian,” said he in broken French, like an obliging + driver who is anxious to court favour with foreigners in order to secure + their custom. + </p> + <p> + Then, at a fast trot, the vehicle descended the rapid slope of the Via + Nazionale, which dips down from the summit of the Viminalis,* where the + railway station is situated. And from that moment the driver scarcely + ceased turning round and pointing at the monuments with his whip. In this + broad new thoroughfare there were only buildings of recent erection. + Still, the wave of the cabman’s whip became more pronounced and his voice + rose to a higher key, with a somewhat ironical inflection, when he gave + the name of a huge and still chalky pile on his left, a gigantic erection + of stone, overladen with sculptured work-pediments and statues. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * One of the seven hills on which Rome is built. The other six + are the Capitoline, Aventine, Quirinal, Esquiline, Coelian, + and Palatine. These names will perforce frequently occur in + the present narrative. +</pre> + <p> + “The National Bank!” he said. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, during the week which had followed his resolve to make + the journey, had spent wellnigh every day in studying Roman topography in + maps and books. Thus he could have directed his steps to any given spot + without inquiring his way, and he anticipated most of the driver’s + explanations. At the same time he was disconcerted by the sudden slopes, + the perpetually recurring hills, on which certain districts rose, house + above house, in terrace fashion. On his right-hand clumps of greenery were + now climbing a height, and above them stretched a long bare yellow + building of barrack or convent-like aspect. + </p> + <p> + “The Quirinal, the King’s palace,” said the driver. + </p> + <p> + Lower down, as the cab turned across a triangular square, Pierre, on + raising his eyes, was delighted to perceive a sort of aerial garden high + above him—a garden which was upheld by a lofty smooth wall, and + whence the elegant and vigorous silhouette of a parasol pine, many + centuries old, rose aloft into the limpid heavens. At this sight he + realised all the pride and grace of Rome. + </p> + <p> + “The Villa Aldobrandini,” the cabman called. + </p> + <p> + Then, yet lower down, there came a fleeting vision which decisively + impassioned Pierre. The street again made a sudden bend, and in one + corner, beyond a short dim alley, there was a blazing gap of light. On a + lower level appeared a white square, a well of sunshine, filled with a + blinding golden dust; and amidst all that morning glory there arose a + gigantic marble column, gilt from base to summit on the side which the sun + in rising had laved with its beams for wellnigh eighteen hundred years. + And Pierre was surprised when the cabman told him the name of the column, + for in his mind he had never pictured it soaring aloft in such a dazzling + cavity with shadows all around. It was the column of Trajan. + </p> + <p> + The Via Nazionale turned for the last time at the foot of the slope. And + then other names fell hastily from the driver’s lips as his horse went on + at a fast trot. There was the Palazzo Colonna, with its garden edged by + meagre cypresses; the Palazzo Torlonia, almost ripped open by recent + “improvements”; the Palazzo di Venezia, bare and fearsome, with its + crenelated walls, its stern and tragic appearance, that of some fortress + of the middle ages, forgotten there amidst the commonplace life of + nowadays. Pierre’s surprise increased at the unexpected aspect which + certain buildings and streets presented; and the keenest blow of all was + dealt him when the cabman with his whip triumphantly called his attention + to the Corso, a long narrow thoroughfare, about as broad as Fleet Street,* + white with sunshine on the left, and black with shadows on the right, + whilst at the far end the Piazza del Popolo (the Square of the People) + showed like a bright star. Was this, then, the heart of the city, the + vaunted promenade, the street brimful of life, whither flowed all the + blood of Rome? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * M. Zola likens the Corso to the Rue St. Honore in Paris, but + I have thought that an English comparison would be preferable + in the present version.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + However, the cab was already entering the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which + follows the Via Nazionale, these being the two piercings effected right + across the olden city from the railway station to the bridge of St. + Angelo. On the left-hand the rounded apsis of the Gesu church looked quite + golden in the morning brightness. Then, between the church and the heavy + Altieri palace which the “improvers” had not dared to demolish, the street + became narrower, and one entered into cold, damp shade. But a moment + afterwards, before the facade of the Gesu, when the square was reached, + the sun again appeared, dazzling, throwing golden sheets of light around; + whilst afar off at the end of the Via di Ara Coeli, steeped in shadow, a + glimpse could be caught of some sunlit palm-trees. + </p> + <p> + “That’s the Capitol yonder,” said the cabman. + </p> + <p> + The priest hastily leant to the left, but only espied the patch of + greenery at the end of the dim corridor-like street. The sudden + alternations of warm light and cold shade made him shiver. In front of the + Palazzo di Venezia, and in front of the Gesu, it had seemed to him as if + all the night of ancient times were falling icily upon his shoulders; but + at each fresh square, each broadening of the new thoroughfares, there came + a return to light, to the pleasant warmth and gaiety of life. The yellow + sunflashes, in falling from the house fronts, sharply outlined the + violescent shadows. Strips of sky, very blue and very benign, could be + perceived between the roofs. And it seemed to Pierre that the air he + breathed had a particular savour, which he could not yet quite define, but + it was like that of fruit, and increased the feverishness which had + possessed him ever since his arrival. + </p> + <p> + The Corso Vittorio Emanuele is, in spite of its irregularity, a very fine + modern thoroughfare; and for a time Pierre might have fancied himself in + any great city full of huge houses let out in flats. But when he passed + before the Cancelleria,* Bramante’s masterpiece, the typical monument of + the Roman Renascence, his astonishment came back to him and his mind + returned to the mansions which he had previously espied, those bare, huge, + heavy edifices, those vast cubes of stone-work resembling hospitals or + prisons. Never would he have imagined that the famous Roman “palaces” were + like that, destitute of all grace and fancy and external magnificence. + However, they were considered very fine and must be so; he would doubtless + end by understanding things, but for that he would require reflection.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Formerly the residence of the Papal Vice-Chancellors. + + ** It is as well to point out at once that a palazzo is not a + palace as we understand the term, but rather a mansion.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + All at once the cab turned out of the populous Corso Vittorio Emanuele + into a succession of winding alleys, through which it had difficulty in + making its way. Quietude and solitude now came back again; the olden city, + cold and somniferous, followed the new city with its bright sunshine and + its crowds. Pierre remembered the maps which he had consulted, and + realised that he was drawing near to the Via Giulia, and thereupon his + curiosity, which had been steadily increasing, augmented to such a point + that he suffered from it, full of despair at not seeing more and learning + more at once. In the feverish state in which he had found himself ever + since leaving the station, his astonishment at not finding things such as + he had expected, the many shocks that his imagination had received, + aggravated his passion beyond endurance, and brought him an acute desire + to satisfy himself immediately. Nine o’clock had struck but a few minutes + previously, he had the whole morning before him to repair to the Boccanera + palace, so why should he not at once drive to the classic spot, the summit + whence one perceives the whole of Rome spread out upon her seven hills? + And when once this thought had entered into his mind it tortured him until + he was at last compelled to yield to it. + </p> + <p> + The driver no longer turned his head, so that Pierre rose up to give him + this new address: “To San Pietro in Montorio!” + </p> + <p> + On hearing him the man at first looked astonished, unable to understand. + He indicated with his whip that San Pietro was yonder, far away. However, + as the priest insisted, he again smiled complacently, with a friendly nod + of his head. All right! For his own part he was quite willing. + </p> + <p> + The horse then went on at a more rapid pace through the maze of narrow + streets. One of these was pent between high walls, and the daylight + descended into it as into a deep trench. But at the end came a sudden + return to light, and the Tiber was crossed by the antique bridge of Sixtus + IV, right and left of which stretched the new quays, amidst the ravages + and fresh plaster-work of recent erections. On the other side of the river + the Trastevere district also was ripped open, and the vehicle ascended the + slope of the Janiculum by a broad thoroughfare where large slabs bore the + name of Garibaldi. For the last time the driver made a gesture of + good-natured pride as he named this triumphal route. + </p> + <p> + “Via Garibaldi!” + </p> + <p> + The horse had been obliged to slacken its pace, and Pierre, mastered by + childish impatience, turned round to look at the city as by degrees it + spread out and revealed itself behind him. The ascent was a long one; + fresh districts were ever rising up, even to the most distant hills. Then, + in the increasing emotion which made his heart beat, the young priest felt + that he was spoiling the contentment of his desire by thus gradually + satisfying it, slowly and but partially effecting his conquest of the + horizon. He wished to receive the shock full in the face, to behold all + Rome at one glance, to gather the holy city together, and embrace the + whole of it at one grasp. And thereupon he mustered sufficient strength of + mind to refrain from turning round any more, in spite of the impulses of + his whole being. + </p> + <p> + There is a spacious terrace on the summit of the incline. The church of + San Pietro in Montorio stands there, on the spot where, as some say, St. + Peter was crucified. The square is bare and brown, baked by the hot summer + suns; but a little further away in the rear, the clear and noisy waters of + the Acqua Paola fall bubbling from the three basins of a monumental + fountain amidst sempiternal freshness. And alongside the terrace parapet, + on the very crown of the Trastevere, there are always rows of tourists, + slim Englishmen and square-built Germans, agape with traditional + admiration, or consulting their guide-books in order to identify the + monuments. + </p> + <p> + Pierre sprang lightly from the cab, leaving his valise on the seat, and + making a sign to the driver, who went to join the row of waiting cabs, and + remained philosophically seated on his box in the full sunlight, his head + drooping like that of his horse, both resigning themselves to the + customary long stoppage. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Pierre, erect against the parapet, in his tight black cassock, + and with his bare feverish hands nervously clenched, was gazing before him + with all his eyes, with all his soul. Rome! Rome! the city of the Caesars, + the city of the Popes, the Eternal City which has twice conquered the + world, the predestined city of the glowing dream in which he had indulged + for months! At last it was before him, at last his eyes beheld it! During + the previous days some rainstorms had abated the intense August heat, and + on that lovely September morning the air had freshened under the pale blue + of the spotless far-spreading heavens. And the Rome that Pierre beheld was + a Rome steeped in mildness, a visionary Rome which seemed to evaporate in + the clear sunshine. A fine bluey haze, scarcely perceptible, as delicate + as gauze, hovered over the roofs of the low-lying districts; whilst the + vast Campagna, the distant hills, died away in a pale pink flush. At first + Pierre distinguished nothing, sought no particular edifice or spot, but + gave sight and soul alike to the whole of Rome, to the living colossus + spread out below him, on a soil compounded of the dust of generations. + Each century had renewed the city’s glory as with the sap of immortal + youth. And that which struck Pierre, that which made his heart leap within + him, was that he found Rome such as he had desired to find her, fresh and + youthful, with a volatile, almost incorporeal, gaiety of aspect, smiling + as at the hope of a new life in the pure dawn of a lovely day. + </p> + <p> + And standing motionless before the sublime vista, with his hands still + clenched and burning, Pierre in a few minutes again lived the last three + years of his life. Ah! what a terrible year had the first been, spent in + his little house at Neuilly, with doors and windows ever closed, burrowing + there like some wounded animal suffering unto death. He had come back from + Lourdes with his soul desolate, his heart bleeding, with nought but ashes + within him. Silence and darkness fell upon the ruins of his love and his + faith. Days and days went by, without a pulsation of his veins, without + the faintest gleam arising to brighten the gloom of his abandonment. His + life was a mechanical one; he awaited the necessary courage to resume the + tenor of existence in the name of sovereign reason, which had imposed upon + him the sacrifice of everything. Why was he not stronger, more resistant, + why did he not quietly adapt his life to his new opinions? As he was + unwilling to cast off his cassock, through fidelity to the love of one and + disgust of backsliding, why did he not seek occupation in some science + suited to a priest, such as astronomy or archaeology? The truth was that + something, doubtless his mother’s spirit, wept within him, an infinite, + distracted love which nothing had yet satisfied and which ever despaired + of attaining contentment. Therein lay the perpetual suffering of his + solitude: beneath the lofty dignity of reason regained, the wound still + lingered, raw and bleeding. + </p> + <p> + One autumn evening, however, under a dismal rainy sky, chance brought him + into relations with an old priest, Abbe Rose, who was curate at the church + of Ste. Marguerite, in the Faubourg St. Antoine. He went to see Abbe Rose + in the Rue de Charonne, where in the depths of a damp ground floor he had + transformed three rooms into an asylum for abandoned children, whom he + picked up in the neighbouring streets. And from that moment Pierre’s life + changed, a fresh and all-powerful source of interest had entered into it, + and by degrees he became the old priest’s passionate helper. It was a long + way from Neuilly to the Rue de Charonne, and at first he only made the + journey twice a week. But afterwards he bestirred himself every day, + leaving home in the morning and not returning until night. As the three + rooms no longer sufficed for the asylum, he rented the first floor of the + house, reserving for himself a chamber in which ultimately he often slept. + And all his modest income was expended there, in the prompt succouring of + poor children; and the old priest, delighted, touched to tears by the + young devoted help which had come to him from heaven, would often embrace + Pierre, weeping, and call him a child of God. + </p> + <p> + It was then that Pierre knew want and wretchedness—wicked, + abominable wretchedness; then that he lived amidst it for two long years. + The acquaintance began with the poor little beings whom he picked up on + the pavements, or whom kind-hearted neighbours brought to him now that the + asylum was known in the district—little boys, little girls, tiny + mites stranded on the streets whilst their fathers and mothers were + toiling, drinking, or dying. The father had often disappeared, the mother + had gone wrong, drunkenness and debauchery had followed slack times into + the home; and then the brood was swept into the gutter, and the younger + ones half perished of cold and hunger on the footways, whilst their elders + betook themselves to courses of vice and crime. One evening Pierre rescued + from the wheels of a stone-dray two little nippers, brothers, who could + not even give him an address, tell him whence they had come. On another + evening he returned to the asylum with a little girl in his arms, a + fair-haired little angel, barely three years old, whom he had found on a + bench, and who sobbed, saying that her mother had left her there. And by a + logical chain of circumstances, after dealing with the fleshless, pitiful + fledglings ousted from their nests, he came to deal with the parents, to + enter their hovels, penetrating each day further and further into a + hellish sphere, and ultimately acquiring knowledge of all its frightful + horror, his heart meantime bleeding, rent by terrified anguish and + impotent charity. + </p> + <p> + Oh! the grievous City of Misery, the bottomless abyss of human suffering + and degradation—how frightful were his journeys through it during + those two years which distracted his whole being! In that Ste. Marguerite + district of Paris, in the very heart of that Faubourg St. Antoine, so + active and so brave for work, however hard, he discovered no end of sordid + dwellings, whole lanes and alleys of hovels without light or air, + cellar-like in their dampness, and where a multitude of wretches wallowed + and suffered as from poison. All the way up the shaky staircases one’s + feet slipped upon filth. On every story there was the same destitution, + dirt, and promiscuity. Many windows were paneless, and in swept the wind + howling, and the rain pouring torrentially. Many of the inmates slept on + the bare tiled floors, never unclothing themselves. There was neither + furniture nor linen, the life led there was essentially an animal life, a + commingling of either sex and of every age—humanity lapsing into + animality through lack of even indispensable things, through indigence of + so complete a character that men, women, and children fought even with + tooth and nail for the very crumbs swept from the tables of the rich. And + the worst of it all was the degradation of the human being; this was no + case of the free naked savage, hunting and devouring his prey in the + primeval forests; here civilised man was found, sunk into brutishness, + with all the stigmas of his fall, debased, disfigured, and enfeebled, + amidst the luxury and refinement of that city of Paris which is one of the + queens of the world. + </p> + <p> + In every household Pierre heard the same story. There had been youth and + gaiety at the outset, brave acceptance of the law that one must work. Then + weariness had come; what was the use of always toiling if one were never + to get rich? And so, by way of snatching a share of happiness, the husband + turned to drink; the wife neglected her home, also drinking at times, and + letting the children grow up as they might. Sordid surroundings, + ignorance, and overcrowding did the rest. In the great majority of cases, + prolonged lack of work was mostly to blame; for this not only empties the + drawers of the savings hidden away in them, but exhausts human courage, + and tends to confirmed habits of idleness. During long weeks the workshops + empty, and the arms of the toilers lose strength. In all Paris, so + feverishly inclined to action, it is impossible to find the slightest + thing to do. And then the husband comes home in the evening with tearful + eyes, having vainly offered his arms everywhere, having failed even to get + a job at street-sweeping, for that employment is much sought after, and to + secure it one needs influence and protectors. Is it not monstrous to see a + man seeking work that he may eat, and finding no work and therefore no + food in this great city resplendent and resonant with wealth? The wife + does not eat, the children do not eat. And then comes black famine, + brutishness, and finally revolt and the snapping of all social ties under + the frightful injustice meted out to poor beings who by their weakness are + condemned to death. And the old workman, he whose limbs have been worn out + by half a century of hard toil, without possibility of saving a copper, on + what pallet of agony, in what dark hole must he not sink to die? Should he + then be finished off with a mallet, like a crippled beast of burden, on + the day when ceasing to work he also ceases to eat? Almost all pass away + in the hospitals, others disappear, unknown, swept off by the muddy flow + of the streets. One morning, on some rotten straw in a loathsome hovel, + Pierre found a poor devil who had died of hunger and had been forgotten + there for a week. The rats had devoured his face. + </p> + <p> + But it was particularly on an evening of the last winter that Pierre’s + heart had overflowed with pity. Awful in winter time are the sufferings of + the poor in their fireless hovels, where the snow penetrates by every + chink. The Seine rolls blocks of ice, the soil is frost-bound, in all + sorts of callings there is an enforced cessation of work. Bands of + urchins, barefooted, scarcely clad, hungry and racked by coughing, wander + about the ragpickers’ “rents” and are carried off by sudden hurricanes of + consumption. Pierre found families, women with five and six children, who + had not eaten for three days, and who huddled together in heaps to try to + keep themselves warm. And on that terrible evening, before anybody else, + he went down a dark passage and entered a room of terror, where he found + that a mother had just committed suicide with her five little ones—driven + to it by despair and hunger—a tragedy of misery which for a few + hours would make all Paris shudder! There was not an article of furniture + or linen left in the place; it had been necessary to sell everything bit + by bit to a neighbouring dealer. There was nothing but the stove where the + charcoal was still smoking and a half-emptied palliasse on which the + mother had fallen, suckling her last-born, a babe but three months old. + And a drop of blood had trickled from the nipple of her breast, towards + which the dead infant still protruded its eager lips. Two little girls, + three and five years old, two pretty little blondes, were also lying + there, sleeping the eternal sleep side by side; whilst of the two boys, + who were older, one had succumbed crouching against the wall with his head + between his hands, and the other had passed through the last throes on the + floor, struggling as though he had sought to crawl on his knees to the + window in order to open it. Some neighbours, hurrying in, told Pierre the + fearful commonplace story; slow ruin, the father unable to find work, + perchance taking to drink, the landlord weary of waiting, threatening the + family with expulsion, and the mother losing her head, thirsting for + death, and prevailing on her little ones to die with her, while her + husband, who had been out since the morning, was vainly scouring the + streets. Just as the Commissary of Police arrived to verify what had + happened, the poor devil returned, and when he had seen and understood + things, he fell to the ground like a stunned ox, and raised a prolonged, + plaintive howl, such a poignant cry of death that the whole terrified + street wept at it. + </p> + <p> + Both in his ears and in his heart Pierre carried away with him that + horrible cry, the plaint of a condemned race expiring amidst abandonment + and hunger; and that night he could neither eat nor sleep. Was it possible + that such abomination, such absolute destitution, such black misery + leading straight to death should exist in the heart of that great city of + Paris, brimful of wealth, intoxicated with enjoyment, flinging millions + out of the windows for mere pleasure? What! there should on one side be + such colossal fortunes, so many foolish fancies gratified, with lives + endowed with every happiness, whilst on the other was found inveterate + poverty, lack even of bread, absence of every hope, and mothers killing + themselves with their babes, to whom they had nought to offer but the + blood of their milkless breast! And a feeling of revolt stirred Pierre; he + was for a moment conscious of the derisive futility of charity. What + indeed was the use of doing that which he did—picking up the little + ones, succouring the parents, prolonging the sufferings of the aged? The + very foundations of the social edifice were rotten; all would soon + collapse amid mire and blood. A great act of justice alone could sweep the + old world away in order that the new world might be built. And at that + moment he realised so keenly how irreparable was the breach, how + irremediable the evil, how deathly the cancer of misery, that he + understood the actions of the violent, and was himself ready to accept the + devastating and purifying whirlwind, the regeneration of the world by + flame and steel, even as when in the dim ages Jehovah in His wrath sent + fire from heaven to cleanse the accursed cities of the plains. + </p> + <p> + However, on hearing him sob that evening, Abbe Rose came up to remonstrate + in fatherly fashion. The old priest was a saint, endowed with infinite + gentleness and infinite hope. Why despair indeed when one had the Gospel? + Did not the divine commandment, “Love one another,” suffice for the + salvation of the world? He, Abbe Rose, held violence in horror and was + wont to say that, however great the evil, it would soon be overcome if + humanity would but turn backward to the age of humility, simplicity, and + purity, when Christians lived together in innocent brotherhood. What a + delightful picture he drew of evangelical society, of whose second coming + he spoke with quiet gaiety as though it were to take place on the very + morrow! And Pierre, anxious to escape from his frightful recollections, + ended by smiling, by taking pleasure in Abbe Rose’s bright consoling tale. + They chatted until a late hour, and on the following days reverted to the + same subject of conversation, one which the old priest was very fond of, + ever supplying new particulars, and speaking of the approaching reign of + love and justice with the touching confidence of a good if simple man, who + is convinced that he will not die till he shall have seen the Deity + descend upon earth. + </p> + <p> + And now a fresh evolution took place in Pierre’s mind. The practice of + benevolence in that poor district had developed infinite compassion in his + breast, his heart failed him, distracted, rent by contemplation of the + misery which he despaired of healing. And in this awakening of his + feelings he often thought that his reason was giving way, he seemed to be + retracing his steps towards childhood, to that need of universal love + which his mother had implanted in him, and dreamt of chimerical solutions, + awaiting help from the unknown powers. Then his fears, his hatred of the + brutality of facts at last brought him an increasing desire to work + salvation by love. No time should be lost in seeking to avert the + frightful catastrophe which seemed inevitable, the fratricidal war of + classes which would sweep the old world away beneath the accumulation of + its crimes. Convinced that injustice had attained its apogee, that but + little time remained before the vengeful hour when the poor would compel + the rich to part with their possessions, he took pleasure in dreaming of a + peaceful solution, a kiss of peace exchanged by all men, a return to the + pure morals of the Gospel as it had been preached by Jesus. + </p> + <p> + Doubts tortured him at the outset. Could olden Catholicism be rejuvenated, + brought back to the youth and candour of primitive Christianity? He set + himself to study things, reading and questioning, and taking a more and + more passionate interest in that great problem of Catholic socialism which + had made no little noise for some years past. And quivering with pity for + the wretched, ready as he was for the miracle of fraternisation, he + gradually lost such scruples as intelligence might have prompted, and + persuaded himself that once again Christ would work the redemption of + suffering humanity. At last a precise idea took possession of him, a + conviction that Catholicism purified, brought back to its original state, + would prove the one pact, the supreme law that might save society by + averting the sanguinary crisis which threatened it. + </p> + <p> + When he had quitted Lourdes two years previously, revolted by all its + gross idolatry, his faith for ever dead, but his mind worried by the + everlasting need of the divine which tortures human creatures, a cry had + arisen within him from the deepest recesses of his being: “A new religion! + a new religion!” And it was this new religion, or rather this revived + religion which he now fancied he had discovered in his desire to work + social salvation—ensuring human happiness by means of the only moral + authority that was erect, the distant outcome of the most admirable + implement ever devised for the government of nations. + </p> + <p> + During the period of slow development through which Pierre passed, two + men, apart from Abbe Rose, exercised great influence on him. A benevolent + action brought him into intercourse with Monseigneur Bergerot, a bishop + whom the Pope had recently created a cardinal, in reward for a whole life + of charity, and this in spite of the covert opposition of the papal <i>curia</i> + which suspected the French prelate to be a man of open mind, governing his + diocese in paternal fashion. Pierre became more impassioned by his + intercourse with this apostle, this shepherd of souls, in whom he detected + one of the good simple leaders that he desired for the future community. + However, his apostolate was influenced even more decisively by meeting + Viscount Philibert de la Choue at the gatherings of certain workingmen’s + Catholic associations. A handsome man, with military manners, and a long + noble-looking face, spoilt by a small and broken nose which seemed to + presage the ultimate defeat of a badly balanced mind, the Viscount was one + of the most active agitators of Catholic socialism in France. He was the + possessor of vast estates, a vast fortune, though it was said that some + unsuccessful agricultural enterprises had already reduced his wealth by + nearly one-half. In the department where his property was situated he had + been at great pains to establish model farms, at which he had put his + ideas on Christian socialism into practice, but success did not seem to + follow him. However, it had all helped to secure his election as a deputy, + and he spoke in the Chamber, unfolding the programme of his party in long + and stirring speeches. + </p> + <p> + Unwearying in his ardour, he also led pilgrimages to Rome, presided over + meetings, and delivered lectures, devoting himself particularly to the + people, the conquest of whom, so he privately remarked, could alone ensure + the triumph of the Church. And thus he exercised considerable influence + over Pierre, who in him admired qualities which himself did not possess—an + organising spirit and a militant if somewhat blundering will, entirely + applied to the revival of Christian society in France. However, though the + young priest learnt a good deal by associating with him, he nevertheless + remained a sentimental dreamer, whose imagination, disdainful of political + requirements, straightway winged its flight to the future abode of + universal happiness; whereas the Viscount aspired to complete the downfall + of the liberal ideas of 1789 by utilising the disillusion and anger of the + democracy to work a return towards the past. + </p> + <p> + Pierre spent some delightful months. Never before had neophyte lived so + entirely for the happiness of others. He was all love, consumed by the + passion of his apostolate. The sight of the poor wretches whom he visited, + the men without work, the women, the children without bread, filled him + with a keener and keener conviction that a new religion must arise to put + an end to all the injustice which otherwise would bring the rebellious + world to a violent death. And he was resolved to employ all his strength + in effecting and hastening the intervention of the divine, the + resuscitation of primitive Christianity. His Catholic faith remained dead; + he still had no belief in dogmas, mysteries, and miracles; but a hope + sufficed him, the hope that the Church might still work good, by + connecting itself with the irresistible modern democratic movement, so as + to save the nations from the social catastrophe which impended. His soul + had grown calm since he had taken on himself the mission of replanting the + Gospel in the hearts of the hungry and growling people of the Faubourgs. + He was now leading an active life, and suffered less from the frightful + void which he had brought back from Lourdes; and as he no longer + questioned himself, the anguish of uncertainty no longer tortured him. It + was with the serenity which attends the simple accomplishment of duty that + he continued to say his mass. He even finished by thinking that the + mystery which he thus celebrated—indeed, that all the mysteries and + all the dogmas were but symbols—rites requisite for humanity in its + childhood, which would be got rid of later on, when enlarged, purified, + and instructed humanity should be able to support the brightness of naked + truth. + </p> + <p> + And in his zealous desire to be useful, his passion to proclaim his belief + aloud, Pierre one morning found himself at his table writing a book. This + had come about quite naturally; the book proceeded from him like a + heart-cry, without any literary idea having crossed his mind. One night, + whilst he lay awake, its title suddenly flashed before his eyes in the + darkness: “NEW ROME.” That expressed everything, for must not the new + redemption of the nations originate in eternal and holy Rome? The only + existing authority was found there; rejuvenescence could only spring from + the sacred soil where the old Catholic oak had grown. He wrote his book in + a couple of months, having unconsciously prepared himself for the work by + his studies in contemporary socialism during a year past. There was a + bubbling flow in his brain as in a poet’s; it seemed to him sometimes as + if he dreamt those pages, as if an internal distant voice dictated them to + him. + </p> + <p> + When he read passages written on the previous day to Viscount Philibert de + la Choue, the latter often expressed keen approval of them from a + practical point of view, saying that one must touch the people in order to + lead them, and that it would also be a good plan to compose pious and yet + amusing songs for singing in the workshops. As for Monseigneur Bergerot, + without examining the book from the dogmatic standpoint, he was deeply + touched by the glowing breath of charity which every page exhaled, and was + even guilty of the imprudence of writing an approving letter to the + author, which letter he authorised him to insert in his work by way of + preface. And yet now the Congregation of the Index Expurgatorius was about + to place this book, issued in the previous June, under interdict; and it + was to defend it that the young priest had hastened to Rome, inflamed by + the desire to make his ideas prevail, and resolved to plead his cause in + person before the Holy Father, having, he was convinced of it, simply + given expression to the pontiff’s views. + </p> + <p> + Pierre had not stirred whilst thus living his three last years afresh: he + still stood erect before the parapet, before Rome, which he had so often + dreamt of and had so keenly desired to see. There was a constant + succession of arriving and departing vehicles behind him; the slim + Englishmen and the heavy Germans passed away after bestowing on the + classic view the five minutes prescribed by their guidebooks; whilst the + driver and the horse of Pierre’s cab remained waiting complacently, each + with his head drooping under the bright sun, which was heating the valise + on the seat of the vehicle. And Pierre, in his black cassock, seemed to + have grown slimmer and elongated, very slight of build, as he stood there + motionless, absorbed in the sublime spectacle. He had lost flesh after his + journey to Lourdes, his features too had become less pronounced. Since his + mother’s part in his nature had regained ascendency, the broad, straight + forehead, the intellectual air which he owed to his father seemed to have + grown less conspicuous, while his kind and somewhat large mouth, and his + delicate chin, bespeaking infinite affection, dominated, revealing his + soul, which also glowed in the kindly sparkle of his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Ah! how tender and glowing were the eyes with which he gazed upon the Rome + of his book, the new Rome that he had dreamt of! If, first of all, the <i>ensemble</i> + had claimed his attention in the soft and somewhat veiled light of that + lovely morning, at present he could distinguish details, and let his + glance rest upon particular edifices. And it was with childish delight + that he identified them, having long studied them in maps and collections + of photographs. Beneath his feet, at the bottom of the Janiculum, + stretched the Trastevere district with its chaos of old ruddy houses, + whose sunburnt tiles hid the course of the Tiber. He was somewhat + surprised by the flattish aspect of everything as seen from the terraced + summit. It was as though a bird’s-eye view levelled the city, the famous + hills merely showing like bosses, swellings scarcely perceptible amidst + the spreading sea of house-fronts. Yonder, on the right, distinct against + the distant blue of the Alban mountains, was certainly the Aventine with + its three churches half-hidden by foliage; there, too, was the discrowned + Palatine, edged as with black fringe by a line of cypresses. In the rear, + the Coelian hill faded away, showing only the trees of the Villa Mattei + paling in the golden sunshine. The slender spire and two little domes of + Sta. Maria Maggiore alone indicated the summit of the Esquiline, right in + front and far away at the other end of the city; whilst on the heights of + the neighbouring Viminal, Pierre only perceived a confused mass of whitish + blocks, steeped in light and streaked with fine brown lines—recent + erections, no doubt, which at that distance suggested an abandoned stone + quarry. He long sought the Capitol without being able to discover it; he + had to take his bearings, and ended by convincing himself that the square + tower, modestly lost among surrounding house-roofs, which he saw in front + of Sta. Maria Maggiore was its campanile. Next, on the left, came the + Quirinal, recognisable by the long facade of the royal palace, a barrack + or hospital-like facade, flat, crudely yellow in hue, and pierced by an + infinite number of regularly disposed windows. However, as Pierre was + completing the circuit, a sudden vision made him stop short. Without the + city, above the trees of the Botanical Garden, the dome of St. Peter’s + appeared to him. It seemed to be poised upon the greenery, and rose up + into the pure blue sky, sky-blue itself and so ethereal that it mingled + with the azure of the infinite. The stone lantern which surmounts it, + white and dazzling, looked as though it were suspended on high. + </p> + <p> + Pierre did not weary, and his glances incessantly travelled from one end + of the horizon to the other. They lingered on the noble outlines, the + proud gracefulness of the town-sprinkled Sabine and Alban mountains, whose + girdle limited the expanse. The Roman Campagna spread out in far + stretches, bare and majestic, like a desert of death, with the glaucous + green of a stagnant sea; and he ended by distinguishing “the stern round + tower” of the tomb of Cecilia Metella, behind which a thin pale line + indicated the ancient Appian Way. Remnants of aqueducts strewed the short + herbage amidst the dust of the fallen worlds. And, bringing his glance + nearer in, the city again appeared with its jumble of edifices, on which + his eyes lighted at random. Close at hand, by its loggia turned towards + the river, he recognised the huge tawny cube of the Palazzo Farnese. The + low cupola, farther away and scarcely visible, was probably that of the + Pantheon. Then by sudden leaps came the freshly whitened walls of San + Paolo-fuori-le-Mura,* similar to those of some huge barn, and the statues + crowning San Giovanni in Laterano, delicate, scarcely as big as insects. + Next the swarming of domes, that of the Gesu, that of San Carlo, that of + St’. Andrea della Valle, that of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini; then a + number of other sites and edifices, all quivering with memories, the + castle of St’. Angelo with its glittering statue of the Destroying Angel, + the Villa Medici dominating the entire city, the terrace of the Pincio + with its marbles showing whitely among its scanty verdure; and the + thick-foliaged trees of the Villa Borghese, whose green crests bounded the + horizon. Vainly however did Pierre seek the Colosseum. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * St. Paul-beyond-the-walls. +</pre> + <p> + The north wind, which was blowing very mildly, had now begun to dissipate + the morning haze. Whole districts vigorously disentangled themselves, and + showed against the vaporous distance like promontories in a sunlit sea. + Here and there, in the indistinct swarming of houses, a strip of white + wall glittered, a row of window panes flared, or a garden supplied a black + splotch, of wondrous intensity of hue. And all the rest, the medley of + streets and squares, the endless blocks of buildings, scattered about on + either hand, mingled and grew indistinct in the living glory of the sun, + whilst long coils of white smoke, which had ascended from the roofs, + slowly traversed the pure sky. + </p> + <p> + Guided by a secret influence, however, Pierre soon ceased to take interest + in all but three points of the mighty panorama. That line of slender + cypresses which set a black fringe on the height of the Palatine yonder + filled him with emotion: beyond it he saw only a void: the palaces of the + Caesars had disappeared, had fallen, had been razed by time; and he evoked + their memory, he fancied he could see them rise like vague, trembling + phantoms of gold amidst the purple of that splendid morning. Then his + glances reverted to St. Peter’s, and there the dome yet soared aloft, + screening the Vatican which he knew was beside the colossus, clinging to + its flanks. And that dome, of the same colour as the heavens, appeared so + triumphant, so full of strength, so vast, that it seemed to him like a + giant king, dominating the whole city and seen from every spot throughout + eternity. Then he fixed his eyes on the height in front of him, on the + Quirinal, and there the King’s palace no longer appeared aught but a flat + low barracks bedaubed with yellow paint. + </p> + <p> + And for him all the secular history of Rome, with its constant convulsions + and successive resurrections, found embodiment in that symbolical + triangle, in those three summits gazing at one another across the Tiber. + Ancient Rome blossoming forth in a piling up of palaces and temples, the + monstrous florescence of imperial power and splendour; Papal Rome, + victorious in the middle ages, mistress of the world, bringing that + colossal church, symbolical of beauty regained, to weigh upon all + Christendom; and the Rome of to-day, which he knew nothing of, which he + had neglected, and whose royal palace, so bare and so cold, brought him + disparaging ideas—the idea of some out-of-place, bureaucratic + effort, some sacrilegious attempt at modernity in an exceptional city + which should have been left entirely to the dreams of the future. However, + he shook off the almost painful feelings which the importunate present + brought to him, and would not let his eyes rest on a pale new district, + quite a little town, in course of erection, no doubt, which he could + distinctly see near St. Peter’s on the margin of the river. He had dreamt + of his own new Rome, and still dreamt of it, even in front of the Palatine + whose edifices had crumbled in the dust of centuries, of the dome of St. + Peter’s whose huge shadow lulled the Vatican to sleep, of the Palace of + the Quirinal repaired and repainted, reigning in homely fashion over the + new districts which swarmed on every side, while with its ruddy roofs the + olden city, ripped up by improvements, coruscated beneath the bright + morning sun. + </p> + <p> + Again did the title of his book, “NEW ROME,” flare before Pierre’s eyes, + and another reverie carried him off; he lived his book afresh even as he + had just lived his life. He had written it amid a flow of enthusiasm, + utilising the <i>data</i> which he had accumulated at random; and its + division into three parts, past, present, and future, had at once forced + itself upon him. + </p> + <p> + The PAST was the extraordinary story of primitive Christianity, of the + slow evolution which had turned this Christianity into present-day + Catholicism. He showed that an economical question is invariably hidden + beneath each religious evolution, and that, upon the whole, the + everlasting evil, the everlasting struggle, has never been aught but one + between the rich and the poor. Among the Jews, when their nomadic life was + over, and they had conquered the land of Canaan, and ownership and + property came into being, a class warfare at once broke out. There were + rich, and there were poor; thence arose the social question. The + transition had been sudden, and the new state of things so rapidly went + from bad to worse that the poor suffered keenly, and protested with the + greater violence as they still remembered the golden age of the nomadic + life. Until the time of Jesus the prophets are but rebels who surge from + out the misery of the people, proclaim its sufferings, and vent their + wrath upon the rich, to whom they prophesy every evil in punishment for + their injustice and their harshness. Jesus Himself appears as the claimant + of the rights of the poor. The prophets, whether socialists or anarchists, + had preached social equality, and called for the destruction of the world + if it were unjust. Jesus likewise brings to the wretched hatred of the + rich. All His teaching threatens wealth and property; and if by the + Kingdom of Heaven which He promised one were to understand peace and + fraternity upon this earth, there would only be a question of returning to + a life of pastoral simplicity, to the dream of the Christian community, + such as after Him it would seem to have been realised by His disciples. + During the first three centuries each Church was an experiment in + communism, a real association whose members possessed all in common—wives + excepted. This is shown to us by the apologists and early fathers of the + Church. Christianity was then but the religion of the humble and the poor, + a form of democracy, of socialism struggling against Roman society. And + when the latter toppled over, rotted by money, it succumbed far more + beneath the results of frantic speculation, swindling banks, and financial + disasters, than beneath the onslaught of barbarian hordes and the + stealthy, termite-like working of the Christians. + </p> + <p> + The money question will always be found at the bottom of everything. And a + new proof of this was supplied when Christianity, at last triumphing by + virtue of historical, social, and human causes, was proclaimed a State + religion. To ensure itself complete victory it was forced to range itself + on the side of the rich and the powerful; and one should see by means of + what artfulness and sophistry the fathers of the Church succeeded in + discovering a defence of property and wealth in the Gospel of Jesus. All + this, however, was a vital political necessity for Christianity; it was + only at this price that it became Catholicism, the universal religion. + From that time forth the powerful machine, the weapon of conquest and + rule, was reared aloft: up above were the powerful and the wealthy, those + whose duty it was to share with the poor, but who did not do so; while + down below were the poor, the toilers, who were taught resignation and + obedience, and promised the kingdom of futurity, the divine and eternal + reward—an admirable monument which has lasted for ages, and which is + entirely based on the promise of life beyond life, on the inextinguishable + thirst for immortality and justice that consumes mankind. + </p> + <p> + Pierre had completed this first part of his book, this history of the + past, by a broad sketch of Catholicism until the present time. First + appeared St. Peter, ignorant and anxious, coming to Rome by an inspiration + of genius, there to fulfil the ancient oracles which had predicted the + eternity of the Capitol. Then came the first popes, mere heads of burial + associations, the slow rise of the all-powerful papacy ever struggling to + conquer the world, unremittingly seeking to realise its dream of universal + domination. At the time of the great popes of the middle ages it thought + for a moment that it had attained its goal, that it was the sovereign + master of the nations. Would not absolute truth and right consist in the + pope being both pontiff and ruler of the world, reigning over both the + souls and the bodies of all men, even like the Deity whose vicar he is? + This, the highest and mightiest of all ambitions, one, too, that is + perfectly logical, was attained by Augustus, emperor and pontiff, master + of all the known world; and it is the glorious figure of Augustus, ever + rising anew from among the ruins of ancient Rome, which has always haunted + the popes; it is his blood which has pulsated in their veins. + </p> + <p> + But power had become divided into two parts amidst the crumbling of the + Roman empire; it was necessary to content oneself with a share, and leave + temporal government to the emperor, retaining over him, however, the right + of coronation by divine grant. The people belonged to God, and in God’s + name the pope gave the people to the emperor, and could take it from him; + an unlimited power whose most terrible weapon was excommunication, a + superior sovereignty, which carried the papacy towards real and final + possession of the empire. Looking at things broadly, the everlasting + quarrel between the pope and the emperor was a quarrel for the people, the + inert mass of humble and suffering ones, the great silent multitude whose + irremediable wretchedness was only revealed by occasional covert growls. + It was disposed of, for its good, as one might dispose of a child. Yet the + Church really contributed to civilisation, rendered constant services to + humanity, diffused abundant alms. In the convents, at any rate, the old + dream of the Christian community was ever coming back: one-third of the + wealth accumulated for the purposes of worship, the adornment and + glorification of the shrine, one-third for the priests, and one-third for + the poor. Was not this a simplification of life, a means of rendering + existence possible to the faithful who had no earthly desires, pending the + marvellous contentment of heavenly life? Give us, then, the whole earth, + and we will divide terrestrial wealth into three such parts, and you shall + see what a golden age will reign amidst the resignation and the obedience + of all! + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre went on to show how the papacy was assailed by the + greatest dangers on emerging from its all-powerfulness of the middle ages. + It was almost swept away amidst the luxury and excesses of the Renascence, + the bubbling of living sap which then gushed from eternal nature, + downtrodden and regarded as dead for ages past. More threatening still + were the stealthy awakenings of the people, of the great silent multitude + whose tongue seemed to be loosening. The Reformation burst forth like the + protest of reason and justice, like a recall to the disregarded truths of + the Gospel; and to escape total annihilation Rome needed the stern defence + of the Inquisition, the slow stubborn labour of the Council of Trent, + which strengthened the dogmas and ensured the temporal power. And then the + papacy entered into two centuries of peace and effacement, for the strong + absolute monarchies which had divided Europe among themselves could do + without it, and had ceased to tremble at the harmless thunderbolts of + excommunication or to look on the pope as aught but a master of + ceremonies, controlling certain rites. The possession of the people was no + longer subject to the same rules. Allowing that the kings still held the + people from God, it was the pope’s duty to register the donation once for + all, without ever intervening, whatever the circumstances, in the + government of states. Never was Rome farther away from the realisation of + its ancient dream of universal dominion. And when the French Revolution + burst forth, it may well have been imagined that the proclamation of the + rights of man would kill that papacy to which the exercise of divine right + over the nations had been committed. And so how great at first was the + anxiety, the anger, the desperate resistance with which the Vatican + opposed the idea of freedom, the new <i>credo</i> of liberated reason, of + humanity regaining self-possession and control. It was the apparent <i>denouement</i> + of the long struggle between the pope and the emperor for possession of + the people: the emperor vanished, and the people, henceforward free to + dispose of itself, claimed to escape from the pope—an unforeseen + solution, in which it seemed as though all the ancient scaffolding of the + Catholic world must fall to the very ground. + </p> + <p> + At this point Pierre concluded the first part of his book by contrasting + primitive Christianity with present-day Catholicism, which is the triumph + of the rich and the powerful. That Roman society which Jesus had come to + destroy in the name of the poor and humble, had not Catholic Rome steadily + continued rebuilding it through all the centuries, by its policy of + cupidity and pride? And what bitter irony it was to find, after eighteen + hundred years of the Gospel, that the world was again collapsing through + frantic speculation, rotten banks, financial disasters, and the frightful + injustice of a few men gorged with wealth whilst thousands of their + brothers were dying of hunger! The whole redemption of the wretched had to + be worked afresh. However, Pierre gave expression to all these terrible + things in words so softened by charity, so steeped in hope, that they lost + their revolutionary danger. Moreover, he nowhere attacked the dogmas. His + book, in its sentimental, somewhat poetic form, was but the cry of an + apostle glowing with love for his fellow-men. + </p> + <p> + Then came the second part of the work, the PRESENT, a study of Catholic + society as it now exists. Here Pierre had painted a frightful picture of + the misery of the poor, the misery of a great city, which he knew so well + and bled for, through having laid his hands upon its poisonous wounds. The + present-day injustice could no longer be tolerated, charity was becoming + powerless, and so frightful was the suffering that all hope was dying away + from the hearts of the people. And was it not the monstrous spectacle + presented by Christendom, whose abominations corrupted the people, and + maddened it with hatred and vengeance, that had largely destroyed its + faith? However, after this picture of rotting and crumbling society, + Pierre returned to history, to the period of the French Revolution, to the + mighty hope with which the idea of freedom had filled the world. The + middle classes, the great Liberal party, on attaining power had undertaken + to bring happiness to one and all. But after a century’s experience it + really seemed that liberty had failed to bring any happiness whatever to + the outcasts. In the political sphere illusions were departing. At all + events, if the reigning third estate declares itself satisfied, the fourth + estate, that of the toilers,* still suffers and continues to demand its + share of fortune. The working classes have been proclaimed free; political + equality has been granted them, but the gift has been valueless, for + economically they are still bound to servitude, and only enjoy, as they + did formerly, the liberty of dying of hunger. All the socialist + revendications have come from that; between labour and capital rests the + terrifying problem, the solution of which threatens to sweep away society. + When slavery disappeared from the olden world to be succeeded by salaried + employment the revolution was immense, and certainly the Christian + principle was one of the great factors in the destruction of slavery. + Nowadays, therefore, when the question is to replace salaried employment + by something else, possibly by the participation of the workman in the + profits of his work, why should not Christianity again seek a new + principle of action? The fatal and proximate accession of the democracy + means the beginning of another phase in human history, the creation of the + society of to-morrow. And Rome cannot keep away from the arena; the papacy + must take part in the quarrel if it does not desire to disappear from the + world like a piece of mechanism that has become altogether useless. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * In England we call the press the fourth estate, but in France + and elsewhere the term is applied to the working classes, and + in that sense must be taken here.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Hence it followed that Catholic socialism was legitimate. On every side + the socialist sects were battling with their various solutions for the + privilege of ensuring the happiness of the people, and the Church also + must offer her solution of the problem. Here it was that New Rome + appeared, that the evolution spread into a renewal of boundless hope. Most + certainly there was nothing contrary to democracy in the principles of the + Roman Catholic Church. Indeed she had only to return to the evangelical + traditions, to become once more the Church of the humble and the poor, to + re-establish the universal Christian community. She is undoubtedly of + democratic essence, and if she sided with the rich and the powerful when + Christianity became Catholicism, she only did so perforce, that she might + live by sacrificing some portion of her original purity; so that if to-day + she should abandon the condemned governing classes in order to make common + cause with the multitude of the wretched, she would simply be drawing + nearer to Christ, thereby securing a new lease of youth and purifying + herself of all the political compromises which she formerly was compelled + to accept. Without renouncing aught of her absolutism the Church has at + all times known how to bow to circumstances; but she reserves her perfect + sovereignty, simply tolerating that which she cannot prevent, and + patiently waiting, even through long centuries, for the time when she + shall again become the mistress of the world. + </p> + <p> + Might not that time come in the crisis which was now at hand? Once more, + all the powers are battling for possession of the people. Since the + people, thanks to liberty and education, has become strong, since it has + developed consciousness and will, and claimed its share of fortune, all + rulers have been seeking to attach it to themselves, to reign by it, and + even with it, should that be necessary. Socialism, therein lies the + future, the new instrument of government; and the kings tottering on their + thrones, the middle-class presidents of anxious republics, the ambitious + plotters who dream of power, all dabble in socialism! They all agree that + the capitalist organisation of the State is a return to pagan times, to + the olden slave-market; and they all talk of breaking for ever the iron + law by which the labour of human beings has become so much merchandise, + subject to supply and demand, with wages calculated on an estimate of what + is strictly necessary to keep a workman from dying of hunger. And, down in + the sphere below, the evil increases, the workmen agonise with hunger and + exasperation, while above them discussion still goes on, systems are + bandied about, and well-meaning persons exhaust themselves in attempting + to apply ridiculously inadequate remedies. There is much stir without any + progress, all the wild bewilderment which precedes great catastrophes. And + among the many, Catholic socialism, quite as ardent as Revolutionary + socialism, enters the lists and strives to conquer. + </p> + <p> + After these explanations Pierre gave an account of the long efforts made + by Catholic socialism throughout the Christian world. That which + particularly struck one in this connection was that the warfare became + keener and more victorious whenever it was waged in some land of + propaganda, as yet not completely conquered by Roman Catholicism. For + instance, in the countries where Protestantism confronted the latter, the + priests fought with wondrous passion, as for dear life itself, contending + with the schismatical clergy for possession of the people by dint of + daring, by unfolding the most audacious democratic theories. In Germany, + the classic land of socialism, Mgr. Ketteler was one of the first to speak + of adequately taxing the rich; and later he fomented a wide-spread + agitation which the clergy now directs by means of numerous associations + and newspapers. In Switzerland Mgr. Mermillod pleaded the cause of the + poor so loudly that the bishops there now almost make common cause with + the democratic socialists, whom they doubtless hope to convert when the + day for sharing arrives. In England, where socialism penetrates so very + slowly, Cardinal Manning achieved considerable success, stood by the + working classes on the occasion of a famous strike, and helped on a + popular movement, which was signalised by numerous conversions. But it was + particularly in the United States of America that Catholic socialism + proved triumphant, in a sphere of democracy where the bishops, like Mgr. + Ireland, were forced to set themselves at the head of the working-class + agitation. And there across the Atlantic a new Church seems to be + germinating, still in confusion but overflowing with sap, and upheld by + intense hope, as at the aurora of the rejuvenated Christianity of + to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + Passing thence to Austria and Belgium, both Catholic countries, one found + Catholic socialism mingling in the first instance with anti-semitism, + while in the second it had no precise sense. And all movement ceased and + disappeared when one came to Spain and Italy, those old lands of faith. + The former with its intractable bishops who contented themselves with + hurling excommunication at unbelievers as in the days of the Inquisition, + seemed to be abandoned to the violent theories of revolutionaries, whilst + Italy, immobilised in the traditional courses, remained without + possibility of initiative, reduced to silence and respect by the presence + of the Holy See. In France, however, the struggle remained keen, but it + was more particularly a struggle of ideas. On the whole, the war was there + being waged against the revolution, and to some it seemed as though it + would suffice to re-establish the old organisation of monarchical times in + order to revert to the golden age. It was thus that the question of + working-class corporations had become the one problem, the panacea for all + the ills of the toilers. But people were far from agreeing; some, those + Catholics who rejected State interference and favoured purely moral + action, desired that the corporations should be free; whilst others, the + young and impatient ones, bent on action, demanded that they should be + obligatory, each with capital of its own, and recognised and protected by + the State. + </p> + <p> + Viscount Philibert de la Choue had by pen and speech carried on a vigorous + campaign in favour of the obligatory corporations; and his great grief was + that he had so far failed to prevail on the Pope to say whether in his + opinion these corporations should be closed or open. According to the + Viscount, herein lay the fate of society, a peaceful solution of the + social question or the frightful catastrophe which must sweep everything + away. In reality, though he refused to own it, the Viscount had ended by + adopting State socialism. And, despite the lack of agreement, the + agitation remained very great; attempts, scarcely happy in their results, + were made; co-operative associations, companies for erecting workmen’s + dwellings, popular savings’ banks were started; many more or less + disguised efforts to revert to the old Christian community organisation + were tried; while day by day, amidst the prevailing confusion, in the + mental perturbation and political difficulties through which the country + passed, the militant Catholic party felt its hopes increasing, even to the + blind conviction of soon resuming sway over the whole world. + </p> + <p> + The second part of Pierre’s book concluded by a picture of the moral and + intellectual uneasiness amidst which the end of the century is struggling. + While the toiling multitude suffers from its hard lot and demands that in + any fresh division of wealth it shall be ensured at least its daily bread, + the <i>elite</i> is no better satisfied, but complains of the void induced + by the freeing of its reason and the enlargement of its intelligence. It + is the famous bankruptcy of rationalism, of positivism, of science itself + which is in question. Minds consumed by need of the absolute grow weary of + groping, weary of the delays of science which recognises only proven + truths; doubt tortures them, they need a complete and immediate synthesis + in order to sleep in peace; and they fall on their knees, overcome by the + roadside, distracted by the thought that science will never tell them all, + and preferring the Deity, the mystery revealed and affirmed by faith. Even + to-day, it must be admitted, science calms neither our thirst for justice, + our desire for safety, nor our everlasting idea of happiness after life in + an eternity of enjoyment. To one and all it only brings the austere duty + to live, to be a mere contributor in the universal toil; and how well one + can understand that hearts should revolt and sigh for the Christian + heaven, peopled with lovely angels, full of light and music and perfumes! + Ah! to embrace one’s dead, to tell oneself that one will meet them again, + that one will live with them once more in glorious immortality! And to + possess the certainty of sovereign equity to enable one to support the + abominations of terrestrial life! And in this wise to trample on the + frightful thought of annihilation, to escape the horror of the + disappearance of the <i>ego</i>, and to tranquillise oneself with that + unshakable faith which postpones until the portal of death be crossed the + solution of all the problems of destiny! This dream will be dreamt by the + nations for ages yet. And this it is which explains why, in these last + days of the century, excessive mental labour and the deep unrest of + humanity, pregnant with a new world, have awakened religious feeling, + anxious, tormented by thoughts of the ideal and the infinite, demanding a + moral law and an assurance of superior justice. Religions may disappear, + but religious feelings will always create new ones, even with the help of + science. A new religion! a new religion! Was it not the ancient + Catholicism, which in the soil of the present day, where all seemed + conducive to a miracle, was about to spring up afresh, throw out green + branches and blossom in a young yet mighty florescence? + </p> + <p> + At last, in the third part of his book and in the glowing language of an + apostle, Pierre depicted the FUTURE: Catholicism rejuvenated, and bringing + health and peace, the forgotten golden age of primitive Christianity, back + to expiring society. He began with an emotional and sparkling portrait of + Leo XIII, the ideal Pope, the Man of Destiny entrusted with the salvation + of the nations. He had conjured up a presentment of him and beheld him + thus in his feverish longing for the advent of a pastor who should put an + end to human misery. It was perhaps not a close likeness, but it was a + portrait of the needed saviour, with open heart and mind, and + inexhaustible benevolence, such as he had dreamed. At the same time he had + certainly searched documents, studied encyclical letters, based his sketch + upon facts: first Leo’s religious education at Rome, then his brief + nunciature at Brussels, and afterwards his long episcopate at Perugia. And + as soon as Leo became pope in the difficult situation bequeathed by Pius + IX, the duality of his nature appeared: on one hand was the firm guardian + of dogmas, on the other the supple politician resolved to carry + conciliation to its utmost limits. We see him flatly severing all + connection with modern philosophy, stepping backward beyond the Renascence + to the middle ages and reviving Christian philosophy, as expounded by “the + angelic doctor,” St. Thomas Aquinas, in Catholic schools. Then the dogmas + being in this wise sheltered, he adroitly maintains himself in equilibrium + by giving securities to every power, striving to utilise every + opportunity. He displays extraordinary activity, reconciles the Holy See + with Germany, draws nearer to Russia, contents Switzerland, asks the + friendship of Great Britain, and writes to the Emperor of China begging + him to protect the missionaries and Christians in his dominions. Later on, + too, he intervenes in France and acknowledges the legitimacy of the + Republic. + </p> + <p> + From the very outset an idea becomes apparent in all his actions, an idea + which will place him among the great papal politicians. It is moreover the + ancient idea of the papacy—the conquest of every soul, Rome capital + and mistress of the world. Thus Leo XIII has but one desire, one object, + that of unifying the Church, of drawing all the dissident communities to + it in order that it may be invincible in the coming social struggle. He + seeks to obtain recognition of the moral authority of the Vatican in + Russia; he dreams of disarming the Anglican Church and of drawing it into + a sort of fraternal truce; and he particularly seeks to come to an + understanding with the Schismatical Churches of the East, which he regards + as sisters, simply living apart, whose return his paternal heart entreats. + Would not Rome indeed dispose of victorious strength if she exercised + uncontested sway over all the Christians of the earth? + </p> + <p> + And here the social ideas of Leo XIII come in. Whilst yet Bishop of + Perugia he wrote a pastoral letter in which a vague humanitarian socialism + appeared. As soon, however, as he had assumed the triple crown his + opinions changed and he anathematised the revolutionaries whose audacity + was terrifying Italy. But almost at once he corrected himself, warned by + events and realising the great danger of leaving socialism in the hands of + the enemies of the Church. Then he listened to the bishops of the lands of + propaganda, ceased to intervene in the Irish quarrel, withdrew the + excommunications which he had launched against the American “knights of + labour,” and would not allow the bold works of Catholic socialist writers + to be placed in the Index. This evolution towards democracy may be traced + through his most famous encyclical letters: <i>Immortale Dei</i>, on the + constitution of States; <i>Libertas</i>, on human liberty; <i>Sapientoe</i>, + on the duties of Christian citizens; <i>Rerum novarum</i>, on the + condition of the working classes; and it is particularly this last which + would seem to have rejuvenated the Church. The Pope herein chronicles the + undeserved misery of the toilers, the undue length of the hours of labour, + the insufficiency of salaries. All men have the right to live, and all + contracts extorted by threats of starvation are unjust. Elsewhere he + declares that the workman must not be left defenceless in presence of a + system which converts the misery of the majority into the wealth of a few. + Compelled to deal vaguely with questions of organisation, he contents + himself with encouraging the corporative movement, placing it under State + patronage; and after thus contributing to restore the secular power, he + reinstates the Deity on the throne of sovereignty, and discerns the path + to salvation more particularly in moral measures, in the ancient respect + due to family ties and ownership. Nevertheless, was not the helpful hand + which the august Vicar of Christ thus publicly tendered to the poor and + the humble, the certain token of a new alliance, the announcement of a new + reign of Jesus upon earth? Thenceforward the people knew that it was not + abandoned. And from that moment too how glorious became Leo XIII, whose + sacerdotal jubilee and episcopal jubilee were celebrated by all + Christendom amidst the coming of a vast multitude, of endless offerings, + and of flattering letters from every sovereign! + </p> + <p> + Pierre next dealt with the question of the temporal power, and this he + thought he might treat freely. Naturally, he was not ignorant of the fact + that the Pope in his quarrel with Italy upheld the rights of the Church + over Rome as stubbornly as his predecessor; but he imagined that this was + merely a necessary conventional attitude, imposed by political + considerations, and destined to be abandoned when the times were ripe. For + his own part he was convinced that if the Pope had never appeared greater + than he did now, it was to the loss of the temporal power that he owed it; + for thence had come the great increase of his authority, the pure + splendour of moral omnipotence which he diffused. + </p> + <p> + What a long history of blunders and conflicts had been that of the + possession of the little kingdom of Rome during fifteen centuries! + Constantine quits Rome in the fourth century, only a few forgotten + functionaries remaining on the deserted Palatine, and the Pope naturally + rises to power, and the life of the city passes to the Lateran. However, + it is only four centuries later that Charlemagne recognises accomplished + facts and formally bestows the States of the Church upon the papacy. From + that time warfare between the spiritual power and the temporal powers has + never ceased; though often latent it has at times become acute, breaking + forth with blood and fire. And to-day, in the midst of Europe in arms, is + it not unreasonable to dream of the papacy ruling a strip of territory + where it would be exposed to every vexation, and where it could only + maintain itself by the help of a foreign army? What would become of it in + the general massacre which is apprehended? Is it not far more sheltered, + far more dignified, far more lofty when disentangled from all terrestrial + cares, reigning over the world of souls? + </p> + <p> + In the early times of the Church the papacy from being merely local, + merely Roman, gradually became catholicised, universalised, slowly + acquiring dominion over all Christendom. In the same way the Sacred + College, at first a continuation of the Roman Senate, acquired an + international character, and in our time has ended by becoming the most + cosmopolitan of assemblies, in which representatives of all the nations + have seats. And is it not evident that the Pope, thus leaning on the + cardinals, has become the one great international power which exercises + the greater authority since it is free from all monarchical interests, and + can speak not merely in the name of country but in that of humanity + itself? The solution so often sought amidst such long wars surely lies in + this: Either give the Pope the temporal sovereignty of the world, or leave + him only the spiritual sovereignty. Vicar of the Deity, absolute and + infallible sovereign by divine delegation, he can but remain in the + sanctuary if, ruler already of the human soul, he is not recognised by + every nation as the one master of the body also—the king of kings. + </p> + <p> + But what a strange affair was this new incursion of the papacy into the + field sown by the French Revolution, an incursion conducting it perhaps + towards the domination, which it has striven for with a will that has + upheld it for centuries! For now it stands alone before the people. The + kings are down. And as the people is henceforth free to give itself to + whomsoever it pleases, why should it not give itself to the Church? The + depreciation which the idea of liberty has certainly undergone renders + every hope permissible. The liberal party appears to be vanquished in the + sphere of economics. The toilers, dissatisfied with 1789 complain of the + aggravation of their misery, bestir themselves, seek happiness + despairingly. On the other hand the new <i>regimes</i> have increased the + international power of the Church; Catholic members are numerous in the + parliaments of the republics and the constitutional monarchies. All + circumstances seem therefore to favour this extraordinary return of + fortune, Catholicism reverting to the vigour of youth in its old age. Even + science, remember, is accused of bankruptcy, a charge which saves the <i>Syllabus</i> + from ridicule, troubles the minds of men, and throws the limitless sphere + of mystery and impossibility open once more. And then a prophecy is + recalled, a prediction that the papacy shall be mistress of the world on + the day when she marches at the head of the democracy after reuniting the + Schismatical Churches of the East to the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman + Church. And, in Pierre’s opinion, assuredly the times had come since Pope + Leo XIII, dismissing the great and the wealthy of the world, left the + kings driven from their thrones in exile to place himself like Jesus on + the side of the foodless toilers and the beggars of the high roads. Yet a + few more years, perhaps, of frightful misery, alarming confusion, fearful + social danger, and the people, the great silent multitude which others + have so far disposed of, will return to the cradle, to the unified Church + of Rome, in order to escape the destruction which threatens human society. + </p> + <p> + Pierre concluded his book with a passionate evocation of New Rome, the + spiritual Rome which would soon reign over the nations, reconciled and + fraternising as in another golden age. Herein he even saw the end of + superstitions. Without making a direct attack on dogma, he allowed himself + to dream of an enlargement of religious feeling, freed from rites, and + absorbed in the one satisfaction of human charity. And still smarting from + his journey to Lourdes, he felt the need of contenting his heart. Was not + that gross superstition of Lourdes the hateful symptom of the excessive + suffering of the times? On the day when the Gospel should be universally + diffused and practised, suffering ones would cease seeking an illusory + relief so far away, assured as they would be of finding assistance, + consolation, and cure in their homes amidst their brothers. At Lourdes + there was an iniquitous displacement of wealth, a spectacle so frightful + as to make one doubt of God, a perpetual conflict which would disappear in + the truly Christian society of to-morrow. Ah! that society, that Christian + community, all Pierre’s work ended in an ardent longing for its speedy + advent: Christianity becoming once more the religion of truth and justice + which it had been before it allowed itself to be conquered by the rich and + the powerful! The little ones and the poor ones reigning, sharing the + wealth of earth, and owing obedience to nought but the levelling law of + work! The Pope alone erect at the head of the federation of nations, + prince of peace, with the simple mission of supplying the moral rule, the + link of charity and love which was to unite all men! And would not this be + the speedy realisation of the promises of Christ? The times were near + accomplishment, secular and religious society would mingle so closely that + they would form but one; and it would be the age of triumph and happiness + predicted by all the prophets, no more struggles possible, no more + antagonism between the mind and the body, but a marvellous equilibrium + which would kill evil and set the kingdom of heaven upon earth. New Rome, + the centre of the world, bestowing on the world the new religion! + </p> + <p> + Pierre felt that tears were coming to his eyes, and with an unconscious + movement, never noticing how much he astonished the slim Englishmen and + thick-set Germans passing along the terrace, he opened his arms and + extended them towards the <i>real</i> Rome, steeped in such lovely + sunshine and stretched out at his feet. Would she prove responsive to his + dream? Would he, as he had written, find within her the remedy for our + impatience and our alarms? Could Catholicism be renewed, could it return + to the spirit of primitive Christianity, become the religion of the + democracy, the faith which the modern world, overturned and in danger of + perishing, awaits in order to be pacified and to live? + </p> + <p> + Pierre was full of generous passion, full of faith. He again beheld good + Abbe Rose weeping with emotion as he read his book. He heard Viscount + Philibert de la Choue telling him that such a book was worth an army. And + he particularly felt strong in the approval of Cardinal Bergerot, that + apostle of inexhaustible charity. Why should the Congregation of the Index + threaten his work with interdiction? Since he had been officiously advised + to go to Rome if he desired to defend himself, he had been turning this + question over in his mind without being able to discover which of his + pages were attacked. To him indeed they all seemed to glow with the purest + Christianity. However, he had arrived quivering with enthusiasm and + courage: he was all eagerness to kneel before the Pope, and place himself + under his august protection, assuring him that he had not written a line + without taking inspiration from his ideas, without desiring the triumph of + his policy. Was it possible that condemnation should be passed on a book + in which he imagined in all sincerity that he had exalted Leo XIII by + striving to help him in his work of Christian reunion and universal peace? + </p> + <p> + For a moment longer Pierre remained standing before the parapet. He had + been there for nearly an hour, unable to drink in enough of the grandeur + of Rome, which, given all the unknown things she hid from him, he would + have liked to possess at once. Oh! to seize hold of her, know her, + ascertain at once the true word which he had come to seek from her! This + again, like Lourdes, was an experiment, but a graver one, a decisive one, + whence he would emerge either strengthened or overcome for evermore. He no + longer sought the simple, perfect faith of the little child, but the + superior faith of the intellectual man, raising himself above rites and + symbols, working for the greatest happiness of humanity as based on its + need of certainty. His temples throbbed responsive to his heart. What + would be the answer of Rome? + </p> + <p> + The sunlight had increased and the higher districts now stood out more + vigorously against the fiery background. Far away the hills became gilded + and empurpled, whilst the nearer house-fronts grew very distinct and + bright with their thousands of windows sharply outlined. However, some + morning haze still hovered around; light veils seemed to rise from the + lower streets, blurring the summits for a moment, and then evaporating in + the ardent heavens where all was blue. For a moment Pierre fancied that + the Palatine had vanished, for he could scarcely see the dark fringe of + cypresses; it was as though the dust of its ruins concealed the hill. But + the Quirinal was even more obscured; the royal palace seemed to have faded + away in a fog, so paltry did it look with its low flat front, so vague in + the distance that he no longer distinguished it; whereas above the trees + on his left the dome of St. Peter’s had grown yet larger in the limpid + gold of the sunshine, and appeared to occupy the whole sky and dominate + the whole city! + </p> + <p> + Ah! the Rome of that first meeting, the Rome of early morning, whose new + districts he had not even noticed in the burning fever of his arrival—with + what boundless hopes did she not inspirit him, this Rome which he believed + he should find alive, such indeed as he had dreamed! And whilst he stood + there in his thin black cassock, thus gazing on her that lovely day, what + a shout of coming redemption seemed to arise from her house-roofs, what a + promise of universal peace seemed to issue from that sacred soil, twice + already Queen of the world! It was the third Rome, it was New Rome whose + maternal love was travelling across the frontiers to all the nations to + console them and reunite them in a common embrace. In the passionate + candour of his dream he beheld her, he heard her, rejuvenated, full of the + gentleness of childhood, soaring, as it were, amidst the morning freshness + into the vast pure heavens. + </p> + <p> + But at last Pierre tore himself away from the sublime spectacle. The + driver and the horse, their heads drooping under the broad sunlight, had + not stirred. On the seat the valise was almost burning, hot with rays of + the sun which was already heavy. And once more Pierre got into the vehicle + and gave this address: + </p> + <p> + “Via Giulia, Palazzo Boccanera.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"></a> + II. + </h2> + <p> + THE Via Giulia, which runs in a straight line over a distance of five + hundred yards from the Farnese palace to the church of St. John of the + Florentines, was at that hour steeped in bright sunlight, the glow + streaming from end to end and whitening the small square paving stones. + The street had no footways, and the cab rolled along it almost to the + farther extremity, passing the old grey sleepy and deserted residences + whose large windows were barred with iron, while their deep porches + revealed sombre courts resembling wells. Laid out by Pope Julius II, who + had dreamt of lining it with magnificent palaces, the street, then the + most regular and handsome in Rome, had served as Corso* in the sixteenth + century. One could tell that one was in a former luxurious district, which + had lapsed into silence, solitude, and abandonment, instinct with a kind + of religious gentleness and discretion. The old house-fronts followed one + after another, their shutters closed and their gratings occasionally + decked with climbing plants. At some doors cats were seated, and dim + shops, appropriated to humble trades, were installed in certain + dependencies. But little traffic was apparent. Pierre only noticed some + bare-headed women dragging children behind them, a hay cart drawn by a + mule, a superb monk draped in drugget, and a bicyclist speeding along + noiselessly, his machine sparkling in the sun. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Corso was so called on account of the horse races held in + it at carnival time.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + At last the driver turned and pointed to a large square building at the + corner of a lane running towards the Tiber. + </p> + <p> + “Palazzo Boccanera.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre raised his head and was pained by the severe aspect of the + structure, so bare and massive and blackened by age. Like its neighbours + the Farnese and Sacchetti palaces, it had been built by Antonio da + Sangallo in the early part of the sixteenth century, and, as with the + former of those residences, the tradition ran that in raising the pile the + architect had made use of stones pilfered from the Colosseum and the + Theatre of Marcellus. The vast, square-looking facade had three upper + stories, each with seven windows, and the first one very lofty and noble. + Down below, the only sign of decoration was that the high ground-floor + windows, barred with huge projecting gratings as though from fear of + siege, rested upon large consoles, and were crowned by attics which + smaller consoles supported. Above the monumental entrance, with folding + doors of bronze, there was a balcony in front of the central first-floor + window. And at the summit of the facade against the sky appeared a + sumptuous entablature, whose frieze displayed admirable grace and purity + of ornamentation. The frieze, the consoles, the attics, and the door-case + were of white marble, but marble whose surface had so crumbled and so + darkened that it now had the rough yellowish grain of stone. Right and + left of the entrance were two antique seats upheld by griffons also of + marble; and incrusted in the wall at one corner, a lovely Renascence + fountain, its source dried up, still lingered; and on it a cupid riding a + dolphin could with difficulty be distinguished, to such a degree had the + wear and tear of time eaten into the sculpture. + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s eyes, however, had been more particularly attracted by an + escutcheon carved above one of the ground-floor windows, the escutcheon of + the Boccaneras, a winged dragon venting flames, and underneath it he could + plainly read the motto which had remained intact: “<i>Bocca nera, Alma + rossa</i>” (black mouth, red soul). Above another window, as a pendant to + the escutcheon, there was one of those little shrines which are still + common in Rome, a satin-robed statuette of the Blessed Virgin, before + which a lantern burnt in the full daylight. + </p> + <p> + The cabman was about to drive through the dim and gaping porch, according + to custom, when the young priest, overcome by timidity, stopped him. “No, + no,” he said; “don’t go in, it’s useless.” + </p> + <p> + Then he alighted from the vehicle, paid the man, and, valise in hand, + found himself first under the vaulted roof, and then in the central court + without having met a living soul. + </p> + <p> + It was a square and fairly spacious court, surrounded by a porticus like a + cloister. Some remnants of statuary, marbles discovered in excavating, an + armless Apollo, and the trunk of a Venus, were ranged against the walls + under the dismal arcades; and some fine grass had sprouted between the + pebbles which paved the soil as with a black and white mosaic. It seemed + as if the sun-rays could never reach that paving, mouldy with damp. A + dimness and a silence instinct with departed grandeur and infinite + mournfulness reigned there. + </p> + <p> + Surprised by the emptiness of this silent mansion, Pierre continued + seeking somebody, a porter, a servant; and, fancying that he saw a shadow + flit by, he decided to pass through another arch which led to a little + garden fringing the Tiber. On this side the facade of the building was + quite plain, displaying nothing beyond its three rows of symmetrically + disposed windows. However, the abandonment reigning in the garden brought + Pierre yet a keener pang. In the centre some large box-plants were growing + in the basin of a fountain which had been filled up; while among the mass + of weeds, some orange-trees with golden, ripening fruit alone indicated + the tracery of the paths which they had once bordered. Between two huge + laurel-bushes, against the right-hand wall, there was a sarcophagus of the + second century—with fauns offering violence to nymphs, one of those + wild <i>baccanali</i>, those scenes of eager passion which Rome in its + decline was wont to depict on the tombs of its dead; and this marble + sarcophagus, crumbling with age and green with moisture, served as a tank + into which a streamlet of water fell from a large tragic mask incrusted in + the wall. Facing the Tiber there had formerly been a sort of colonnaded + loggia, a terrace whence a double flight of steps descended to the river. + For the construction of the new quays, however, the river bank was being + raised, and the terrace was already lower than the new ground level, and + stood there crumbling and useless amidst piles of rubbish and blocks of + stone, all the wretched chalky confusion of the improvements which were + ripping up and overturning the district. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, was suddenly convinced that he could see somebody + crossing the court. So he returned thither and found a woman somewhat + short of stature, who must have been nearly fifty, though as yet she had + not a white hair, but looked very bright and active. At sight of the + priest, however, an expression of distrust passed over her round face and + clear eyes. + </p> + <p> + Employing the few words of broken Italian which he knew, Pierre at once + sought to explain matters: “I am Abbe Pierre Froment, madame—” he + began. + </p> + <p> + However, she did not let him continue, but exclaimed in fluent French, + with the somewhat thick and lingering accent of the province of the + Ile-de-France: “Ah! yes, Monsieur l’Abbe, I know, I know—I was + expecting you, I received orders about you.” And then, as he gazed at her + in amazement, she added: “Oh! I’m a Frenchwoman! I’ve been here for five + and twenty years, but I haven’t yet been able to get used to their + horrible lingo!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre thereupon remembered that Viscount Philibert de la Choue had spoken + to him of this servant, one Victorine Bosquet, a native of Auneau in La + Beauce, who, when two and twenty, had gone to Rome with a consumptive + mistress. The latter’s sudden death had left her in as much terror and + bewilderment as if she had been alone in some land of savages; and so she + had gratefully devoted herself to the Countess Ernesta Brandini, a + Boccanera by birth, who had, so to say, picked her up in the streets. The + Countess had at first employed her as a nurse to her daughter Benedetta, + hoping in this way to teach the child some French; and Victorine—remaining + for some five and twenty years with the same family—had by degrees + raised herself to the position of housekeeper, whilst still remaining + virtually illiterate, so destitute indeed of any linguistic gift that she + could only jabber a little broken Italian, just sufficient for her needs + in her intercourse with the other servants. + </p> + <p> + “And is Monsieur le Vicomte quite well?” she resumed with frank + familiarity. “He is so very pleasant, and we are always so pleased to see + him. He stays here, you know, each time he comes to Rome. I know that the + Princess and the Contessina received a letter from him yesterday + announcing you.” + </p> + <p> + It was indeed Viscount Philibert de la Choue who had made all the + arrangements for Pierre’s sojourn in Rome. Of the ancient and once + vigorous race of the Boccaneras, there now only remained Cardinal Pio + Boccanera, the Princess his sister, an old maid who from respect was + called “Donna” Serafina, their niece Benedetta—whose mother Ernesta + had followed her husband, Count Brandini, to the tomb—and finally + their nephew, Prince Dario Boccanera, whose father, Prince Onofrio, was + likewise dead, and whose mother, a Montefiori, had married again. It so + chanced that the Viscount de la Choue was connected with the family, his + younger brother having married a Brandini, sister to Benedetta’s father; + and thus, with the courtesy rank of uncle, he had, in Count Brandini’s + time, frequently sojourned at the mansion in the Via Giulia. He had also + become attached to Benedetta, especially since the advent of a private + family drama, consequent upon an unhappy marriage which the young woman + had contracted, and which she had petitioned the Holy Father to annul. + Since Benedetta had left her husband to live with her aunt Serafina and + her uncle the Cardinal, M. de la Choue had often written to her and sent + her parcels of French books. Among others he had forwarded her a copy of + Pierre’s book, and the whole affair had originated in that wise. Several + letters on the subject had been exchanged when at last Benedetta sent word + that the work had been denounced to the Congregation of the Index, and + that it was advisable the author should at once repair to Rome, where she + graciously offered him the hospitality of the Boccanera mansion. + </p> + <p> + The Viscount was quite as much astonished as the young priest at these + tidings, and failed to understand why the book should be threatened at + all; however, he prevailed on Pierre to make the journey as a matter of + good policy, becoming himself impassioned for the achievement of a victory + which he counted in anticipation as his own. And so it was easy to + understand the bewildered condition of Pierre, on tumbling into this + unknown mansion, launched into an heroic adventure, the reasons and + circumstances of which were beyond him. + </p> + <p> + Victorine, however, suddenly resumed: “But I am leaving you here, Monsieur + l’Abbe. Let me conduct you to your rooms. Where is your luggage?” + </p> + <p> + Then, when he had shown her his valise which he had placed on the ground + beside him, and explained that having no more than a fortnight’s stay in + view he had contented himself with bringing a second cassock and some + linen, she seemed very much surprised. + </p> + <p> + “A fortnight! You only expect to remain here a fortnight? Well, well, + you’ll see.” + </p> + <p> + And then summoning a big devil of a lackey who had ended by making his + appearance, she said: “Take that up into the red room, Giacomo. Will you + kindly follow me, Monsieur l’Abbe?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre felt quite comforted and inspirited by thus unexpectedly meeting + such a lively, good-natured compatriot in this gloomy Roman “palace.” + Whilst crossing the court he listened to her as she related that the + Princess had gone out, and that the Contessina—as Benedetta from + motives of affection was still called in the house, despite her marriage—had + not yet shown herself that morning, being rather poorly. However, added + Victorine, she had her orders. + </p> + <p> + The staircase was in one corner of the court, under the porticus. It was a + monumental staircase with broad, low steps, the incline being so gentle + that a horse might easily have climbed it. The stone walls, however, were + quite bare, the landings empty and solemn, and a death-like mournfulness + fell from the lofty vault above. + </p> + <p> + As they reached the first floor, noticing Pierre’s emotion, Victorine + smiled. The mansion seemed to be uninhabited; not a sound came from its + closed chambers. Simply pointing to a large oaken door on the right-hand, + the housekeeper remarked: “The wing overlooking the court and the river is + occupied by his Eminence. But he doesn’t use a quarter of the rooms. All + the reception-rooms on the side of the street have been shut. How could + one keep up such a big place, and what, too, would be the use of it? We + should need somebody to lodge.” + </p> + <p> + With her lithe step she continued ascending the stairs. She had remained + essentially a foreigner, a Frenchwoman, too different from those among + whom she lived to be influenced by her environment. On reaching the second + floor she resumed: “There, on the left, are Donna Serafina’s rooms; those + of the Contessina are on the right. This is the only part of the house + where there’s a little warmth and life. Besides, it’s Monday to-day, the + Princess will be receiving visitors this evening. You’ll see.” + </p> + <p> + Then, opening a door, beyond which was a second and very narrow staircase, + she went on: “We others have our rooms on the third floor. I must ask + Monsieur l’Abbe to let me go up before him.” + </p> + <p> + The grand staircase ceased at the second floor, and Victorine explained + that the third story was reached exclusively by this servants’ staircase, + which led from the lane running down to the Tiber on one side of the + mansion. There was a small private entrance in this lane, which was very + convenient. + </p> + <p> + At last, reaching the third story, she hurried along a passage, again + calling Pierre’s attention to various doors. “These are the apartments of + Don Vigilio, his Eminence’s secretary. These are mine. And these will be + yours. Monsieur le Vicomte will never have any other rooms when he comes + to spend a few days in Rome. He says that he enjoys more liberty up here, + as he can come in and go out as he pleases. I gave him a key to the door + in the lane, and I’ll give you one too. And, besides, you’ll see what a + nice view there is from here!” + </p> + <p> + Whilst speaking she had gone in. The apartments comprised two rooms: a + somewhat spacious <i>salon</i>, with wall-paper of a large scroll pattern + on a red ground, and a bed-chamber, where the paper was of a flax grey, + studded with faded blue flowers. The sitting-room was in one corner of the + mansion overlooking the lane and the Tiber, and Victorine at once went to + the windows, one of which afforded a view over the distant lower part of + the river, while the other faced the Trastevere and the Janiculum across + the water. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! yes, it’s very pleasant!” said Pierre, who had followed and stood + beside her. + </p> + <p> + Giaccomo, who did not hurry, came in behind them with the valise. It was + now past eleven o’clock; and seeing that the young priest looked tired, + and realising that he must be hungry after such a journey, Victorine + offered to have some breakfast served at once in the sitting-room. He + would then have the afternoon to rest or go out, and would only meet the + ladies in the evening at dinner. At the mere suggestion of resting, + however, Pierre began to protest, declaring that he should certainly go + out, not wishing to lose an entire afternoon. The breakfast he readily + accepted, for he was indeed dying of hunger. + </p> + <p> + However, he had to wait another full half hour. Giaccomo, who served him + under Victorine’s orders, did everything in a most leisurely way. And + Victorine, lacking confidence in the man, remained with the young priest + to make sure that everything he might require was provided. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Monsieur l’Abbe,” said she, “what people! What a country! You can’t + have an idea of it. I should never get accustomed to it even if I were to + live here for a hundred years. Ah! if it were not for the Contessina, but + she’s so good and beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + Then, whilst placing a dish of figs on the table, she astonished Pierre by + adding that a city where nearly everybody was a priest could not possibly + be a good city. Thereupon the presence of this gay, active, unbelieving + servant in the queer old palace again scared him. + </p> + <p> + “What! you are not religious?” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Monsieur l’Abbe, the priests don’t suit me,” said Victorine; “I + knew one in France when I was very little, and since I’ve been here I’ve + seen too many of them. It’s all over. Oh! I don’t say that on account of + his Eminence, who is a holy man worthy of all possible respect. And + besides, everybody in the house knows that I’ve nothing to reproach myself + with. So why not leave me alone, since I’m fond of my employers and attend + properly to my duties?” + </p> + <p> + She burst into a frank laugh. “Ah!” she resumed, “when I was told that + another priest was coming, just as if we hadn’t enough already, I couldn’t + help growling to myself. But you look like a good young man, Monsieur + l’Abbe, and I feel sure we shall get on well together.... I really don’t + know why I’m telling you all this—probably it’s because you’ve come + from yonder, and because the Contessina takes an interest in you. At all + events, you’ll excuse me, won’t you, Monsieur l’Abbe? And take my advice, + stay here and rest to-day; don’t be so foolish as to go running about + their tiring city. There’s nothing very amusing to be seen in it, whatever + they may say to the contrary.” + </p> + <p> + When Pierre found himself alone, he suddenly felt overwhelmed by all the + fatigue of his journey coupled with the fever of enthusiasm that had + consumed him during the morning. And as though dazed, intoxicated by the + hasty meal which he had just made—a couple of eggs and a cutlet—he + flung himself upon the bed with the idea of taking half an hour’s rest. He + did not fall asleep immediately, but for a time thought of those + Boccaneras, with whose history he was partly acquainted, and of whose life + in that deserted and silent palace, instinct with such dilapidated and + melancholy grandeur, he began to dream. But at last his ideas grew + confused, and by degrees he sunk into sleep amidst a crowd of shadowy + forms, some tragic and some sweet, with vague faces which gazed at him + with enigmatical eyes as they whirled before him in the depths of + dreamland. + </p> + <p> + The Boccaneras had supplied two popes to Rome, one in the thirteenth, the + other in the fifteenth century, and from those two favoured ones, those + all-powerful masters, the family had formerly derived its vast fortune—large + estates in the vicinity of Viterbo, several palaces in Rome, enough works + of art to fill numerous spacious galleries, and a pile of gold sufficient + to cram a cellar. The family passed as being the most pious of the Roman + <i>patriziato</i>, a family of burning faith whose sword had always been + at the service of the Church; but if it were the most believing family it + was also the most violent, the most disputatious, constantly at war, and + so fiercely savage that the anger of the Boccaneras had become proverbial. + And thence came their arms, the winged dragon spitting flames, and the + fierce, glowing motto, with its play on the name “<i>Bocca sera, Alma + rossa</i>” (black mouth, red soul), the mouth darkened by a roar, the soul + flaming like a brazier of faith and love. + </p> + <p> + Legends of endless passion, of terrible deeds of justice and vengeance + still circulated. There was the duel fought by Onfredo, the Boccanera by + whom the present palazzo had been built in the sixteenth century on the + site of the demolished antique residence of the family. Onfredo, learning + that his wife had allowed herself to be kissed on the lips by young Count + Costamagna, had caused the Count to be kidnapped one evening and brought + to the palazzo bound with cords. And there in one of the large halls, + before freeing him, he compelled him to confess himself to a monk. Then he + severed the cords with a stiletto, threw the lamps over and extinguished + them, calling to the Count to keep the stiletto and defend himself. During + more than an hour, in complete obscurity, in this hall full of furniture, + the two men sought one another, fled from one another, seized hold of one + another, and pierced one another with their blades. And when the doors + were broken down and the servants rushed in they found among the pools of + blood, among the overturned tables and broken seats, Costamagna with his + nose sliced off and his hips pierced with two and thirty wounds, whilst + Onfredo had lost two fingers of his right hand, and had both shoulders + riddled with holes! The wonder was that neither died of the encounter. + </p> + <p> + A century later, on that same bank of the Tiber, a daughter of the + Boccaneras, a girl barely sixteen years of age, the lovely and passionate + Cassia, filled all Rome with terror and admiration. She loved Flavio + Corradini, the scion of a rival and hated house, whose alliance her + father, Prince Boccanera, roughly rejected, and whom her elder brother, + Ercole, swore to slay should he ever surprise him with her. Nevertheless + the young man came to visit her in a boat, and she joined him by the + little staircase descending to the river. But one evening Ercole, who was + on the watch, sprang into the boat and planted his dagger full in Flavio’s + heart. Later on the subsequent incidents were unravelled; it was + understood that Cassia, wrathful and frantic with despair, unwilling to + survive her love and bent on wreaking justice, had thrown herself upon her + brother, had seized both murderer and victim with the same grasp whilst + overturning the boat; for when the three bodies were recovered Cassia + still retained her hold upon the two men, pressing their faces one against + the other with her bare arms, which had remained as white as snow. + </p> + <p> + But those were vanished times. Nowadays, if faith remained, blood violence + seemed to be departing from the Boccaneras. Their huge fortune also had + been lost in the slow decline which for a century past has been ruining + the Roman <i>patriziato</i>. It had been necessary to sell the estates; + the palace had emptied, gradually sinking to the mediocrity and bourgeois + life of the new times. For their part the Boccaneras obstinately declined + to contract any alien alliances, proud as they were of the purity of their + Roman blood. And poverty was as nothing to them; they found contentment in + their immense pride, and without a plaint sequestered themselves amidst + the silence and gloom in which their race was dwindling away. + </p> + <p> + Prince Ascanio, dead since 1848, had left four children by his wife, a + Corvisieri; first Pio, the Cardinal; then Serafina, who, in order to + remain with her brother, had not married; and finally Ernesta and Onofrio, + both of whom were deceased. As Ernesta had merely left a daughter, + Benedetta, behind her, it followed that the only male heir, the only + possible continuator of the family name was Onofrio’s son, young Prince + Dario, now some thirty years of age. Should he die without posterity, the + Boccaneras, once so full of life and whose deeds had filled Roman history + in papal times, must fatally disappear. + </p> + <p> + Dario and his cousin Benedetta had been drawn together by a deep, smiling, + natural passion ever since childhood. They seemed born one for the other; + they could not imagine that they had been brought into the world for any + other purpose than that of becoming husband and wife as soon as they + should be old enough to marry. When Prince Onofrio—an amiable man of + forty, very popular in Rome, where he spent his modest fortune as his + heart listed—espoused La Montefiori’s daughter, the little Marchesa + Flavia, whose superb beauty, suggestive of a youthful Juno, had maddened + him, he went to reside at the Villa Montefiori, the only property, indeed + the only belonging, that remained to the two ladies. It was in the + direction of St’. Agnese-fuori-le-Mura,* and there were vast grounds, a + perfect park in fact, planted with centenarian trees, among which the + villa, a somewhat sorry building of the seventeenth century, was falling + into ruins. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * St. Agnes-without-the-walls, N.E. of Rome. +</pre> + <p> + Unfavourable reports were circulated about the ladies, the mother having + almost lost caste since she had become a widow, and the girl having too + bold a beauty, too conquering an air. Thus the marriage had not met with + the approval of Serafina, who was very rigid, or of Onofrio’s elder + brother Pio, at that time merely a <i>Cameriere segreto</i> of the Holy + Father and a Canon of the Vatican basilica. Only Ernesta kept up a regular + intercourse with Onofrio, fond of him as she was by reason of his gaiety + of disposition; and thus, later on, her favourite diversion was to go each + week to the Villa Montefiori with her daughter Benedetta, there to spend + the day. And what a delightful day it always proved to Benedetta and + Dario, she ten years old and he fifteen, what a fraternal loving day in + that vast and almost abandoned garden with its parasol pines, its giant + box-plants, and its clumps of evergreen oaks, amidst which one lost + oneself as in a virgin forest. + </p> + <p> + The poor stifled soul of Ernesta was a soul of pain and passion. Born with + a mighty longing for life, she thirsted for the sun—for a free, + happy, active existence in the full daylight. She was noted for her large + limpid eyes and the charming oval of her gentle face. Extremely ignorant, + like all the daughters of the Roman nobility, having learnt the little she + knew in a convent of French nuns, she had grown up cloistered in the black + Boccanera palace, having no knowledge of the world than by those daily + drives to the Corso and the Pincio on which she accompanied her mother. + Eventually, when she was five and twenty, and was already weary and + desolate, she contracted the customary marriage of her caste, espousing + Count Brandini, the last-born of a very noble, very numerous and poor + family, who had to come and live in the Via Giulia mansion, where an + entire wing of the second floor was got ready for the young couple. And + nothing changed, Ernesta continued to live in the same cold gloom, in the + midst of the same dead past, the weight of which, like that of a + tombstone, she felt pressing more and more heavily upon her. + </p> + <p> + The marriage was, on either side, a very honourable one. Count Brandini + soon passed as being the most foolish and haughty man in Rome. A strict, + intolerant formalist in religious matters, he became quite triumphant + when, after innumerable intrigues, secret plottings which lasted ten long + years, he at last secured the appointment of grand equerry to the Holy + Father. With this appointment it seemed as if all the dismal majesty of + the Vatican entered his household. However, Ernesta found life still + bearable in the time of Pius IX—that is until the latter part of + 1870—for she might still venture to open the windows overlooking the + street, receive a few lady friends otherwise than in secrecy, and accept + invitations to festivities. But when the Italians had conquered Rome and + the Pope declared himself a prisoner, the mansion in the Via Giulia became + a sepulchre. The great doors were closed and bolted, even nailed together + in token of mourning; and during ten years the inmates only went out and + came in by the little staircase communicating with the lane. It was also + forbidden to open the window shutters of the facade. This was the sulking, + the protest of the black world, the mansion sinking into death-like + immobility, complete seclusion; no more receptions, barely a few shadows, + the intimates of Donna Serafina who on Monday evenings slipped in by the + little door in the lane which was scarcely set ajar. And during those ten + lugubrious years, overcome by secret despair, the young woman wept every + night, suffered untold agony at thus being buried alive. + </p> + <p> + Ernesta had given birth to her daughter Benedetta rather late in life, + when three and thirty years of age. At first the little one helped to + divert her mind. But afterwards her wonted existence, like a grinding + millstone, again seized hold of her, and she had to place the child in the + charge of the French nuns, by whom she herself had been educated, at the + convent of the Sacred Heart of La Trinita de’ Monti. When Benedetta left + the convent, grown up, nineteen years of age, she was able to speak and + write French, knew a little arithmetic and her catechism, and possessed a + few hazy notions of history. Then the life of the two women was resumed, + the life of a <i>gynoeceum</i>, suggestive of the Orient; never an + excursion with husband or father, but day after day spent in closed, + secluded rooms, with nought to cheer one but the sole, everlasting, + obligatory promenade, the daily drive to the Corso and the Pincio. + </p> + <p> + At home, absolute obedience was the rule; the tie of relationship + possessed an authority, a strength, which made both women bow to the will + of the Count, without possible thought of rebellion; and to the Count’s + will was added that of Donna Serafina and that of Cardinal Pio, both of + whom were stern defenders of the old-time customs. Since the Pope had + ceased to show himself in Rome, the post of grand equerry had left the + Count considerable leisure, for the number of equipages in the pontifical + stables had been very largely reduced; nevertheless, he was constant in + his attendance at the Vatican, where his duties were now a mere matter of + parade, and ever increased his devout zeal as a mark of protest against + the usurping monarchy installed at the Quirinal. However, Benedetta had + just attained her twentieth year, when one evening her father returned + coughing and shivering from some ceremony at St. Peter’s. A week later he + died, carried off by inflammation of the lungs. And despite their + mourning, the loss was secretly considered a deliverance by both women, + who now felt that they were free. + </p> + <p> + Thenceforward Ernesta had but one thought, that of saving her daughter + from that awful life of immurement and entombment. She herself had + sorrowed too deeply: it was no longer possible for her to remount the + current of existence; but she was unwilling that Benedetta should in her + turn lead a life contrary to nature, in a voluntary grave. Moreover, + similar lassitude and rebellion were showing themselves among other + patrician families, which, after the sulking of the first years, were + beginning to draw nearer to the Quirinal. Why indeed should the children, + eager for action, liberty, and sunlight, perpetually keep up the quarrel + of the fathers? And so, though no reconciliation could take place between + the black world and the white world,* intermediate tints were already + appearing, and some unexpected matrimonial alliances were contracted. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The “blacks” are the supporters of the papacy, the “whites” + those of the King of Italy.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Ernesta for her part was indifferent to the political question; she knew + next to nothing about it; but that which she passionately desired was that + her race might at last emerge from that hateful sepulchre, that black, + silent Boccanera mansion, where her woman’s joys had been frozen by so + long a death. She had suffered very grievously in her heart, as girl, as + lover, and as wife, and yielded to anger at the thought that her life + should have been so spoiled, so lost through idiotic resignation. Then, + too, her mind was greatly influenced by the choice of a new confessor at + this period; for she had remained very religious, practising all the rites + of the Church, and ever docile to the advice of her spiritual director. To + free herself the more, however, she now quitted the Jesuit father whom her + husband had chosen for her, and in his stead took Abbe Pisoni, the rector + of the little church of Sta. Brigida, on the Piazza Farnese, close by. He + was a man of fifty, very gentle, and very good-hearted, of a benevolence + seldom found in the Roman world; and archaeology, a passion for the old + stones of the past, had made him an ardent patriot. Humble though his + position was, folks whispered that he had on several occasions served as + an intermediary in delicate matters between the Vatican and the Quirinal. + And, becoming confessor not only of Ernesta but of Benedetta also, he was + fond of discoursing to them about the grandeur of Italian unity, the + triumphant sway that Italy would exercise when the Pope and the King + should agree together. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Benedetta and Dario loved as on the first day, patiently, with + the strong tranquil love of those who know that they belong to one + another. But it happened that Ernesta threw herself between them and + stubbornly opposed their marriage. No, no! her daughter must not espouse + that Dario, that cousin, the last of the name, who in his turn would + immure his wife in the black sepulchre of the Boccanera palace! Their + union would be a prolongation of entombment, an aggravation of ruin, a + repetition of the haughty wretchedness of the past, of the everlasting + peevish sulking which depressed and benumbed one! She was well acquainted + with the young man’s character; she knew that he was egotistical and weak, + incapable of thinking and acting, predestined to bury his race with a + smile on his lips, to let the last remnant of the house crumble about his + head without attempting the slightest effort to found a new family. And + that which she desired was fortune in another guise, a new birth for her + daughter with wealth and the florescence of life amid the victors and + powerful ones of to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + From that moment the mother did not cease her stubborn efforts to ensure + her daughter’s happiness despite herself. She told her of her tears, + entreated her not to renew her own deplorable career. Yet she would have + failed, such was the calm determination of the girl who had for ever given + her heart, if certain circumstances had not brought her into connection + with such a son-in-law as she dreamt of. At that very Villa Montefiori + where Benedetta and Dario had plighted their troth, she met Count Prada, + son of Orlando, one of the heroes of the reunion of Italy. Arriving in + Rome from Milan, with his father, when eighteen years of age, at the time + of the occupation of the city by the Italian Government, Prada had first + entered the Ministry of Finances as a mere clerk, whilst the old warrior, + his sire, created a senator, lived scantily on a petty income, the last + remnant of a fortune spent in his country’s service. The fine war-like + madness of the former comrade of Garibaldi had, however, in the son turned + into a fierce appetite for booty, so that the young man became one of the + real conquerors of Rome, one of those birds of prey that dismembered and + devoured the city. Engaged in vast speculations on land, already wealthy + according to popular report, he had—at the time of meeting Ernesta—just + become intimate with Prince Onofrio, whose head he had turned by + suggesting to him the idea of selling the far-spreading grounds of the + Villa Montefiori for the erection of a new suburban district on the site. + Others averred that he was the lover of the princess, the beautiful + Flavia, who, although nine years his senior, was still superb. And, truth + to tell, he was certainly a man of violent desires, with an eagerness to + rush on the spoils of conquest which rendered him utterly unscrupulous + with regard either to the wealth or to the wives of others. + </p> + <p> + From the first day that he beheld Benedetta he desired her. But she, at + any rate, could only become his by marriage. And he did not for a moment + hesitate, but broke off all connection with Flavia, eager as he was for + the pure virgin beauty, the patrician youth of the other. When he realised + that Ernesta, the mother, favoured him, he asked her daughter’s hand, + feeling certain of success. And the surprise was great, for he was some + fifteen years older than the girl. However, he was a count, he bore a name + which was already historical, he was piling up millions, he was regarded + with favour at the Quirinal, and none could tell to what heights he might + not attain. All Rome became impassioned. + </p> + <p> + Never afterwards was Benedetta able to explain to herself how it happened + that she had eventually consented. Six months sooner, six months later, + such a marriage would certainly have been impossible, given the fearful + scandal which it raised in the black world. A Boccanera, the last maiden + of that antique papal race, given to a Prada, to one of the despoilers of + the Church! Was it credible? In order that the wild project might prove + successful it had been necessary that it should be formed at a particular + brief moment—a moment when a supreme effort was being made to + conciliate the Vatican and the Quirinal. A report circulated that an + agreement was on the point of being arrived at, that the King consented to + recognise the Pope’s absolute sovereignty over the Leonine City,* and a + narrow band of territory extending to the sea. And if such were the case + would not the marriage of Benedetta and Prada become, so to say, a symbol + of union, of national reconciliation? That lovely girl, the pure lily of + the black world, was she not the acquiescent sacrifice, the pledge granted + to the whites? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Vatican suburb of Rome, called the <i>Civitas Leonina</i>, + because Leo IV, to protect it from the Saracens and Arabs, + enclosed it with walls in the ninth century.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + For a fortnight nothing else was talked of; people discussed the question, + allowed their emotion rein, indulged in all sorts of hopes. The girl, for + her part, did not enter into the political reasons, but simply listened to + her heart, which she could not bestow since it was hers no more. From morn + till night, however, she had to encounter her mother’s prayers entreating + her not to refuse the fortune, the life which offered. And she was + particularly exercised by the counsels of her confessor, good Abbe Pisoni, + whose patriotic zeal now burst forth. He weighed upon her with all his + faith in the Christian destinies of Italy, and returned heartfelt thanks + to Providence for having chosen one of his penitents as the instrument for + hastening the reconciliation which would work God’s triumph throughout the + world. And her confessor’s influence was certainly one of the decisive + factors in shaping Benedetta’s decision, for she was very pious, very + devout, especially with regard to a certain Madonna whose image she went + to adore every Sunday at the little church on the Piazza Farnese. One + circumstance in particular struck her: Abbe Pisoni related that the flame + of the lamp before the image in question whitened each time that he + himself knelt there to beg the Virgin to incline his penitent to the + all-redeeming marriage. And thus superior forces intervened; and she + yielded in obedience to her mother, whom the Cardinal and Donna Serafina + had at first opposed, but whom they left free to act when the religious + question arose. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta had grown up in such absolute purity and ignorance, knowing + nothing of herself, so shut off from existence, that marriage with another + than Dario was to her simply the rupture of a long-kept promise of life in + common. It was not the violent wrenching of heart and flesh that it would + have been in the case of a woman who knew the facts of life. She wept a + good deal, and then in a day of self-surrender she married Prada, lacking + the strength to continue resisting everybody, and yielding to a union + which all Rome had conspired to bring about. + </p> + <p> + But the clap of thunder came on the very night of the nuptials. Was it + that Prada, the Piedmontese, the Italian of the North, the man of + conquest, displayed towards his bride the same brutality that he had shown + towards the city he had sacked? Or was it that the revelation of married + life filled Benedetta with repulsion since nothing in her own heart + responded to the passion of this man? On that point she never clearly + explained herself; but with violence she shut the door of her room, locked + it and bolted it, and refused to admit her husband. For a month Prada was + maddened by her scorn. He felt outraged; both his pride and his passion + bled; and he swore to master her, even as one masters a colt, with the + whip. But all his virile fury was impotent against the indomitable + determination which had sprung up one evening behind Benedetta’s small and + lovely brow. The spirit of the Boccaneras had awoke within her; nothing in + the world, not even the fear of death, would have induced her to become + her husband’s wife.* And then, love being at last revealed to her, there + came a return of her heart to Dario, a conviction that she must reserve + herself for him alone, since it was to him that she had promised herself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Many readers will doubtless remember that the situation as + here described is somewhat akin to that of the earlier part + of M. George Ohnet’s <i>Ironmaster</i>, which, in its form as a + novel, I translated into English many years ago. However, + all resemblance between <i>Rome</i> and the <i>Ironmaster</i> is confined + to this one point.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Ever since that marriage, which he had borne like a bereavement, the young + man had been travelling in France. She did not hide the truth from him, + but wrote to him, again vowing that she would never be another’s. And + meantime her piety increased, her resolve to reserve herself for the lover + she had chosen mingled in her mind with constancy of religious faith. The + ardent heart of a great <i>amorosa</i> had ignited within her, she was + ready for martyrdom for faith’s sake. And when her despairing mother with + clasped hands entreated her to resign herself to her conjugal duties, she + replied that she owed no duties, since she had known nothing when she + married. Moreover, the times were changing; the attempts to reconcile the + Quirinal and the Vatican had failed, so completely, indeed, that the + newspapers of the rival parties had, with renewed violence, resumed their + campaign of mutual insult and outrage; and thus that triumphal marriage, + to which every one had contributed as to a pledge of peace, crumbled amid + the general smash-up, became but a ruin the more added to so many others. + </p> + <p> + Ernesta died of it. She had made a mistake. Her spoilt life—the life + of a joyless wife—had culminated in this supreme maternal error. And + the worst was that she alone had to bear all the responsibility of the + disaster, for both her brother, the Cardinal, and her sister, Donna + Serafina, overwhelmed her with reproaches. For consolation she had but the + despair of Abbe Pisoni, whose patriotic hopes had been destroyed, and who + was consumed with grief at having contributed to such a catastrophe. And + one morning Ernesta was found, icy white and cold, in her bed. Folks + talked of the rupture of a blood-vessel, but grief had been sufficient, + for she had suffered frightfully, secretly, without a plaint, as indeed + she had suffered all her life long. + </p> + <p> + At this time Benedetta had been married about a twelvemonth: still strong + in her resistance to her husband, but remaining under the conjugal roof in + order to spare her mother the terrible blow of a public scandal. However, + her aunt Serafina had brought influence to bear on her, by opening to her + the hope of a possible nullification of her marriage, should she throw + herself at the feet of the Holy Father and entreat his intervention. And + Serafina ended by persuading her of this, when, deferring to certain + advice, she removed her from the spiritual control of Abbe Pisoni, and + gave her the same confessor as herself. This was a Jesuit father named + Lorenza, a man scarce five and thirty, with bright eyes, grave and amiable + manners, and great persuasive powers. However, it was only on the morrow + of her mother’s death that Benedetta made up her mind, and returned to the + Palazzo Boccanera, to occupy the apartments where she had been born, and + where her mother had just passed away. + </p> + <p> + Immediately afterwards proceedings for annulling the marriage were + instituted, in the first instance, for inquiry, before the Cardinal Vicar + charged with the diocese of Rome. It was related that the Contessina had + only taken this step after a secret audience with his Holiness, who had + shown her the most encouraging sympathy. Count Prada at first spoke of + applying to the law courts to compel his wife to return to the conjugal + domicile; but, yielding to the entreaties of his old father Orlando, whom + the affair greatly grieved, he eventually consented to accept the + ecclesiastical jurisdiction. He was infuriated, however, to find that the + nullification of the marriage was solicited on the ground of its + non-consummation through <i>impotentia mariti</i>; this being one of the + most valid and decisive pleas on which the Church of Rome consents to part + those whom she has joined. And far more unhappy marriages than might be + imagined are severed on these grounds, though the world only gives + attention to those cases in which people of title or renown are concerned, + as it did, for instance, with the famous Martinez Campos suit. + </p> + <p> + In Benedetta’s case, her counsel, Consistorial-Advocate Morano, one of the + leading authorities of the Roman bar, simply neglected to mention, in his + memoir, that if she was still merely a wife in name, this was entirely due + to herself. In addition to the evidence of friends and servants, showing + on what terms the husband and wife had lived since their marriage, the + advocate produced a certificate of a medical character, showing that the + non-consummation of the union was certain. And the Cardinal Vicar, acting + as Bishop of Rome, had thereupon remitted the case to the Congregation of + the Council. This was a first success for Benedetta, and matters remained + in this position. She was waiting for the Congregation to deliver its + final pronouncement, hoping that the ecclesiastical dissolution of the + marriage would prove an irresistible argument in favour of the divorce + which she meant to solicit of the civil courts. And meantime, in the icy + rooms where her mother Ernesta, submissive and desolate, had lately died, + the Contessina resumed her girlish life, showing herself calm, yet very + firm in her passion, having vowed that she would belong to none but Dario, + and that she would not belong to him until the day when a priest should + have joined them together in God’s holy name. + </p> + <p> + As it happened, some six months previously, Dario also had taken up his + abode at the Boccanera palace in consequence of the death of his father + and the catastrophe which had ruined him. Prince Onofrio, after adopting + Prada’s advice and selling the Villa Montefiori to a financial company for + ten million <i>lire</i>,* had, instead of prudently keeping his money in + his pockets, succumbed to the fever of speculation which was consuming + Rome. He began to gamble, buying back his own land, and ending by losing + everything in the formidable <i>krach</i> which was swallowing up the + wealth of the entire city. Totally ruined, somewhat deeply in debt even, + the Prince nevertheless continued to promenade the Corso, like the + handsome, smiling, popular man he was, when he accidentally met his death + through falling from his horse; and four months later his widow, the ever + beautiful Flavia—who had managed to save a modern villa and a + personal income of forty thousand <i>lire</i>* from the disaster—was + remarried to a man of magnificent presence, her junior by some ten years. + This was a Swiss named Jules Laporte, originally a sergeant in the Papal + Swiss Guard, then a traveller for a shady business in “relics,” and + finally Marchese Montefiore, having secured that title in securing his + wife, thanks to a special brief of the Holy Father. Thus the Princess + Boccanera had again become the Marchioness Montefiori. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 400,000 pounds. + ** 1,800 pounds. +</pre> + <p> + It was then that Cardinal Boccanera, feeling greatly hurt, insisted on his + nephew Dario coming to live with him, in a small apartment on the first + floor of the palazzo. In the heart of that holy man, who seemed dead to + the world, there still lingered pride of name and lineage, with a feeling + of affection for his young, slightly built nephew, the last of the race, + the only one by whom the old stock might blossom anew. Moreover, he was + not opposed to Dario’s marriage with Benedetta, whom he also loved with a + paternal affection; and so proud was he of the family honour, and so + convinced of the young people’s pious rectitude that, in taking them to + live with him, he absolutely scorned the abominable rumours which Count + Prada’s friends in the white world had begun to circulate ever since the + two cousins had resided under the same roof. Donna Serafina guarded + Benedetta, as he, the Cardinal, guarded Dario, and in the silence and the + gloom of the vast deserted mansion, ensanguined of olden time by so many + tragic deeds of violence, there now only remained these four with their + restrained, stilled passions, last survivors of a crumbling world upon the + threshold of a new one. + </p> + <p> + When Abbe Pierre Froment all at once awoke from sleep, his head heavy with + painful dreams, he was worried to find that the daylight was already + waning. His watch, which he hastened to consult, pointed to six o’clock. + Intending to rest for an hour at the utmost, he had slept on for nearly + seven hours, overcome beyond power of resistance. And even on awaking he + remained on the bed, helpless, as though he were conquered before he had + fought. Why, he wondered, did he experience this prostration, this + unreasonable discouragement, this quiver of doubt which had come he knew + not whence during his sleep, and which was annihilating his youthful + enthusiasm of the morning? Had the Boccaneras any connection with this + sudden weakening of his powers? He had espied dim disquieting figures in + the black night of his dreams; and the anguish which they had brought him + continued, and he again evoked them, scared as he was at thus awaking in a + strange room, full of uneasiness in presence of the unknown. Things no + longer seemed natural to him. He could not understand why Benedetta should + have written to Viscount Philibert de la Choue to tell him that his, + Pierre’s, book had been denounced to the Congregation of the Index. What + interest too could she have had in his coming to Rome to defend himself; + and with what object had she carried her amiability so far as to desire + that he should take up his quarters in the mansion? Pierre’s stupefaction + indeed arose from his being there, on that bed in that strange room, in + that palace whose deep, death-like silence encompassed him. As he lay + there, his limbs still overpowered and his brain seemingly empty, a flash + of light suddenly came to him, and he realised that there must be certain + circumstances that he knew nothing of that, simple though things appeared, + they must really hide some complicated intrigue. However, it was only a + fugitive gleam of enlightenment; his suspicions faded; and he rose up + shaking himself and accusing the gloomy twilight of being the sole cause + of the shivering and the despondency of which he felt ashamed. + </p> + <p> + In order to bestir himself, Pierre began to examine the two rooms. They + were furnished simply, almost meagrely, in mahogany, there being scarcely + any two articles alike, though all dated from the beginning of the + century. Neither the bed nor the windows nor the doors had any hangings. + On the floor of bare tiles, coloured red and polished, there were merely + some little foot-mats in front of the various seats. And at sight of this + middle-class bareness and coldness Pierre ended by remembering a room + where he had slept in childhood—a room at Versailles, at the abode + of his grandmother, who had kept a little grocer’s shop there in the days + of Louis Philippe. However, he became interested in an old painting which + hung in the bed-room, on the wall facing the bed, amidst some childish and + valueless engravings. But partially discernible in the waning light, this + painting represented a woman seated on some projecting stone-work, on the + threshold of a great stern building, whence she seemed to have been driven + forth. The folding doors of bronze had for ever closed behind her, yet she + remained there in a mere drapery of white linen; whilst scattered articles + of clothing, thrown forth chance-wise with a violent hand, lay upon the + massive granite steps. Her feet were bare, her arms were bare, and her + hands, distorted by bitter agony, were pressed to her face—a face + which one saw not, veiled as it was by the tawny gold of her rippling, + streaming hair. What nameless grief, what fearful shame, what hateful + abandonment was thus being hidden by that rejected one, that lingering + victim of love, of whose unknown story one might for ever dream with + tortured heart? It could be divined that she was adorably young and + beautiful in her wretchedness, in the shred of linen draped about her + shoulders; but a mystery enveloped everything else—her passion, + possibly her misfortune, perhaps even her transgression—unless, + indeed, she were there merely as a symbol of all that shivers and that + weeps visageless before the ever closed portals of the unknown. For a long + time Pierre looked at her, and so intently that he at last imagined he + could distinguish her profile, divine in its purity and expression of + suffering. But this was only an illusion; the painting had greatly + suffered, blackened by time and neglect; and he asked himself whose work + it might be that it should move him so intensely. On the adjoining wall a + picture of a Madonna, a bad copy of an eighteenth-century painting, + irritated him by the banality of its smile. + </p> + <p> + Night was falling faster and faster, and, opening the sitting-room window, + Pierre leant out. On the other bank of the Tiber facing him arose the + Janiculum, the height whence he had gazed upon Rome that morning. But at + this dim hour Rome was no longer the city of youth and dreamland soaring + into the early sunshine. The night was raining down, grey and ashen; the + horizon was becoming blurred, vague, and mournful. Yonder, to the left, + beyond the sea of roofs, Pierre could still divine the presence of the + Palatine; and yonder, to the right, there still arose the Dome of St. + Peter’s, now grey like slate against the leaden sky; whilst behind him the + Quirinal, which he could not see, must also be fading away into the misty + night. A few minutes went by, and everything became yet more blurred; he + realised that Rome was fading, departing in its immensity of which he knew + nothing. Then his causeless doubt and disquietude again came on him so + painfully that he could no longer remain at the window. He closed it and + sat down, letting the darkness submerge him with its flood of infinite + sadness. And his despairing reverie only ceased when the door gently + opened and the glow of a lamp enlivened the room. + </p> + <p> + It was Victorine who came in quietly, bringing the light. “Ah! so you are + up, Monsieur l’Abbe,” said she; “I came in at about four o’clock but I let + you sleep on. You have done quite right to take all the rest you + required.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as he complained of pains and shivering, she became anxious. “Don’t + go catching their nasty fevers,” she said. “It isn’t at all healthy near + their river, you know. Don Vigilio, his Eminence’s secretary, is always + having the fever, and I assure you that it isn’t pleasant.” + </p> + <p> + She accordingly advised him to remain upstairs and lie down again. She + would excuse his absence to the Princess and the Contessina. And he ended + by letting her do as she desired, for he was in no state to have any will + of his own. By her advice he dined, partaking of some soup, a wing of a + chicken, and some preserves, which Giaccomo, the big lackey, brought up to + him. And the food did him a great deal of good; he felt so restored that + he refused to go to bed, desiring, said he, to thank the ladies that very + evening for their kindly hospitality. As Donna Serafina received on + Mondays he would present himself before her. + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” said Victorine approvingly. “As you are all right again it + can do you no harm, it will even enliven you. The best thing will be for + Don Vigilio to come for you at nine o’clock and accompany you. Wait for + him here.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had just washed and put on the new cassock he had brought with him, + when, at nine o’clock precisely, he heard a discreet knock at his door. A + little priest came in, a man scarcely thirty years of age, but thin and + debile of build, with a long, seared, saffron-coloured face. For two years + past attacks of fever, coming on every day at the same hour, had been + consuming him. Nevertheless, whenever he forgot to control the black eyes + which lighted his yellow face, they shone out ardently with the glow of + his fiery soul. He bowed, and then in fluent French introduced himself in + this simple fashion: “Don Vigilio, Monsieur l’Abbe, who is entirely at + your service. If you are willing, we will go down.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre immediately followed him, expressing his thanks, and Don Vigilio, + relapsing into silence, answered his remarks with a smile. Having + descended the small staircase, they found themselves on the second floor, + on the spacious landing of the grand staircase. And Pierre was surprised + and saddened by the scanty illumination, which, as in some dingy + lodging-house, was limited to a few gas-jets, placed far apart, their + yellow splotches but faintly relieving the deep gloom of the lofty, + endless corridors. All was gigantic and funereal. Even on the landing, + where was the entrance to Donna Serafina’s apartments, facing those + occupied by her niece, nothing indicated that a reception was being held + that evening. The door remained closed, not a sound came from the rooms, a + death-like silence arose from the whole palace. And Don Vigilio did not + even ring, but, after a fresh bow, discreetly turned the door-handle. + </p> + <p> + A single petroleum lamp, placed on a table, lighted the ante-room, a large + apartment with bare fresco-painted walls, simulating hangings of red and + gold, draped regularly all around in the antique fashion. A few men’s + overcoats and two ladies’ mantles lay on the chairs, whilst a pier table + was littered with hats, and a servant sat there dozing, with his back to + the wall. + </p> + <p> + However, as Don Vigilio stepped aside to allow Pierre to enter a first + reception-room, hung with red <i>brocatelle</i>, a room but dimly lighted + and which he imagined to be empty, the young priest found himself face to + face with an apparition in black, a woman whose features he could not at + first distinguish. Fortunately he heard his companion say, with a low bow, + “Contessina, I have the honour to present to you Monsieur l’Abbe Pierre + Froment, who arrived from France this morning.” + </p> + <p> + Then, for a moment, Pierre remained alone with Benedetta in that deserted + <i>salon</i>, in the sleepy glimmer of two lace-veiled lamps. At present, + however, a sound of voices came from a room beyond, a larger apartment + whose doorway, with folding doors thrown wide open, described a + parallelogram of brighter light. + </p> + <p> + The young woman at once showed herself very affable, with perfect + simplicity of manner: “Ah! I am happy to see you, Monsieur l’Abbe. I was + afraid that your indisposition might be serious. You are quite recovered + now, are you not?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened to her, fascinated by her slow and rather thick voice, in + which restrained passion seemed to mingle with much prudent good sense. + And at last he saw her, with her hair so heavy and so dark, her skin so + white, the whiteness of ivory. She had a round face, with somewhat full + lips, a small refined nose, features as delicate as a child’s. But it was + especially her eyes that lived, immense eyes, whose infinite depths none + could fathom. Was she slumbering? Was she dreaming? Did her motionless + face conceal the ardent tension of a great saint and a great <i>amorosa</i>? + So white, so young, and so calm, her every movement was harmonious, her + appearance at once very staid, very noble, and very rhythmical. In her + ears she wore two large pearls of matchless purity, pearls which had come + from a famous necklace of her mother’s, known throughout Rome. + </p> + <p> + Pierre apologised and thanked her. “You see me in confusion, madame,” said + he; “I should have liked to express to you this morning my gratitude for + your great kindness.” + </p> + <p> + He had hesitated to call her madame, remembering the plea brought forward + in the suit for the dissolution of her marriage. But plainly enough + everybody must call her madame. Moreover, her face had retained its calm + and kindly expression. + </p> + <p> + “Consider yourself at home here, Monsieur l’Abbe,” she responded, wishing + to put him at his ease. “It is sufficient that our relative, Monsieur de + la Choue, should be fond of you, and take interest in your work. I have, + you know, much affection for him.” Then her voice faltered slightly, for + she realised that she ought to speak of the book, the one reason of + Pierre’s journey and her proffered hospitality. “Yes,” she added, “the + Viscount sent me your book. I read it and found it very beautiful. It + disturbed me. But I am only an ignoramus, and certainly failed to + understand everything in it. We must talk it over together; you will + explain your ideas to me, won’t you, Monsieur l’Abbe?” + </p> + <p> + In her large clear eyes, which did not know how to lie, Pierre then read + the surprise and emotion of a child’s soul when confronted by disquieting + and undreamt-of problems. So it was not she who had become impassioned and + had desired to have him near her that she might sustain him and assist his + victory. Once again, and this time very keenly, he suspected a secret + influence, a hidden hand which was directing everything towards some + unknown goal. However, he was charmed by so much simplicity and frankness + in so beautiful, young, and noble a creature; and he gave himself to her + after the exchange of those few words, and was about to tell her that she + might absolutely dispose of him, when he was interrupted by the advent of + another woman, whose tall, slight figure, also clad in black, stood out + strongly against the luminous background of the further reception-room as + seen through the open doorway. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Benedetta, have you sent Giaccomo up to see?” asked the newcomer. + “Don Vigilio has just come down and he is quite alone. It is improper.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, aunt. Monsieur l’Abbe is here,” was the reply of Benedetta, + hastening to introduce the young priest. “Monsieur l’Abbe Pierre Froment—The + Princess Boccanera.” + </p> + <p> + Ceremonious salutations were exchanged. The Princess must have been nearly + sixty, but she laced herself so tightly that from behind one might have + taken her for a young woman. This tight lacing, however, was her last + coquetry. Her hair, though still plentiful, was quite white, her eyebrows + alone remaining black in her long, wrinkled face, from which projected the + large obstinate nose of the family. She had never been beautiful, and had + remained a spinster, wounded to the heart by the selection of Count + Brandini, who had preferred her younger sister, Ernesta. From that moment + she had resolved to seek consolation and satisfaction in family pride + alone, the hereditary pride of the great name which she bore. The + Boccaneras had already supplied two Popes to the Church, and she hoped + that before she died her brother would become the third. She had + transformed herself into his housekeeper, as it were, remaining with him, + watching over him, and advising him, managing all the household affairs + herself, and accomplishing miracles in order to conceal the slow ruin + which was bringing the ceilings about their heads. If every Monday for + thirty years past she had continued receiving a few intimates, all of them + folks of the Vatican, it was from high political considerations, so that + her drawing-room might remain a meeting-place of the black world, a power + and a threat. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre divined by her greeting that she deemed him of little account, + petty foreign priest that he was, not even a prelate. This too again + surprised him, again brought the puzzling question to the fore: Why had he + been invited, what was expected of him in this society from which the + humble were usually excluded? Knowing the Princess to be austerely devout, + he at last fancied that she received him solely out of regard for her + kinsman, the Viscount, for in her turn she only found these words of + welcome: “We are so pleased to receive good news of Monsieur de la Choue! + He brought us such a beautiful pilgrimage two years ago.” + </p> + <p> + Passing the first through the doorway, she at last ushered the young + priest into the adjoining reception-room. It was a spacious square + apartment, hung with old yellow <i>brocatelle</i> of a flowery Louis XIV + pattern. The lofty ceiling was adorned with a very fine panelling, carved + and coloured, with gilded roses in each compartment. The furniture, + however, was of all sorts. There were some high mirrors, a couple of + superb gilded pier tables, and a few handsome seventeenth-century + arm-chairs; but all the rest was wretched. A heavy round table of + first-empire style, which had come nobody knew whence, caught the eye with + a medley of anomalous articles picked up at some bazaar, and a quantity of + cheap photographs littered the costly marble tops of the pier tables. No + interesting article of <i>virtu</i> was to be seen. The old paintings on + the walls were with two exceptions feebly executed. There was a delightful + example of an unknown primitive master, a fourteenth-century Visitation, + in which the Virgin had the stature and pure delicacy of a child of ten, + whilst the Archangel, huge and superb, inundated her with a stream of + dazzling, superhuman love; and in front of this hung an antique family + portrait, depicting a very beautiful young girl in a turban, who was + thought to be Cassia Boccanera, the <i>amorosa</i> and avengeress who had + flung herself into the Tiber with her brother Ercole and the corpse of her + lover, Flavio Corradini. Four lamps threw a broad, peaceful glow over the + faded room, and, like a melancholy sunset, tinged it with yellow. It + looked grave and bare, with not even a flower in a vase to brighten it. + </p> + <p> + In a few words Donna Serafina at once introduced Pierre to the company; + and in the silence, the pause which ensued in the conversation, he felt + that every eye was fixed upon him as upon a promised and expected + curiosity. There were altogether some ten persons present, among them + being Dario, who stood talking with little Princess Celia Buongiovanni, + whilst the elderly relative who had brought the latter sat whispering to a + prelate, Monsignor Nani, in a dim corner. Pierre, however, had been + particularly struck by the name of Consistorial-Advocate Morano, of whose + position in the house Viscount de la Choue had thought proper to inform + him in order to avert any unpleasant blunder. For thirty years past Morano + had been Donna Serafina’s <i>amico</i>. Their connection, formerly a + guilty one, for the advocate had wife and children of his own, had in + course of time, since he had been left a widower, become one of those <i>liaisons</i> + which tolerant people excuse and except. Both parties were extremely + devout and had certainly assured themselves of all needful “indulgences.” + And thus Morano was there in the seat which he had always taken for a + quarter of a century past, a seat beside the chimney-piece, though as yet + the winter fire had not been lighted, and when Donna Serafina had + discharged her duties as mistress of the house, she returned to her own + place in front of him, on the other side of the chimney. + </p> + <p> + When Pierre in his turn had seated himself near Don Vigilio, who, silent + and discreet, had already taken a chair, Dario resumed in a louder voice + the story which he had been relating to Celia. Dario was a handsome man, + of average height, slim and elegant. He wore a full beard, dark and + carefully tended, and had the long face and pronounced nose of the + Boccaneras, but the impoverishment of the family blood over a course of + centuries had attenuated, softened as it were, any sharpness or undue + prominence of feature. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! a beauty, an astounding beauty!” he repeated emphatically. + </p> + <p> + “Whose beauty?” asked Benedetta, approaching him. + </p> + <p> + Celia, who resembled the little Virgin of the primitive master hanging + above her head, began to laugh. “Oh! Dario’s speaking of a poor girl, a + work-girl whom he met to-day,” she explained. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Dario had to begin his narrative again. It appeared that while + passing along a narrow street near the Piazza Navona, he had perceived a + tall, shapely girl of twenty, who was weeping and sobbing violently, prone + upon a flight of steps. Touched particularly by her beauty, he had + approached her and learnt that she had been working in the house outside + which she was, a manufactory of wax beads, but that, slack times having + come, the workshops had closed and she did not dare to return home, so + fearful was the misery there. Amidst the downpour of her tears she raised + such beautiful eyes to his that he ended by drawing some money from his + pocket. But at this, crimson with confusion, she sprang to her feet, + hiding her hands in the folds of her skirt, and refusing to take anything. + She added, however, that he might follow her if it so pleased him, and + give the money to her mother. And then she hurried off towards the Ponte + St’. Angelo.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bridge of St. Angelo. +</pre> + <p> + “Yes, she was a beauty, a perfect beauty,” repeated Dario with an air of + ecstasy. “Taller than I, and slim though sturdy, with the bosom of a + goddess. In fact, a real antique, a Venus of twenty, her chin rather bold, + her mouth and nose of perfect form, and her eyes wonderfully pure and + large! And she was bare-headed too, with nothing but a crown of heavy + black hair, and a dazzling face, gilded, so to say, by the sun.” + </p> + <p> + They had all begun to listen to him, enraptured, full of that passionate + admiration for beauty which, in spite of every change, Rome still retains + in her heart. + </p> + <p> + “Those beautiful girls of the people are becoming very rare,” remarked + Morano. “You might scour the Trastevere without finding any. However, this + proves that there is at least one of them left.” + </p> + <p> + “And what was your goddess’s name?” asked Benedetta, smiling, amused and + enraptured like the others. + </p> + <p> + “Pierina,” replied Dario, also with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “And what did you do with her?” + </p> + <p> + At this question the young man’s excited face assumed an expression of + discomfort and fear, like the face of a child on suddenly encountering + some ugly creature amidst its play. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! don’t talk of it,” said he. “I felt very sorry afterwards. I saw such + misery—enough to make one ill.” + </p> + <p> + Yielding to his curiosity, it seemed, he had followed the girl across the + Ponte St’. Angelo into the new district which was being built over the + former castle meadows*; and there, on the first floor of an abandoned + house which was already falling into ruins, though the plaster was + scarcely dry, he had come upon a frightful spectacle which still stirred + his heart: a whole family, father and mother, children, and an infirm old + uncle, dying of hunger and rotting in filth! He selected the most + dignified words he could think of to describe the scene, waving his hand + the while with a gesture of fright, as if to ward off some horrible + vision. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The meadows around the Castle of St. Angelo. The district, now + covered with buildings, is quite flat and was formerly greatly + subject to floods. It is known as the Quartiere dei Prati.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + “At last,” he concluded, “I ran away, and you may be sure that I shan’t go + back again.” + </p> + <p> + A general wagging of heads ensued in the cold, irksome silence which fell + upon the room. Then Morano summed up the matter in a few bitter words, in + which he accused the despoilers, the men of the Quirinal, of being the + sole cause of all the frightful misery of Rome. Were not people even + talking of the approaching nomination of Deputy Sacco as Minister of + Finances—Sacco, that intriguer who had engaged in all sorts of + underhand practices? His appointment would be the climax of impudence; + bankruptcy would speedily and infallibly ensue. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Benedetta, who had fixed her eyes on Pierre, with his book in her + mind, alone murmured: “Poor people, how very sad! But why not go back to + see them?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, out of his element and absent-minded during the earlier moments, + had been deeply stirred by the latter part of Dario’s narrative. His + thoughts reverted to his apostolate amidst the misery of Paris, and his + heart was touched with compassion at being confronted by the story of such + fearful sufferings on the very day of his arrival in Rome. Unwittingly, + impulsively, he raised his voice, and said aloud: “Oh! we will go to see + them together, madame; you will take me. These questions impassion me so + much.” + </p> + <p> + The attention of everybody was then again turned upon the young priest. + The others questioned him, and he realised that they were all anxious + about his first impressions, his opinion of their city and of themselves. + He must not judge Rome by mere outward appearances, they said. What effect + had the city produced on him? How had he found it, and what did he think + of it? Thereupon he politely apologised for his inability to answer them. + He had not yet gone out, said he, and had seen nothing. But this answer + was of no avail; they pressed him all the more keenly, and he fully + understood that their object was to gain him over to admiration and love. + They advised him, adjured him not to yield to any fatal disillusion, but + to persist and wait until Rome should have revealed to him her soul. + </p> + <p> + “How long do you expect to remain among us, Monsieur l’Abbe?” suddenly + inquired a courteous voice, with a clear but gentle ring. + </p> + <p> + It was Monsignor Nani, who, seated in the gloom, thus raised his voice for + the first time. On several occasions it had seemed to Pierre that the + prelate’s keen blue eyes were steadily fixed upon him, though all the + while he pretended to be attentively listening to the drawling chatter of + Celia’s aunt. And before replying Pierre glanced at him. In his + crimson-edged cassock, with a violet silk sash drawn tightly around his + waist, Nani still looked young, although he was over fifty. His hair had + remained blond, he had a straight refined nose, a mouth very firm yet very + delicate of contour, and beautifully white teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Why, a fortnight or perhaps three weeks, Monsignor,” replied Pierre. + </p> + <p> + The whole <i>salon</i> protested. What, three weeks! It was his pretension + to know Rome in three weeks! Why, six weeks, twelve months, ten years were + required! The first impression was always a disastrous one, and a long + sojourn was needed for a visitor to recover from it. + </p> + <p> + “Three weeks!” repeated Donna Serafina with her disdainful air. “Is it + possible for people to study one another and get fond of one another in + three weeks? Those who come back to us are those who have learned to know + us.” + </p> + <p> + Instead of launching into exclamations like the others, Nani had at first + contented himself with smiling, and gently waving his shapely hand, which + bespoke his aristocratic origin. Then, as Pierre modestly explained + himself, saying that he had come to Rome to attend to certain matters and + would leave again as soon as those matters should have been concluded, the + prelate, still smiling, summed up the argument with the remark: “Oh! + Monsieur l’Abbe will stay with us for more than three weeks; we shall have + the happiness of his presence here for a long time, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + These words, though spoken with quiet cordiality, strangely disturbed the + young priest. What was known, what was meant? He leant towards Don + Vigilio, who had remained near him, still and ever silent, and in a + whisper inquired: “Who is Monsignor Nani?” + </p> + <p> + The secretary, however, did not at once reply. His feverish face became + yet more livid. Then his ardent eyes glanced round to make sure that + nobody was watching him, and in a breath he responded: “He is the Assessor + of the Holy Office.” * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Otherwise the Inquisition. +</pre> + <p> + This information sufficed, for Pierre was not ignorant of the fact that + the assessor, who was present in silence at the meetings of the Holy + Office, waited upon his Holiness every Wednesday evening after the + sitting, to render him an account of the matters dealt with in the + afternoon. This weekly audience, this hour spent with the Pope in a + privacy which allowed of every subject being broached, gave the assessor + an exceptional position, one of considerable power. Moreover the office + led to the cardinalate; the only “rise” that could be given to the + assessor was his promotion to the Sacred College. + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Nani, who seemed so perfectly frank and amiable, continued to + look at the young priest with such an encouraging air that the latter felt + obliged to go and occupy the seat beside him, which Celia’s old aunt at + last vacated. After all, was there not an omen of victory in meeting, on + the very day of his arrival, a powerful prelate whose influence would + perhaps open every door to him? He therefore felt very touched when + Monsignor Nani, immediately after the first words, inquired in a tone of + deep interest, “And so, my dear child, you have published a book?” + </p> + <p> + After this, gradually mastered by his enthusiasm and forgetting where he + was, Pierre unbosomed himself, and recounted the birth and progress of his + burning love amidst the sick and the humble, gave voice to his dream of a + return to the olden Christian community, and triumphed with the + rejuvenescence of Catholicism, developing into the one religion of the + universal democracy. Little by little he again raised his voice, and + silence fell around him in the stern, antique reception-room, every one + lending ear to his words with increasing surprise, with a growing coldness + of which he remained unconscious. + </p> + <p> + At last Nani gently interrupted him, still wearing his perpetual smile, + the faint irony of which, however, had departed. “No doubt, no doubt, my + dear child,” he said, “it is very beautiful, oh! very beautiful, well + worthy of the pure and noble imagination of a Christian. But what do you + count on doing now?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall go straight to the Holy Father to defend myself,” answered + Pierre. + </p> + <p> + A light, restrained laugh went round, and Donna Serafina expressed the + general opinion by exclaiming: “The Holy Father isn’t seen as easily as + that.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, was quite impassioned. “Well, for my part,” he rejoined, + “I hope I shall see him. Have I not expressed his views? Have I not + defended his policy? Can he let my book be condemned when I believe that I + have taken inspiration from all that is best in him?” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt, no doubt,” Nani again hastily replied, as if he feared that the + others might be too brusque with the young enthusiast. “The Holy Father + has such a lofty mind. And of course it would be necessary to see him. + Only, my dear child, you must not excite yourself so much; reflect a + little; take your time.” And, turning to Benedetta, he added, “Of course + his Eminence has not seen Abbe Froment yet. It would be well, however, + that he should receive him to-morrow morning to guide him with his wise + counsel.” + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Boccanera never attended his sister’s Monday-evening receptions. + Still, he was always there in the spirit, like some absent sovereign + master. + </p> + <p> + “To tell the truth,” replied the Contessina, hesitating, “I fear that my + uncle does not share Monsieur l’Abbe’s views.” + </p> + <p> + Nani again smiled. “Exactly; he will tell him things which it is good he + should hear.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon it was at once settled with Don Vigilio that the latter would + put down the young priest’s name for an audience on the following morning + at ten o’clock. + </p> + <p> + However, at that moment a cardinal came in, clad in town costume—his + sash and his stockings red, but his simar black, with a red edging and red + buttons. It was Cardinal Sarno, a very old intimate of the Boccaneras; and + whilst he apologised for arriving so late, through press of work, the + company became silent and deferentially clustered round him. This was the + first cardinal Pierre had seen, and he felt greatly disappointed, for the + newcomer had none of the majesty, none of the fine port and presence to + which he had looked forward. On the contrary, he was short and somewhat + deformed, with the left shoulder higher than the right, and a worn, ashen + face with lifeless eyes. To Pierre he looked like some old clerk of + seventy, half stupefied by fifty years of office work, dulled and bent by + incessantly leaning over his writing desk ever since his youth. And indeed + that was Sarno’s story. The puny child of a petty middle-class family, he + had been educated at the Seminario Romano. Then later he had for ten years + professed Canon Law at that same seminary, afterwards becoming one of the + secretaries of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. Finally, + five and twenty years ago, he had been created a cardinal, and the jubilee + of his cardinalate had recently been celebrated. Born in Rome, he had + always lived there; he was the perfect type of the prelate who, through + growing up in the shade of the Vatican, has become one of the masters of + the world. Although he had never occupied any diplomatic post, he had + rendered such important services to the Propaganda, by his methodical + habits of work, that he had become president of one of the two commissions + which furthered the interests of the Church in those vast countries of the + west which are not yet Catholic. And thus, in the depths of his dim eyes, + behind his low, dull-looking brow, the huge map of Christendom was stored + away. + </p> + <p> + Nani himself had risen, full of covert respect for the unobtrusive but + terrible man whose hand was everywhere, even in the most distant corners + of the earth, although he had never left his office. As Nani knew, despite + his apparent nullity, Sarno, with his slow, methodical, ably organised + work of conquest, possessed sufficient power to set empires in confusion. + </p> + <p> + “Has your Eminence recovered from that cold which distressed us so much?” + asked Nani. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, I still cough. There is a most malignant passage at the offices. + I feel as cold as ice as soon as I leave my room.” + </p> + <p> + From that moment Pierre felt quite little, virtually lost. He was not even + introduced to the Cardinal. And yet he had to remain in the room for + nearly another hour, looking around and observing. That antiquated world + then seemed to him puerile, as though it had lapsed into a mournful second + childhood. Under all the apparent haughtiness and proud reserve he could + divine real timidity, unacknowledged distrust, born of great ignorance. If + the conversation did not become general, it was because nobody dared to + speak out frankly; and what he heard in the corners was simply so much + childish chatter, the petty gossip of the week, the trivial echoes of + sacristies and drawing-rooms. People saw but little of one another, and + the slightest incidents assumed huge proportions. At last Pierre ended by + feeling as though he were transported into some <i>salon</i> of the time + of Charles X, in one of the episcopal cities of the French provinces. No + refreshments were served. Celia’s old aunt secured possession of Cardinal + Sarno; but, instead of replying to her, he simply wagged his head from + time to time. Don Vigilio had not opened his mouth the whole evening. + However, a conversation in a very low tone was started by Nani and Morano, + to whom Donna Serafina listened, leaning forward and expressing her + approval by slowly nodding her head. They were doubtless speaking of the + dissolution of Benedetta’s marriage, for they glanced at the young woman + gravely from time to time. And in the centre of the spacious room, in the + sleepy glow of the lamps, there was only the young people, Benedetta, + Dario, and Celia who seemed to be at all alive, chattering in undertones + and occasionally repressing a burst of laughter. + </p> + <p> + All at once Pierre was struck by the great resemblance between Benedetta + and the portrait of Cassia hanging on the wall. Each displayed the same + delicate youth, the same passionate mouth, the same large, unfathomable + eyes, set in the same round, sensible, healthy-looking face. In each there + was certainly the same upright soul, the same heart of flame. Then a + recollection came to Pierre, that of a painting by Guido Reni, the + adorable, candid head of Beatrice Cenci, which, at that moment and to his + thinking, the portrait of Cassia closely resembled. This resemblance + stirred him and he glanced at Benedetta with anxious sympathy, as if all + the fierce fatality of race and country were about to fall on her. But no, + it could not be; she looked so calm, so resolute, and so patient! Besides, + ever since he had entered that room he had noticed none other than signs + of gay fraternal tenderness between her and Dario, especially on her side, + for her face ever retained the bright serenity of a love which may be + openly confessed. At one moment, it is true, Dario in a joking way had + caught hold of her hands and pressed them; but while he began to laugh + rather nervously, with a brighter gleam darting from his eyes, she on her + side, all composure, slowly freed her hands, as though theirs was but the + play of old and affectionate friends. She loved him, though, it was + visible, with her whole being and for her whole life. + </p> + <p> + At last when Dario, after stifling a slight yawn and glancing at his + watch, had slipped off to join some friends who were playing cards at a + lady’s house, Benedetta and Celia sat down together on a sofa near Pierre; + and the latter, without wishing to listen, overheard a few words of their + confidential chat. The little Princess was the eldest daughter of Prince + Matteo Buongiovanni, who was already the father of five children by an + English wife, a Mortimer, to whom he was indebted for a dowry of two + hundred thousand pounds. Indeed, the Buongiovannis were known as one of + the few patrician families of Rome that were still rich, still erect among + the ruins of the past, now crumbling on every side. They also numbered two + popes among their forerunners, yet this had not prevented Prince Matteo + from lending support to the Quirinal without quarrelling with the Vatican. + Son of an American woman, no longer having the pure Roman blood in his + veins, he was a more supple politician than other aristocrats, and was + also, folks said, extremely grasping, struggling to be one of the last to + retain the wealth and power of olden times, which he realised were + condemned to death. Yet it was in his family, renowned for its superb + pride and its continued magnificence, that a love romance had lately taken + birth, a romance which was the subject of endless gossip: Celia had + suddenly fallen in love with a young lieutenant to whom she had never + spoken; her love was reciprocated, and the passionate attachment of the + officer and the girl only found vent in the glances they exchanged on + meeting each day during the usual drive through the Corso. Nevertheless + Celia displayed a tenacious will, and after declaring to her father that + she would never take any other husband, she was waiting, firm and + resolute, in the certainty that she would ultimately secure the man of her + choice. The worst of the affair was that the lieutenant, Attilio Sacco, + happened to be the son of Deputy Sacco, a parvenu whom the black world + looked down upon, as upon one sold to the Quirinal and ready to undertake + the very dirtiest job. + </p> + <p> + “It was for me that Morano spoke just now,” Celia murmured in Benedetta’s + ear. “Yes, yes, when he spoke so harshly of Attilio’s father and that + ministerial appointment which people are talking about. He wanted to give + me a lesson.” + </p> + <p> + The two girls had sworn eternal affection in their school-days, and + Benedetta, the elder by five years, showed herself maternal. “And so,” she + said, “you’ve not become a whit more reasonable. You still think of that + young man?” + </p> + <p> + “What! are you going to grieve me too, dear?” replied Celia. “I love + Attilio and mean to have him. Yes, him and not another! I want him and + I’ll have him, because I love him and he loves me. It’s simple enough.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre glanced at her, thunderstruck. With her gentle virgin face she was + like a candid, budding lily. A brow and a nose of blossom-like purity; a + mouth all innocence with its lips closing over pearly teeth, and eyes like + spring water, clear and fathomless. And not a quiver passed over her + cheeks of satiny freshness, no sign, however faint, of anxiety or + inquisitiveness appeared in her candid glance. Did she think? Did she + know? Who could have answered? She was virginity personified with all its + redoubtable mystery. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my dear,” resumed Benedetta, “don’t begin my sad story over again. + One doesn’t succeed in marrying the Pope and the King.” + </p> + <p> + All tranquillity, Celia responded: “But you didn’t love Prada, whereas I + love Attilio. Life lies in that: one must love.” + </p> + <p> + These words, spoken so naturally by that ignorant child, disturbed Pierre + to such a point that he felt tears rising to his eyes. Love! yes, therein + lay the solution of every quarrel, the alliance between the nations, the + reign of peace and joy throughout the world! However, Donna Serafina had + now risen, shrewdly suspecting the nature of the conversation which was + impassioning the two girls. And she gave Don Vigilio a glance, which the + latter understood, for he came to tell Pierre in an undertone that it was + time to retire. Eleven o’clock was striking, and Celia went off with her + aunt. Advocate Morano, however, doubtless desired to retain Cardinal Sarno + and Nani for a few moments in order that they might privately discuss some + difficulty which had arisen in the divorce proceedings. On reaching the + outer reception-room, Benedetta, after kissing Celia on both cheeks, took + leave of Pierre with much good grace. + </p> + <p> + “In answering the Viscount to-morrow morning,” said she, “I shall tell him + how happy we are to have you with us, and for longer than you think. Don’t + forget to come down at ten o’clock to see my uncle, the Cardinal.” + </p> + <p> + Having climbed to the third floor again, Pierre and Don Vigilio, each + carrying a candlestick which the servant had handed to them, were about to + part for the night, when the former could not refrain from asking the + secretary a question which had been worrying him for hours: “Is Monsignor + Nani a very influential personage?” + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio again became quite scared, and simply replied by a gesture, + opening his arms as if to embrace the world. Then his eyes flashed, and in + his turn he seemed to yield to inquisitiveness. “You already knew him, + didn’t you?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “I? not at all!” + </p> + <p> + “Really! Well, he knows you very well. Last Monday I heard him speak of + you in such precise terms that he seemed to be acquainted with the + slightest particulars of your career and your character.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I never even heard his name before.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he must have procured information.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Don Vigilio bowed and entered his room; whilst Pierre, surprised + to find his door open, saw Victorine come out with her calm active air. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Monsieur l’Abbe, I wanted to make sure that you had everything you + were likely to want. There are candles, water, sugar, and matches. And + what do you take in the morning, please? Coffee? No, a cup of milk with a + roll. Very good; at eight o’clock, eh? And now rest and sleep well. I was + awfully afraid of ghosts during the first nights I spent in this old + palace! But I never saw a trace of one. The fact is, when people are dead, + they are too well pleased, and don’t want to break their rest!” + </p> + <p> + Then off she went, and Pierre at last found himself alone, glad to be able + to shake off the strain imposed on him, to free himself from the + discomfort which he had felt in that reception-room, among those people + who in his mind still mingled and vanished like shadows in the sleepy glow + of the lamps. Ghosts, thought he, are the old dead ones of long ago whose + distressed spirits return to love and suffer in the breasts of the living + of to-day. And, despite his long afternoon rest, he had never felt so + weary, so desirous of slumber, confused and foggy as was his mind, full of + the fear that he had hitherto not understood things aright. When he began + to undress, his astonishment at being in that room returned to him with + such intensity that he almost fancied himself another person. What did all + those people think of his book? Why had he been brought to this cold + dwelling whose hostility he could divine? Was it for the purpose of + helping him or conquering him? And again in the yellow glimmer, the dismal + sunset of the drawing-room, he perceived Donna Serafina and Advocate + Morano on either side of the chimney-piece, whilst behind the calm yet + passionate visage of Benedetta appeared the smiling face of Monsignor + Nani, with cunning eyes and lips bespeaking indomitable energy. + </p> + <p> + He went to bed, but soon got up again, stifling, feeling such a need of + fresh, free air that he opened the window wide in order to lean out. But + the night was black as ink, the darkness had submerged the horizon. A mist + must have hidden the stars in the firmament; the vault above seemed opaque + and heavy like lead; and yonder in front the houses of the Trastevere had + long since been asleep. Not one of all their windows glittered; there was + but a single gaslight shining, all alone and far away, like a lost spark. + In vain did Pierre seek the Janiculum. In the depths of that ocean of + nihility all sunk and vanished, Rome’s four and twenty centuries, the + ancient Palatine and the modern Quirinal, even the giant dome of St. + Peter’s, blotted out from the sky by the flood of gloom. And below him he + could not see, he could not even hear the Tiber, the dead river flowing + past the dead city. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"></a> + III. + </h2> + <p> + AT a quarter to ten o’clock on the following morning Pierre came down to + the first floor of the mansion for his audience with Cardinal Boccanera. + He had awoke free of all fatigue and again full of courage and candid + enthusiasm; nothing remaining of his strange despondency of the previous + night, the doubts and suspicions which had then come over him. The morning + was so fine, the sky so pure and so bright, that his heart once more + palpitated with hope. + </p> + <p> + On the landing he found the folding doors of the first ante-room wide + open. While closing the gala saloons which overlooked the street, and + which were rotting with old age and neglect, the Cardinal still used the + reception-rooms of one of his grand-uncles, who in the eighteenth century + had risen to the same ecclesiastical dignity as himself. There was a suite + of four immense rooms, each sixteen feet high, with windows facing the + lane which sloped down towards the Tiber; and the sun never entered them, + shut off as it was by the black houses across the lane. Thus the + installation, in point of space, was in keeping with the display and pomp + of the old-time princely dignitaries of the Church. But no repairs were + ever made, no care was taken of anything, the hangings were frayed and + ragged, and dust preyed on the furniture, amidst an unconcern which seemed + to betoken some proud resolve to stay the course of time. + </p> + <p> + Pierre experienced a slight shock as he entered the first room, the + servants’ ante-chamber. Formerly two pontifical <i>gente d’armi</i> in + full uniform had always stood there amidst a stream of lackeys; and the + single servant now on duty seemed by his phantom-like appearance to + increase the melancholiness of the vast and gloomy hall. One was + particularly struck by an altar facing the windows, an altar with red + drapery surmounted by a <i>baldacchino</i> with red hangings, on which + appeared the escutcheon of the Boccaneras, the winged dragon spitting + flames with the device, <i>Bocca nera, Alma rossa</i>. And the + grand-uncle’s red hat, the old huge ceremonial hat, was also there, with + the two cushions of red silk, and the two antique parasols which were + taken in the coach each time his Eminence went out. And in the deep + silence it seemed as if one could almost hear the faint noise of the moths + preying for a century past upon all this dead splendour, which would have + fallen into dust at the slightest touch of a feather broom. + </p> + <p> + The second ante-room, that was formerly occupied by the secretary, was + also empty, and it was only in the third one, the <i>anticamera nobile</i>, + that Pierre found Don Vigilio. With his retinue reduced to what was + strictly necessary, the Cardinal had preferred to have his secretary near + him—at the door, so to say, of the old throne-room, where he gave + audience. And Don Vigilio, so thin and yellow, and quivering with fever, + sat there like one lost, at a small, common, black table covered with + papers. Raising his head from among a batch of documents, he recognised + Pierre, and in a low voice, a faint murmur amidst the silence, he said, + “His Eminence is engaged. Please wait.” + </p> + <p> + Then he again turned to his reading, doubtless to escape all attempts at + conversation. + </p> + <p> + Not daring to sit down, Pierre examined the apartment. It looked perhaps + yet more dilapidated than the others, with its hangings of green damask + worn by age and resembling the faded moss on ancient trees. The ceiling, + however, had remained superb. Within a frieze of gilded and coloured + ornaments was a fresco representing the Triumph of Amphitrite, the work of + one of Raffaelle’s pupils. And, according to antique usage, it was here + that the <i>berretta</i>, the red cap, was placed, on a credence, below a + large crucifix of ivory and ebony. + </p> + <p> + As Pierre grew used to the half-light, however, his attention was more + particularly attracted by a recently painted full-length portrait of the + Cardinal in ceremonial costume—cassock of red moire, rochet of lace, + and <i>cappa</i> thrown like a royal mantle over his shoulders. In these + vestments of the Church the tall old man of seventy retained the proud + bearing of a prince, clean shaven, but still boasting an abundance of + white hair which streamed in curls over his shoulders. He had the + commanding visage of the Boccaneras, a large nose and a large thin-lipped + mouth in a long face intersected by broad lines; and the eyes which + lighted his pale countenance were indeed the eyes of his race, very dark, + yet sparkling with ardent life under bushy brows which had remained quite + black. With laurels about his head he would have resembled a Roman + emperor, very handsome and master of the world, as though indeed the blood + of Augustus pulsated in his veins. + </p> + <p> + Pierre knew his story which this portrait recalled. Educated at the + College of the Nobles, Pio Boccanera had but once absented himself from + Rome, and that when very young, hardly a deacon, but nevertheless + appointed oblegate to convey a <i>berretta</i> to Paris. On his return his + ecclesiastical career had continued in sovereign fashion. Honours had + fallen on him naturally, as by right of birth. Ordained by Pius IX + himself, afterwards becoming a Canon of the Vatican Basilica, and <i>Cameriere + segreto</i>, he had risen to the post of Majordomo about the time of the + Italian occupation, and in 1874 had been created a Cardinal. For the last + four years, moreover, he had been Papal Chamberlain (<i>Camerlingo</i>), + and folks whispered that Leo XIII had appointed him to that post, even as + he himself had been appointed to it by Pius IX, in order to lessen his + chance of succeeding to the pontifical throne; for although the conclave + in choosing Leo had set aside the old tradition that the Camerlingo was + ineligible for the papacy, it was not probable that it would again dare to + infringe that rule. Moreover, people asserted that, even as had been the + case in the reign of Pius, there was a secret warfare between the Pope and + his Camerlingo, the latter remaining on one side, condemning the policy of + the Holy See, holding radically different opinions on all things, and + silently waiting for the death of Leo, which would place power in his + hands with the duty of summoning the conclave, and provisionally watching + over the affairs and interests of the Church until a new Pope should be + elected. Behind Cardinal Pio’s broad, stern brow, however, in the glow of + his dark eyes, might there not also be the ambition of actually rising to + the papacy, of repeating the career of Gioachino Pecci, Camerlingo and + then Pope, all tradition notwithstanding? With the pride of a Roman prince + Pio knew but Rome; he almost gloried in being totally ignorant of the + modern world; and verily he showed himself very pious, austerely + religious, with a full firm faith into which the faintest doubt could + never enter. + </p> + <p> + But a whisper drew Pierre from his reflections. Don Vigilio, in his + prudent way, invited him to sit down: “You may have to wait some time: + take a stool.” + </p> + <p> + Then he began to cover a large sheet of yellowish paper with fine writing, + while Pierre seated himself on one of the stools ranged alongside the wall + in front of the portrait. And again the young man fell into a reverie, + picturing in his mind a renewal of all the princely pomp of the old-time + cardinals in that antique room. To begin with, as soon as nominated, a + cardinal gave public festivities, which were sometimes very splendid. + During three days the reception-rooms remained wide open, all could enter, + and from room to room ushers repeated the names of those who came—patricians, + people of the middle class, poor folks, all Rome indeed, whom the new + cardinal received with sovereign kindliness, as a king might receive his + subjects. Then there was quite a princely retinue; some cardinals carried + five hundred people about with them, had no fewer than sixteen distinct + offices in their households, lived, in fact, amidst a perfect court. Even + when life subsequently became simplified, a cardinal, if he were a prince, + still had a right to a gala train of four coaches drawn by black horses. + Four servants preceded him in liveries, emblazoned with his arms, and + carried his hat, cushion, and parasols. He was also attended by a + secretary in a mantle of violet silk, a train-bearer in a gown of violet + woollen stuff, and a gentleman in waiting, wearing an Elizabethan style of + costume, and bearing the <i>berretta</i> with gloved hands. Although the + household had then become smaller, it still comprised an <i>auditore</i> + specially charged with the congregational work, a secretary employed + exclusively for correspondence, a chief usher who introduced visitors, a + gentleman in attendance for the carrying of the <i>berretta</i>, a + train-bearer, a chaplain, a majordomo and a <i>valet-de-chambre</i>, to + say nothing of a flock of underlings, lackeys, cooks, coachmen, grooms, + quite a population, which filled the vast mansions with bustle. And with + these attendants Pierre mentally sought to fill the three spacious + ante-rooms now so deserted; the stream of lackeys in blue liveries + broidered with emblazonry, the world of abbes and prelates in silk mantles + appeared before him, again setting magnificent and passionate life under + the lofty ceilings, illumining all the semi-gloom with resuscitated + splendour. + </p> + <p> + But nowadays—particularly since the Italian occupation of Rome—nearly + all the great fortunes of the Roman princes have been exhausted, and the + pomp of the great dignitaries of the Church has disappeared. The ruined + patricians have kept aloof from badly remunerated ecclesiastical offices + to which little renown attaches, and have left them to the ambition of the + petty <i>bourgeoisie</i>. Cardinal Boccanera, the last prince of ancient + nobility invested with the purple, received scarcely more than 30,000 <i>lire</i>* + a year to enable him to sustain his rank, that is 22,000 <i>lire</i>,** + the salary of his post as Camerlingo, and various small sums derived from + other functions. And he would never have made both ends meet had not Donna + Serafina helped him with the remnants of the former family fortune which + he had long previously surrendered to his sisters and his brother. Donna + Serafina and Benedetta lived apart, in their own rooms, having their own + table, servants, and personal expenses. The Cardinal only had his nephew + Dario with him, and he never gave a dinner or held a public reception. His + greatest source of expense was his carriage, the heavy pair-horse coach, + which ceremonial usage compelled him to retain, for a cardinal cannot go + on foot through the streets of Rome. However, his coachman, an old family + servant, spared him the necessity of keeping a groom by insisting on + taking entire charge of the carriage and the two black horses, which, like + himself, had grown old in the service of the Boccaneras. There were two + footmen, father and son, the latter born in the house. And the cook’s wife + assisted in the kitchen. However, yet greater reductions had been made in + the ante-rooms, where the staff, once so brilliant and numerous, was now + simply composed of two petty priests, Don Vigilio, who was at once + secretary, auditore, and majordomo, and Abbe Paparelli, who acted as + train-bearer, chaplain, and chief usher. There, where a crowd of salaried + people of all ranks had once moved to and fro, filling the vast halls with + bustle and colour, one now only beheld two little black cassocks gliding + noiselessly along, two unobtrusive shadows flitting about amidst the deep + gloom of the lifeless rooms. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 1,200 pounds. + + ** 880 pounds. +</pre> + <p> + And Pierre now fully understood the haughty unconcern of the Cardinal, who + suffered time to complete its work of destruction in that ancestral + mansion, to which he was powerless to restore the glorious life of former + times! Built for that shining life, for the sovereign display of a + sixteenth-century prince, it was now deserted and empty, crumbling about + the head of its last master, who had no servants left him to fill it, and + would not have known how to pay for the materials which repairs would have + necessitated. And so, since the modern world was hostile, since religion + was no longer sovereign, since men had changed, and one was drifting into + the unknown, amidst the hatred and indifference of new generations, why + not allow the old world to collapse in the stubborn, motionless pride born + of its ancient glory? Heroes alone died standing, without relinquishing + aught of their past, preserving the same faith until their final gasp, + beholding, with pain-fraught bravery and infinite sadness, the slow last + agony of their divinity. And the Cardinal’s tall figure, his pale, proud + face, so full of sovereign despair and courage, expressed that stubborn + determination to perish beneath the ruins of the old social edifice rather + than change a single one of its stones. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was roused by a rustling of furtive steps, a little mouse-like + trot, which made him raise his head. A door in the wall had just opened, + and to his surprise there stood before him an abbe of some forty years, + fat and short, looking like an old maid in a black skirt, a very old maid + in fact, so numerous were the wrinkles on his flabby face. It was Abbe + Paparelli, the train-bearer and usher, and on seeing Pierre he was about + to question him, when Don Vigilio explained matters. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! very good, very good, Monsieur l’Abbe Froment. His Eminence will + condescend to receive you, but you must wait, you must wait.” + </p> + <p> + Then, with his silent rolling walk, he returned to the second ante-room, + where he usually stationed himself. + </p> + <p> + Pierre did not like his face—the face of an old female devotee, + whitened by celibacy, and ravaged by stern observance of the rites; and + so, as Don Vigilio—his head weary and his hands burning with fever—had + not resumed his work, the young man ventured to question him. Oh! Abbe + Paparelli, he was a man of the liveliest faith, who from simple humility + remained in a modest post in his Eminence’s service. On the other hand, + his Eminence was pleased to reward him for his devotion by occasionally + condescending to listen to his advice. + </p> + <p> + As Don Vigilio spoke, a faint gleam of irony, a kind of veiled anger + appeared in his ardent eyes. However, he continued to examine Pierre, and + gradually seemed reassured, appreciating the evident frankness of this + foreigner who could hardly belong to any clique. And so he ended by + departing somewhat from his continual sickly distrust, and even engaged in + a brief chat. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” he said, “there is a deal of work sometimes, and rather hard + work too. His Eminence belongs to several Congregations, the Consistorial, + the Holy Office, the Index, the Rites. And all the documents concerning + the business which falls to him come into my hands. I have to study each + affair, prepare a report on it, clear the way, so to say. Besides which + all the correspondence is carried on through me. Fortunately his Eminence + is a holy man, and intrigues neither for himself nor for others, and this + enables us to taste a little peace.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre took a keen interest in these particulars of the life led by a + prince of the Church. He learnt that the Cardinal rose at six o’clock, + summer and winter alike. He said his mass in his chapel, a little room + which simply contained an altar of painted wood, and which nobody but + himself ever entered. His private apartments were limited to three rooms—a + bed-room, dining-room, and study—all very modest and small, + contrived indeed by partitioning off portions of one large hall. And he + led a very retired life, exempt from all luxury, like one who is frugal + and poor. At eight in the morning he drank a cup of cold milk for his + breakfast. Then, when there were sittings of the Congregations to which he + belonged, he attended them; otherwise he remained at home and gave + audience. Dinner was served at one o’clock, and afterwards came the + siesta, lasting until five in summer and until four at other seasons—a + sacred moment when a servant would not have dared even to knock at the + door. On awaking, if it were fine, his Eminence drove out towards the + ancient Appian Way, returning at sunset when the <i>Ave Maria</i> began to + ring. And finally, after again giving audience between seven and nine, he + supped and retired into his room, where he worked all alone or went to + bed. The cardinals wait upon the Pope on fixed days, two or three times + each month, for purposes connected with their functions. For nearly a + year, however, the Camerlingo had not been received in private audience by + his Holiness, and this was a sign of disgrace, a proof of secret warfare, + of which the entire black world spoke in prudent whispers. + </p> + <p> + “His Eminence is sometimes a little rough,” continued Don Vigilio in a + soft voice. “But you should see him smile when his niece the Contessina, + of whom he is very fond, comes down to kiss him. If you have a good + reception, you know, you will owe it to the Contessina.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment the secretary was interrupted. A sound of voices came from + the second ante-room, and forthwith he rose to his feet, and bent very low + at sight of a stout man in a black cassock, red sash, and black hat, with + twisted cord of red and gold, whom Abbe Paparelli was ushering in with a + great display of deferential genuflections. Pierre also had risen at a + sign from Don Vigilio, who found time to whisper to him, “Cardinal + Sanguinetti, Prefect of the Congregation of the Index.” + </p> + <p> + Meantime Abbe Paparelli was lavishing attentions on the prelate, repeating + with an expression of blissful satisfaction: “Your most reverend Eminence + was expected. I have orders to admit your most reverend Eminence at once. + His Eminence the Grand Penitentiary is already here.” + </p> + <p> + Sanguinetti, loud of voice and sonorous of tread, spoke out with sudden + familiarity, “Yes, yes, I know. A number of importunate people detained + me! One can never do as one desires. But I am here at last.” + </p> + <p> + He was a man of sixty, squat and fat, with a round and highly coloured + face distinguished by a huge nose, thick lips, and bright eyes which were + always on the move. But he more particularly struck one by his active, + almost turbulent, youthful vivacity, scarcely a white hair as yet showing + among his brown and carefully tended locks, which fell in curls about his + temples. Born at Viterbo, he had studied at the seminary there before + completing his education at the Universita Gregoriana in Rome. His + ecclesiastical appointments showed how rapidly he had made his way, how + supple was his mind: first of all secretary to the nunciature at Lisbon; + then created titular Bishop of Thebes, and entrusted with a delicate + mission in Brazil; on his return appointed nuncio first at Brussels and + next at Vienna; and finally raised to the cardinalate, to say nothing of + the fact that he had lately secured the suburban episcopal see of + Frascati.* Trained to business, having dealt with every nation in Europe, + he had nothing against him but his ambition, of which he made too open a + display, and his spirit of intrigue, which was ever restless. It was said + that he was now one of the irreconcilables who demanded that Italy should + surrender Rome, though formerly he had made advances to the Quirinal. In + his wild passion to become the next Pope he rushed from one opinion to the + other, giving himself no end of trouble to gain people from whom he + afterwards parted. He had twice already fallen out with Leo XIII, but had + deemed it politic to make his submission. In point of fact, given that he + was an almost openly declared candidate to the papacy, he was wearing + himself out by his perpetual efforts, dabbling in too many things, and + setting too many people agog. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Cardinals York and Howard were Bishops of Frascati.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Pierre, however, had only seen in him the Prefect of the Congregation of + the Index; and the one idea which struck him was that this man would + decide the fate of his book. And so, when the Cardinal had disappeared and + Abbe Paparelli had returned to the second ante-room, he could not refrain + from asking Don Vigilio, “Are their Eminences Cardinal Sanguinetti and + Cardinal Boccanera very intimate, then?” + </p> + <p> + An irrepressible smile contracted the secretary’s lips, while his eyes + gleamed with an irony which he could no longer subdue: “Very intimate—oh! + no, no—they see one another when they can’t do otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + Then he explained that considerable deference was shown to Cardinal + Boccanera’s high birth, and that his colleagues often met at his + residence, when, as happened to be the case that morning, any grave affair + presented itself, requiring an interview apart from the usual official + meetings. Cardinal Sanguinetti, he added, was the son of a petty medical + man of Viterbo. “No, no,” he concluded, “their Eminences are not at all + intimate. It is difficult for men to agree when they have neither the same + ideas nor the same character, especially too when they are in each other’s + way.” + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio spoke these last words in a lower tone, as if talking to + himself and still retaining his sharp smile. But Pierre scarcely listened, + absorbed as he was in his own worries. “Perhaps they have met to discuss + some affair connected with the Index?” said he. + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio must have known the object of the meeting. However, he merely + replied that, if the Index had been in question, the meeting would have + taken place at the residence of the Prefect of that Congregation. + Thereupon Pierre, yielding to his impatience, was obliged to put a + straight question. “You know of my affair—the affair of my book,” he + said. “Well, as his Eminence is a member of the Congregation, and all the + documents pass through your hands, you might be able to give me some + useful information. I know nothing as yet and am so anxious to know!” + </p> + <p> + At this Don Vigilio relapsed into scared disquietude. He stammered, saying + that he had not seen any documents, which was true. “Nothing has yet + reached us,” he added; “I assure you I know nothing.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as the other persisted, he signed to him to keep quiet, and again + turned to his writing, glancing furtively towards the second ante-room as + if he believed that Abbe Paparelli was listening. He had certainly said + too much, he thought, and he made himself very small, crouching over the + table, and melting, fading away in his dim corner. + </p> + <p> + Pierre again fell into a reverie, a prey to all the mystery which + enveloped him—the sleepy, antique sadness of his surroundings. Long + minutes went by; it was nearly eleven when the sound of a door opening and + a buzz of voices roused him. Then he bowed respectfully to Cardinal + Sanguinetti, who went off accompanied by another cardinal, a very thin and + tall man, with a grey, bony, ascetic face. Neither of them, however, + seemed even to see the petty foreign priest who bent low as they went by. + They were chatting aloud in familiar fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! the wind is falling; it is warmer than yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall certainly have the sirocco to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Then solemn silence again fell on the large, dim room. Don Vigilio was + still writing, but his pen made no noise as it travelled over the stiff + yellow paper. However, the faint tinkle of a cracked bell was suddenly + heard, and Abbe Paparelli, after hastening into the throne-room for a + moment, returned to summon Pierre, whom he announced in a restrained + voice: “Monsieur l’Abbe Pierre Froment.” + </p> + <p> + The spacious throne-room was like the other apartments, a virtual ruin. + Under the fine ceiling of carved and gilded wood-work, the red + wall-hangings of <i>brocatelle</i>, with a large palm pattern, were + falling into tatters. A few holes had been patched, but long wear had + streaked the dark purple of the silk—once of dazzling magnificence—with + pale hues. The curiosity of the room was its old throne, an arm-chair + upholstered in red silk, on which the Holy Father had sat when visiting + Cardinal Pio’s grand-uncle. This chair was surmounted by a canopy, + likewise of red silk, under which hung the portrait of the reigning Pope. + And, according to custom, the chair was turned towards the wall, to show + that none might sit on it. The other furniture of the apartment was made + up of sofas, arm-chairs, and chairs, with a marvellous Louis Quatorze + table of gilded wood, having a top of mosaic-work representing the rape of + Europa. + </p> + <p> + But at first Pierre only saw Cardinal Boccanera standing by the table + which he used for writing. In his simple black cassock, with red edging + and red buttons, the Cardinal seemed to him yet taller and prouder than in + the portrait which showed him in ceremonial costume. There was the same + curly white hair, the same long, strongly marked face, with large nose and + thin lips, and the same ardent eyes, illumining the pale countenance from + under bushy brows which had remained black. But the portrait did not + express the lofty tranquil faith which shone in this handsome face, a + complete certainty of what truth was, and an absolute determination to + abide by it for ever. + </p> + <p> + Boccanera had not stirred, but with black, fixed glance remained watching + his visitor’s approach; and the young priest, acquainted with the usual + ceremonial, knelt and kissed the large ruby which the prelate wore on his + hand. However, the Cardinal immediately raised him. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome here, my dear son. My niece spoke to me about you with so + much sympathy that I am happy to receive you.” With these words Pio seated + himself near the table, as yet not telling Pierre to take a chair, but + still examining him whilst speaking slowly and with studied politeness: + “You arrived yesterday morning, did you not, and were very tired?” + </p> + <p> + “Your Eminence is too kind—yes, I was worn out, as much through + emotion as fatigue. This journey is one of such gravity for me.” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal seemed indisposed to speak of serious matters so soon. “No + doubt; it is a long way from Paris to Rome,” he replied. “Nowadays the + journey may be accomplished with fair rapidity, but formerly how + interminable it was!” Then speaking yet more slowly: “I went to Paris once—oh! + a long time ago, nearly fifty years ago—and then for barely a week. + A large and handsome city; yes, yes, a great many people in the streets, + extremely well-bred people, a nation which has accomplished great and + admirable things. Even in these sad times one cannot forget that France + was the eldest daughter of the Church. But since that one journey I have + not left Rome—” + </p> + <p> + Then he made a gesture of quiet disdain, expressive of all he left unsaid. + What was the use of journeying to a land of doubt and rebellion? Did not + Rome suffice—Rome, which governed the world—the Eternal City + which, when the times should be accomplished, would become the capital of + the world once more? + </p> + <p> + Silently glancing at the Cardinal’s lofty stature, the stature of one of + the violent war-like princes of long ago, now reduced to wearing that + simple cassock, Pierre deemed him superb with his proud conviction that + Rome sufficed unto herself. But that stubborn resolve to remain in + ignorance, that determination to take no account of other nations + excepting to treat them as vassals, disquieted him when he reflected on + the motives that had brought him there. And as silence had again fallen he + thought it politic to approach the subject he had at heart by words of + homage. + </p> + <p> + “Before taking any other steps,” said he, “I desired to express my + profound respect for your Eminence; for in your Eminence I place my only + hope; and I beg your Eminence to be good enough to advise and guide me.” + </p> + <p> + With a wave of the hand Boccanera thereupon invited Pierre to take a chair + in front of him. “I certainly do not refuse you my counsel, my dear son,” + he replied. “I owe my counsel to every Christian who desires to do well. + But it would be wrong for you to rely on my influence. I have none. I live + entirely apart from others; I cannot and will not ask for anything. + However, this will not prevent us from chatting.” Then, approaching the + question in all frankness, without the slightest artifice, like one of + brave and absolute mind who fears no responsibility however great, he + continued: “You have written a book, have you not?—‘New Rome,’ I + believe—and you have come to defend this book which has been + denounced to the Congregation of the Index. For my own part I have not yet + read it. You will understand that I cannot read everything. I only see the + works that are sent to me by the Congregation which I have belonged to + since last year; and, besides, I often content myself with the reports + which my secretary draws up for me. However, my niece Benedetta has read + your book, and has told me that it is not lacking in interest. It first + astonished her somewhat, and then greatly moved her. So I promise you that + I will go through it and study the incriminated passages with the greatest + care.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre profited by the opportunity to begin pleading his cause. And it + occurred to him that it would be best to give his references at once. + “Your Eminence will realise how stupefied I was when I learnt that + proceedings were being taken against my book,” he said. “Monsieur le + Vicomte Philibert de la Choue, who is good enough to show me some + friendship, does not cease repeating that such a book is worth the best of + armies to the Holy See.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! De la Choue, De la Choue!” repeated the Cardinal with a pout of + good-natured disdain. “I know that De la Choue considers himself a good + Catholic. He is in a slight degree our relative, as you know. And when he + comes to Rome and stays here, I willingly see him, on condition however + that no mention is made of certain subjects on which it would be + impossible for us to agree. To tell the truth, the Catholicism preached by + De la Choue—worthy, clever man though he is—his Catholicism, I + say, with his corporations, his working-class clubs, his cleansed + democracy and his vague socialism, is after all merely so much + literature!” + </p> + <p> + This pronouncement struck Pierre, for he realised all the disdainful irony + contained in it—an irony which touched himself. And so he hastened + to name his other reference, whose authority he imagined to be above + discussion: “His Eminence Cardinal Bergerot has been kind enough to + signify his full approval of my book.” + </p> + <p> + At this Boccanera’s face suddenly changed. It no longer wore an expression + of derisive blame, tinged with the pity that is prompted by a child’s + ill-considered action fated to certain failure. A flash of anger now + lighted up the Cardinal’s dark eyes, and a pugnacious impulse hardened his + entire countenance. “In France,” he slowly resumed, “Cardinal Bergerot no + doubt has a reputation for great piety. We know little of him in Rome. + Personally, I have only seen him once, when he came to receive his hat. + And I would not therefore allow myself to judge him if his writings and + actions had not recently saddened my believing soul. Unhappily, I am not + the only one; you will find nobody here, of the Sacred College, who + approves of his doings.” Boccanera paused, then in a firm voice concluded: + “Cardinal Bergerot is a Revolutionary!” + </p> + <p> + This time Pierre’s surprise for a moment forced him to silence. A + Revolutionary—good heavens! a Revolutionary—that gentle pastor + of souls, whose charity was inexhaustible, whose one dream was that Jesus + might return to earth to ensure at last the reign of peace and justice! So + words did not have the same signification in all places; into what + religion had he now tumbled that the faith of the poor and the humble + should be looked upon as a mere insurrectional, condemnable passion? As + yet unable to understand things aright, Pierre nevertheless realised that + discussion would be both discourteous and futile, and his only remaining + desire was to give an account of his book, explain and vindicate it. But + at his first words the Cardinal interposed. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my dear son. It would take us too long and I wish to read the + passages. Besides, there is an absolute rule. All books which meddle with + the faith are condemnable and pernicious. Does your book show perfect + respect for dogma?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe so, and I assure your Eminence that I have had no intention of + writing a work of negation.” + </p> + <p> + “Good: I may be on your side if that is true. Only, in the contrary case, + I have but one course to advise you, which is to withdraw your work, + condemn it, and destroy it without waiting until a decision of the Index + compels you to do so. Whosoever has given birth to scandal must stifle it + and expiate it, even if he have to cut into his own flesh. The only duties + of a priest are humility and obedience, the complete annihilation of self + before the sovereign will of the Church. And, besides, why write at all? + For there is already rebellion in expressing an opinion of one’s own. It + is always the temptation of the devil which puts a pen in an author’s + hand. Why, then, incur the risk of being for ever damned by yielding to + the pride of intelligence and domination? Your book again, my dear son—your + book is literature, literature!” + </p> + <p> + This expression again repeated was instinct with so much contempt that + Pierre realised all the wretchedness that would fall upon the poor pages + of his apostolate on meeting the eyes of this prince who had become a + saintly man. With increasing fear and admiration he listened to him, and + beheld him growing greater and greater. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! faith, my dear son, everything is in faith—perfect, + disinterested faith—which believes for the sole happiness of + believing! How restful it is to bow down before the mysteries without + seeking to penetrate them, full of the tranquil conviction that, in + accepting them, one possesses both the certain and the final! Is not the + highest intellectual satisfaction that which is derived from the victory + of the divine over the mind, which it disciplines, and contents so + completely that it knows desire no more? And apart from that perfect + equilibrium, that explanation of the unknown by the divine, no durable + peace is possible for man. If one desires that truth and justice should + reign upon earth, it is in God that one must place them. He that does not + believe is like a battlefield, the scene of every disaster. Faith alone + can tranquillise and deliver.” + </p> + <p> + For an instant Pierre remained silent before the great figure rising up in + front of him. At Lourdes he had only seen suffering humanity rushing + thither for health of the body and consolation of the soul; but here was + the intellectual believer, the mind that needs certainty, finding + satisfaction, tasting the supreme enjoyment of doubting no more. He had + never previously heard such a cry of joy at living in obedience without + anxiety as to the morrow of death. He knew that Boccanera’s youth had been + somewhat stormy, traversed by acute attacks of sensuality, a flaring of + the red blood of his ancestors; and he marvelled at the calm majesty which + faith had at last implanted in this descendant of so violent a race, who + had no passion remaining in him but that of pride. + </p> + <p> + “And yet,” Pierre at last ventured to say in a timid, gentle voice, “if + faith remains essential and immutable, forms change. From hour to hour + evolution goes on in all things—the world changes.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not true!” exclaimed the Cardinal, “the world does not change. It + continually tramps over the same ground, loses itself, strays into the + most abominable courses, and it continually has to be brought back into + the right path. That is the truth. In order that the promises of Christ + may be fulfilled, is it not necessary that the world should return to its + starting point, its original innocence? Is not the end of time fixed for + the day when men shall be in possession of the full truth of the Gospel? + Yes, truth is in the past, and it is always to the past that one must + cling if one would avoid the pitfalls which evil imaginations create. All + those fine novelties, those mirages of that famous so-called progress, are + simply traps and snares of the eternal tempter, causes of perdition and + death. Why seek any further, why constantly incur the risk of error, when + for eighteen hundred years the truth has been known? Truth! why it is in + Apostolic and Roman Catholicism as created by a long succession of + generations! What madness to desire to change it when so many lofty minds, + so many pious souls have made of it the most admirable of monuments, the + one instrument of order in this world, and of salvation in the next!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, whose heart had contracted, refrained from further protest, for he + could no longer doubt that he had before him an implacable adversary of + his most cherished ideas. Chilled by a covert fear, as though he felt a + faint breath, as of a distant wind from a land of ruins, pass over his + face, bringing with it the mortal cold of a sepulchre, he bowed + respectfully whilst the Cardinal, rising to his full height, continued in + his obstinate voice, resonant with proud courage: “And if Catholicism, as + its enemies pretend, be really stricken unto death, it must die standing + and in all its glorious integrality. You hear me, Monsieur l’Abbe—not + one concession, not one surrender, not a single act of cowardice! + Catholicism is such as it is, and cannot be otherwise. No modification of + the divine certainty, the entire truth, is possible. The removal of the + smallest stone from the edifice could only prove a cause of instability. + Is this not evident? You cannot save old houses by attacking them with the + pickaxe under pretence of decorating them. You only enlarge the fissures. + Even if it were true that Rome were on the eve of falling into dust, the + only result of all the repairing and patching would be to hasten the + catastrophe. And instead of a noble death, met unflinchingly, we should + then behold the basest of agonies, the death throes of a coward who + struggles and begs for mercy! For my part I wait. I am convinced that all + that people say is but so much horrible falsehood, that Catholicism has + never been firmer, that it imbibes eternity from the one and only source + of life. But should the heavens indeed fall, on that day I should be here, + amidst these old and crumbling walls, under these old ceilings whose beams + are being devoured by the worms, and it is here, erect, among the ruins, + that I should meet my end, repeating my <i>credo</i> for the last time.” + </p> + <p> + His final words fell more slowly, full of haughty sadness, whilst with a + sweeping gesture he waved his arms towards the old, silent, deserted + palace around him, whence life was withdrawing day by day. Had an + involuntary presentiment come to him, did the faint cold breath from the + ruins also fan his own cheeks? All the neglect into which the vast rooms + had fallen was explained by his words; and a superb, despondent grandeur + enveloped this prince and cardinal, this uncompromising Catholic who, + withdrawing into the dim half-light of the past, braved with a soldier’s + heart the inevitable downfall of the olden world. + </p> + <p> + Deeply impressed, Pierre was about to take his leave when, to his + surprise, a little door opened in the hangings. “What is it? Can’t I be + left in peace for a moment?” exclaimed Boccanera with sudden impatience. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Abbe Paparelli, fat and sleek, glided into the room without + the faintest sign of emotion. And he whispered a few words in the ear of + the Cardinal, who, on seeing him, had become calm again. “What curate?” + asked Boccanera. “Oh! yes, Santobono, the curate of Frascati. I know—tell + him I cannot see him just now.” + </p> + <p> + Paparelli, however, again began whispering in his soft voice, though not + in so low a key as previously, for some of his words could be overheard. + The affair was urgent, the curate was compelled to return home, and had + only a word or two to say. And then, without awaiting consent, the + train-bearer ushered in the visitor, a <i>protege</i> of his, whom he had + left just outside the little door. And for his own part he withdrew with + the tranquillity of a retainer who, whatever the modesty of his office, + knows himself to be all powerful. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, who was momentarily forgotten, looked at the visitor—a big + fellow of a priest, the son of a peasant evidently, and still near to the + soil. He had an ungainly, bony figure, huge feet and knotted hands, with a + seamy tanned face lighted by extremely keen black eyes. Five and forty and + still robust, his chin and cheeks bristling, and his cassock, overlarge, + hanging loosely about his big projecting bones, he suggested a bandit in + disguise. Still there was nothing base about him; the expression of his + face was proud. And in one hand he carried a small wicker basket carefully + covered over with fig-leaves. + </p> + <p> + Santobono at once bent his knees and kissed the Cardinal’s ring, but with + hasty unconcern, as though only some ordinary piece of civility were in + question. Then, with that commingling of respect and familiarity which the + little ones of the world often evince towards the great, he said, “I beg + your most reverend Eminence’s forgiveness for having insisted. But there + were people waiting, and I should not have been received if my old friend + Paparelli had not brought me by way of that door. Oh! I have a very great + service to ask of your Eminence, a real service of the heart. But first of + all may I be allowed to offer your Eminence a little present?” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal listened with a grave expression. He had been well acquainted + with Santobono in the years when he had spent the summer at Frascati, at a + princely residence which the Boccaneras had possessed there—a villa + rebuilt in the seventeenth century, surrounded by a wonderful park, whose + famous terrace overlooked the Campagna, stretching far and bare like the + sea. This villa, however, had since been sold, and on some vineyards, + which had fallen to Benedetta’s share, Count Prada, prior to the divorce + proceedings, had begun to erect quite a district of little pleasure + houses. In former times, when walking out, the Cardinal had condescended + to enter and rest in the dwelling of Santobono, who officiated at an + antique chapel dedicated to St. Mary of the Fields, without the town. The + priest had his home in a half-ruined building adjoining this chapel, and + the charm of the place was a walled garden which he cultivated himself + with the passion of a true peasant. + </p> + <p> + “As is my rule every year,” said he, placing his basket on the table, “I + wished that your Eminence might taste my figs. They are the first of the + season. I gathered them expressly this morning. You used to be so fond of + them, your Eminence, when you condescended to gather them from the tree + itself. You were good enough to tell me that there wasn’t another tree in + the world that produced such fine figs.” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal could not help smiling. He was indeed very fond of figs, and + Santobono spoke truly: his fig-tree was renowned throughout the district. + “Thank you, my dear Abbe,” said Boccanera, “you remember my little + failings. Well, and what can I do for you?” + </p> + <p> + Again he became grave, for, in former times, there had been unpleasant + discussions between him and the curate, a lack of agreement which had + angered him. Born at Nemi, in the core of a fierce district, Santobono + belonged to a violent family, and his eldest brother had died of a stab. + He himself had always professed ardently patriotic opinions. It was said + that he had all but taken up arms for Garibaldi; and, on the day when the + Italians had entered Rome, force had been needed to prevent him from + raising the flag of Italian unity above his roof. His passionate dream was + to behold Rome mistress of the world, when the Pope and the King should + have embraced and made cause together. Thus the Cardinal looked on him as + a dangerous revolutionary, a renegade who imperilled Catholicism. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! what your Eminence can do for me, what your Eminence can do if only + condescending and willing!” repeated Santobono in an ardent voice, + clasping his big knotty hands. And then, breaking off, he inquired, “Did + not his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti explain my affair to your most + reverend Eminence?” + </p> + <p> + “No, the Cardinal simply advised me of your visit, saying that you had + something to ask of me.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst speaking Boccanera’s face had clouded over, and it was with + increased sternness of manner that he again waited. He was aware that the + priest had become Sanguinetti’s “client” since the latter had been in the + habit of spending weeks together at his suburban see of Frascati. Walking + in the shadow of every cardinal who is a candidate to the papacy, there + are familiars of low degree who stake the ambition of their life on the + possibility of that cardinal’s election. If he becomes Pope some day, if + they themselves help him to the throne, they enter the great pontifical + family in his train. It was related that Sanguinetti had once already + extricated Santobono from a nasty difficulty: the priest having one day + caught a marauding urchin in the act of climbing his wall, had beaten the + little fellow with such severity that he had ultimately died of it. + However, to Santobono’s credit it must be added that his fanatical + devotion to the Cardinal was largely based upon the hope that he would + prove the Pope whom men awaited, the Pope who would make Italy the + sovereign nation of the world. + </p> + <p> + “Well, this is my misfortune,” he said. “Your Eminence knows my brother + Agostino, who was gardener at the villa for two years in your Eminence’s + time. He is certainly a very pleasant and gentle young fellow, of whom + nobody has ever complained. And so it is hard to understand how such an + accident can have happened to him, but it seems that he has killed a man + with a knife at Genzano, while walking in the street in the evening. I am + dreadfully distressed about it, and would willingly give two fingers of my + right hand to extricate him from prison. However, it occurred to me that + your Eminence would not refuse me a certificate stating that Agostino was + formerly in your Eminence’s service, and that your Eminence was always + well pleased with his quiet disposition.” + </p> + <p> + But the Cardinal flatly protested: “I was not at all pleased with + Agostino. He was wildly violent, and I had to dismiss him precisely + because he was always quarrelling with the other servants.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! how grieved I am to hear your Eminence say that! So it is true, then, + my poor little Agostino’s disposition has really changed! Still there is + always a way out of a difficulty, is there not? You can still give me a + certificate, first arranging the wording of it. A certificate from your + Eminence would have such a favourable effect upon the law officers.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt,” replied Boccanera; “I can understand that, but I will give no + certificate.” + </p> + <p> + “What! does your most reverend Eminence refuse my prayer?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely! I know that you are a priest of perfect morality, that you + discharge the duties of your ministry with strict punctuality, and that + you would be deserving of high commendation were it not for your political + fancies. Only your fraternal affection is now leading you astray. I cannot + tell a lie to please you.” + </p> + <p> + Santobono gazed at him in real stupefaction, unable to understand that a + prince, an all-powerful cardinal, should be influenced by such petty + scruples, when the entire question was a mere knife thrust, the most + commonplace and frequent of incidents in the yet wild land of the old + Roman castles. + </p> + <p> + “A lie! a lie!” he muttered; “but surely it isn’t lying just to say what + is good of a man, leaving out all the rest, especially when a man has good + points as Agostino certainly has. In a certificate, too, everything + depends on the words one uses.” + </p> + <p> + He stubbornly clung to that idea; he could not conceive that a person + should refuse to soften the rigour of justice by an ingenious presentation + of the facts. However, on acquiring a certainty that he would obtain + nothing, he made a gesture of despair, his livid face assuming an + expression of violent rancour, whilst his black eyes flamed with + restrained passion. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well! each looks on truth in his own way,” he said. “I shall go + back to tell his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti. And I beg your Eminence + not to be displeased with me for having disturbed your Eminence to no + purpose. By the way, perhaps the figs are not yet quite ripe; but I will + take the liberty to bring another basketful towards the end of the season, + when they will be quite nice and sweet. A thousand thanks and a thousand + felicities to your most reverend Eminence.” + </p> + <p> + Santobono went off backwards, his big bony figure bending double with + repeated genuflections. Pierre, whom the scene had greatly interested, in + him beheld a specimen of the petty clergy of Rome and its environs, of + whom people had told him before his departure from Paris. This was not the + <i>scagnozzo</i>, the wretched famished priest whom some nasty affair + brings from the provinces, who seeks his daily bread on the pavements of + Rome; one of the herd of begowned beggars searching for a livelihood among + the crumbs of Church life, voraciously fighting for chance masses, and + mingling with the lowest orders in taverns of the worst repute. Nor was + this the country priest of distant parts, a man of crass ignorance and + superstition, a peasant among the peasants, treated as an equal by his + pious flock, which is careful not to mistake him for the Divinity, and + which, whilst kneeling in all humility before the parish saint, does not + bend before the man who from that saint derives his livelihood. At + Frascati the officiating minister of a little church may receive a stipend + of some nine hundred <i>lire</i> a year,* and he has only bread and meat + to buy if his garden yields him wine and fruit and vegetables. This one, + Santobono, was not without education; he knew a little theology and a + little history, especially the history of the past grandeur of Rome, which + had inflamed his patriotic heart with the mad dream that universal + domination would soon fall to the portion of renascent Rome, the capital + of united Italy. But what an insuperable distance still remained between + this petty Roman clergy, often very worthy and intelligent, and the high + clergy, the high dignitaries of the Vatican! Nobody that was not at least + a prelate seemed to count. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * About 36 pounds. One is reminded of Goldsmith’s line: “And + passing rich with forty pounds a year.”—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + “A thousand thanks to your most reverend Eminence, and may success attend + all your Eminence’s desires.” + </p> + <p> + With these words Santobono finally disappeared, and the Cardinal returned + to Pierre, who also bowed preparatory to taking his leave. + </p> + <p> + “To sum up the matter, Monsieur l’Abbe,” said Boccanera, “the affair of + your book presents certain difficulties. As I have told you, I have no + precise information, I have seen no documents. But knowing that my niece + took an interest in you, I said a few words on the subject to Cardinal + Sanguinetti, the Prefect of the Index, who was here just now. And he knows + little more than I do, for nothing has yet left the Secretary’s hands. + Still he told me that the denunciation emanated from personages of rank + and influence, and applied to numerous pages of your work, in which it was + said there were passages of the most deplorable character as regards both + discipline and dogma.” + </p> + <p> + Greatly moved by the idea that he had hidden foes, secret adversaries who + pursued him in the dark, the young priest responded: “Oh! denounced, + denounced! If your Eminence only knew how that word pains my heart! And + denounced, too, for offences which were certainly involuntary, since my + one ardent desire was the triumph of the Church! All I can do, then, is to + fling myself at the feet of the Holy Father and entreat him to hear my + defence.” + </p> + <p> + Boccanera suddenly became very grave again. A stern look rested on his + lofty brow as he drew his haughty figure to its full height. “His + Holiness,” said he, “can do everything, even receive you, if such be his + good pleasure, and absolve you also. But listen to me. I again advise you + to withdraw your book yourself, to destroy it, simply and courageously, + before embarking in a struggle in which you will reap the shame of being + overwhelmed. Reflect on that.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, had no sooner spoken of the Pope than he had regretted + it, for he realised that an appeal to the sovereign authority was + calculated to wound the Cardinal’s feelings. Moreover, there was no + further room for doubt. Boccanera would be against his book, and the + utmost that he could hope for was to gain his neutrality by bringing + pressure to bear on him through those about him. At the same time he had + found the Cardinal very plain spoken, very frank, far removed from all the + secret intriguing in which the affair of his book was involved, as he now + began to realise; and so it was with deep respect and genuine admiration + for the prelate’s strong and lofty character that he took leave of him. + </p> + <p> + “I am infinitely obliged to your Eminence,” he said, “and I promise that I + will carefully reflect upon all that your Eminence has been kind enough to + say to me.” + </p> + <p> + On returning to the ante-room, Pierre there found five or six persons who + had arrived during his audience, and were now waiting. There was a bishop, + a domestic prelate, and two old ladies, and as he drew near to Don Vigilio + before retiring, he was surprised to find him conversing with a tall, fair + young fellow, a Frenchman, who, also in astonishment, exclaimed, “What! + are you here in Rome, Monsieur l’Abbe?” + </p> + <p> + For a moment Pierre had hesitated. “Ah! I must ask your pardon, Monsieur + Narcisse Habert,” he replied, “I did not at first recognise you! It was + the less excusable as I knew that you had been an <i>attache</i> at our + embassy here ever since last year.” + </p> + <p> + Tall, slim, and elegant of appearance, Narcisse Habert had a clear + complexion, with eyes of a bluish, almost mauvish, hue, a fair frizzy + beard, and long curling fair hair cut short over the forehead in the + Florentine fashion. Of a wealthy family of militant Catholics, chiefly + members of the bar or bench, he had an uncle in the diplomatic profession, + and this had decided his own career. Moreover, a place at Rome was marked + out for him, for he there had powerful connections. He was a nephew by + marriage of Cardinal Sarno, whose sister had married another of his + uncles, a Paris notary; and he was also cousin german of Monsignor Gamba + del Zoppo, a <i>Cameriere segreto</i>, and son of one of his aunts, who + had married an Italian colonel. And in some measure for these reasons he + had been attached to the embassy to the Holy See, his superiors tolerating + his somewhat fantastic ways, his everlasting passion for art which sent + him wandering hither and thither through Rome. He was moreover very + amiable and extremely well-bred; and it occasionally happened, as was the + case that morning, that with his weary and somewhat mysterious air he came + to speak to one or another of the cardinals on some real matter of + business in the ambassador’s name. + </p> + <p> + So as to converse with Pierre at his ease, he drew him into the deep + embrasure of one of the windows. “Ah! my dear Abbe, how pleased I am to + see you!” said he. “You must remember what pleasant chats we had when we + met at Cardinal Bergerot’s! I told you about some paintings which you were + to see for your book, some miniatures of the fourteenth and fifteenth + centuries. And now, you know, I mean to take possession of you. I’ll show + you Rome as nobody else could show it to you. I’ve seen and explored + everything. Ah! there are treasures, such treasures! But in truth there is + only one supreme work; one always comes back to one’s particular passion. + The Botticelli in the Sixtine Chapel—ah, the Botticelli!” + </p> + <p> + His voice died away, and he made a faint gesture as if overcome by + admiration. Then Pierre had to promise that he would place himself in his + hands and accompany him to the Sixtine Chapel. “You know why I am here,” + at last said the young priest. “Proceedings have been taken against my + book; it has been denounced to the Congregation of the Index.” + </p> + <p> + “Your book! is it possible?” exclaimed Narcisse: “a book like that with + pages recalling the delightful St. Francis of Assisi!” And thereupon he + obligingly placed himself at Pierre’s disposal. “But our ambassador will + be very useful to you,” he said. “He is the best man in the world, of + charming affability, and full of the old French spirit. I will present you + to him this afternoon or to-morrow morning at the latest; and since you + desire an immediate audience with the Pope, he will endeavour to obtain + one for you. His position naturally designates him as your intermediary. + Still, I must confess that things are not always easily managed. Although + the Holy Father is very fond of him, there are times when his Excellency + fails, for the approaches are so extremely intricate.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had not thought of employing the ambassador’s good offices, for he + had naively imagined that an accused priest who came to defend himself + would find every door open. However, he was delighted with Narcisse’s + offer, and thanked him as warmly as if the audience were already obtained. + </p> + <p> + “Besides,” the young man continued, “if we encounter any difficulties I + have relatives at the Vatican, as you know. I don’t mean my uncle the + Cardinal, who would be of no use to us, for he never stirs out of his + office at the Propaganda, and will never apply for anything. But my + cousin, Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo, is very obliging, and he lives in + intimacy with the Pope, his duties requiring his constant attendance on + him. So, if necessary, I will take you to see him, and he will no doubt + find a means of procuring you an interview, though his extreme prudence + keeps him perpetually afraid of compromising himself. However, it’s + understood, you may rely on me in every respect.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my dear sir,” exclaimed Pierre, relieved and happy, “I heartily + accept your offer. You don’t know what balm your words have brought me; + for ever since my arrival everybody has been discouraging me, and you are + the first to restore my strength by looking at things in the true French + way.” + </p> + <p> + Then, lowering his voice, he told the <i>attache</i> of his interview with + Cardinal Boccanera, of his conviction that the latter would not help him, + of the unfavourable information which had been given by Cardinal + Sanguinetti, and of the rivalry which he had divined between the two + prelates. Narcisse listened, smiling, and in his turn began to gossip + confidentially. The rivalry which Pierre had mentioned, the premature + contest for the tiara which Sanguinetti and Boccanera were waging, + impelled to it by a furious desire to become the next Pope, had for a long + time been revolutionising the black world. There was incredible intricacy + in the depths of the affair; none could exactly tell who was pulling the + strings, conducting the vast intrigue. As regards generalities it was + simply known that Boccanera represented absolutism—the Church freed + from all compromises with modern society, and waiting in immobility for + the Deity to triumph over Satan, for Rome to be restored to the Holy + Father, and for repentant Italy to perform penance for its sacrilege; + whereas Sanguinetti, extremely politic and supple, was reported to harbour + bold and novel ideas: permission to vote to be granted to all true + Catholics,* a majority to be gained by this means in the Legislature; + then, as a fatal corollary, the downfall of the House of Savoy, and the + proclamation of a kind of republican federation of all the former petty + States of Italy under the august protectorate of the Pope. On the whole, + the struggle was between these two antagonistic elements—the first + bent on upholding the Church by a rigorous maintenance of the old + traditions, and the other predicting the fall of the Church if it did not + follow the bent of the coming century. But all was steeped in so much + mystery that people ended by thinking that, if the present Pope should + live a few years longer, his successor would certainly be neither + Boccanera nor Sanguinetti. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Since the occupation of Rome by the Italian authorities, the + supporters of the Church, obedient to the prohibition of the + Vatican, have abstained from taking part in the political + elections, this being their protest against the new order of + things which they do not recognise. Various attempts have been + made, however, to induce the Pope to give them permission to + vote, many members of the Roman aristocracy considering the + present course impolitic and even harmful to the interests of + the Church.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + All at once Pierre interrupted Narcisse: “And Monsignor Nani, do you know + him? I spoke with him yesterday evening. And there he is coming in now!” + </p> + <p> + Nani was indeed just entering the ante-room with his usual smile on his + amiable pink face. His cassock of fine texture, and his sash of violet + silk shone with discreet soft luxury. And he showed himself very amiable + to Abbe Paparelli, who, accompanying him in all humility, begged him to be + kind enough to wait until his Eminence should be able to receive him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Monsignor Nani,” muttered Narcisse, becoming serious, “he is a man + whom it is advisable to have for a friend.” + </p> + <p> + Then, knowing Nani’s history, he related it in an undertone. Born at + Venice, of a noble but ruined family which had produced heroes, Nani, + after first studying under the Jesuits, had come to Rome to perfect + himself in philosophy and theology at the Collegio Romano, which was then + also under Jesuit management. Ordained when three and twenty, he had at + once followed a nuncio to Bavaria as private secretary; and then had gone + as <i>auditore</i> to the nunciatures of Brussels and Paris, in which + latter city he had lived for five years. Everything seemed to predestine + him to diplomacy, his brilliant beginnings and his keen and + encyclopaedical intelligence; but all at once he had been recalled to + Rome, where he was soon afterwards appointed Assessor to the Holy Office. + It was asserted at the time that this was done by the Pope himself, who, + being well acquainted with Nani, and desirous of having a person he could + depend upon at the Holy Office, had given instructions for his recall, + saying that he could render far more services at Rome than abroad. Already + a domestic prelate, Nani had also lately become a Canon of St. Peter’s and + an apostolic prothonotary, with the prospect of obtaining a cardinal’s hat + whenever the Pope should find some other favourite who would please him + better as assessor. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Monsignor Nani!” continued Narcisse. “He’s a superior man, thoroughly + well acquainted with modern Europe, and at the same time a very saintly + priest, a sincere believer, absolutely devoted to the Church, with the + substantial faith of an intelligent politician—a belief different, + it is true, from the narrow gloomy theological faith which we know so well + in France. And this is one of the reasons why you will hardly understand + things here at first. The Roman prelates leave the Deity in the sanctuary + and reign in His name, convinced that Catholicism is the human expression + of the government of God, the only perfect and eternal government, beyond + the pales of which nothing but falsehood and social danger can be found. + While we in our country lag behind, furiously arguing whether there be a + God or not, they do not admit that God’s existence can be doubted, since + they themselves are his delegated ministers; and they entirely devote + themselves to playing their parts as ministers whom none can dispossess, + exercising their power for the greatest good of humanity, and devoting all + their intelligence, all their energy to maintaining themselves as the + accepted masters of the nations. As for Monsignor Nani, after being mixed + up in the politics of the whole world, he has for ten years been + discharging the most delicate functions in Rome, taking part in the most + varied and most important affairs. He sees all the foreigners who come to + Rome, knows everything, has a hand in everything. Add to this that he is + extremely discreet and amiable, with a modesty which seems perfect, though + none can tell whether, with his light silent footstep, he is not really + marching towards the highest ambition, the purple of sovereignty.” + </p> + <p> + “Another candidate for the tiara,” thought Pierre, who had listened + passionately; for this man Nani interested him, caused him an instinctive + disquietude, as though behind his pink and smiling face he could divine an + infinity of obscure things. At the same time, however, the young priest + but ill understood his friend, for he again felt bewildered by all this + strange Roman world, so different from what he had expected. + </p> + <p> + Nani had perceived the two young men and came towards them with his hand + cordially outstretched “Ah! Monsieur l’Abbe Froment, I am happy to meet + you again. I won’t ask you if you have slept well, for people always sleep + well at Rome. Good-day, Monsieur Habert; your health has kept good I hope, + since I met you in front of Bernini’s Santa Teresa, which you admire so + much.* I see that you know one another. That is very nice. I must tell + you, Monsieur l’Abbe, that Monsieur Habert is a passionate lover of our + city; he will be able to show you all its finest sights.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The allusion is to a statue representing St. Theresa in ecstasy, + with the Angel of Death descending to transfix her with his dart. + It stands in a transept of Sta. Maria della Vittoria.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Then, in his affectionate way, he at once asked for information respecting + Pierre’s interview with the Cardinal. He listened attentively to the young + man’s narrative, nodding his head at certain passages, and occasionally + restraining his sharp smile. The Cardinal’s severity and Pierre’s + conviction that he would accord him no support did not at all astonish + Nani. It seemed as if he had expected that result. However, on hearing + that Cardinal Sanguinetti had been there that morning, and had pronounced + the affair of the book to be very serious, he appeared to lose his + self-control for a moment, for he spoke out with sudden vivacity: + </p> + <p> + “It can’t be helped, my dear child, my intervention came too late. + Directly I heard of the proceedings I went to his Eminence Cardinal + Sanguinetti to tell him that the result would be an immense advertisement + for your book. Was it sensible? What was the use of it? We know that you + are inclined to be carried away by your ideas, that you are an enthusiast, + and are prompt to do battle. So what advantage should we gain by + embarrassing ourselves with the revolt of a young priest who might wage + war against us with a book of which some thousands of copies have been + sold already? For my part I desired that nothing should be done. And I + must say that the Cardinal, who is a man of sense, was of the same mind. + He raised his arms to heaven, went into a passion, and exclaimed that he + was never consulted, that the blunder was already committed beyond recall, + and that it was impossible to prevent process from taking its course since + the matter had already been brought before the Congregation, in + consequence of denunciations from authoritative sources, based on the + gravest motives. Briefly, as he said, the blunder was committed, and I had + to think of something else.” + </p> + <p> + All at once Nani paused. He had just noticed that Pierre’s ardent eyes + were fixed upon his own, striving to penetrate his meaning. A faint flush + then heightened the pinkiness of his complexion, whilst in an easy way he + continued, unwilling to reveal how annoyed he was at having said too much: + “Yes, I thought of helping you with all the little influence I possess, in + order to extricate you from the worries in which this affair will + certainly land you.” + </p> + <p> + An impulse of revolt was stirring Pierre, who vaguely felt that he was + perhaps being made game of. Why should he not be free to declare his + faith, which was so pure, so free from personal considerations, so full of + glowing Christian charity? “Never,” said he, “will I withdraw; never will + I myself suppress my book, as I am advised to do. It would be an act of + cowardice and falsehood, for I regret nothing, I disown nothing. If I + believe that my book brings a little truth to light I cannot destroy it + without acting criminally both towards myself and towards others. No, + never! You hear me—never!” + </p> + <p> + Silence fell. But almost immediately he resumed: “It is at the knees of + the Holy Father that I desire to make that declaration. He will understand + me, he will approve me.” + </p> + <p> + Nani no longer smiled; henceforth his face remained as it were closed. He + seemed to be studying the sudden violence of the young priest with + curiosity; then sought to calm him with his own tranquil kindliness. “No + doubt, no doubt,” said he. “There is certainly great sweetness in + obedience and humility. Still I can understand that, before anything else, + you should desire to speak to his Holiness. And afterwards you will see—is + that not so?—you will see—” + </p> + <p> + Then he evinced a lively interest in the suggested application for an + audience. He expressed keen regret that Pierre had not forwarded that + application from Paris, before even coming to Rome: in that course would + have rested the best chance of a favourable reply. Bother of any kind was + not liked at the Vatican, and if the news of the young priest’s presence + in Rome should only spread abroad, and the motives of his journey be + discussed, all would be lost. Then, on learning that Narcisse had offered + to present Pierre to the French ambassador, Nani seemed full of anxiety, + and deprecated any such proceeding: “No, no! don’t do that—it would + be most imprudent. In the first place you would run the risk of + embarrassing the ambassador, whose position is always delicate in affairs + of this kind. And then, too, if he failed—and my fear is that he + might fail—yes, if he failed it would be all over; you would no + longer have the slightest chance of obtaining an audience by any other + means. For the Vatican would not like to hurt the ambassador’s feelings by + yielding to other influence after resisting his.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre anxiously glanced at Narcisse, who wagged his head, embarrassed and + hesitating. “The fact is,” the <i>attache</i> at last murmured, “we lately + solicited an audience for a high French personage and it was refused, + which was very unpleasant for us. Monsignor is right. We must keep our + ambassador in reserve, and only utilise him when we have exhausted all + other means.” Then, noticing Pierre’s disappointment, he added obligingly: + “Our first visit therefore shall be for my cousin at the Vatican.” + </p> + <p> + Nani, his attention again roused, looked at the young man in astonishment. + “At the Vatican? You have a cousin there?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes—Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo.” + </p> + <p> + “Gamba! Gamba! Yes, yes, excuse me, I remember now. Ah! so you thought of + Gamba to bring influence to bear on his Holiness? That’s an idea, no + doubt; one must see—one must see.” + </p> + <p> + He repeated these words again and again as if to secure time to see into + the matter himself, to weigh the pros and cons of the suggestion. + Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo was a worthy man who played no part at the Papal + Court, whose nullity indeed had become a byword at the Vatican. His + childish stories, however, amused the Pope, whom he greatly flattered, and + who was fond of leaning on his arm while walking in the gardens. It was + during these strolls that Gamba easily secured all sorts of little + favours. However, he was a remarkable poltroon, and had such an intense + fear of losing his influence that he never risked a request without having + convinced himself by long meditation that no possible harm could come to + him through it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, do you know, the idea is not a bad one,” Nani at last declared. + “Yes, yes, Gamba can secure the audience for you, if he is willing. I will + see him myself and explain the matter.” + </p> + <p> + At the same time Nani did not cease advising extreme caution. He even + ventured to say that it was necessary to be on one’s guard with the papal + <i>entourage</i>, for, alas! it was a fact his Holiness was so good, and + had such a blind faith in the goodness of others, that he had not always + chosen his familiars with the critical care which he ought to have + displayed. Thus one never knew to what sort of man one might be applying, + or in what trap one might be setting one’s foot. Nani even allowed it to + be understood that on no account ought any direct application to be made + to his Eminence the Secretary of State, for even his Eminence was not a + free agent, but found himself encompassed by intrigues of such intricacy + that his best intentions were paralysed. And as Nani went on discoursing + in this fashion, in a very gentle, extremely unctuous manner, the Vatican + appeared like some enchanted castle, guarded by jealous and treacherous + dragons—a castle where one must not take a step, pass through a + doorway, risk a limb, without having carefully assured oneself that one + would not leave one’s whole body there to be devoured. + </p> + <p> + Pierre continued listening, feeling colder and colder at heart, and again + sinking into uncertainty. “<i>Mon Dieu</i>!” he exclaimed, “I shall never + know how to act. You discourage me, Monsignor.” + </p> + <p> + At this Nani’s cordial smile reappeared. “I, my dear child? I should be + sorry to do so. I only want to repeat to you that you must wait and do + nothing. Avoid all feverishness especially. There is no hurry, I assure + you, for it was only yesterday that a <i>consultore</i> was chosen to + report upon your book, so you have a good full month before you. Avoid + everybody, live in such a way that people shall be virtually ignorant of + your existence, visit Rome in peace and quietness—that is the best + course you can adopt to forward your interests.” Then, taking one of the + priest’s hands between both his own, so aristocratic, soft, and plump, he + added: “You will understand that I have my reasons for speaking to you + like this. I should have offered my own services; I should have made it a + point of honour to take you straight to his Holiness, had I thought it + advisable. But I do not wish to mix myself up in the matter at this stage; + I realise only too well that at the present moment we should simply make + sad work of it. Later on—you hear me—later on, in the event of + nobody else succeeding, I myself will obtain you an audience; I formally + promise it. But meanwhile, I entreat you, refrain from using those words + ‘a new religion,’ which, unfortunately, occur in your book, and which I + heard you repeat again only last night. There can be no new religion, my + dear child; there is but one eternal religion, which is beyond all + surrender and compromise—the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman + religion. And at the same time leave your Paris friends to themselves. + Don’t rely too much on Cardinal Bergerot, whose lofty piety is not + sufficiently appreciated in Rome. I assure you that I am speaking to you + as a friend.” + </p> + <p> + Then, seeing how disabled Pierre appeared to be, half overcome already, no + longer knowing in what direction to begin his campaign, he again strove to + comfort him: “Come, come, things will right themselves; everything will + end for the best, both for the welfare of the Church and your own. And now + you must excuse me, I must leave you; I shall not be able to see his + Eminence to-day, for it is impossible for me to wait any longer.” + </p> + <p> + Abbe Paparelli, whom Pierre had noticed prowling around with his ears + cocked, now hastened forward and declared to Monsignor Nani that there + were only two persons to be received before him. But the prelate very + graciously replied that he would come back again at another time, for the + affair which he wished to lay before his Eminence was in no wise pressing. + Then he withdrew, courteously bowing to everybody. + </p> + <p> + Narcisse Habert’s turn came almost immediately afterwards. However, before + entering the throne-room he pressed Pierre’s hand, repeating, “So it is + understood. I will go to see my cousin at the Vatican to-morrow, and + directly I get a reply I will let you know. We shall meet again soon I + hope.” + </p> + <p> + It was now past twelve o’clock, and the only remaining visitor was one of + the two old ladies who seemed to have fallen asleep. At his little + secretarial table Don Vigilio still sat covering huge sheets of yellow + paper with fine handwriting, from which he only lifted his eyes at + intervals to glance about him distrustfully, and make sure that nothing + threatened him. + </p> + <p> + In the mournful silence which fell around, Pierre lingered for yet another + moment in the deep embrasure of the window. Ah! what anxiety consumed his + poor, tender, enthusiastic heart! On leaving Paris things had seemed so + simple, so natural to him! He was unjustly accused, and he started off to + defend himself, arrived and flung himself at the feet of the Holy Father, + who listened to him indulgently. Did not the Pope personify living + religion, intelligence to understand, justice based upon truth? And was he + not, before aught else, the Father, the delegate of divine forgiveness and + mercy, with arms outstretched towards all the children of the Church, even + the guilty ones? Was it not meet, then, that he should leave his door wide + open so that the humblest of his sons might freely enter to relate their + troubles, confess their transgressions, explain their conduct, imbibe + comfort from the source of eternal loving kindness? And yet on the very + first day of his, Pierre’s, arrival, the doors closed upon him with a + bang; he felt himself sinking into a hostile sphere, full of traps and + pitfalls. One and all cried out to him “Beware!” as if he were incurring + the greatest dangers in setting one foot before the other. His desire to + see the Pope became an extraordinary pretension, so difficult of + achievement that it set the interests and passions and influences of the + whole Vatican agog. And there was endless conflicting advice, + long-discussed manoeuvring, all the strategy of generals leading an army + to victory, and fresh complications ever arising in the midst of a dim + stealthy swarming of intrigues. Ah! good Lord! how different all this was + from the charitable reception that Pierre had anticipated: the pastor’s + house standing open beside the high road for the admission of all the + sheep of the flock, both those that were docile and those that had gone + astray. + </p> + <p> + That which began to frighten Pierre, however, was the evil, the + wickedness, which he could divine vaguely stirring in the gloom: Cardinal + Bergerot suspected, dubbed a Revolutionary, deemed so compromising that + he, Pierre, was advised not to mention his name again! The young priest + once more saw Cardinal Boccanera’s pout of disdain while speaking of his + colleague. And then Monsignor Nani had warned him not to repeat those + words “a new religion,” as if it were not clear to everybody that they + simply signified the return of Catholicism to the primitive purity of + Christianity! Was that one of the crimes denounced to the Congregation of + the Index? He had begun to suspect who his accusers were, and felt + alarmed, for he was now conscious of secret subterranean plotting, a great + stealthy effort to strike him down and suppress his work. All that + surrounded him became suspicious. If he listened to advice and temporised, + it was solely to follow the same politic course as his adversaries, to + learn to know them before acting. He would spend a few days in meditation, + in surveying and studying that black world of Rome which to him had proved + so unexpected. But, at the same time, in the revolt of his apostle-like + faith, he swore, even as he had said to Nani, that he would never yield, + never change either a page or a line of his book, but maintain it in its + integrity in the broad daylight as the unshakable testimony of his belief. + Even were the book condemned by the Index, he would not tender submission, + withdraw aught of it. And should it become necessary he would quit the + Church, he would go even as far as schism, continuing to preach the new + religion and writing a new book, <i>Real Rome</i>, such as he now vaguely + began to espy. + </p> + <p> + However, Don Vigilio had ceased writing, and gazed so fixedly at Pierre + that the latter at last stepped up to him politely in order to take leave. + And then the secretary, yielding, despite his fears, to a desire to + confide in him, murmured, “He came simply on your account, you know; he + wanted to ascertain the result of your interview with his Eminence.” + </p> + <p> + It was not necessary for Don Vigilio to mention Nani by name; Pierre + understood. “Really, do you think so?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! there is no doubt of it. And if you take my advice you will do what + he desires with a good grace, for it is absolutely certain that you will + do it later on.” + </p> + <p> + These words brought Pierre’s disquietude and exasperation to a climax. He + went off with a gesture of defiance. They would see if he would ever + yield. + </p> + <p> + The three ante-rooms which he again crossed appeared to him blacker, + emptier, more lifeless than ever. In the second one Abbe Paparelli saluted + him with a little silent bow; in the first the sleepy lackey did not even + seem to see him. A spider was weaving its web between the tassels of the + great red hat under the <i>baldacchino</i>. Would not the better course + have been to set the pick at work amongst all that rotting past, now + crumbling into dust, so that the sunlight might stream in freely and + restore to the purified soil the fruitfulness of youth? + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"></a> + PART II. + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"></a> + IV. + </h2> + <p> + ON the afternoon of that same day Pierre, having leisure before him, at + once thought of beginning his peregrinations through Rome by a visit on + which he had set his heart. Almost immediately after the publication of + “New Rome” he had been deeply moved and interested by a letter addressed + to him from the Eternal City by old Count Orlando Prada, the hero of + Italian independence and reunion, who, although unacquainted with him, had + written spontaneously after a first hasty perusal of his book. And the + letter had been a flaming protest, a cry of the patriotic faith still + young in the heart of that aged man, who accused him of having forgotten + Italy and claimed Rome, the new Rome, for the country which was at last + free and united. Correspondence had ensued, and the priest, while clinging + to his dream of Neo-Catholicism saving the world, had from afar grown + attached to the man who wrote to him with such glowing love of country and + freedom. He had eventually informed him of his journey, and promised to + call upon him. But the hospitality which he had accepted at the Boccanera + mansion now seemed to him somewhat of an impediment; for after Benedetta’s + kindly, almost affectionate, greeting, he felt that he could not, on the + very first day and with out warning her, sally forth to visit the father + of the man from whom she had fled and from whom she now asked the Church + to part her for ever. Moreover, old Orlando was actually living with his + son in a little palazzo which the latter had erected at the farther end of + the Via Venti Settembre. + </p> + <p> + Before venturing on any step Pierre resolved to confide in the Contessina + herself; and this seemed the easier as Viscount Philibert de la Choue had + told him that the young woman still retained a filial feeling, mingled + with admiration, for the old hero. And indeed, at the very first words + which he uttered after lunch, Benedetta promptly retorted: “But go, + Monsieur l’Abbe, go at once! Old Orlando, you know, is one of our national + glories—you must not be surprised to hear me call him by his + Christian name. All Italy does so, from pure affection and gratitude. For + my part I grew up among people who hated him, who likened him to Satan. It + was only later that I learned to know him, and then I loved him, for he is + certainly the most just and gentle man in the world.” + </p> + <p> + She had begun to smile, but timid tears were moistening her eyes at the + recollection, no doubt, of the year of suffering she had spent in her + husband’s house, where her only peaceful hours had been those passed with + the old man. And in a lower and somewhat tremulous voice she added: “As + you are going to see him, tell him from me that I still love him, and, + whatever happens, shall never forget his goodness.” + </p> + <p> + So Pierre set out, and whilst he was driving in a cab towards the Via + Venti Settembre, he recalled to mind the heroic story of old Orlando’s + life which had been told him in Paris. It was like an epic poem, full of + faith, bravery, and the disinterestedness of another age. + </p> + <p> + Born of a noble house of Milan, Count Orlando Prada had learnt to hate the + foreigner at such an early age that, when scarcely fifteen, he already + formed part of a secret society, one of the ramifications of the antique + Carbonarism. This hatred of Austrian domination had been transmitted from + father to son through long years, from the olden days of revolt against + servitude, when the conspirators met by stealth in abandoned huts, deep in + the recesses of the forests; and it was rendered the keener by the eternal + dream of Italy delivered, restored to herself, transformed once more into + a great sovereign nation, the worthy daughter of those who had conquered + and ruled the world. Ah! that land of whilom glory, that unhappy, + dismembered, parcelled Italy, the prey of a crowd of petty tyrants, + constantly invaded and appropriated by neighbouring nations—how + superb and ardent was that dream to free her from such long opprobrium! To + defeat the foreigner, drive out the despots, awaken the people from the + base misery of slavery, to proclaim Italy free and Italy united—such + was the passion which then inflamed the young with inextinguishable + ardour, which made the youthful Orlando’s heart leap with enthusiasm. He + spent his early years consumed by holy indignation, proudly and + impatiently longing for an opportunity to give his blood for his country, + and to die for her if he could not deliver her. + </p> + <p> + Quivering under the yoke, wasting his time in sterile conspiracies, he was + living in retirement in the old family residence at Milan, when, shortly + after his marriage and his twenty-fifth birthday, tidings came to him of + the flight of Pius IX and the Revolution of Rome.* And at once he quitted + everything, wife and hearth, and hastened to Rome as if summoned thither + by the call of destiny. This was the first time that he set out scouring + the roads for the attainment of independence; and how frequently, yet + again and again, was he to start upon fresh campaigns, never wearying, + never disheartened! And now it was that he became acquainted with Mazzini, + and for a moment was inflamed with enthusiasm for that mystical unitarian + Republican. He himself indulged in an ardent dream of a Universal + Republic, adopted the Mazzinian device, “<i>Dio e popolo</i>” (God and the + people), and followed the procession which wended its way with great pomp + through insurrectionary Rome. The time was one of vast hopes, one when + people already felt a need of renovated religion, and looked to the coming + of a humanitarian Christ who would redeem the world yet once again. But + before long a man, a captain of the ancient days, Giuseppe Garibaldi, + whose epic glory was dawning, made Orlando entirely his own, transformed + him into a soldier whose sole cause was freedom and union. Orlando loved + Garibaldi as though the latter were a demi-god, fought beside him in + defence of Republican Rome, took part in the victory of Rieti over the + Neapolitans, and followed the stubborn patriot in his retreat when he + sought to succour Venice, compelled as he was to relinquish the Eternal + City to the French army of General Oudinot, who came thither to reinstate + Pius IX. And what an extraordinary and madly heroic adventure was that of + Garibaldi and Venice! Venice, which Manin, another great patriot, a + martyr, had again transformed into a republican city, and which for long + months had been resisting the Austrians! And Garibaldi starts with a + handful of men to deliver the city, charters thirteen fishing barks, loses + eight in a naval engagement, is compelled to return to the Roman shores, + and there in all wretchedness is bereft of his wife, Anita, whose eyes he + closes before returning to America, where, once before, he had awaited the + hour of insurrection. Ah! that land of Italy, which in those days rumbled + from end to end with the internal fire of patriotism, where men of faith + and courage arose in every city, where riots and insurrections burst forth + on all sides like eruptions—it continued, in spite of every check, + its invincible march to freedom! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * It was on November 24, 1848, that the Pope fled to Gaeta, + consequent upon the insurrection which had broken out nine + days previously.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Orlando returned to his young wife at Milan, and for two years lived + there, almost in concealment, devoured by impatience for the glorious + morrow which was so long in coming. Amidst his fever a gleam of happiness + softened his heart; a son, Luigi, was born to him, but the birth killed + the mother, and joy was turned into mourning. Then, unable to remain any + longer at Milan, where he was spied upon, tracked by the police, suffering + also too grievously from the foreign occupation, Orlando decided to + realise the little fortune remaining to him, and to withdraw to Turin, + where an aunt of his wife took charge of the child. Count di Cavour, like + a great statesman, was then already seeking to bring about independence, + preparing Piedmont for the decisive <i>role</i> which it was destined to + play. It was the time when King Victor Emmanuel evinced flattering + cordiality towards all the refugees who came to him from every part of + Italy, even those whom he knew to be Republicans, compromised and flying + the consequences of popular insurrection. The rough, shrewd House of Savoy + had long been dreaming of bringing about Italian unity to the profit of + the Piedmontese monarchy, and Orlando well knew under what master he was + taking service; but in him the Republican already went behind the patriot, + and indeed he had begun to question the possibility of a united Republican + Italy, placed under the protectorate of a liberal Pope, as Mazzini had at + one time dreamed. Was that not indeed a chimera beyond realisation which + would devour generation after generation if one obstinately continued to + pursue it? For his part, he did not wish to die without having slept in + Rome as one of the conquerors. Even if liberty was to be lost, he desired + to see his country united and erect, returning once more to life in the + full sunlight. And so it was with feverish happiness that he enlisted at + the outset of the war of 1859; and his heart palpitated with such force as + almost to rend his breast, when, after Magenta, he entered Milan with the + French army—Milan which he had quitted eight years previously, like + an exile, in despair. The treaty of Villafranca which followed Solferino + proved a bitter deception: Venetia was not secured, Venice remained + enthralled. Nevertheless the Milanese was conquered from the foe, and then + Tuscany and the duchies of Parma and Modena voted for annexation. So, at + all events, the nucleus of the Italian star was formed; the country had + begun to build itself up afresh around victorious Piedmont. + </p> + <p> + Then, in the following year, Orlando plunged into epopoeia once more. + Garibaldi had returned from his two sojourns in America, with the halo of + a legend round him—paladin-like feats in the pampas of Uruguay, an + extraordinary passage from Canton to Lima—and he had returned to + take part in the war of 1859, forestalling the French army, overthrowing + an Austrian marshal, and entering Como, Bergamo, and Brescia. And now, all + at once, folks heard that he had landed at Marsala with only a thousand + men—the Thousand of Marsala, the ever illustrious handful of braves! + Orlando fought in the first rank, and Palermo after three days’ resistance + was carried. Becoming the dictator’s favourite lieutenant, he helped him + to organise a government, then crossed the straits with him, and was + beside him on the triumphal entry into Naples, whose king had fled. There + was mad audacity and valour at that time, an explosion of the inevitable; + and all sorts of supernatural stories were current—Garibaldi + invulnerable, protected better by his red shirt than by the strongest + armour, Garibaldi routing opposing armies like an archangel, by merely + brandishing his flaming sword! The Piedmontese on their side had defeated + General Lamoriciere at Castelfidardo, and were invading the States of the + Church. And Orlando was there when the dictator, abdicating power, signed + the decree which annexed the Two Sicilies to the Crown of Italy; even as + subsequently he took part in that forlorn attempt on Rome, when the + rageful cry was “Rome or Death!”—an attempt which came to a tragic + issue at Aspromonte, when the little army was dispersed by the Italian + troops, and Garibaldi, wounded, was taken prisoner, and sent back to the + solitude of his island of Caprera, where he became but a fisherman and a + tiller of the rocky soil.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * M. Zola’s brief but glowing account of Garibaldi’s glorious + achievements has stirred many memories in my mind. My uncle, + Frank Vizetelly, the war artist of the <i>Illustrated London + News</i>, whose bones lie bleaching somewhere in the Soudan, was + one of Garibaldi’s constant companions throughout the memorable + campaign of the Two Sicilies, and afterwards he went with him + to Caprera. Later, in 1870, my brother, Edward Vizetelly, acted + as orderly-officer to the general when he offered the help of + his sword to France.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Six years of waiting again went by, and Orlando still dwelt at Turin, even + after Florence had been chosen as the new capital. The Senate had + acclaimed Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy; and Italy was indeed almost + built, it lacked only Rome and Venice. But the great battles seemed all + over, the epic era was closed; Venice was to be won by defeat. Orlando + took part in the unlucky battle of Custozza, where he received two wounds, + full of furious grief at the thought that Austria should be triumphant. + But at that same moment the latter, defeated at Sadowa, relinquished + Venetia, and five months later Orlando satisfied his desire to be in + Venice participating in the joy of triumph, when Victor Emmanuel made his + entry amidst the frantic acclamations of the people. Rome alone remained + to be won, and wild impatience urged all Italy towards the city; but + friendly France had sworn to maintain the Pope, and this acted as a check. + Then, for the third time, Garibaldi dreamt of renewing the feats of the + old-world legends, and threw himself upon Rome like a soldier of fortune + illumined by patriotism and free from every tie. And for the third time + Orlando shared in that fine heroic madness destined to be vanquished at + Mentana by the Pontifical Zouaves supported by a small French corps. Again + wounded, he came back to Turin in almost a dying condition. But, though + his spirit quivered, he had to resign himself; the situation seemed to + have no outlet; only an upheaval of the nations could give Rome to Italy. + </p> + <p> + All at once the thunderclap of Sedan, of the downfall of France, resounded + through the world; and then the road to Rome lay open, and Orlando, having + returned to service in the regular army, was with the troops who took up + position in the Campagna to ensure the safety of the Holy See, as was said + in the letter which Victor Emmanuel wrote to Pius IX. There was, however, + but the shadow of an engagement: General Kanzler’s Pontifical Zouaves were + compelled to fall back, and Orlando was one of the first to enter the city + by the breach of the Porta Pia. Ah! that twentieth of September—that + day when he experienced the greatest happiness of his life—a day of + delirium, of complete triumph, which realised the dream of so many years + of terrible contest, the dream for which he had sacrificed rest and + fortune, and given both body and mind! + </p> + <p> + Then came more than ten happy years in conquered Rome—in Rome + adored, flattered, treated with all tenderness, like a woman in whom one + has placed one’s entire hope. From her he awaited so much national vigour, + such a marvellous resurrection of strength and glory for the endowment of + the young nation. Old Republican, old insurrectional soldier that he was, + he had been obliged to adhere to the monarchy, and accept a senatorship. + But then did not Garibaldi himself—Garibaldi his divinity—likewise + call upon the King and sit in parliament? Mazzini alone, rejecting all + compromises, was unwilling to rest content with a united and independent + Italy that was not Republican. Moreover, another consideration influenced + Orlando, the future of his son Luigi, who had attained his eighteenth + birthday shortly after the occupation of Rome. Though he, Orlando, could + manage with the crumbs which remained of the fortune he had expended in + his country’s service, he dreamt of a splendid destiny for the child of + his heart. Realising that the heroic age was over, he desired to make a + great politician of him, a great administrator, a man who should be useful + to the mighty nation of the morrow; and it was on this account that he had + not rejected royal favour, the reward of long devotion, desiring, as he + did, to be in a position to help, watch, and guide Luigi. Besides, was he + himself so old, so used-up, as to be unable to assist in organisation, + even as he had assisted in conquest? Struck by his son’s quick + intelligence in business matters, perhaps also instinctively divining that + the battle would now continue on financial and economic grounds, he + obtained him employment at the Ministry of Finances. And again he himself + lived on, dreaming, still enthusiastically believing in a splendid future, + overflowing with boundless hope, seeing Rome double her population, grow + and spread with a wild vegetation of new districts, and once more, in his + loving enraptured eyes, become the queen of the world. + </p> + <p> + But all at once came a thunderbolt. One morning, as he was going + downstairs, Orlando was stricken with paralysis. Both his legs suddenly + became lifeless, as heavy as lead. It was necessary to carry him up again, + and never since had he set foot on the street pavement. At that time he + had just completed his fifty-sixth year, and for fourteen years since he + had remained in his arm-chair, as motionless as stone, he who had so + impetuously trod every battlefield of Italy. It was a pitiful business, + the collapse of a hero. And worst of all, from that room where he was for + ever imprisoned, the old soldier beheld the slow crumbling of all his + hopes, and fell into dismal melancholy, full of unacknowledged fear for + the future. Now that the intoxication of action no longer dimmed his eyes, + now that he spent his long and empty days in thought, his vision became + clear. Italy, which he had desired to see so powerful, so triumphant in + her unity, was acting madly, rushing to ruin, possibly to bankruptcy. + Rome, which to him had ever been the one necessary capital, the city of + unparalleled glory, requisite for the sovereign people of to-morrow, + seemed unwilling to take upon herself the part of a great modern + metropolis; heavy as a corpse she weighed with all her centuries on the + bosom of the young nation. Moreover, his son Luigi distressed him. + Rebellious to all guidance, the young man had become one of the devouring + offsprings of conquest, eager to despoil that Italy, that Rome, which his + father seemed to have desired solely in order that he might pillage them + and batten on them. Orlando had vainly opposed Luigi’s departure from the + ministry, his participation in the frantic speculations on land and house + property to which the mad building of the new districts had given rise. + But at the same time he loved his son, and was reduced to silence, + especially now when everything had succeeded with Luigi, even his most + risky financial ventures, such as the transformation of the Villa + Montefiori into a perfect town—a colossal enterprise in which many + of great wealth had been ruined, but whence he himself had emerged with + millions. And it was in part for this reason that Orlando, sad and silent, + had obstinately restricted himself to one small room on the third floor of + the little palazzo erected by Luigi in the Via Venti Settembre—a + room where he lived cloistered with a single servant, subsisting on his + own scanty income, and accepting nothing but that modest hospitality from + his son. + </p> + <p> + As Pierre reached that new Via Venti Settembre* which climbs the side and + summit of the Viminal hill, he was struck by the heavy sumptuousness of + the new “palaces,” which betokened among the moderns the same taste for + the huge that marked the ancient Romans. In the warm afternoon glow, blent + of purple and old gold, the broad, triumphant thoroughfare, with its + endless rows of white house-fronts, bore witness to new Rome’s proud hope + of futurity and sovereign power. And Pierre fairly gasped when he beheld + the Palazzo delle Finanze, or Treasury, a gigantic erection, a cyclopean + cube with a profusion of columns, balconies, pediments, and sculptured + work, to which the building mania had given birth in a day of immoderate + pride. And on the other side of the street, a little higher up, before + reaching the Villa Bonaparte, stood Count Prada’s little palazzo. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The name—Twentieth September Street—was given to the + thoroughfare to commemorate the date of the occupation + of Rome by Victor Emmanuel’s army.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + After discharging his driver, Pierre for a moment remained somewhat + embarrassed. The door was open, and he entered the vestibule; but, as at + the mansion in the Via Giulia, no door porter or servant was to be seen. + So he had to make up his mind to ascend the monumental stairs, which with + their marble balustrades seemed to be copied, on a smaller scale, from + those of the Palazzo Boccanera. And there was much the same cold bareness, + tempered, however, by a carpet and red door-hangings, which contrasted + vividly with the white stucco of the walls. The reception-rooms, sixteen + feet high, were on the first floor, and as a door chanced to be ajar he + caught a glimpse of two <i>salons</i>, one following the other, and both + displaying quite modern richness, with a profusion of silk and velvet + hangings, gilt furniture, and lofty mirrors reflecting a pompous + assemblage of stands and tables. And still there was nobody, not a soul, + in that seemingly forsaken abode, which exhaled nought of woman’s + presence. Indeed Pierre was on the point of going down again to ring, when + a footman at last presented himself. + </p> + <p> + “Count Prada, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + The servant silently surveyed the little priest, and seemed to understand. + “The father or the son?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “The father, Count Orlando Prada.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! that’s on the third floor.” And he condescended to add: “The little + door on the right-hand side of the landing. Knock loudly if you wish to be + admitted.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre indeed had to knock twice, and then a little withered old man of + military appearance, a former soldier who had remained in the Count’s + service, opened the door and apologised for the delay by saying that he + had been attending to his master’s legs. Immediately afterwards he + announced the visitor, and the latter, after passing through a dim and + narrow ante-room, was lost in amazement on finding himself in a relatively + small chamber, extremely bare and bright, with wall-paper of a light hue + studded with tiny blue flowers. Behind a screen was an iron bedstead, the + soldier’s pallet, and there was no other furniture than the arm-chair in + which the cripple spent his days, with a table of black wood placed near + him, and covered with books and papers, and two old straw-seated chairs + which served for the accommodation of the infrequent visitors. A few + planks, fixed to one of the walls, did duty as book-shelves. However, the + broad, clear, curtainless window overlooked the most admirable panorama of + Rome that could be desired. + </p> + <p> + Then the room disappeared from before Pierre’s eyes, and with a sudden + shock of deep emotion he only beheld old Orlando, the old blanched lion, + still superb, broad, and tall. A forest of white hair crowned his powerful + head, with its thick mouth, fleshy broken nose, and large, sparkling, + black eyes. A long white beard streamed down with the vigour of youth, + curling like that of an ancient god. By that leonine muzzle one divined + what great passions had growled within; but all, carnal and intellectual + alike, had erupted in patriotism, in wild bravery, and riotous love of + independence. And the old stricken hero, his torso still erect, was fixed + there on his straw-seated arm-chair, with lifeless legs buried beneath a + black wrapper. Alone did his arms and hands live, and his face beam with + strength and intelligence. + </p> + <p> + Orlando turned towards his servant, and gently said to him: “You can go + away, Batista. Come back in a couple of hours.” Then, looking Pierre full + in the face, he exclaimed in a voice which was still sonorous despite his + seventy years: “So it’s you at last, my dear Monsieur Froment, and we + shall be able to chat at our ease. There, take that chair, and sit down in + front of me.” + </p> + <p> + He had noticed the glance of surprise which the young priest had cast upon + the bareness of the room, and he gaily added: “You will excuse me for + receiving you in my cell. Yes, I live here like a monk, like an old + invalided soldier, henceforth withdrawn from active life. My son long + begged me to take one of the fine rooms downstairs. But what would have + been the use of it? I have no needs, and I scarcely care for feather beds, + for my old bones are accustomed to the hard ground. And then too I have + such a fine view up here, all Rome presenting herself to me, now that I + can no longer go to her.” + </p> + <p> + With a wave of the hand towards the window he sought to hide the + embarrassment, the slight flush which came to him each time that he thus + excused his son; unwilling as he was to tell the true reason, the scruple + of probity which had made him obstinately cling to his bare pauper’s + lodging. + </p> + <p> + “But it is very nice, the view is superb!” declared Pierre, in order to + please him. “I am for my own part very glad to see you, very glad to be + able to grasp your valiant hands, which accomplished so many great + things.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando made a fresh gesture, as though to sweep the past away. “Pooh! + pooh! all that is dead and buried. Let us talk about you, my dear Monsieur + Froment, you who are young and represent the present; and especially about + your book, which represents the future! Ah! if you only knew how angry + your book, your ‘New Rome,’ made me first of all.” + </p> + <p> + He began to laugh, and took the book from off the table near him; then, + tapping on its cover with his big, broad hand, he continued: “No, you + cannot imagine with what starts of protest I read your book. The Pope, and + again the Pope, and always the Pope! New Rome to be created by the Pope + and for the Pope, to triumph thanks to the Pope, to be given to the Pope, + and to fuse its glory in the glory of the Pope! But what about us? What + about Italy? What about all the millions which we have spent in order to + make Rome a great capital? Ah! only a Frenchman, and a Frenchman of Paris, + could have written such a book! But let me tell you, my dear sir, if you + are ignorant of it, that Rome has become the capital of the kingdom of + Italy, that we here have King Humbert, and the Italian people, a whole + nation which must be taken into account, and which means to keep Rome—glorious, + resuscitated Rome—for itself!” + </p> + <p> + This juvenile ardour made Pierre laugh in turn. “Yes, yes,” said he, “you + wrote me that. Only what does it matter from my point of view? Italy is + but one nation, a part of humanity, and I desire concord and fraternity + among all the nations, mankind reconciled, believing, and happy. Of what + consequence, then, is any particular form of government, monarchy or + republic, of what consequence is any question of a united and independent + country, if all mankind forms but one free people subsisting on truth and + justice?” + </p> + <p> + To only one word of this enthusiastic outburst did Orlando pay attention. + In a lower tone, and with a dreamy air, he resumed: “Ah! a republic. In my + youth I ardently desired one. I fought for one; I conspired with Mazzini, + a saintly man, a believer, who was shattered by collision with the + absolute. And then, too, one had to bow to practical necessities; the most + obstinate ended by submitting. And nowadays would a republic save us? In + any case it would differ but little from our parliamentary monarchy. Just + think of what goes on in France! And so why risk a revolution which would + place power in the hands of the extreme revolutionists, the anarchists? We + fear all that, and this explains our resignation. I know very well that a + few think they can detect salvation in a republican federation, a + reconstitution of all the former little states in so many republics, over + which Rome would preside. The Vatican would gain largely by any such + transformation; still one cannot say that it endeavours to bring it about; + it simply regards the eventuality without disfavour. But it is a dream, a + dream!” + </p> + <p> + At this Orlando’s gaiety came back to him, with even a little gentle + irony: “You don’t know, I suppose, what it was that took my fancy in your + book—for, in spite of all my protests, I have read it twice. Well, + what pleased me was that Mazzini himself might almost have written it at + one time. Yes! I found all my youth again in your pages, all the wild hope + of my twenty-fifth year, the new religion of a humanitarian Christ, the + pacification of the world effected by the Gospel! Are you aware that, long + before your time, Mazzini desired the renovation of Christianity? He set + dogma and discipline on one side and only retained morals. And it was new + Rome, the Rome of the people, which he would have given as see to the + universal Church, in which all the churches of the past were to be fused—Rome, + the eternal and predestined city, the mother and queen, whose domination + was to arise anew to ensure the definitive happiness of mankind! Is it not + curious that all the present-day Neo-Catholicism, the vague, + spiritualistic awakening, the evolution towards communion and Christian + charity, with which some are making so much stir, should be simply a + return of the mystical and humanitarian ideas of 1848? Alas! I saw all + that, I believed and burned, and I know in what a fine mess those flights + into the azure of mystery landed us! So it cannot be helped, I lack + confidence.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as Pierre on his side was growing impassioned and sought to reply, + he stopped him: “No, let me finish. I only want to convince you how + absolutely necessary it was that we should take Rome and make her the + capital of Italy. Without Rome new Italy could not have existed; Rome + represented the glory of ancient time; in her dust lay the sovereign power + which we wished to re-establish; she brought strength, beauty, eternity to + those who possessed her. Standing in the middle of our country, she was + its heart, and must assuredly become its life as soon as she should be + awakened from the long sleep of ruin. Ah! how we desired her, amidst + victory and amidst defeat, through years and years of frightful + impatience! For my part I loved her, and longed for her, far more than for + any woman, with my blood burning, and in despair that I should be growing + old. And when we possessed her, our folly was a desire to behold her huge, + magnificent, and commanding all at once, the equal of the other great + capitals of Europe—Berlin, Paris, and London. Look at her! she is + still my only love, my only consolation now that I am virtually dead, with + nothing alive in me but my eyes.” + </p> + <p> + With the same gesture as before, he directed Pierre’s attention to the + window. Under the glowing sky Rome stretched out in its immensity, + empurpled and gilded by the slanting sunrays. Across the horizon, far, far + away, the trees of the Janiculum stretched a green girdle, of a limpid + emerald hue, whilst the dome of St. Peter’s, more to the left, showed + palely blue, like a sapphire bedimmed by too bright a light. Then came the + low town, the old ruddy city, baked as it were by centuries of burning + summers, soft to the eye and beautiful with the deep life of the past, an + unbounded chaos of roofs, gables, towers, <i>campanili</i>, and cupolas. + But, in the foreground under the window, there was the new city—that + which had been building for the last five and twenty years—huge + blocks of masonry piled up side by side, still white with plaster, neither + the sun nor history having as yet robed them in purple. And in particular + the roofs of the colossal Palazzo delle Finanze had a disastrous effect, + spreading out like far, bare steppes of cruel hideousness. And it was upon + the desolation and abomination of all the newly erected piles that the + eyes of the old soldier of conquest at last rested. + </p> + <p> + Silence ensued. Pierre felt the faint chill of hidden, unacknowledged + sadness pass by, and courteously waited. + </p> + <p> + “I must beg your pardon for having interrupted you just now,” resumed + Orlando; “but it seems to me that we cannot talk about your book to any + good purpose until you have seen and studied Rome closely. You only + arrived yesterday, did you not? Well, stroll about the city, look at + things, question people, and I think that many of your ideas will change. + I shall particularly like to know your impression of the Vatican since you + have cone here solely to see the Pope and defend your book against the + Index. Why should we discuss things to-day, if facts themselves are + calculated to bring you to other views, far more readily than the finest + speeches which I might make? It is understood, you will come to see me + again, and we shall then know what we are talking about, and, maybe, agree + together.” + </p> + <p> + “Why certainly, you are too kind,” replied Pierre. “I only came to-day to + express my gratitude to you for having read my book so attentively, and to + pay homage to one of the glories of Italy.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando was not listening, but remained for a moment absorbed in thought, + with his eyes still resting upon Rome. And overcome, despite himself, by + secret disquietude, he resumed in a low voice as though making an + involuntary confession: “We have gone too fast, no doubt. There were + expenses of undeniable utility—the roads, ports, and railways. And + it was necessary to arm the country also; I did not at first disapprove of + the heavy military burden. But since then how crushing has been the war + budget—a war which has never come, and the long wait for which has + ruined us. Ah! I have always been the friend of France. I only reproach + her with one thing, that she has failed to understand the position in + which we were placed, the vital reasons which compelled us to ally + ourselves with Germany. And then there are the thousand millions of <i>lire</i>* + swallowed up in Rome! That was the real madness; pride and enthusiasm led + us astray. Old and solitary as I’ve been for many years now, given to deep + reflection, I was one of the first to divine the pitfall, the frightful + financial crisis, the deficit which would bring about the collapse of the + nation. I shouted it from the housetops, to my son, to all who came near + me; but what was the use? They didn’t listen; they were mad, still buying + and selling and building, with no thought but for gambling booms and + bubbles. But you’ll see, you’ll see. And the worst is that we are not + situated as you are; we haven’t a reserve of men and money in a dense + peasant population, whose thrifty savings are always at hand to fill up + the gaps caused by big catastrophes. There is no social rise among our + people as yet; fresh men don’t spring up out of the lower classes to + reinvigorate the national blood, as they constantly do in your country. + And, besides, the people are poor; they have no stockings to empty. The + misery is frightful, I must admit it. Those who have any money prefer to + spend it in the towns in a petty way rather than to risk it in + agricultural or manufacturing enterprise. Factories are but slowly built, + and the land is almost everywhere tilled in the same primitive manner as + it was two thousand years ago. And then, too, take Rome—Rome, which + didn’t make Italy, but which Italy made its capital to satisfy an ardent, + overpowering desire—Rome, which is still but a splendid bit of + scenery, picturing the glory of the centuries, and which, apart from its + historical splendour, has only given us its degenerate papal population, + swollen with ignorance and pride! Ah! I loved Rome too well, and I still + love it too well to regret being now within its walls. But, good heavens! + what insanity its acquisition brought us, what piles of money it has cost + us, and how heavily and triumphantly it weighs us down! Look! look!” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 40,000,000 pounds. +</pre> + <p> + He waved his hand as he spoke towards the livid roofs of the Palazzo delle + Finanze, that vast and desolate steppe, as though he could see the harvest + of glory all stripped off and bankruptcy appear with its fearful, + threatening bareness. Restrained tears were dimming his eyes, and he + looked superbly pitiful with his expression of baffled hope and grievous + disquietude, with his huge white head, the muzzle of an old blanched lion + henceforth powerless and caged in that bare, bright room, whose + poverty-stricken aspect was instinct with so much pride that it seemed, as + it were, a protest against the monumental splendour of the whole + surrounding district! So those were the purposes to which the conquest had + been put! And to think that he was impotent, henceforth unable to give his + blood and his soul as he had done in the days gone by. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” he exclaimed in a final outburst; “one gave everything, heart + and brain, one’s whole life indeed, so long as it was a question of making + the country one and independent. But, now that the country is ours, just + try to stir up enthusiasm for the reorganisation of its finances! There’s + no ideality in that! And this explains why, whilst the old ones are dying + off, not a new man comes to the front among the young ones—” + </p> + <p> + All at once he stopped, looking somewhat embarrassed, yet smiling at his + feverishness. “Excuse me,” he said, “I’m off again, I’m incorrigible. But + it’s understood, we’ll leave that subject alone, and you’ll come back + here, and we’ll chat together when you’ve seen everything.” + </p> + <p> + From that moment he showed himself extremely pleasant, and it was apparent + to Pierre that he regretted having said so much, by the seductive + affability and growing affection which he now displayed. He begged the + young priest to prolong his sojourn, to abstain from all hasty judgments + on Rome, and to rest convinced that, at bottom, Italy still loved France. + And he was also very desirous that France should love Italy, and displayed + genuine anxiety at the thought that perhaps she loved her no more. As at + the Boccanera mansion, on the previous evening, Pierre realised that an + attempt was being made to persuade him to admiration and affection. Like a + susceptible woman with secret misgivings respecting the attractive power + of her beauty, Italy was all anxiety with regard to the opinion of her + visitors, and strove to win and retain their love. + </p> + <p> + However, Orlando again became impassioned when he learnt that Pierre was + staying at the Boccanera mansion, and he made a gesture of extreme + annoyance on hearing, at that very moment, a knock at the outer door. + “Come in!” he called; but at the same time he detained Pierre, saying, + “No, no, don’t go yet; I wish to know—” + </p> + <p> + But a lady came in—a woman of over forty, short and extremely plump, + and still attractive with her small features and pretty smile swamped in + fat. She was a blonde, with green, limpid eyes; and, fairly well dressed + in a sober, nicely fitting mignonette gown, she looked at once pleasant, + modest, and shrewd. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it’s you, Stefana,” said the old man, letting her kiss him. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, uncle, I was passing by and came up to see how you were getting on.” + </p> + <p> + The visitor was the Signora Sacco, niece of Prada and a Neapolitan by + birth, her mother having quitted Milan to marry a certain Pagani, a + Neapolitan banker, who had afterwards failed. Subsequent to that disaster + Stefana had married Sacco, then merely a petty post-office clerk. He, + later on, wishing to revive his father-in-law’s business, had launched + into all sorts of terrible, complicated, suspicious affairs, which by + unforeseen luck had ended in his election as a deputy. Since he had + arrived in Rome, to conquer the city in his turn, his wife had been + compelled to assist his devouring ambition by dressing well and opening a + <i>salon</i>; and, although she was still a little awkward, she rendered + him many real services, being very economical and prudent, a thorough good + housewife, with all the sterling, substantial qualities of Northern Italy + which she had inherited from her mother, and which showed conspicuously + beside the turbulence and carelessness of her husband, in whom flared + Southern Italy with its perpetual, rageful appetite. + </p> + <p> + Despite his contempt for Sacco, old Orlando had retained some affection + for his niece, in whose veins flowed blood similar to his own. He thanked + her for her kind inquiries, and then at once spoke of an announcement + which he had read in the morning papers, for he suspected that the deputy + had sent his wife to ascertain his opinion. + </p> + <p> + “Well, and that ministry?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + The Signora had seated herself and made no haste to reply, but glanced at + the newspapers strewn over the table. “Oh! nothing is settled yet,” she at + last responded; “the newspapers spoke out too soon. The Prime Minister + sent for Sacco, and they had a talk together. But Sacco hesitates a good + deal; he fears that he has no aptitude for the Department of Agriculture. + Ah! if it were only the Finances—However, in any case, he would not + have come to a decision without consulting you. What do you think of it, + uncle?” + </p> + <p> + He interrupted her with a violent wave of the hand: “No, no, I won’t mix + myself up in such matters!” + </p> + <p> + To him the rapid success of that adventurer Sacco, that schemer and + gambler who had always fished in troubled waters, was an abomination, the + beginning of the end. His son Luigi certainly distressed him; but it was + even worse to think that—whilst Luigi, with his great intelligence + and many remaining fine qualities, was nothing at all—Sacco, on the + other hand, Sacco, blunderhead and ever-famished battener that he was, had + not merely slipped into parliament, but was now, it seemed, on the point + of securing office! A little, swarthy, dry man he was, with big, round + eyes, projecting cheekbones, and prominent chin. Ever dancing and + chattering, he was gifted with a showy eloquence, all the force of which + lay in his voice—a voice which at will became admirably powerful or + gentle! And withal an insinuating man, profiting by every opportunity, + wheedling and commanding by turn. + </p> + <p> + “You hear, Stefana,” said Orlando; “tell your husband that the only advice + I have to give him is to return to his clerkship at the post-office, where + perhaps he may be of use.” + </p> + <p> + What particularly filled the old soldier with indignation and despair was + that such a man, a Sacco, should have fallen like a bandit on Rome—on + that Rome whose conquest had cost so many noble efforts. And in his turn + Sacco was conquering the city, was carrying it off from those who had won + it by such hard toil, and was simply using it to satisfy his wild passion + for power and its attendant enjoyments. Beneath his wheedling air there + was the determination to devour everything. After the victory, while the + spoil lay there, still warm, the wolves had come. It was the North that + had made Italy, whereas the South, eager for the quarry, simply rushed + upon the country, preyed upon it. And beneath the anger of the old + stricken hero of Italian unity there was indeed all the growing antagonism + of the North towards the South—the North industrious, economical, + shrewd in politics, enlightened, full of all the great modern ideas, and + the South ignorant and idle, bent on enjoying life immediately, amidst + childish disorder in action, and an empty show of fine sonorous words. + </p> + <p> + Stefana had begun to smile in a placid way while glancing at Pierre, who + had approached the window. “Oh, you say that, uncle,” she responded; “but + you love us well all the same, and more than once you have given me myself + some good advice, for which I’m very thankful to you. For instance, + there’s that affair of Attilio’s—” + </p> + <p> + She was alluding to her son, the lieutenant, and his love affair with + Celia, the little Princess Buongiovanni, of which all the drawing-rooms, + white and black alike, were talking. + </p> + <p> + “Attilio—that’s another matter!” exclaimed Orlando. “He and you are + both of the same blood as myself, and it’s wonderful how I see myself + again in that fine fellow. Yes, he is just the same as I was at his age, + good-looking and brave and enthusiastic! I’m paying myself compliments, + you see. But, really now, Attilio warms my heart, for he is the future, + and brings me back some hope. Well, and what about his affair?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! it gives us a lot of worry, uncle. I spoke to you about it before, + but you shrugged your shoulders, saying that in matters of that kind all + that the parents had to do was to let the lovers settle their affairs + between them. Still, we don’t want everybody to repeat that we are urging + our son to get the little princess to elope with him, so that he may + afterwards marry her money and title.” + </p> + <p> + At this Orlando indulged in a frank outburst of gaiety: “That’s a fine + scruple! Was it your husband who instructed you to tell me of it? I know, + however, that he affects some delicacy in this matter. For my own part, I + believe myself to be as honest as he is, and I can only repeat that, if I + had a son like yours, so straightforward and good, and candidly loving, I + should let him marry whomsoever he pleased in his own way. The + Buongiovannis—good heavens! the Buongiovannis—why, despite all + their rank and lineage and the money they still possess, it will be a + great honour for them to have a handsome young man with a noble heart as + their son-in-law!” + </p> + <p> + Again did Stefana assume an expression of placid satisfaction. She had + certainly only come there for approval. “Very well, uncle,” she replied, + “I’ll repeat that to my husband, and he will pay great attention to it; + for if you are severe towards him he holds you in perfect veneration. And + as for that ministry—well, perhaps nothing will be done, Sacco will + decide according to circumstances.” + </p> + <p> + She rose and took her leave, kissing the old soldier very affectionately + as on her arrival. And she complimented him on his good looks, declaring + that she found him as handsome as ever, and making him smile by speaking + of a lady who was still madly in love with him. Then, after acknowledging + the young priest’s silent salutation by a slight bow, she went off, once + more wearing her modest and sensible air. + </p> + <p> + For a moment Orlando, with his eyes turned towards the door, remained + silent, again sad, reflecting no doubt on all the difficult, equivocal + present, so different from the glorious past. But all at once he turned to + Pierre, who was still waiting. “And so, my friend,” said he, “you are + staying at the Palazzo Boccanera? Ah! what a grievous misfortune there has + been on that side too!” + </p> + <p> + However, when the priest had told him of his conversation with Benedetta, + and of her message that she still loved him and would never forget his + goodness to her, no matter whatever happened, he appeared moved and his + voice trembled: “Yes, she has a good heart, she has no spite. But what + would you have? She did not love Luigi, and he was possibly violent. There + is no mystery about the matter now, and I can speak to you freely, since + to my great grief everybody knows what has happened.” + </p> + <p> + Then Orlando abandoned himself to his recollections, and related how keen + had been his delight on the eve of the marriage at the thought that so + lovely a creature would become his daughter, and set some youth and charm + around his invalid’s arm-chair. He had always worshipped beauty, and would + have had no other love than woman, if his country had not seized upon the + best part of him. And Benedetta on her side loved him, revered him, + constantly coming up to spend long hours with him, sharing his poor little + room, which at those times became resplendent with all the divine grace + that she brought with her. With her fresh breath near him, the pure scent + she diffused, the caressing womanly tenderness with which she surrounded + him, he lived anew. But, immediately afterwards, what a frightful drama + and how his heart had bled at his inability to reconcile the husband and + the wife! He could not possibly say that his son was in the wrong in + desiring to be the loved and accepted spouse. At first indeed he had hoped + to soften Benedetta, and throw her into Luigi’s arms. But when she had + confessed herself to him in tears, owning her old love for Dario, and her + horror of belonging to another, he realised that she would never yield. + And a whole year had then gone by; he had lived for a whole year + imprisoned in his arm-chair, with that poignant drama progressing beneath + him in those luxurious rooms whence no sound even reached his ears. How + many times had he not listened, striving to hear, fearing atrocious + quarrels, in despair at his inability to prove still useful by creating + happiness. He knew nothing by his son, who kept his own counsel; he only + learnt a few particulars from Benedetta at intervals when emotion left her + defenceless; and that marriage in which he had for a moment espied the + much-needed alliance between old and new Rome, that unconsummated marriage + filled him with despair, as if it were indeed the defeat of every hope, + the final collapse of the dream which had filled his life. And he himself + had ended by desiring the divorce, so unbearable had become the suffering + caused by such a situation. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my friend!” he said to Pierre; “never before did I so well understand + the fatality of certain antagonism, the possibility of working one’s own + misfortune and that of others, even when one has the most loving heart and + upright mind!” + </p> + <p> + But at that moment the door again opened, and this time, without knocking, + Count Luigi Prada came in. And after rapidly bowing to the visitor, who + had risen, he gently took hold of his father’s hands and felt them, as if + fearing that they might be too warm or too cold. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve just arrived from Frascati, where I had to sleep,” said he; “for the + interruption of all that building gives me a lot of worry. And I’m told + that you spent a bad night!” + </p> + <p> + “No, I assure you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I knew you wouldn’t own it. But why will you persist in living up + here without any comfort? All this isn’t suited to your age. I should be + so pleased if you would accept a more comfortable room where you might + sleep better.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no—I know that you love me well, my dear Luigi. But let me do + as my old head tells me. That’s the only way to make me happy.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was much struck by the ardent affection which sparkled in the eyes + of the two men as they gazed at one another, face to face. This seemed to + him very touching and beautiful, knowing as he did how many contrary ideas + and actions, how many moral divergencies separated them. And he next took + an interest in comparing them physically. Count Luigi Prada, shorter, more + thick-set than his father, had, however, much the same strong energetic + head, crowned with coarse black hair, and the same frank but somewhat + stern eyes set in a face of clear complexion, barred by thick moustaches. + But his mouth differed—a sensual, voracious mouth it was, with + wolfish teeth—a mouth of prey made for nights of rapine, when the + only question is to bite, and tear, and devour others. And for this + reason, when some praised the frankness in his eyes, another would retort: + “Yes, but I don’t like his mouth.” His feet were large, his hands plump + and over-broad, but admirably cared for. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre marvelled at finding him such as he had anticipated. He knew + enough of his story to picture in him a hero’s son spoilt by conquest, + eagerly devouring the harvest garnered by his father’s glorious sword. And + he particularly studied how the father’s virtues had deflected and become + transformed into vices in the son—the most noble qualities being + perverted, heroic and disinterested energy lapsing into a ferocious + appetite for possession, the man of battle leading to the man of booty, + since the great gusts of enthusiasm no longer swept by, since men no + longer fought, since they remained there resting, pillaging, and devouring + amidst the heaped-up spoils. And the pity of it was that the old hero, the + paralytic, motionless father beheld it all—beheld the degeneration + of his son, the speculator and company promoter gorged with millions! + </p> + <p> + However, Orlando introduced Pierre. “This is Monsieur l’Abbe Pierre + Froment, whom I spoke to you about,” he said, “the author of the book + which I gave you to read.” + </p> + <p> + Luigi Prada showed himself very amiable, at once talking of home with an + intelligent passion like one who wished to make the city a great modern + capital. He had seen Paris transformed by the Second Empire; he had seen + Berlin enlarged and embellished after the German victories; and, according + to him, if Rome did not follow the movement, if it did not become the + inhabitable capital of a great people, it was threatened with prompt + death: either a crumbling museum or a renovated, resuscitated city—those + were the alternatives.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Personally I should have thought the example of Berlin a great + deterrent. The enlargement and embellishment of the Prussian + capital, after the war of 1870, was attended by far greater + roguery and wholesale swindling than even the previous + transformation of Paris. Thousands of people too were ruined, + and instead of an increase of prosperity the result was the + very reverse.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Greatly struck, almost gained over already, Pierre listened to this clever + man, charmed with his firm, clear mind. He knew how skilfully Prada had + manoeuvred in the affair of the Villa Montefiori, enriching himself when + every one else was ruined, having doubtless foreseen the fatal catastrophe + even while the gambling passion was maddening the entire nation. However, + the young priest could already detect marks of weariness, precocious + wrinkles and a fall of the lips, on that determined, energetic face, as + though its possessor were growing tired of the continual struggle that he + had to carry on amidst surrounding downfalls, the shock of which + threatened to bring the most firmly established fortunes to the ground. It + was said that Prada had recently had grave cause for anxiety; and indeed + there was no longer any solidity to be found; everything might be swept + away by the financial crisis which day by day was becoming more and more + serious. In the case of Luigi, sturdy son though he was of Northern Italy, + a sort of degeneration had set in, a slow rot, caused by the softening, + perversive influence of Rome. He had there rushed upon the satisfaction of + every appetite, and prolonged enjoyment was exhausting him. This, indeed, + was one of the causes of the deep silent sadness of Orlando, who was + compelled to witness the swift deterioration of his conquering race, + whilst Sacco, the Italian of the South—served as it were by the + climate, accustomed to the voluptuous atmosphere, the life of those + sun-baked cities compounded of the dust of antiquity—bloomed there + like the natural vegetation of a soil saturated with the crimes of + history, and gradually grasped everything, both wealth and power. + </p> + <p> + As Orlando spoke of Stefana’s visit to his son, Sacco’s name was + mentioned. Then, without another word, the two men exchanged a smile. A + rumour was current that the Minister of Agriculture, lately deceased, + would perhaps not be replaced immediately, and that another minister would + take charge of the department pending the next session of the Chamber. + </p> + <p> + Next the Palazzo Boccanera was mentioned, and Pierre, his interest + awakened, became more attentive. “Ah!” exclaimed Count Luigi, turning to + him, “so you are staying in the Via Giulia? All the Rome of olden time + sleeps there in the silence of forgetfulness.” + </p> + <p> + With perfect ease he went on to speak of the Cardinal and even of + Benedetta—“the Countess,” as he called her. But, although he was + careful to let no sign of anger escape him, the young priest could divine + that he was secretly quivering, full of suffering and spite. In him the + enthusiastic energy of his father appeared in a baser, degenerate form. + Quitting the yet handsome Princess Flavia in his passion for Benedetta, + her divinely beautiful niece, he had resolved to make the latter his own + at any cost, determined to marry her, to struggle with her and overcome + her, although he knew that she loved him not, and that he would almost + certainly wreck his entire life. Rather than relinquish her, however, he + would have set Rome on fire. And thus his hopeless suffering was now great + indeed: this woman was but his wife in name, and so torturing was the + thought of her disdain, that at times, however calm his outward demeanour, + he was consumed by a jealous vindictive sensual madness that did not even + recoil from the idea of crime. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur l’Abbe is acquainted with the situation,” sadly murmured old + Orlando. + </p> + <p> + His son responded by a wave of the hand, as though to say that everybody + was acquainted with it. “Ah! father,” he added, “but for you I should + never have consented to take part in those proceedings for annulling the + marriage! The Countess would have found herself compelled to return here, + and would not nowadays be deriding us with her lover, that cousin of hers, + Dario!” + </p> + <p> + At this Orlando also waved his hand, as if in protest. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! it’s a fact, father,” continued Luigi. “Why did she flee from here if + it wasn’t to go and live with her lover? And indeed, in my opinion, it’s + scandalous that a Cardinal’s palace should shelter such goings-on!” + </p> + <p> + This was the report which he spread abroad, the accusation which he + everywhere levelled against his wife, of publicly carrying on a shameless + <i>liaison</i>. In reality, however, he did not believe a word of it, + being too well acquainted with Benedetta’s firm rectitude, and her + determination to belong to none but the man she loved, and to him only in + marriage. However, in Prada’s eyes such accusations were not only fair + play but also very efficacious. + </p> + <p> + And now, although he turned pale with covert exasperation, and laughed a + hard, vindictive, cruel laugh, he went on to speak in a bantering tone of + the proceedings for annulling the marriage, and in particular of the plea + put forward by Benedetta’s advocate Morano. And at last his language + became so free that Orlando, with a glance towards the priest, gently + interposed: “Luigi! Luigi!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you are right, father, I’ll say no more,” thereupon added the young + Count. “But it’s really abominable and ridiculous. Lisbeth, you know, is + highly amused at it.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando again looked displeased, for when visitors were present he did not + like his son to refer to the person whom he had just named. Lisbeth + Kauffmann, very blonde and pink and merry, was barely thirty years of age, + and belonged to the Roman foreign colony. For two years past she had been + a widow, her husband having died at Rome whither he had come to nurse a + complaint of the lungs. Thenceforward free, and sufficiently well off, she + had remained in the city by taste, having a marked predilection for art, + and painting a little, herself. In the Via Principe Amadeo, in the new + Viminal district, she had purchased a little palazzo, and transformed a + large apartment on its second floor into a studio hung with old stuffs, + and balmy in every season with the scent of flowers. The place was well + known to tolerant and intellectual society. Lisbeth was there found in + perpetual jubilation, clad in a long blouse, somewhat of a <i>gamine</i> + in her ways, trenchant too and often bold of speech, but nevertheless + capital company, and as yet compromised with nobody but Prada. Their <i>liaison</i> + had begun some four months after his wife had left him, and now Lisbeth + was near the time of becoming a mother. This she in no wise concealed, but + displayed such candid tranquillity and happiness that her numerous + acquaintances continued to visit her as if there were nothing in question, + so facile and free indeed is the life of the great cosmopolitan + continental cities. Under the circumstances which his wife’s suit had + created, Prada himself was not displeased at the turn which events had + taken with regard to Lisbeth, but none the less his incurable wound still + bled. + </p> + <p> + There could be no compensation for the bitterness of Benedetta’s disdain, + it was she for whom his heart burned, and he dreamt of one day wreaking on + her a tragic punishment. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, knowing nothing of Lisbeth, failed to understand the allusions of + Orlando and his son. But realising that there was some embarrassment + between them, he sought to take countenance by picking from off the + littered table a thick book which, to his surprise, he found to be a + French educational work, one of those manuals for the <i>baccalaureat</i>,* + containing a digest of the knowledge which the official programmes + require. It was but a humble, practical, elementary work, yet it + necessarily dealt with all the mathematical, physical, chemical, and + natural sciences, thus broadly outlining the intellectual conquests of the + century, the present phase of human knowledge. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The examination for the degree of bachelor, which degree is + the necessary passport to all the liberal professions in France. + M. Zola, by the way, failed to secure it, being ploughed for + “insufficiency in literature”!—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + “Ah!” exclaimed Orlando, well pleased with the diversion, “you are looking + at the book of my old friend Theophile Morin. He was one of the thousand + of Marsala, you know, and helped us to conquer Sicily and Naples. A hero! + But for more than thirty years now he has been living in France again, + absorbed in the duties of his petty professorship, which hasn’t made him + at all rich. And so he lately published that book, which sells very well + in France it seems; and it occurred to him that he might increase his + modest profits on it by issuing translations, an Italian one among others. + He and I have remained brothers, and thinking that my influence would + prove decisive, he wishes to utilise it. But he is mistaken; I fear, alas! + that I shall be unable to get anybody to take up his book.” + </p> + <p> + At this Luigi Prada, who had again become very composed and amiable, + shrugged his shoulders slightly, full as he was of the scepticism of his + generation which desired to maintain things in their actual state so as to + derive the greatest profit from them. “What would be the good of it?” he + murmured; “there are too many books already!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” the old man passionately retorted, “there can never be too many + books! We still and ever require fresh ones! It’s by literature, not by + the sword, that mankind will overcome falsehood and injustice and attain + to the final peace of fraternity among the nations—Oh! you may + smile; I know that you call these ideas my fancies of ‘48, the fancies of + a greybeard, as people say in France. But it is none the less true that + Italy is doomed, if the problem be not attacked from down below, if the + people be not properly fashioned. And there is only one way to make a + nation, to create men, and that is to educate them, to develop by + educational means the immense lost force which now stagnates in ignorance + and idleness. Yes, yes, Italy is made, but let us make an Italian nation. + And give us more and more books, and let us ever go more and more forward + into science and into light, if we wish to live and to be healthy, good, + and strong!” + </p> + <p> + With his torso erect, with his powerful leonine muzzle flaming with the + white brightness of his beard and hair, old Orlando looked superb. And in + that simple, candid chamber, so touching with its intentional poverty, he + raised his cry of hope with such intensity of feverish faith, that before + the young priest’s eyes there arose another figure—that of Cardinal + Boccanera, erect and black save for his snow-white hair, and likewise + glowing with heroic beauty in his crumbling palace whose gilded ceilings + threatened to fall about his head! Ah! the magnificent stubborn men of the + past, the believers, the old men who still show themselves more virile, + more ardent than the young! Those two represented the opposite poles of + belief; they had not an idea, an affection in common, and in that ancient + city of Rome, where all was being blown away in dust, they alone seemed to + protest, indestructible, face to face like two parted brothers, standing + motionless on either horizon. And to have seen them thus, one after the + other, so great and grand, so lonely, so detached from ordinary life, was + to fill one’s day with a dream of eternity. + </p> + <p> + Luigi, however, had taken hold of the old man’s hands to calm him by an + affectionate filial clasp. “Yes, yes, you are right, father, always right, + and I’m a fool to contradict you. Now, pray don’t move about like that, + for you are uncovering yourself, and your legs will get cold again.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he knelt down and very carefully arranged the wrapper; and then + remaining on the floor like a child, albeit he was two and forty, he + raised his moist eyes, full of mute, entreating worship towards the old + man who, calmed and deeply moved, caressed his hair with a trembling + touch. + </p> + <p> + Pierre had been there for nearly two hours, when he at last took leave, + greatly struck and affected by all that he had seen and heard. And again + he had to promise that he would return and have a long chat with Orlando. + Once out of doors he walked along at random. It was barely four o’clock, + and it was his idea to ramble in this wise, without any predetermined + programme, through Rome at that delightful hour when the sun sinks in the + refreshed and far blue atmosphere. Almost immediately, however, he found + himself in the Via Nazionale, along which he had driven on arriving the + previous day. And he recognised the huge livid Banca d’Italia, the green + gardens climbing to the Quirinal, and the heaven-soaring pines of the + Villa Aldobrandini. Then, at the turn of the street, as he stopped short + in order that he might again contemplate the column of Trajan which now + rose up darkly from its low piazza, already full of twilight, he was + surprised to see a victoria suddenly pull up, and a young man courteously + beckon to him. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur l’Abbe Froment! Monsieur l’Abbe Froment!” + </p> + <p> + It was young Prince Dario Boccanera, on his way to his daily drive along + the Corso. He now virtually subsisted on the liberality of his uncle the + Cardinal, and was almost always short of money. But, like all the Romans, + he would, if necessary, have rather lived on bread and water than have + forgone his carriage, horse, and coachman. An equipage, indeed, is the one + indispensable luxury of Rome. + </p> + <p> + “If you will come with me, Monsieur l’Abbe Froment,” said the young + Prince, “I will show you the most interesting part of our city.” + </p> + <p> + He doubtless desired to please Benedetta, by behaving amiably towards her + protege. Idle as he was, too, it seemed to him a pleasant occupation to + initiate that young priest, who was said to be so intelligent, into what + he deemed the inimitable side, the true florescence of Roman life. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was compelled to accept, although he would have preferred a + solitary stroll. Yet he was interested in this young man, the last born of + an exhausted race, who, while seemingly incapable of either thought or + action, was none the less very seductive with his high-born pride and + indolence. Far more a Roman than a patriot, Dario had never had the + faintest inclination to rally to the new order of things, being well + content to live apart and do nothing; and passionate though he was, he + indulged in no follies, being very practical and sensible at heart, as are + all his fellow-citizens, despite their apparent impetuosity. As soon as + his carriage, after crossing the Piazza di Venezia, entered the Corso, he + gave rein to his childish vanity, his desire to shine, his passion for + gay, happy life in the open under the lovely sky. All this, indeed, was + clearly expressed in the simple gesture which he made whilst exclaiming: + “The Corso!” + </p> + <p> + As on the previous day, Pierre was filled with astonishment. The long + narrow street again stretched before him as far as the white dazzling + Piazza del Popolo, the only difference being that the right-hand houses + were now steeped in sunshine, whilst those on the left were black with + shadow. What! was that the Corso then, that semi-obscure trench, close + pressed by high and heavy house-fronts, that mean roadway where three + vehicles could scarcely pass abreast, and which serried shops lined with + gaudy displays? There was neither space, nor far horizon, nor refreshing + greenery such as the fashionable drives of Paris could boast! Nothing but + jostling, crowding, and stifling on the little footways under the narrow + strip of sky. And although Dario named the pompous and historical palaces, + Bonaparte, Doria, Odescalchi, Sciarra, and Chigi; although he pointed out + the column of Marcus Aurelius on the Piazza Colonna, the most lively + square of the whole city with its everlasting throng of lounging, gazing, + chattering people; although, all the way to the Piazza del Popolo, he + never ceased calling attention to churches, houses, and side-streets, + notably the Via dei Condotti, at the far end of which the Trinity de’ + Monti, all golden in the glory of the sinking sun, appeared above that + famous flight of steps, the triumphal Scala di Spagna—Pierre still + and ever retained the impression of disillusion which the narrow, airless + thoroughfare had conveyed to him: the “palaces” looked to him like + mournful hospitals or barracks, the Piazza Colonna suffered terribly from + a lack of trees, and the Trinity de’ Monti alone took his fancy by its + distant radiance of fairyland. + </p> + <p> + But it was necessary to come back from the Piazza del Popolo to the Piazza + di Venezia, then return to the former square, and come back yet again, + following the entire Corso three and four times without wearying. The + delighted Dario showed himself and looked about him, exchanging + salutations. On either footway was a compact crowd of promenaders whose + eyes roamed over the equipages and whose hands could have shaken those of + the carriage folks. So great at last became the number of vehicles that + both lines were absolutely unbroken, crowded to such a point that the + coachmen could do no more than walk their horses. Perpetually going up and + coming down the Corso, people scrutinised and jostled one another. It was + open-air promiscuity, all Rome gathered together in the smallest possible + space, the folks who knew one another and who met here as in a friendly + drawing-room, and the folks belonging to adverse parties who did not speak + together but who elbowed each other, and whose glances penetrated to each + other’s soul. Then a revelation came to Pierre, and he suddenly understood + the Corso, the ancient custom, the passion and glory of the city. Its + pleasure lay precisely in the very narrowness of the street, in that + forced elbowing which facilitated not only desired meetings but the + satisfaction of curiosity, the display of vanity, and the garnering of + endless tittle-tattle. All Roman society met here each day, displayed + itself, spied on itself, offering itself in spectacle to its own eyes, + with such an indispensable need of thus beholding itself that the man of + birth who missed the Corso was like one out of his element, destitute of + newspapers, living like a savage. And withal the atmosphere was + delightfully balmy, and the narrow strip of sky between the heavy, rusty + mansions displayed an infinite azure purity. + </p> + <p> + Dario never ceased smiling, and slightly inclining his head while he + repeated to Pierre the names of princes and princesses, dukes and + duchesses—high-sounding names whose flourish had filled history, + whose sonorous syllables conjured up the shock of armour on the + battlefield and the splendour of papal pomp with robes of purple, tiaras + of gold, and sacred vestments sparkling with precious stones. And as + Pierre listened and looked he was pained to see merely some corpulent + ladies or undersized gentlemen, bloated or shrunken beings, whose + ill-looks seemed to be increased by their modern attire. However, a few + pretty women went by, particularly some young, silent girls with large, + clear eyes. And just as Dario had pointed out the Palazzo Buongiovanni, a + huge seventeenth-century facade, with windows encompassed by foliaged + ornamentation deplorably heavy in style, he added gaily: + </p> + <p> + “Ah! look—that’s Attilio there on the footway. Young Lieutenant + Sacco—you know, don’t you?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre signed that he understood. Standing there in uniform, Attilio, so + young, so energetic and brave of appearance, with a frank countenance + softly illumined by blue eyes like his mother’s, at once pleased the + priest. He seemed indeed the very personification of youth and love, with + all their enthusiastic, disinterested hope in the future. + </p> + <p> + “You’ll see by and by, when we pass the palace again,” said Dario. “He’ll + still be there and I’ll show you something.” + </p> + <p> + Then he began to talk gaily of the girls of Rome, the little princesses, + the little duchesses, so discreetly educated at the convent of the Sacred + Heart, quitting it for the most part so ignorant and then completing their + education beside their mothers, never going out but to accompany the + latter on the obligatory drive to the Corso, and living through endless + days, cloistered, imprisoned in the depths of sombre mansions. + Nevertheless what tempests raged in those mute souls to which none had + ever penetrated! what stealthy growth of will suddenly appeared from under + passive obedience, apparent unconsciousness of surroundings! How many + there were who stubbornly set their minds on carving out their lives for + themselves, on choosing the man who might please them, and securing him + despite the opposition of the entire world! And the lover was chosen there + from among the stream of young men promenading the Corso, the lover hooked + with a glance during the daily drive, those candid eyes speaking aloud and + sufficing for confession and the gift of all, whilst not a breath was + wafted from the lips so chastely closed. And afterwards there came love + letters, furtively exchanged in church, and the winning-over of maids to + facilitate stolen meetings, at first so innocent. In the end, a marriage + often resulted. + </p> + <p> + Celia, for her part, had determined to win Attilio on the very first day + when their eyes had met. And it was from a window of the Palazzo + Buongiovanni that she had perceived him one afternoon of mortal weariness. + He had just raised his head, and she had taken him for ever and given + herself to him with those large, pure eyes of hers as they rested on his + own. She was but an <i>amorosa</i>—nothing more; he pleased her; she + had set her heart on him—him and none other. She would have waited + twenty years for him, but she relied on winning him at once by quiet + stubbornness of will. People declared that the terrible fury of the + Prince, her father, had proved impotent against her respectful, obstinate + silence. He, man of mixed blood as he was, son of an American woman, and + husband of an English woman, laboured but to retain his own name and + fortune intact amidst the downfall of others; and it was rumoured that as + the result of a quarrel which he had picked with his wife, whom he accused + of not sufficiently watching over their daughter, the Princess had + revolted, full not only of the pride of a foreigner who had brought a huge + dowry in marriage, but also of such plain, frank egotism that she had + declared she no longer found time enough to attend to herself, let alone + another. Had she not already done enough in bearing him five children? She + thought so; and now she spent her time in worshipping herself, letting + Celia do as she listed, and taking no further interest in the household + through which swept stormy gusts. + </p> + <p> + However, the carriage was again about to pass the Buongiovanni mansion, + and Dario forewarned Pierre. “You see,” said he, “Attilio has come back. + And now look up at the third window on the first floor.” + </p> + <p> + It was at once rapid and charming. Pierre saw the curtain slightly drawn + aside and Celia’s gentle face appear. Closed, candid lily, she did not + smile, she did not move. Nothing could be read on those pure lips, or in + those clear but fathomless eyes of hers. Yet she was taking Attilio to + herself, and giving herself to him without reserve. And soon the curtain + fell once more. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the little mask!” muttered Dario. “Can one ever tell what there is + behind so much innocence?” + </p> + <p> + As Pierre turned round he perceived Attilio, whose head was still raised, + and whose face was also motionless and pale, with closed mouth, and widely + opened eyes. And the young priest was deeply touched, for this was love, + absolute love in its sudden omnipotence, true love, eternal and + juvenescent, in which ambition and calculation played no part. + </p> + <p> + Then Dario ordered the coachman to drive up to the Pincio; for, before or + after the Corso, the round of the Pincio is obligatory on fine, clear + afternoons. First came the Piazza del Popolo, the most airy and regular + square of Rome, with its conjunction of thoroughfares, its churches and + fountains, its central obelisk, and its two clumps of trees facing one + another at either end of the small white paving-stones, betwixt the severe + and sun-gilt buildings. Then, turning to the right, the carriage began to + climb the inclined way to the Pincio—a magnificent winding ascent, + decorated with bas-reliefs, statues, and fountains—a kind of + apotheosis of marble, a commemoration of ancient Rome, rising amidst + greenery. Up above, however, Pierre found the garden small, little better + than a large square, with just the four necessary roadways to enable the + carriages to drive round and round as long as they pleased. An + uninterrupted line of busts of the great men of ancient and modern Italy + fringed these roadways. But what Pierre most admired was the trees—trees + of the most rare and varied kinds, chosen and tended with infinite care, + and nearly always evergreens, so that in winter and summer alike the spot + was adorned with lovely foliage of every imaginable shade of verdure. And + beside these trees, along the fine, breezy roadways, Dario’s victoria + began to turn, following the continuous, unwearying stream of the other + carriages. + </p> + <p> + Pierre remarked one young woman of modest demeanour and attractive + simplicity who sat alone in a dark-blue victoria, drawn by a well-groomed, + elegantly harnessed horse. She was very pretty, short, with chestnut hair, + a creamy complexion, and large gentle eyes. Quietly robed in dead-leaf + silk, she wore a large hat, which alone looked somewhat extravagant. And + seeing that Dario was staring at her, the priest inquired her name, + whereat the young Prince smiled. Oh! she was nobody, La Tonietta was the + name that people gave her; she was one of the few <i>demi-mondaines</i> + that Roman society talked of. Then, with the freeness and frankness which + his race displays in such matters, Dario added some particulars. La + Tonietta’s origin was obscure; some said that she was the daughter of an + innkeeper of Tivoli, and others that of a Neapolitan banker. At all + events, she was very intelligent, had educated herself, and knew + thoroughly well how to receive and entertain people at the little palazzo + in the Via dei Mille, which had been given to her by old Marquis Manfredi + now deceased. She made no scandalous show, had but one protector at a + time, and the princesses and duchesses who paid attention to her at the + Corso every afternoon, considered her nice-looking. One peculiarity had + made her somewhat notorious. There was some one whom she loved and from + whom she never accepted aught but a bouquet of white roses; and folks + would smile indulgently when at times for weeks together she was seen + driving round the Pincio with those pure, white bridal flowers on the + carriage seat. + </p> + <p> + Dario, however, suddenly paused in his explanations to address a + ceremonious bow to a lady who, accompanied by a gentleman, drove by in a + large landau. Then he simply said to the priest: “My mother.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre already knew of her. Viscount de la Choue had told him her story, + how, after Prince Onofrio Boccanera’s death, she had married again, + although she was already fifty; how at the Corso, just like some young + girl, she had hooked with her eyes a handsome man to her liking—one, + too, who was fifteen years her junior. And Pierre also knew who that man + was, a certain Jules Laporte, an ex-sergeant of the papal Swiss Guard, an + ex-traveller in relics, compromised in an extraordinary “false relic” + fraud; and he was further aware that Laporte’s wife had made a + fine-looking Marquis Montefiori of him, the last of the fortunate + adventurers of romance, triumphing as in the legendary lands where + shepherds are wedded to queens. + </p> + <p> + At the next turn, as the large landau again went by, Pierre looked at the + couple. The Marchioness was really wonderful, blooming with all the + classical Roman beauty, tall, opulent, and very dark, with the head of a + goddess and regular if somewhat massive features, nothing as yet betraying + her age except the down upon her upper lip. And the Marquis, the Romanised + Swiss of Geneva, really had a proud bearing, with his solid soldierly + figure and long wavy moustaches. People said that he was in no wise a fool + but, on the contrary, very gay and very supple, just the man to please + women. His wife so gloried in him that she dragged him about and displayed + him everywhere, having begun life afresh with him as if she were still but + twenty, spending on him the little fortune which she had saved from the + Villa Montefiori disaster, and so completely forgetting her son that she + only saw the latter now and again at the promenade and acknowledged his + bow like that of some chance acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go to see the sun set behind St. Peter’s,” all at once said Dario, + conscientiously playing his part as a showman of curiosities. + </p> + <p> + The victoria thereupon returned to the terrace, where a military band was + now playing with a terrific blare of brass instruments. In order that + their occupants might hear the music, a large number of carriages had + already drawn up, and a growing crowd of loungers on foot had assembled + there. And from that beautiful terrace, so broad and lofty, one of the + most wonderful views of Rome was offered to the gaze. Beyond the Tiber, + beyond the pale chaos of the new district of the castle meadows,* and + between the greenery of Monte Mario and the Janiculum arose St. Peter’s. + Then on the left came all the olden city, an endless stretch of roofs, a + rolling sea of edifices as far as the eye could reach. But one’s glances + always came back to St. Peter’s, towering into the azure with pure and + sovereign grandeur. And, seen from the terrace, the slow sunsets in the + depths of the vast sky behind the colossus were sublime. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See <i>ante</i> note on castle meadows. +</pre> + <p> + Sometimes there are topplings of sanguineous clouds, battles of giants + hurling mountains at one another and succumbing beneath the monstrous + ruins of flaming cities. Sometimes only red streaks or fissures appear on + the surface of a sombre lake, as if a net of light has been flung to fish + the submerged orb from amidst the seaweed. Sometimes, too, there is a rosy + mist, a kind of delicate dust which falls, streaked with pearls by a + distant shower, whose curtain is drawn across the mystery of the horizon. + And sometimes there is a triumph, a <i>cortege</i> of gold and purple + chariots of cloud rolling along a highway of fire, galleys floating upon + an azure sea, fantastic and extravagant pomps slowly sinking into the less + and less fathomable abyss of the twilight. + </p> + <p> + But that night the sublime spectacle presented itself to Pierre with a + calm, blinding, desperate grandeur. At first, just above the dome of St. + Peter’s, the sun, descending in a spotless, deeply limpid sky, proved yet + so resplendent that one’s eyes could not face its brightness. And in this + resplendency the dome seemed to be incandescent, you would have said a + dome of liquid silver; whilst the surrounding districts, the house-roofs + of the Borgo, were as though changed into a lake of live embers. Then, as + the sun was by degrees inclined, it lost some of its blaze, and one could + look; and soon afterwards sinking with majestic slowness it disappeared + behind the dome, which showed forth darkly blue, while the orb, now + entirely hidden, set an aureola around it, a glory like a crown of flaming + rays. And then began the dream, the dazzling symbol, the singular + illumination of the row of windows beneath the cupola which were + transpierced by the light and looked like the ruddy mouths of furnaces, in + such wise that one might have imagined the dome to be poised upon a + brazier, isolated, in the air, as though raised and upheld by the violence + of the fire. It all lasted barely three minutes. Down below the jumbled + roofs of the Borgo became steeped in violet vapour, sank into increasing + gloom, whilst from the Janiculum to Monte Mario the horizon showed its + firm black line. And it was the sky then which became all purple and gold, + displaying the infinite placidity of a supernatural radiance above the + earth which faded into nihility. Finally the last window reflections were + extinguished, the glow of the heavens departed, and nothing remained but + the vague, fading roundness of the dome of St. Peter’s amidst the + all-invading night. + </p> + <p> + And, by some subtle connection of ideas, Pierre at that moment once again + saw rising before him the lofty, sad, declining figures of Cardinal + Boccanera and old Orlando. On the evening of that day when he had learnt + to know them, one after the other, both so great in the obstinacy of their + hope, they seemed to be there, erect on the horizon above their + annihilated city, on the fringe of the heavens which death apparently was + about to seize. Was everything then to crumble with them? was everything + to fade away and disappear in the falling night following upon + accomplished Time? + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"></a> + V. + </h2> + <p> + ON the following day Narcisse Habert came in great worry to tell Pierre + that Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo complained of being unwell, and asked for a + delay of two or three days before receiving the young priest and + considering the matter of his audience. Pierre was thus reduced to + inaction, for he dared not make any attempt elsewhere in view of seeing + the Pope. He had been so frightened by Nani and others that he feared he + might jeopardise everything by inconsiderate endeavours. And so he began + to visit Rome in order to occupy his leisure. + </p> + <p> + His first visit was for the ruins of the Palatine. Going out alone one + clear morning at eight o’clock, he presented himself at the entrance in + the Via San Teodoro, an iron gateway flanked by the lodges of the keepers. + One of the latter at once offered his services, and though Pierre would + have preferred to roam at will, following the bent of his dream, he + somehow did not like to refuse the offer of this man, who spoke French + very distinctly, and smiled in a very good-natured way. He was a squatly + built little man, a former soldier, some sixty years of age, and his + square-cut, ruddy face was barred by thick white moustaches. + </p> + <p> + “Then will you please follow me, Monsieur l’Abbe,” said he. “I can see + that you are French, Monsieur l’Abbe. I’m a Piedmontese myself, but I know + the French well enough; I was with them at Solferino. Yes, yes, whatever + people may say, one can’t forget old friendships. Here, this way, please, + to the right.” + </p> + <p> + Raising his eyes, Pierre had just perceived the line of cypresses edging + the plateau of the Palatine on the side of the Tiber; and in the delicate + blue atmosphere the intense greenery of these trees showed like a black + fringe. They alone attracted the eye; the slope, of a dusty, dirty grey, + stretched out bare and devastated, dotted by a few bushes, among which + peeped fragments of ancient walls. All was instinct with the ravaged, + leprous sadness of a spot handed over to excavation, and where only men of + learning could wax enthusiastic. + </p> + <p> + “The palaces of Tiberius, Caligula, and the Flavians are up above,” + resumed the guide. “We must keep then for the end and go round.” + Nevertheless he took a few steps to the left, and pausing before an + excavation, a sort of grotto in the hillside, exclaimed: “This is the + Lupercal den where the wolf suckled Romulus and Remus. Just here at the + entry used to stand the Ruminal fig-tree which sheltered the twins.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre could not restrain a smile, so convinced was the tone in which the + old soldier gave these explanations, proud as he was of all the ancient + glory, and wont to regard the wildest legends as indisputable facts. + However, when the worthy man pointed out some vestiges of Roma Quadrata—remnants + of walls which really seemed to date from the foundation of the city—Pierre + began to feel interested, and a first touch of emotion made his heart + beat. This emotion was certainly not due to any beauty of scene, for he + merely beheld a few courses of tufa blocks, placed one upon the other and + uncemented. But a past which had been dead for seven and twenty centuries + seemed to rise up before him, and those crumbling, blackened blocks, the + foundation of such a mighty eclipse of power and splendour, acquired + extraordinary majesty. + </p> + <p> + Continuing their inspection, they went on, skirting the hillside. The + outbuildings of the palaces must have descended to this point; fragments + of porticoes, fallen beams, columns and friezes set up afresh, edged the + rugged path which wound through wild weeds, suggesting a neglected + cemetery; and the guide repeated the words which he had used day by day + for ten years past, continuing to enunciate suppositions as facts, and + giving a name, a destination, a history, to every one of the fragments. + </p> + <p> + “The house of Augustus,” he said at last, pointing towards some masses of + earth and rubbish. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Pierre, unable to distinguish anything, ventured to inquire: + “Where do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the man, “it seems that the walls were still to be seen at the + end of the last century. But it was entered from the other side, from the + Sacred Way. On this side there was a huge balcony which overlooked the + Circus Maximus so that one could view the sports. However, as you can see, + the greater part of the palace is still buried under that big garden up + above, the garden of the Villa Mills. When there’s money for fresh + excavations it will be found again, together with the temple of Apollo and + the shrine of Vesta which accompanied it.” + </p> + <p> + Turning to the left, he next entered the Stadium, the arena erected for + foot-racing, which stretched beside the palace of Augustus; and the + priest’s interest was now once more awakened. It was not that he found + himself in presence of well-preserved and monumental remains, for not a + column had remained erect, and only the right-hand walls were still + standing. But the entire plan of the building had been traced, with the + goals at either end, the porticus round the course, and the colossal + imperial tribune which, after being on the left, annexed to the house of + Augustus, had afterwards opened on the right, fitting into the palace of + Septimius Severus. And while Pierre looked on all the scattered remnants, + his guide went on chattering, furnishing the most copious and precise + information, and declaring that the gentlemen who directed the excavations + had mentally reconstructed the Stadium in each and every particular, and + were even preparing a most exact plan of it, showing all the columns in + their proper order and the statues in their niches, and even specifying + the divers sorts of marble which had covered the walls. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! the directors are quite at ease,” the old soldier eventually added + with an air of infinite satisfaction. “There will be nothing for the + Germans to pounce on here. They won’t be allowed to set things topsy-turvy + as they did at the Forum, where everybody’s at sea since they came along + with their wonderful science!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre—a Frenchman—smiled, and his interest increased when, by + broken steps and wooden bridges thrown over gaps, he followed the guide + into the great ruins of the palace of Severus. Rising on the southern + point of the Palatine, this palace had overlooked the Appian Way and the + Campagna as far as the eye could reach. Nowadays, almost the only remains + are the substructures, the subterranean halls contrived under the arches + of the terraces, by which the plateau of the hill was enlarged; and yet + these dismantled substructures suffice to give some idea of the triumphant + palace which they once upheld, so huge and powerful have they remained in + their indestructible massiveness. Near by arose the famous Septizonium, + the tower with the seven tiers of arcades, which only finally disappeared + in the sixteenth century. One of the palace terraces yet juts out upon + cyclopean arches and from it the view is splendid. But all the rest is a + commingling of massive yet crumbling walls, gaping depths whose ceilings + have fallen, endless corridors and vast halls of doubtful destination. + Well cared for by the new administration, swept and cleansed of weeds, the + ruins have lost their romantic wildness and assumed an aspect of bare and + mournful grandeur. However, flashes of living sunlight often gild the + ancient walls, penetrate by their breaches into the black halls, and + animate with their dazzlement the mute melancholy of all this dead + splendour now exhumed from the earth in which it slumbered for centuries. + Over the old ruddy masonry, stripped of its pompous marble covering, is + the purple mantle of the sunlight, draping the whole with imperial glory + once more. + </p> + <p> + For more than two hours already Pierre had been walking on, and yet he + still had to visit all the earlier palaces on the north and east of the + plateau. “We must go back,” said the guide, “the gardens of the Villa + Mills and the convent of San Bonaventura stop the way. We shall only be + able to pass on this side when the excavations have made a clearance. Ah! + Monsieur l’Abbe, if you had walked over the Palatine merely some fifty + years ago! I’ve seen some plans of that time. There were only some + vineyards and little gardens with hedges then, a real campagna, where not + a soul was to be met. And to think that all these palaces were sleeping + underneath!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre followed him, and after again passing the house of Augustus, they + ascended the slope and reached the vast Flavian palace,* still half buried + by the neighbouring villa, and composed of a great number of halls large + and small, on the nature of which scholars are still arguing. The aula + regia, or throne-room, the basilica, or hall of justice, the triclinium, + or dining-room, and the peristylium seem certainties; but for all the + rest, and especially the small chambers of the private part of the + structure, only more or less fanciful conjectures can be offered. + Moreover, not a wall is entire; merely foundations peep out of the ground, + mutilated bases describing the plan of the edifice. The only ruin + preserved, as if by miracle, is the house on a lower level which some + assert to have been that of Livia,* a house which seems very small beside + all the huge palaces, and where are three halls comparatively intact, with + mural paintings of mythological scenes, flowers, and fruits, still + wonderfully fresh. As for the palace of Tiberius, not one of its stones + can be seen; its remains lie buried beneath a lovely public garden; whilst + of the neighbouring palace of Caligula, overhanging the Forum, there are + only some huge substructures, akin to those of the house of Severus—buttresses, + lofty arcades, which upheld the palace, vast basements, so to say, where + the praetorians were posted and gorged themselves with continual + junketings. And thus this lofty plateau dominating the city merely offered + some scarcely recognisable vestiges to the view, stretches of grey, bare + soil turned up by the pick, and dotted with fragments of old walls; and it + needed a real effort of scholarly imagination to conjure up the ancient + imperial splendour which once had triumphed there. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Begun by Vespasian and finished by Domitian.—Trans. + + ** Others assert it to have been the house of Germanicus, + father of Caligula.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Nevertheless Pierre’s guide, with quiet conviction, persisted in his + explanations, pointing to empty space as though the edifices still rose + before him. “Here,” said he, “we are in the Area Palatina. Yonder, you + see, is the facade of Domitian’s palace, and there you have that of + Caligula’s palace, while on turning round the temple of Jupiter Stator is + in front of you. The Sacred Way came up as far as here, and passed under + the Porta Mugonia, one of the three gates of primitive Rome.” + </p> + <p> + He paused and pointed to the northwest portion of the height. “You will + have noticed,” he resumed, “that the Caesars didn’t build yonder. And that + was evidently because they had to respect some very ancient monuments + dating from before the foundation of the city and greatly venerated by the + people. There stood the temple of Victory built by Evander and his + Arcadians, the Lupercal grotto which I showed you, and the humble hut of + Romulus constructed of reeds and clay. Oh! everything has been found + again, Monsieur l’Abbe; and, in spite of all that the Germans say there + isn’t the slightest doubt of it.” + </p> + <p> + Then, quite abruptly, like a man suddenly remembering the most interesting + thing of all, he exclaimed: “Ah! to wind up we’ll just go to see the + subterranean gallery where Caligula was murdered.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon they descended into a long crypto-porticus, through the breaches + of which the sun now casts bright rays. Some ornaments of stucco and + fragments of mosaic-work are yet to be seen. Still the spot remains + mournful and desolate, well fitted for tragic horror. The old soldier’s + voice had become graver as he related how Caligula, on returning from the + Palatine games, had been minded to descend all alone into this gallery to + witness certain sacred dances which some youths from Asia were practising + there. And then it was that the gloom gave Cassius Chaereas, the chief of + the conspirators, an opportunity to deal him the first thrust in the + abdomen. Howling with pain, the emperor sought to flee; but the assassins, + his creatures, his dearest friends, rushed upon him, threw him down, and + dealt him blow after blow, whilst he, mad with rage and fright, filled the + dim, deaf gallery with the howling of a slaughtered beast. When he had + expired, silence fell once more, and the frightened murderers fled. + </p> + <p> + The classical visit to the Palatine was now over, and when Pierre came up + into the light again, he wished to rid himself of his guide and remain + alone in the pleasant, dreamy garden on the summit of the height. For + three hours he had been tramping about with the guide’s voice buzzing in + his ears. The worthy man was now talking of his friendship for France and + relating the battle of Magenta in great detail. He smiled as he took the + piece of silver which Pierre offered him, and then started on the battle + of Solferino. Indeed, it seemed impossible to stop him, when fortunately a + lady came up to ask for some information. And, thereupon, he went off with + her. “Good-evening, Monsieur l’Abbe,” he said; “you can go down by way of + Caligula’s palace.” + </p> + <p> + Delightful was Pierre’s relief when he was at last able to rest for a + moment on one of the marble seats in the garden. There were but few clumps + of trees, cypresses, box-trees, palms, and some fine evergreen oaks; but + the latter, sheltering the seat, cast a dark shade of exquisite freshness + around. The charm of the spot was also largely due to its dreamy solitude, + to the low rustle which seemed to come from that ancient soil saturated + with resounding history. Here formerly had been the pleasure grounds of + the Villa Farnese which still exists though greatly damaged, and the grace + of the Renascence seems to linger here, its breath passing caressingly + through the shiny foliage of the old evergreen oaks. You are, as it were, + enveloped by the soul of the past, an ethereal conglomeration of visions, + and overhead is wafted the straying breath of innumerable generations + buried beneath the sod. + </p> + <p> + After a time, however, Pierre could no longer remain seated, so powerful + was the attraction of Rome, scattered all around that august summit. So he + rose and approached the balustrade of a terrace; and beneath him appeared + the Forum, and beyond it the Capitoline hill. To the eye the latter now + only presented a commingling of grey buildings, lacking both grandeur and + beauty. On the summit one saw the rear of the Palace of the Senator, flat, + with little windows, and surmounted by a high, square campanile. The + large, bare, rusty-looking walls hid the church of Santa Maria in Ara + Coeli and the spot where the temple of Capitoline Jove had formerly stood, + radiant in all its royalty. On the left, some ugly houses rose + terrace-wise upon the slope of Monte Caprino, where goats were pastured in + the middle ages; while the few fine trees in the grounds of the Caffarelli + palace, the present German embassy, set some greenery above the ancient + Tarpeian rock now scarcely to be found, lost, hidden as it is, by buttress + walls. Yet this was the Mount of the Capitol, the most glorious of the + seven hills, with its citadel and its temple, the temple to which + universal dominion was promised, the St. Peter’s of pagan Rome; this + indeed was the hill—steep on the side of the Forum, and a precipice + on that of the Campus Martius—where the thunder of Jupiter fell, + where in the dimmest of the far-off ages the Asylum of Romulus rose with + its sacred oaks, a spot of infinite savage mystery. Here, later, were + preserved the public documents of Roman grandeur inscribed on tablets of + brass; hither climbed the heroes of the triumphs; and here the emperors + became gods, erect in statues of marble. And nowadays the eye inquires + wonderingly how so much history and so much glory can have had for their + scene so small a space, such a rugged, jumbled pile of paltry buildings, a + mole-hill, looking no bigger, no loftier than a hamlet perched between two + valleys. + </p> + <p> + Then another surprise for Pierre was the Forum, starting from the Capitol + and stretching out below the Palatine: a narrow square, close pressed by + the neighbouring hills, a hollow where Rome in growing had been compelled + to rear edifice close to edifice till all stifled for lack of breathing + space. It was necessary to dig very deep—some fifty feet—to + find the venerable republican soil, and now all you see is a long, clean, + livid trench, cleared of ivy and bramble, where the fragments of paving, + the bases of columns, and the piles of foundations appear like bits of + bone. Level with the ground the Basilica Julia, entirely mapped out, looks + like an architect’s ground plan. On that side the arch of Septimius + Severus alone rears itself aloft, virtually intact, whilst of the temple + of Vespasian only a few isolated columns remain still standing, as if by + miracle, amidst the general downfall, soaring with a proud elegance, with + sovereign audacity of equilibrium, so slender and so gilded, into the blue + heavens. The column of Phocas is also erect; and you see some portions of + the Rostra fitted together out of fragments discovered near by. But if the + eye seeks a sensation of extraordinary vastness, it must travel beyond the + three columns of the temple of Castor and Pollux, beyond the vestiges of + the house of the Vestals, beyond the temple of Faustina, in which the + Christian Church of San Lorenzo has so composedly installed itself, and + even beyond the round temple of Romulus, to light upon the Basilica of + Constantine with its three colossal, gaping archways. From the Palatine + they look like porches built for a nation of giants, so massive that a + fallen fragment resembles some huge rock hurled by a whirlwind from a + mountain summit. And there, in that illustrious, narrow, overflowing Forum + the history of the greatest of nations held for centuries, from the + legendary time of the Sabine women, reconciling their relatives and their + ravishers, to that of the proclamation of public liberty, so slowly wrung + from the patricians by the plebeians. Was not the Forum at once the + market, the exchange, the tribunal, the open-air hall of public meeting? + The Gracchi there defended the cause of the humble; Sylla there set up the + lists of those whom he proscribed; Cicero there spoke, and there, against + the rostra, his bleeding head was hung. Then, under the emperors, the old + renown was dimmed, the centuries buried the monuments and temples with + such piles of dust that all that the middle ages could do was to turn the + spot into a cattle market! Respect has come back once more, a respect + which violates tombs, which is full of feverish curiosity and science, + which is dissatisfied with mere hypotheses, which loses itself amidst this + historical soil where generations rise one above the other, and hesitates + between the fifteen or twenty restorations of the Forum that have been + planned on paper, each of them as plausible as the other. But to the mere + passer-by, who is not a professional scholar and has not recently + re-perused the history of Rome, the details have no significance. All he + sees on this searched and scoured spot is a city’s cemetery where old + exhumed stones are whitening, and whence rises the intense sadness that + envelops dead nations. Pierre, however, noting here and there fragments of + the Sacred Way, now turning, now running down, and now ascending with + their pavement of silex indented by the chariot-wheels, thought of the + triumphs, of the ascent of the triumpher, so sorely shaken as his chariot + jolted over that rough pavement of glory. + </p> + <p> + But the horizon expanded towards the southeast, and beyond the arches of + Titus and Constantine he perceived the Colosseum. Ah! that colossus, only + one-half or so of which has been destroyed by time as with the stroke of a + mighty scythe, it rises in its enormity and majesty like a stone lace-work + with hundreds of empty bays agape against the blue of heaven! There is a + world of halls, stairs, landings, and passages, a world where one loses + oneself amidst death-like silence and solitude. The furrowed tiers of + seats, eaten into by the atmosphere, are like shapeless steps leading down + into some old extinct crater, some natural circus excavated by the force + of the elements in indestructible rock. The hot suns of eighteen hundred + years have baked and scorched this ruin, which has reverted to a state of + nature, bare and golden-brown like a mountain-side, since it has been + stripped of its vegetation, the flora which once made it like a virgin + forest. And what an evocation when the mind sets flesh and blood and life + again on all that dead osseous framework, fills the circus with the 90,000 + spectators which it could hold, marshals the games and the combats of the + arena, gathers a whole civilisation together, from the emperor and the + dignitaries to the surging plebeian sea, all aglow with the agitation and + brilliancy of an impassioned people, assembled under the ruddy reflection + of the giant purple velum. And then, yet further, on the horizon, were + other cyclopean ruins, the baths of Caracalla, standing there like relics + of a race of giants long since vanished from the world: halls + extravagantly and inexplicably spacious and lofty; vestibules large enough + for an entire population; a <i>frigidarium</i> where five hundred people + could swim together; a <i>tepidarium</i> and a <i>calidarium</i>* on the + same proportions, born of a wild craving for the huge; and then the + terrific massiveness of the structures, the thickness of the piles of + brick-work, such as no feudal castle ever knew; and, in addition, the + general immensity which makes passing visitors look like lost ants; such + an extraordinary riot of the great and the mighty that one wonders for + what men, for what multitudes, this monstrous edifice was reared. To-day, + you would say a mass of rocks in the rough, thrown from some height for + building the abode of Titans. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tepidarium, warm bath; calidarium, vapour bath.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + And as Pierre gazed, he became more and more immersed in the limitless + past which encompassed him. On all sides history rose up like a surging + sea. Those bluey plains on the north and west were ancient Etruria; those + jagged crests on the east were the Sabine Mountains; while southward, the + Alban Mountains and Latium spread out in the streaming gold of the + sunshine. Alba Longa was there, and so was Monte Cavo, with its crown of + old trees, and the convent which has taken the place of the ancient temple + of Jupiter. Then beyond the Forum, beyond the Capitol, the greater part of + Rome stretched out, whilst behind Pierre, on the margin of the Tiber, was + the Janiculum. And a voice seemed to come from the whole city, a voice + which told him of Rome’s eternal life, resplendent with past greatness. He + remembered just enough of what he had been taught at school to realise + where he was; he knew just what every one knows of Rome with no pretension + to scholarship, and it was more particularly his artistic temperament + which awoke within him and gathered warmth from the flame of memory. The + present had disappeared, and the ocean of the past was still rising, + buoying him up, carrying him away. + </p> + <p> + And then his mind involuntarily pictured a resurrection instinct with + life. The grey, dismal Palatine, razed like some accursed city, suddenly + became animated, peopled, crowned with palaces and temples. There had been + the cradle of the Eternal City, founded by Romulus on that summit + overlooking the Tiber. There assuredly the seven kings of its two and a + half centuries of monarchical rule had dwelt, enclosed within high, strong + walls, which had but three gateways. Then the five centuries of republican + sway spread out, the greatest, the most glorious of all the centuries, + those which brought the Italic peninsula and finally the known world under + Roman dominion. During those victorious years of social and war-like + struggle, Rome grew and peopled the seven hills, and the Palatine became + but a venerable cradle with legendary temples, and was even gradually + invaded by private residences. But at last Caesar, the incarnation of the + power of his race, after Gaul and after Pharsalia triumphed in the name of + the whole Roman people, having completed the colossal task by which the + five following centuries of imperialism were to profit, with a pompous + splendour and a rush of every appetite. And then Augustus could ascend to + power; glory had reached its climax; millions of gold were waiting to be + filched from the depths of the provinces; and the imperial gala was to + begin in the world’s capital, before the eyes of the dazzled and subjected + nations. Augustus had been born on the Palatine, and after Actium had + given him the empire, he set his pride in reigning from the summit of that + sacred mount, venerated by the people. He bought up private houses and + there built his palace with luxurious splendour: an atrium upheld by four + pilasters and eight columns; a peristylium encompassed by fifty-six Ionic + columns; private apartments all around, and all in marble; a profusion of + marble, brought at great cost from foreign lands, and of the brightest + hues, resplendent like gems. And he lodged himself with the gods, building + near his own abode a large temple of Apollo and a shrine of Vesta in order + to ensure himself divine and eternal sovereignty. And then the seed of the + imperial palaces was sown; they were to spring up, grow and swarm, and + cover the entire mount. + </p> + <p> + Ah! the all-powerfulness of Augustus, his four and forty years of total, + absolute, superhuman power, such as no despot has known even in his + dreams! He had taken to himself every title, united every magistracy in + his person. Imperator and consul, he commanded the armies and exercised + executive power; pro-consul, he was supreme in the provinces; perpetual + censor and princeps, he reigned over the senate; tribune, he was the + master of the people. And, formerly called Octavius, he had caused himself + to be declared Augustus, sacred, god among men, having his temples and his + priests, worshipped in his lifetime like a divinity deigning to visit the + earth. And finally he had resolved to be supreme pontiff, annexing + religious to civil power, and thus by a stroke of genius attaining to the + most complete dominion to which man can climb. As the supreme pontiff + could not reside in a private house, he declared his abode to be State + property. As the supreme pontiff could not leave the vicinity of the + temple of Vesta, he built a temple to that goddess near his own dwelling, + leaving the guardianship of the ancient altar below the Palatine to the + Vestal virgins. He spared no effort, for he well realised that human + omnipotence, the mastery of mankind and the world, lay in that reunion of + sovereignty, in being both king and priest, emperor and pope. All the sap + of a mighty race, all the victories achieved, and all the favours of + fortune yet to be garnered, blossomed forth in Augustus, in a unique + splendour which was never again to shed such brilliant radiance. He was + really the master of the world, amidst the conquered and pacified nations, + encompassed by immortal glory in literature and in art. In him would seem + to have been satisfied the old intense ambition of his people, the + ambition which it had pursued through centuries of patient conquest, to + become the people-king. The blood of Rome, the blood of Augustus, at last + coruscated in the sunlight, in the purple of empire. And the blood of + Augustus, of the divine, triumphant, absolute sovereign of bodies and + souls, of the man in whom seven centuries of national pride had + culminated, was to descend through the ages, through an innumerable + posterity with a heritage of boundless pride and ambition. For it was + fatal: the blood of Augustus was bound to spring into life once more and + pulsate in the veins of all the successive masters of Rome, ever haunting + them with the dream of ruling the whole world. And later on, after the + decline and fall, when power had once more become divided between the king + and the priest, the popes—their hearts burning with the red, + devouring blood of their great forerunner—had no other passion, no + other policy, through the centuries, than that of attaining to civil + dominion, to the totality of human power. + </p> + <p> + But Augustus being dead, his palace having been closed and consecrated, + Pierre saw that of Tiberius spring up from the soil. It had stood where + his feet now rested, where the beautiful evergreen oaks sheltered him. He + pictured it with courts, porticoes, and halls, both substantial and grand, + despite the gloomy bent of the emperor who betook himself far from Rome to + live amongst informers and debauchees, with his heart and brain poisoned + by power to the point of crime and most extraordinary insanity. Then the + palace of Caligula followed, an enlargement of that of Tiberius, with + arcades set up to increase its extent, and a bridge thrown over the Forum + to the Capitol, in order that the prince might go thither at his ease to + converse with Jove, whose son he claimed to be. And sovereignty also + rendered this one ferocious—a madman with omnipotence to do as he + listed! Then, after Claudius, Nero, not finding the Palatine large enough, + seized upon the delightful gardens climbing the Esquiline in order to set + up his Golden House, a dream of sumptuous immensity which he could not + complete and the ruins of which disappeared in the troubles following the + death of this monster whom pride demented. Next, in eighteen months, + Galba, Otho, and Vitellius fell one upon the other, in mire and in blood, + the purple converting them also into imbeciles and monsters, gorged like + unclean beasts at the trough of imperial enjoyment. And afterwards came + the Flavians, at first a respite, with commonsense and human kindness: + Vespasian; next Titus, who built but little on the Palatine; but then + Domitian, in whom the sombre madness of omnipotence burst forth anew + amidst a <i>regime</i> of fear and spying, idiotic atrocities and crimes, + debauchery contrary to nature, and building enterprises born of insane + vanity instinct with a desire to outvie the temples of the gods. The + palace of Domitian, parted by a lane from that of Tiberius, arose + colossal-like—a palace of fairyland. There was the hall of audience, + with its throne of gold, its sixteen columns of Phrygian and Numidian + marble and its eight niches containing colossal statues; there were the + hall of justice, the vast dining-room, the peristylium, the sleeping + apartments, where granite, porphyry, and alabaster overflowed, carved and + decorated by the most famous artists, and lavished on all sides in order + to dazzle the world. And finally, many years later, a last palace was + added to all the others—that of Septimius Severus: again a building + of pride, with arches supporting lofty halls, terraced storeys, towers + o’er-topping the roofs, a perfect Babylonian pile, rising up at the + extreme point of the mount in view of the Appian Way, so that the + emperor’s compatriots—those from the province of Africa, where he + was born—might, on reaching the horizon, marvel at his fortune and + worship him in his glory. + </p> + <p> + And now Pierre beheld all those palaces which he had conjured up around + him, resuscitated, resplendent in the full sunlight. They were as if + linked together, parted merely by the narrowest of passages. In order that + not an inch of that precious summit might be lost, they had sprouted + thickly like the monstrous florescence of strength, power, and unbridled + pride which satisfied itself at the cost of millions, bleeding the whole + world for the enjoyment of one man. And in truth there was but one palace + altogether, a palace enlarged as soon as one emperor died and was placed + among the deities, and another, shunning the consecrated pile where + possibly the shadow of death frightened him, experienced an imperious need + to build a house of his own and perpetuate in everlasting stone the memory + of his reign. All the emperors were seized with this building craze; it + was like a disease which the very throne seemed to carry from one occupant + to another with growing intensity, a consuming desire to excel all + predecessors by thicker and higher walls, by a more and more wonderful + profusion of marbles, columns, and statues. And among all these princes + there was the idea of a glorious survival, of leaving a testimony of their + greatness to dazzled and stupefied generations, of perpetuating themselves + by marvels which would not perish but for ever weigh heavily upon the + earth, when their own light ashes should long since have been swept away + by the winds. And thus the Palatine became but the venerable base of a + monstrous edifice, a thick vegetation of adjoining buildings, each new + pile being like a fresh eruption of feverish pride; while the whole, now + showing the snowy brightness of white marble and now the glowing hues of + coloured marble, ended by crowning Rome and the world with the most + extraordinary and most insolent abode of sovereignty—whether palace, + temple, basilica, or cathedral—that omnipotence and dominion have + ever reared under the heavens. + </p> + <p> + But death lurked beneath this excess of strength and glory. Seven hundred + and thirty years of monarchy and republic had sufficed to make Rome great; + and in five centuries of imperial sway the people-king was to be devoured + down to its last muscles. There was the immensity of the territory, the + more distant provinces gradually pillaged and exhausted; there was the + fisc consuming everything, digging the pit of fatal bankruptcy; and there + was the degeneration of the people, poisoned by the scenes of the circus + and the arena, fallen to the sloth and debauchery of their masters, the + Caesars, while mercenaries fought the foe and tilled the soil. Already at + the time of Constantine, Rome had a rival, Byzantium; disruption followed + with Honorius; and then some ten emperors sufficed for decomposition to be + complete, for the bones of the dying prey to be picked clean, the end + coming with Romulus Augustulus, the sorry creature whose name is, so to + say, a mockery of the whole glorious history, a buffet for both the + founder of Rome and the founder of the empire. + </p> + <p> + The palaces, the colossal assemblage of walls, storeys, terraces, and + gaping roofs, still remained on the deserted Palatine; many ornaments and + statues, however, had already been removed to Byzantium. And the empire, + having become Christian, had afterwards closed the temples and + extinguished the fire of Vesta, whilst yet respecting the ancient + Palladium. But in the fifth century the barbarians rush upon Rome, sack + and burn it, and carry the spoils spared by the flames away in their + chariots. As long as the city was dependent on Byzantium a custodian of + the imperial palaces remained there watching over the Palatine. Then all + fades and crumbles in the night of the middle ages. It would really seem + that the popes then slowly took the place of the Caesars, succeeding them + both in their abandoned marble halls and their ever-subsisting passion for + domination. Some of them assuredly dwelt in the palace of Septimius + Severus; a council of the Church was held in the Septizonium; and, later + on, Gelasius II was elected in a neighbouring monastery on the sacred + mount. It was as if Augustus were again rising from the tomb, once more + master of the world, with a Sacred College of Cardinals resuscitating the + Roman Senate. In the twelfth century the Septizonium belonged to some + Benedictine monks, and was sold by them to the powerful Frangipani family, + who fortified it as they had already fortified the Colosseum and the + arches of Constantine and Titus, thus forming a vast fortress round about + the venerable cradle of the city. And the violent deeds of civil war and + the ravages of invasion swept by like whirlwinds, throwing down the walls, + razing the palaces and towers. And afterwards successive generations + invaded the ruins, installed themselves in them by right of trover and + conquest, turned them into cellars, store-places for forage, and stables + for mules. Kitchen gardens were formed, vines were planted on the spots + where fallen soil had covered the mosaics of the imperial halls. All + around nettles and brambles grew up, and ivy preyed on the overturned + porticoes, till there came a day when the colossal assemblage of palaces + and temples, which marble was to have rendered eternal, seemed to dive + beneath the dust, to disappear under the surging soil and vegetation which + impassive Nature threw over it. And then, in the hot sunlight, among the + wild flowerets, only big, buzzing flies remained, whilst herds of goats + strayed in freedom through the throne-room of Domitian and the fallen + sanctuary of Apollo. + </p> + <p> + A great shudder passed through Pierre. To think of so much strength, + pride, and grandeur, and such rapid ruin—a world for ever swept + away! He wondered how entire palaces, yet peopled by admirable statuary, + could thus have been gradually buried without any one thinking of + protecting them. It was no sudden catastrophe which had swallowed up those + masterpieces, subsequently to be disinterred with exclamations of admiring + wonder; they had been drowned, as it were—caught progressively by + the legs, the waist, and the neck, till at last the head had sunk beneath + the rising tide. And how could one explain that generations had heedlessly + witnessed such things without thought of putting forth a helping hand? It + would seem as if, at a given moment, a black curtain were suddenly drawn + across the world, as if mankind began afresh, with a new and empty brain + which needed moulding and furnishing. Rome had become depopulated; men + ceased to repair the ruins left by fire and sword; the edifices which by + their very immensity had become useless were utterly neglected, allowed to + crumble and fall. And then, too, the new religion everywhere hunted down + the old one, stole its temples, overturned its gods. Earthly deposits + probably completed the disaster—there were, it is said, both + earthquakes and inundations—and the soil was ever rising, the + alluvia of the young Christian world buried the ancient pagan society. And + after the pillaging of the temples, the theft of the bronze roofs and + marble columns, the climax came with the filching of the stones torn from + the Colosseum and the Theatre of Marcellus, with the pounding of the + statuary and sculpture-work, thrown into kilns to procure the lime needed + for the new monuments of Catholic Rome. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly one o’clock, and Pierre awoke as from a dream. The sun-rays + were streaming in a golden rain between the shiny leaves of the ever-green + oaks above him, and down below Rome lay dozing, overcome by the great + heat. Then he made up his mind to leave the garden, and went stumbling + over the rough pavement of the Clivus Victoriae, his mind still haunted by + blinding visions. To complete his day, he had resolved to visit the old + Appian Way during the afternoon, and, unwilling to return to the Via + Giulia, he lunched at a suburban tavern, in a large, dim room, where, + alone with the buzzing flies, he lingered for more than two hours, + awaiting the sinking of the sun. + </p> + <p> + Ah! that Appian Way, that ancient queen of the high roads, crossing the + Campagna in a long straight line with rows of proud tombs on either hand—to + Pierre it seemed like a triumphant prolongation of the Palatine. He there + found the same passion for splendour and domination, the same craving to + eternise the memory of Roman greatness in marble and daylight. Oblivion + was vanquished; the dead refused to rest, and remained for ever erect + among the living, on either side of that road which was traversed by + multitudes from the entire world. The deified images of those who were now + but dust still gazed on the passers-by with empty eyes; the inscriptions + still spoke, proclaiming names and titles. In former times the rows of + sepulchres must have extended without interruption along all the straight, + level miles between the tomb of Caecilia Metella and that of Casale + Rotondo, forming an elongated cemetery where the powerful and wealthy + competed as to who should leave the most colossal and lavishly decorated + mausoleum: such, indeed, was the craving for survival, the passion for + pompous immortality, the desire to deify death by lodging it in temples; + whereof the present-day monumental splendour of the Genoese Campo Santo + and the Roman Campo Verano is, so to say, a remote inheritance. And what a + vision it was to picture all the tremendous tombs on the right and left of + the glorious pavement which the legions trod on their return from the + conquest of the world! That tomb of Caecilia Metella, with its bond-stones + so huge, its walls so thick that the middle ages transformed it into the + battlemented keep of a fortress! And then all the tombs which follow, the + modern structures erected in order that the marble fragments discovered + might be set in place, the old blocks of brick and concrete, despoiled of + their sculptured-work and rising up like seared rocks, yet still + suggesting their original shapes as shrines, <i>cippi</i>, and <i>sarcophagi</i>. + There is a wondrous succession of high reliefs figuring the dead in groups + of three and five; statues in which the dead live deified, erect; seats + contrived in niches in order that wayfarers may rest and bless the + hospitality of the dead; laudatory epitaphs celebrating the dead, both the + known and the unknown, the children of Sextius Pompeius Justus, the + departed Marcus Servilius Quartus, Hilarius Fuscus, Rabirius Hermodorus; + without counting the sepulchres venturously ascribed to Seneca and the + Horatii and Curiatii. And finally there is the most extraordinary and + gigantic of all the tombs, that known as Casale Rotondo, which is so large + that it has been possible to establish a farmhouse and an olive garden on + its substructures, which formerly upheld a double rotunda, adorned with + Corinthian pilasters, large candelabra, and scenic masks.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Some believe this tomb to have been that of Messalla Corvinus, + the historian and poet, a friend of Augustus and Horace; others + ascribe it to his son, Aurelius Messallinus Cotta.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Pierre, having driven in a cab as far as the tomb of Caecilia Metella, + continued his excursion on foot, going slowly towards Casale Rotondo. In + many places the old pavement appears—large blocks of basaltic lava, + worn into deep ruts that jolt the best-hung vehicles. Among the ruined + tombs on either hand run bands of grass, the neglected grass of + cemeteries, scorched by the summer suns and sprinkled with big violet + thistles and tall sulphur-wort. Parapets of dry stones, breast high, + enclose the russet roadsides, which resound with the crepitation of + grasshoppers; and, beyond, the Campagna stretches, vast and bare, as far + as the eye can see. A parasol pine, a eucalyptus, some olive or fig trees, + white with dust, alone rise up near the road at infrequent intervals. On + the left the ruddy arches of the Acqua Claudia show vigorously in the + meadows, and stretches of poorly cultivated land, vineyards, and little + farms, extend to the blue and lilac Sabine and Alban hills, where + Frascati, Rocca di Papa, and Albano set bright spots, which grow and + whiten as one gets nearer to them. Then, on the right, towards the sea, + the houseless, treeless plain grows and spreads with vast, broad ripples, + extraordinary ocean-like simplicity and grandeur, a long, straight line + alone parting it from the sky. At the height of summer all burns and + flares on this limitless prairie, then of a ruddy gold; but in September a + green tinge begins to suffuse the ocean of herbage, which dies away in the + pink and mauve and vivid blue of the fine sunsets. + </p> + <p> + As Pierre, quite alone and in a dreary mood, slowly paced the endless, + flat highway, that resurrection of the past which he had beheld on the + Palatine again confronted his mind’s eye. On either hand the tombs once + more rose up intact, with marble of dazzling whiteness. Had not the head + of a colossal statue been found, mingled with fragments of huge sphinxes, + at the foot of yonder vase-shaped mass of bricks? He seemed to see the + entire colossal statue standing again between the huge, crouching beasts. + Farther on a beautiful headless statue of a woman had been discovered in + the cella of a sepulchre, and he beheld it, again whole, with features + expressive of grace and strength smiling upon life. The inscriptions also + became perfect; he could read and understand them at a glance, as if + living among those dead ones of two thousand years ago. And the road, too, + became peopled: the chariots thundered, the armies tramped along, the + people of Rome jostled him with the feverish agitation of great + communities. It was a return of the times of the Flavians or the + Antonines, the palmy years of the empire, when the pomp of the Appian Way, + with its grand sepulchres, carved and adorned like temples, attained its + apogee. What a monumental Street of Death, what an approach to Rome, that + highway, straight as an arrow, where with the extraordinary pomp of their + pride, which had survived their dust, the great dead greeted the + traveller, ushered him into the presence of the living! He may well have + wondered among what sovereign people, what masters of the world, he was + about to find himself—a nation which had committed to its dead the + duty of telling strangers that it allowed nothing whatever to perish—that + its dead, like its city, remained eternal and glorious in monuments of + extraordinary vastness! To think of it—the foundations of a + fortress, and a tower sixty feet in diameter, that one woman might be laid + to rest! And then, far away, at the end of the superb, dazzling highway, + bordered with the marble of its funereal palaces, Pierre, turning round, + distinctly beheld the Palatine, with the marble of its imperial palaces—the + huge assemblage of palaces whose omnipotence had dominated the world! + </p> + <p> + But suddenly he started: two carabiniers had just appeared among the + ruins. The spot was not safe; the authorities watched over tourists even + in broad daylight. And later on came another meeting which caused him some + emotion. He perceived an ecclesiastic, a tall old man, in a black cassock, + edged and girt with red; and was surprised to recognise Cardinal + Boccanera, who had quitted the roadway, and was slowly strolling along the + band of grass, among the tall thistles and sulphur-wort. With his head + lowered and his feet brushing against the fragments of the tombs, the + Cardinal did not even see Pierre. The young priest courteously turned + aside, surprised to find him so far from home and alone. Then, on + perceiving a heavy coach, drawn by two black horses, behind a building, he + understood matters. A footman in black livery was waiting motionless + beside the carriage, and the coachman had not quitted his box. And Pierre + remembered that the Cardinals were not expected to walk in Rome, so that + they were compelled to drive into the country when they desired to take + exercise. But what haughty sadness, what solitary and, so to say, + ostracised grandeur there was about that tall, thoughtful old man, thus + forced to seek the desert, and wander among the tombs, in order to breathe + a little of the evening air! + </p> + <p> + Pierre had lingered there for long hours; the twilight was coming on, and + once again he witnessed a lovely sunset. On his left the Campagna became + blurred, and assumed a slaty hue, against which the yellowish arcades of + the aqueduct showed very plainly, while the Alban hills, far away, faded + into pink. Then, on the right, towards the sea, the planet sank among a + number of cloudlets, figuring an archipelago of gold in an ocean of dying + embers. And excepting the sapphire sky, studded with rubies, above the + endless line of the Campagna, which was likewise changed into a sparkling + lake, the dull green of the herbage turning to a liquid emerald tint, + there was nothing to be seen, neither a hillock nor a flock—nothing, + indeed, but Cardinal Boccanera’s black figure, erect among the tombs, and + looking, as it were, enlarged as it stood out against the last purple + flush of the sunset. + </p> + <p> + Early on the following morning Pierre, eager to see everything, returned + to the Appian Way in order to visit the catacomb of St. Calixtus, the most + extensive and remarkable of the old Christian cemeteries, and one, too, + where several of the early popes were buried. You ascend through a + scorched garden, past olives and cypresses, reach a shanty of boards and + plaster in which a little trade in “articles of piety” is carried on, and + there a modern and fairly easy flight of steps enables you to descend. + Pierre fortunately found there some French Trappists, who guard these + catacombs and show them to strangers. One brother was on the point of + going down with two French ladies, the mother and daughter, the former + still comely and the other radiant with youth. They stood there smiling, + though already slightly frightened, while the monk lighted some long, slim + candles. He was a man with a bossy brow, the large, massive jaw of an + obstinate believer and pale eyes bespeaking an ingenuous soul. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Monsieur l’Abbe,” he said to Pierre, “you’ve come just in time. If + the ladies are willing, you had better come with us; for three Brothers + are already below with people, and you would have a long time to wait. + This is the great season for visitors.” + </p> + <p> + The ladies politely nodded, and the Trappist handed a candle to the + priest. In all probability neither mother nor daughter was devout, for + both glanced askance at their new companion’s cassock, and suddenly became + serious. Then they all went down and found themselves in a narrow + subterranean corridor. “Take care, mesdames,” repeated the Trappist, + lighting the ground with his candle. “Walk slowly, for there are + projections and slopes.” + </p> + <p> + Then, in a shrill voice full of extraordinary conviction, he began his + explanations. Pierre had descended in silence, his heart beating with + emotion. Ah! how many times, indeed, in his innocent seminary days, had he + not dreamt of those catacombs of the early Christians, those asylums of + the primitive faith! Even recently, while writing his book, he had often + thought of them as of the most ancient and venerable remains of that + community of the lowly and simple, for the return of which he called. But + his brain was full of pages written by poets and great prose writers. He + had beheld the catacombs through the magnifying glass of those imaginative + authors, and had believed them to be vast, similar to subterranean cities, + with broad highways and spacious halls, fit for the accommodation of vast + crowds. And now how poor and humble the reality! + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes,” said the Trappist in reply to the ladies’ questions, “the + corridor is scarcely more than a yard in width; two persons could not pass + along side by side. How they dug it? Oh! it was simple enough. A family or + a burial association needed a place of sepulchre. Well, a first gallery + was excavated with pickaxes in soil of this description—granular + tufa, as it is called—a reddish substance, as you can see, both soft + and yet resistant, easy to work and at the same time waterproof. In a + word, just the substance that was needed, and one, too, that has preserved + the remains of the buried in a wonderful way.” He paused and brought the + flamelet of his candle near to the compartments excavated on either hand + of the passage. “Look,” he continued, “these are the <i>loculi</i>. Well, + a subterranean gallery was dug, and on both sides these compartments were + hollowed out, one above the other. The bodies of the dead were laid in + them, for the most part simply wrapped in shrouds. Then the aperture was + closed with tiles or marble slabs, carefully cemented. So, as you can see, + everything explains itself. If other families joined the first one, or the + burial association became more numerous, fresh galleries were added to + those already filled. Passages were excavated on either hand, in every + sense; and, indeed, a second and lower storey, at times even a third, was + dug out. And here, you see, we are in a gallery which is certainly + thirteen feet high. Now, you may wonder how they raised the bodies to + place them in the compartments of the top tier. Well, they did not raise + them to any such height; in all their work they kept on going lower and + lower, removing more and more of the soil as the compartments became + filled. And in this wise, in these catacombs of St. Calixtus, in less than + four centuries, the Christians excavated more than ten miles of galleries, + in which more than a million of their dead must have been laid to rest. + Now, there are dozens of catacombs; the environs of Rome are honeycombed + with them. Think of that, and perhaps you will be able to form some idea + of the vast number of people who were buried in this manner.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened, feeling greatly impressed. He had once visited a coal pit + in Belgium, and he here found the same narrow passages, the same heavy, + stifling atmosphere, the same nihility of darkness and silence. The + flamelets of the candles showed merely like stars in the deep gloom; they + shed no radiance around. And he at last understood the character of this + funereal, termite-like labour—these chance burrowings continued + according to requirements, without art, method, or symmetry. The rugged + soil was ever ascending and descending, the sides of the gallery snaked: + neither plumb-line nor square had been used. All this, indeed, had simply + been a work of charity and necessity, wrought by simple, willing + grave-diggers, illiterate craftsmen, with the clumsy handiwork of the + decline and fall. Proof thereof was furnished by the inscriptions and + emblems on the marble slabs. They reminded one of the childish drawings + which street urchins scrawl upon blank walls. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” the Trappist continued, “most frequently there is merely a + name; and sometimes there is no name, but simply the words <i>In Pace</i>. + At other times there is an emblem, the dove of purity, the palm of + martyrdom, or else the fish whose name in Greek is composed of five + letters which, as initials, signify: ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.’” + </p> + <p> + He again brought his candle near to the marble slabs, and the palm could + be distinguished: a central stroke, whence started a few oblique lines; + and then came the dove or the fish, roughly outlined, a zigzag indicating + a tail, two bars representing the bird’s feet, while a round point + simulated an eye. And the letters of the short inscriptions were all + askew, of various sizes, often quite misshapen, as in the coarse + handwriting of the ignorant and simple. + </p> + <p> + However, they reached a crypt, a sort of little hall, where the graves of + several popes had been found; among others that of Sixtus II, a holy + martyr, in whose honour there was a superbly engraved metrical inscription + set up by Pope Damasus. Then, in another hall, a family vault of much the + same size, decorated at a later stage, with naive mural paintings, the + spot where St. Cecilia’s body had been discovered was shown. And the + explanations continued. The Trappist dilated on the paintings, drawing + from them a confirmation of every dogma and belief, baptism, the + Eucharist, the resurrection, Lazarus arising from the tomb, Jonas cast up + by the whale, Daniel in the lions’ den, Moses drawing water from the rock, + and Christ—shown beardless, as was the practice in the early ages—accomplishing + His various miracles. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” repeated the Trappist, “all those things are shown there; and + remember that none of the paintings was specially prepared: they are + absolutely authentic.” + </p> + <p> + At a question from Pierre, whose astonishment was increasing, he admitted + that the catacombs had been mere cemeteries at the outset, when no + religious ceremonies had been celebrated in them. It was only later, in + the fourth century, when the martyrs were honoured, that the crypts were + utilised for worship. And in the same way they only became places of + refuge during the persecutions, when the Christians had to conceal the + entrances to them. Previously they had remained freely and legally open. + This was indeed their true history: cemeteries four centuries old becoming + places of asylum, ravaged at times during the persecutions; afterwards + held in veneration till the eighth century; then despoiled of their holy + relics, and subsequently blocked up and forgotten, so that they remained + buried during more than seven hundred years, people thinking of them so + little that at the time of the first searches in the fifteenth century + they were considered an extraordinary discovery—an intricate + historical problem—one, moreover, which only our own age has solved. + </p> + <p> + “Please stoop, mesdames,” resumed the Trappist. “In this compartment here + is a skeleton which has not been touched. It has been lying here for + sixteen or seventeen hundred years, and will show you how the bodies were + laid out. Savants say that it is the skeleton of a female, probably a + young girl. It was still quite perfect last spring; but the skull, as you + can see, is now split open. An American broke it with his walking stick to + make sure that it was genuine.” + </p> + <p> + The ladies leaned forward, and the flickering light illumined their pale + faces, expressive of mingled fright and compassion. Especially noticeable + was the pitiful, pain-fraught look which appeared on the countenance of + the daughter, so full of life with her red lips and large black eyes. Then + all relapsed into gloom, and the little candles were borne aloft and went + their way through the heavy darkness of the galleries. The visit lasted + another hour, for the Trappist did not spare a detail, fond as he was of + certain nooks and corners, and as zealous as if he desired to work the + redemption of his visitors. + </p> + <p> + While Pierre followed the others, a complete evolution took place within + him. As he looked about him, and formed a more and more complete idea of + his surroundings, his first stupefaction at finding the reality so + different from the embellished accounts of story-tellers and poets, his + disillusion at being plunged into such rudely excavated mole-burrows, gave + way to fraternal emotion. It was not that he thought of the fifteen + hundred martyrs whose sacred bones had rested there. But how humble, + resigned, yet full of hope had been those who had chosen such a place of + sepulchre! Those low, darksome galleries were but temporary + sleeping-places for the Christians. If they did not burn the bodies of + their dead, as the Pagans did, it was because, like the Jews, they + believed in the resurrection of the body; and it was that lovely idea of + sleep, of tranquil rest after a just life, whilst awaiting the celestial + reward, which imparted such intense peacefulness, such infinite charm, to + the black, subterranean city. Everything there spoke of calm and silent + night; everything there slumbered in rapturous quiescence, patient until + the far-off awakening. What could be more touching than those terra-cotta + tiles, those marble slabs, which bore not even a name—nothing but + the words <i>In Pace</i>—at peace. Ah! to be at peace—life’s + work at last accomplished; to sleep in peace, to hope in peace for the + advent of heaven! And the peacefulness seemed the more delightful as it + was enjoyed in such deep humility. Doubtless the diggers worked + chance-wise and clumsily; the craftsmen no longer knew how to engrave a + name or carve a palm or a dove. Art had vanished; but all the feebleness + and ignorance were instinct with the youth of a new humanity. Poor and + lowly and meek ones swarmed there, reposing beneath the soil, whilst up + above the sun continued its everlasting task. You found there charity and + fraternity and death; husband and wife often lying together with their + offspring at their feet; the great mass of the unknown submerging the + personage, the bishop, or the martyr; the most touching equality—that + springing from modesty—prevailing amidst all that dust, with + compartments ever similar and slabs destitute of ornament, so that rows + and rows of the sleepers mingled without distinctive sign. The + inscriptions seldom ventured on a word of praise, and then how prudent, + how delicate it was: the men were very worthy, very pious: the women very + gentle, very beautiful, very chaste. A perfume of infancy arose, unlimited + human affection spread: this was death as understood by the primitive + Christians—death which hid itself to await the resurrection, and + dreamt no more of the empire of the world! + </p> + <p> + And all at once before Pierre’s eyes arose a vision of the sumptuous tombs + of the Appian Way, displaying the domineering pride of a whole + civilisation in the sunlight—tombs of vast dimensions, with a + profusion of marbles, grandiloquent inscriptions, and masterpieces of + sculptured-work. Ah! what an extraordinary contrast between that pompous + avenue of death, conducting, like a highway of triumph, to the regal + Eternal City, when compared with the subterranean necropolis of the + Christians, that city of hidden death, so gentle, so beautiful, and so + chaste! Here only quiet slumber, desired and accepted night, resignation + and patience were to be found. Millions of human beings had here laid + themselves to rest in all humility, had slept for centuries, and would + still be sleeping here, lulled by the silence and the gloom, if the living + had not intruded on their desire to remain in oblivion so long as the + trumpets of the Judgment Day did not awaken them. Death had then spoken of + Life: nowhere had there been more intimate and touching life than in these + buried cities of the unknown, lowly dead. And a mighty breath had formerly + come from them—the breath of a new humanity destined to renew the + world. With the advent of meekness, contempt for the flesh, terror and + hatred of nature, relinquishment of terrestrial joys, and a passion for + death, which delivers and opens the portals of Paradise, another world had + begun. And the blood of Augustus, so proud of purpling in the sunlight, so + fired by the passion for sovereign dominion, seemed for a moment to + disappear, as if, indeed, the new world had sucked it up in the depths of + its gloomy sepulchres. + </p> + <p> + However, the Trappist insisted on showing the ladies the steps of + Diocletian, and began to tell them the legend. “Yes,” said he, “it was a + miracle. One day, under that emperor, some soldiers were pursuing several + Christians, who took refuge in these catacombs; and when the soldiers + followed them inside the steps suddenly gave way, and all the persecutors + were hurled to the bottom. The steps remain broken to this day. Come and + see them; they are close by.” + </p> + <p> + But the ladies were quite overcome, so affected by their prolonged sojourn + in the gloom and by the tales of death which the Trappist had poured into + their ears that they insisted on going up again. Moreover, the candles + were coming to an end. They were all dazzled when they found themselves + once more in the sunlight, outside the little hut where articles of piety + and souvenirs were sold. The girl bought a paper weight, a piece of marble + on which was engraved the fish symbolical of “Jesus Christ, Son of God, + Saviour of Mankind.” + </p> + <p> + On the afternoon of that same day Pierre decided to visit St. Peter’s. He + had as yet only driven across the superb piazza with its obelisk and twin + fountains, encircled by Bernini’s colonnades, those four rows of columns + and pilasters which form a girdle of monumental majesty. At the far end + rises the basilica, its facade making it look smaller and heavier than it + really is, but its sovereign dome nevertheless filling the heavens. + </p> + <p> + Pebbled, deserted inclines stretched out, and steps followed steps, worn + and white, under the burning sun; but at last Pierre reached the door and + went in. It was three o’clock. Broad sheets of light streamed in through + the high square windows, and some ceremony—the vesper service, no + doubt—was beginning in the Capella Clementina on the left. Pierre, + however, heard nothing; he was simply struck by the immensity of the + edifice, as with raised eyes he slowly walked along. At the entrance came + the giant basins for holy water with their boy-angels as chubby as Cupids; + then the nave, vaulted and decorated with sunken coffers; then the four + cyclopean buttress-piers upholding the dome, and then again the transepts + and apsis, each as large as one of our churches. And the proud pomp, the + dazzling, crushing splendour of everything, also astonished him: he + marvelled at the cupola, looking like a planet, resplendent with the gold + and bright colours of its mosaic-work, at the sumptuous <i>baldacchino</i> + of bronze, crowning the high altar raised above the very tomb of St. + Peter, and whence descend the double steps of the Confession, illumined by + seven and eighty lamps, which are always kept burning. And finally he was + lost in astonishment at the extraordinary profusion of marble, both white + and coloured. Oh! those polychromatic marbles, Bernini’s luxurious + passion! The splendid pavement reflecting the entire edifice, the facings + of the pilasters with their medallions of popes, the tiara and the keys + borne aloft by chubby angels, the walls covered with emblems, particularly + the dove of Innocent X, the niches with their colossal statues uncouth in + taste, the <i>loggie</i> and their balconies, the balustrade and double + steps of the Confession, the rich altars and yet richer tombs—all, + nave, aisles, transepts, and apsis, were in marble, resplendent with the + wealth of marble; not a nook small as the palm of one’s hand appearing but + it showed the insolent opulence of marble. And the basilica triumphed, + beyond discussion, recognised and admired by every one as the largest and + most splendid church in the whole world—the personification of + hugeness and magnificence combined. + </p> + <p> + Pierre still wandered on, gazing, overcome, as yet not distinguishing + details. He paused for a moment before the bronze statue of St. Peter, + seated in a stiff, hierarchical attitude on a marble pedestal. A few of + the faithful were there kissing the large toe of the Saint’s right foot. + Some of them carefully wiped it before applying their lips; others, with + no thought of cleanliness, kissed it, pressed their foreheads to it, and + then kissed it again. Next, Pierre turned into the transept on the left, + where stand the confessionals. Priests are ever stationed there, ready to + confess penitents in every language. Others wait, holding long staves, + with which they lightly tap the heads of kneeling sinners, who thereby + obtain thirty days’ indulgence. However, there were few people present, + and inside the small wooden boxes the priests occupied their leisure time + in reading and writing, as if they were at home. Then Pierre again found + himself before the Confession, and gazed with interest at the eighty + lamps, scintillating like stars. The high altar, at which the Pope alone + can officiate, seemed wrapped in the haughty melancholy of solitude under + its gigantic, flowery <i>baldacchino</i>, the casting and gilding of which + cost two and twenty thousand pounds. But suddenly Pierre remembered the + ceremony in the Capella Clementina, and felt astonished, for he could hear + nothing of it. As he drew near a faint breath, like the far-away piping of + a flute, was wafted to him. Then the volume of sound slowly increased, but + it was only on reaching the chapel that he recognised an organ peal. The + sunlight here filtered through red curtains drawn before the windows, and + thus the chapel glowed like a furnace whilst resounding with the grave + music. But in that huge pile all became so slight, so weak, that at sixty + paces neither voice nor organ could be distinguished. + </p> + <p> + On entering the basilica Pierre had fancied that it was quite empty and + lifeless. There were, however, some people there, but so few and far + between that their presence was not noticed. A few tourists wandered about + wearily, guide-book in hand. In the grand nave a painter with his easel + was taking a view, as in a public gallery. Then a French seminary went by, + conducted by a prelate who named and explained the tombs. But in all that + space these fifty or a hundred people looked merely like a few black ants + who had lost themselves and were vainly seeking their way. And Pierre + pictured himself in some gigantic gala hall or tremendous vestibule in an + immeasurable palace of reception. The broad sheets of sunlight streaming + through the lofty square windows of plain white glass illumined the church + with blending radiance. There was not a single stool or chair: nothing but + the superb, bare pavement, such as you might find in a museum, shining + mirror-like under the dancing shower of sunrays. Nor was there a single + corner for solitary reflection, a nook of gloom and mystery, where one + might kneel and pray. In lieu thereof the sumptuous, sovereign dazzlement + of broad daylight prevailed upon every side. And, on thus suddenly finding + himself in this deserted opera-house, all aglow with flaring gold and + purple, Pierre could but remember the quivering gloom of the Gothic + cathedrals of France, where dim crowds sob and supplicate amidst a forest + of pillars. In presence of all this ceremonial majesty—this huge, + empty pomp, which was all Body—he recalled with a pang the emaciate + architecture and statuary of the middle ages, which were all Soul. He + vainly sought for some poor, kneeling woman, some creature swayed by faith + or suffering, yielding in a modest half-light to thoughts of the unknown, + and with closed lips holding communion with the invisible. These he found + not: there was but the weary wandering of the tourists, and the bustle of + the prelates conducting the young priests to the obligatory stations; + while the vesper service continued in the left-hand chapel, nought of it + reaching the ears of the visitors save, perhaps, a confused vibration, as + of the peal of a bell penetrating from outside through the vaults above. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre then understood that this was the splendid skeleton of a + colossus whence life was departing. To fill it, to animate it with a soul, + all the gorgeous display of great religious ceremonies was needed; the + eighty thousand worshippers which it could hold, the great pontifical + pomps, the festivals of Christmas and Easter, the processions and <i>corteges</i> + displaying all the luxury of the Church amidst operatic scenery and + appointments. And he tried to conjure up a picture of the past + magnificence—the basilica overflowing with an idolatrous multitude, + and the superhuman <i>cortege</i> passing along whilst every head was + lowered; the cross and the sword opening the march, the cardinals going + two by two, like twin divinities, in their rochets of lace and their + mantles and robes of red moire, which train-bearers held up behind them; + and at last, with Jove-like pomp, the Pope, carried on a stage draped with + red velvet, seated in an arm-chair of red velvet and gold, and dressed in + white velvet, with cope of gold, stole of gold, and tiara of gold. The + bearers of the <i>Sedia gestatoria</i>* shone bravely in red tunics + broidered with gold. Above the one and only Sovereign Pontiff of the world + the <i>flabelli</i> waved those huge fans of feathers which formerly were + waved before the idols of pagan Rome. And around the seat of triumph what + a dazzling, glorious court there was! The whole pontifical family, the + stream of assistant prelates, the patriarchs, the archbishops, and the + bishops, with vestments and mitres of gold, the <i>Camerieri segreti + partecipanti</i> in violet silk, the <i>Camerieri partecipanti</i> of the + cape and the sword in black velvet Renascence costumes, with ruffs and + golden chains, the whole innumerable ecclesiastical and laical suite, + which not even a hundred pages of the “Gerarchia” can completely + enumerate, the prothonotaries, the chaplains, the prelates of every class + and degree, without mentioning the military household, the gendarmes with + their busbies, the Palatine Guards in blue trousers and black tunics, the + Swiss Guards costumed in red, yellow, and black, with breastplates of + silver, suggesting the men at arms of some drama of the Romantic school, + and the Noble Guards, superb in their high boots, white pigskins, red + tunics, gold lace, epaulets, and helmets! However, since Rome had become + the capital of Italy the doors were no longer thrown wide open; on the + rare occasions when the Pope yet came down to officiate, to show himself + as the supreme representative of the Divinity on earth, the basilica was + filled with chosen ones. To enter it you needed a card of invitation. You + no longer saw the people—a throng of fifty, even eighty, thousand + Christians—flocking to the Church and swarming within it + promiscuously; there was but a select gathering, a congregation of friends + convened as for a private function. Even when, by dint of effort, + thousands were collected together there, they formed but a picked audience + invited to the performance of a monster concert. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The chair and stage are known by that name.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + And as Pierre strolled among the bright, crude marbles in that cold if + gorgeous museum, the feeling grew upon him that he was in some pagan + temple raised to the deity of Light and Pomp. The larger temples of + ancient Rome were certainly similar piles, upheld by the same precious + columns, with walls covered with the same polychromatic marbles and + vaulted ceilings having the same gilded panels. And his feeling was + destined to become yet more acute after his visits to the other basilicas, + which could but reveal the truth to him. First one found the Christian + Church quietly, audaciously quartering itself in a pagan church, as, for + instance, San Lorenzo in Miranda installed in the temple of Antoninus and + Faustina, and retaining the latter’s rare porticus in <i>cipollino</i> + marble and its handsome white marble entablature. Then there was the + Christian Church springing from the ruins of the destroyed pagan edifice, + as, for example, San Clemente, beneath which centuries of contrary beliefs + are stratified: a very ancient edifice of the time of the kings or the + republic, then another of the days of the empire identified as a temple of + Mithras, and next a basilica of the primitive faith. Then, too, there was + the Christian Church, typified by that of Saint Agnes-beyond-the-walls + which had been built on exactly the same pattern as the Roman secular + basilica—that Tribunal and Exchange which accompanied every Forum. + And, in particular, there was the Christian Church erected with material + stolen from the demolished pagan temples. To this testified the sixteen + superb columns of that same Saint Agnes, columns of various marbles + filched from various gods; the one and twenty columns of Santa Maria in + Trastevere, columns of all sorts of orders torn from a temple of Isis and + Serapis, who even now are represented on their capitals; also the six and + thirty white marble Ionic columns of Santa Maria Maggiore derived from the + temple of Juno Lucina; and the two and twenty columns of Santa Maria in + Ara Coeli, these varying in substance, size, and workmanship, and certain + of them said to have been stolen from Jove himself, from the famous temple + of Jupiter Capitolinus which rose upon the sacred summit. In addition, the + temples of the opulent Imperial period seemed to resuscitate in our times + at San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo-fuori-le-mura. Was not that + Basilica of San Giovanni—“the Mother and Head of all the churches of + the city and the earth”—like the abode of honour of some pagan + divinity whose splendid kingdom was of this world? It boasted five naves, + parted by four rows of columns; it was a profusion of bas-reliefs, + friezes, and entablatures, and its twelve colossal statues of the Apostles + looked like subordinate deities lining the approach to the master of the + gods! And did not San Paolo, lately completed, its new marbles shimmering + like mirrors, recall the abode of the Olympian immortals, typical temple + as it was with its majestic colonnade, its flat, gilt-panelled ceiling, + its marble pavement incomparably beautiful both in substance and + workmanship, its violet columns with white bases and capitals, and its + white entablature with violet frieze: everywhere, indeed, you found, the + mingling of those two colours so divinely carnal in their harmony. And + there, as at St. Peter’s, not one patch of gloom, not one nook of mystery + where one might peer into the invisible, could be found! And, withal, St. + Peter’s remained the monster, the colossus, larger than the largest of all + others, an extravagant testimony of what the mad passion for the huge can + achieve when human pride, by dint of spending millions, dreams of lodging + the divinity in an over-vast, over-opulent palace of stone, where in truth + that pride itself, and not the divinity, triumphs! + </p> + <p> + And to think that after long centuries that gala colossus had been the + outcome of the fervour of primitive faith! You found there a blossoming of + that ancient sap, peculiar to the soil of Rome, which in all ages has + thrown up preposterous edifices, of exaggerated hugeness and dazzling and + ruinous luxury. It would seem as if the absolute masters successively + ruling the city brought that passion for cyclopean building with them, + derived it from the soil in which they grew, for they transmitted it one + to the other, without a pause, from civilisation to civilisation, however + diverse and contrary their minds. It has all been, so to say, a continuous + blossoming of human vanity, a passionate desire to set one’s name on an + imperishable wall, and, after being master of the world, to leave behind + one an indestructible trace, a tangible proof of one’s passing glory, an + eternal edifice of bronze and marble fit to attest that glory until the + end of time. At the bottom the spirit of conquest, the proud ambition to + dominate the world, subsists; and when all has crumbled, and a new society + has sprung up from the ruins of its predecessor, men have erred in + imagining it to be cured of the sin of pride, steeped in humility once + more, for it has had the old blood in its veins, and has yielded to the + same insolent madness as its ancestors, a prey to all the violence of its + heredity directly it has become great and strong. Among the illustrious + popes there has not been one that did not seek to build, did not revert to + the traditions of the Caesars, eternising their reigns in stone and + raising temples for resting-places, so as to rank among the gods. Ever the + same passion for terrestrial immortality has burst forth: it has been a + battle as to who should leave the highest, most substantial, most gorgeous + monument; and so acute has been the disease that those who, for lack of + means and opportunity, have been unable to build, and have been forced to + content themselves with repairing, have, nevertheless, desired to bequeath + the memory of their modest achievements to subsequent generations by + commemorative marble slabs engraved with pompous inscriptions! These slabs + are to be seen on every side: not a wall has ever been strengthened but + some pope has stamped it with his arms, not a ruin has been restored, not + a palace repaired, not a fountain cleaned, but the reigning pope has + signed the work with his Roman and pagan title of “Pontifex Maximus.” It + is a haunting passion, a form of involuntary debauchery, the fated + florescence of that compost of ruins, that dust of edifices whence new + edifices are ever arising. And given the perversion with which the old + Roman soil almost immediately tarnished the doctrines of Jesus, that + resolute passion for domination and that desire for terrestrial glory + which wrought the triumph of Catholicism in scorn of the humble and pure, + the fraternal and simple ones of the primitive Church, one may well ask + whether Rome has ever been Christian at all! + </p> + <p> + And whilst Pierre was for the second time walking round the huge basilica, + admiring the tombs of the popes, truth, like a sudden illumination, burst + upon him and filled him with its glow. Ah! those tombs! Yonder in the full + sunlight, in the rosy Campagna, on either side of the Appian Way—that + triumphal approach to Rome, conducting the stranger to the august Palatine + with its crown of circling palaces—there arose the gigantic tombs of + the powerful and wealthy, tombs of unparalleled artistic splendour, + perpetuating in marble the pride and pomp of a strong race that had + mastered the world. Then, near at hand, beneath the sod, in the shrouding + night of wretched mole-holes, other tombs were hidden—the tombs of + the lowly, the poor, and the suffering—tombs destitute of art or + display, but whose very humility proclaimed that a breath of affection and + resignation had passed by, that One had come preaching love and + fraternity, the relinquishment of the wealth of the earth for the + everlasting joys of a future life, and committing to the soil the good + seed of His Gospel, sowing the new humanity which was to transform the + olden world. And, behold, from that seed, buried in the soil for + centuries, behold, from those humble, unobtrusive tombs, where martyrs + slept their last and gentle sleep whilst waiting for the glorious call, + yet other tombs had sprung, tombs as gigantic and as pompous as the + ancient, destroyed sepulchres of the idolaters, tombs uprearing their + marbles among a pagan-temple-like splendour, proclaiming the same + superhuman pride, the same mad passion for universal sovereignty. At the + time of the Renascence Rome became pagan once more; the old imperial blood + frothed up and swept Christianity away with the greatest onslaught ever + directed against it. Ah! those tombs of the popes at St. Peter’s, with + their impudent, insolent glorification of the departed, their sumptuous, + carnal hugeness, defying death and setting immortality upon this earth. + There are giant popes of bronze, allegorical figures and angels of + equivocal character wearing the beauty of lovely girls, of + passion-compelling women with the thighs and the breasts of pagan + goddesses! Paul III is seated on a high pedestal, Justice and Prudence are + almost prostrate at his feet. Urban VIII is between Prudence and Religion, + Innocent XI between Religion and Justice, Innocent XII between Justice and + Charity, Gregory XIII between Religion and Strength. Attended by Prudence + and Justice, Alexander VII appears kneeling, with Charity and Truth before + him, and a skeleton rises up displaying an empty hour-glass. Clement XIII, + also on his knees, triumphs above a monumental sarcophagus, against which + leans Religion bearing the Cross; while the Genius of Death, his elbow + resting on the right-hand corner, has two huge, superb lions, emblems of + omnipotence, beneath him. Bronze bespeaks the eternity of the figures, + white marble describes opulent flesh, and coloured marble winds around in + rich draperies, deifying the monuments under the bright, golden glow of + nave and aisles. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre passed from one tomb to the other on his way through the + magnificent, deserted, sunlit basilica. Yes, these tombs, so imperial in + their ostentation, were meet companions for those of the Appian Way. + Assuredly it was Rome, the soil of Rome, that soil where pride and + domination sprouted like the herbage of the fields that had transformed + the humble Christianity of primitive times, the religion of fraternity, + justice, and hope into what it now was: victorious Catholicism, allied to + the rich and powerful, a huge implement of government, prepared for the + conquest of every nation. The popes had awoke as Caesars. Remote heredity + had acted, the blood of Augustus had bubbled forth afresh, flowing through + their veins and firing their minds with immeasurable ambition. As yet none + but Augustus had held the empire of the world, had been both emperor and + pontiff, master of the body and the soul. And thence had come the eternal + dream of the popes in despair at only holding the spiritual power, and + obstinately refusing to yield in temporal matters, clinging for ever to + the ancient hope that their dream might at last be realised, and the + Vatican become another Palatine, whence they might reign with absolute + despotism over all the conquered nations. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"></a> + VI. + </h2> + <p> + PIERRE had been in Rome for a fortnight, and yet the affair of his book + was no nearer solution. He was still possessed by an ardent desire to see + the Pope, but could in no wise tell how to satisfy it, so frequent were + the delays and so greatly had he been frightened by Monsignor Nani’s + predictions of the dire consequences which might attend any imprudent + action. And so, foreseeing a prolonged sojourn, he at last betook himself + to the Vicariate in order that his “celebret” might be stamped, and + afterwards said his mass each morning at the Church of Santa Brigida, + where he received a kindly greeting from Abbe Pisoni, Benedetta’s former + confessor. + </p> + <p> + One Monday evening he resolved to repair early to Donna Serafina’s + customary reception in the hope of learning some news and expediting his + affairs. Perhaps Monsignor Nani would look in; perhaps he might be lucky + enough to come across some cardinal or domestic prelate willing to help + him. It was in vain that he had tried to extract any positive information + from Don Vigilio, for, after a short spell of affability and willingness, + Cardinal Pio’s secretary had relapsed into distrust and fear, and avoided + Pierre as if he were resolved not to meddle in a business which, all + considered, was decidedly suspicious and dangerous. Moreover, for a couple + of days past a violent attack of fever had compelled him to keep his room. + </p> + <p> + Thus the only person to whom Pierre could turn for comfort was Victorine + Bosquet, the old Beauceronne servant who had been promoted to the rank of + housekeeper, and who still retained a French heart after thirty years’ + residence in Rome. She often spoke to the young priest of Auneau, her + native place, as if she had left it only the previous day; but on that + particular Monday even she had lost her wonted gay vivacity, and when she + heard that he meant to go down in the evening to see the ladies she wagged + her head significantly. “Ah! you won’t find them very cheerful,” said she. + “My poor Benedetta is greatly worried. Her divorce suit is not progressing + at all well.” + </p> + <p> + All Rome, indeed, was again talking of this affair. An extraordinary + revival of tittle-tattle had set both white and black worlds agog. And so + there was no need for reticence on Victorine’s part, especially in + conversing with a compatriot. It appeared, then, that, in reply to + Advocate Morano’s memoir setting forth that the marriage had not been + consummated, there had come another memoir, a terrible one, emanating from + Monsignor Palma, a doctor in theology, whom the Congregation of the + Council had selected to defend the marriage. As a first point, Monsignor + Palma flatly disputed the alleged non-consummation, questioned the + certificate put forward on Benedetta’s behalf, and quoted instances + recorded in scientific text-books which showed how deceptive appearances + often were. He strongly insisted, moreover, on the narrative which Count + Prada supplied in another memoir, a narrative well calculated to inspire + doubt; and, further, he so turned and twisted the evidence of Benedetta’s + own maid as to make that evidence also serve against her. Finally he + argued in a decisive way that, even supposing the marriage had not been + consummated, this could only be ascribed to the resistance of the + Countess, who had thus set at defiance one of the elementary laws of + married life, which was that a wife owed obedience to her husband. + </p> + <p> + Next had come a fourth memoir, drawn up by the reporter of the + Congregation, who analysed and discussed the three others, and + subsequently the Congregation itself had dealt with the matter, opining in + favour of the dissolution of the marriage by a majority of one vote—such + a bare majority, indeed, that Monsignor Palma, exercising his rights, had + hastened to demand further inquiry, a course which brought the whole <i>procedure</i> + again into question, and rendered a fresh vote necessary. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! the poor Contessina!” exclaimed Victorine, “she’ll surely die of + grief, for, calm as she may seem, there’s an inward fire consuming her. It + seems that Monsignor Palma is the master of the situation, and can make + the affair drag on as long as he likes. And then a deal of money had + already been spent, and one will have to spend a lot more. Abbe Pisoni, + whom you know, was very badly inspired when he helped on that marriage; + and though I certainly don’t want to soil the memory of my good mistress, + Countess Ernesta, who was a real saint, it’s none the less true that she + wrecked her daughter’s life when she gave her to Count Prada.” + </p> + <p> + The housekeeper paused. Then, impelled by an instinctive sense of justice, + she resumed. “It’s only natural that Count Prada should be annoyed, for + he’s really being made a fool of. And, for my part, as there is no end to + all the fuss, and this divorce is so hard to obtain, I really don’t see + why the Contessina shouldn’t live with her Dario without troubling any + further. Haven’t they loved one another ever since they were children? + Aren’t they both young and handsome, and wouldn’t they be happy together, + whatever the world might say? Happiness, <i>mon Dieu</i>! one finds it so + seldom that one can’t afford to let it pass.” + </p> + <p> + Then, seeing how greatly surprised Pierre was at hearing such language, + she began to laugh with the quiet composure of one belonging to the humble + classes of France, whose only desire is a quiet and happy life, + irrespective of matrimonial ties. Next, in more discreet language, she + proceeded to lament another worry which had fallen on the household, + another result of the divorce affair. A rupture had come about between + Donna Serafina and Advocate Morano, who was very displeased with the ill + success of his memoir to the congregation, and accused Father Lorenza—the + confessor of the Boccanera ladies—of having urged them into a + deplorable lawsuit, whose only fruit could be a wretched scandal affecting + everybody. And so great had been Morano’s annoyance that he had not + returned to the Boccanera mansion, but had severed a connection of thirty + years’ standing, to the stupefaction of all the Roman drawing-rooms, which + altogether disapproved of his conduct. Donna Serafina was, for her part, + the more grieved as she suspected the advocate of having purposely picked + the quarrel in order to secure an excuse for leaving her; his real motive, + in her estimation, being a sudden, disgraceful passion for a young and + intriguing woman of the middle classes. + </p> + <p> + That Monday evening, when Pierre entered the drawing-room, hung with + yellow brocatelle of a flowery Louis XIV pattern, he at once realised that + melancholy reigned in the dim light radiating from the lace-veiled lamps. + Benedetta and Celia, seated on a sofa, were chatting with Dario, whilst + Cardinal Sarno, ensconced in an arm-chair, listened to the ceaseless + chatter of the old relative who conducted the little Princess to each + Monday gathering. And the only other person present was Donna Serafina, + seated all alone in her wonted place on the right-hand side of the + chimney-piece, and consumed with secret rage at seeing the chair on the + left-hand side unoccupied—that chair which Morano had always taken + during the thirty years that he had been faithful to her. Pierre noticed + with what anxious and then despairing eyes she observed his entrance, her + glance ever straying towards the door, as though she even yet hoped for + the fickle one’s return. Withal her bearing was erect and proud; she + seemed to be more tightly laced than ever; and there was all the wonted + haughtiness on her hard-featured face, with its jet-black eyebrows and + snowy hair. + </p> + <p> + Pierre had no sooner paid his respects to her than he allowed his own + worry to appear by inquiring whether they would not have the pleasure of + seeing Monsignor Nani that evening. Thereupon Donna Serafina could not + refrain from answering: “Oh! Monsignor Nani is forsaking us like the + others. People always take themselves off when they can be of service.” + </p> + <p> + She harboured a spite against the prelate for having done so little to + further the divorce in spite of his many promises. Beneath his outward + show of extreme willingness and caressing affability he doubtless + concealed some scheme of his own which he was tenaciously pursuing. + However, Donna Serafina promptly regretted the confession which anger had + wrung from her, and resumed: “After all, he will perhaps come. He is so + good-natured, and so fond of us.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of the vivacity of her temperament she really wished to act + diplomatically, so as to overcome the bad luck which had recently set in. + Her brother the Cardinal had told her how irritated he was by the attitude + of the Congregation of the Council; he had little doubt that the frigid + reception accorded to his niece’s suit had been due in part to the desire + of some of his brother cardinals to be disagreeable to him. Personally, he + desired the divorce, as it seemed to him the only means of ensuring the + perpetuation of the family; for Dario obstinately refused to marry any + other woman than his cousin. And thus there was an accumulation of + disasters; the Cardinal was wounded in his pride, his sister shared his + sufferings and on her own side was stricken in the heart, whilst both + lovers were plunged in despair at finding their hopes yet again deferred. + </p> + <p> + As Pierre approached the sofa where the young folks were chatting he found + that they were speaking of the catastrophe. “Why should you be so + despondent?” asked Celia in an undertone. “After all, there was a majority + of a vote in favour of annulling the marriage. Your suit hasn’t been + rejected; there is only a delay.” + </p> + <p> + But Benedetta shook her head. “No, no! If Monsignor Palma proves obstinate + his Holiness will never consent. It’s all over.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! if one were only rich, very rich!” murmured Dario, with such an air + of conviction that no one smiled. And, turning to his cousin, he added in + a whisper: “I must really have a talk with you. We cannot go on living + like this.” + </p> + <p> + In a breath she responded: “Yes, you are right. Come down to-morrow + evening at five. I will be here alone.” + </p> + <p> + Then dreariness set in; the evening seemed to have no end. Pierre was + greatly touched by the evident despair of Benedetta, who as a rule was so + calm and sensible. The deep eyes which illumined her pure, delicate, + infantile face were now blurred as by restrained tears. He had already + formed a sincere affection for her, pleased as he was with her equable if + somewhat indolent disposition, the semblance of discreet good sense with + which she veiled her soul of fire. That Monday even she certainly tried to + smile while listening to the pretty secrets confided to her by Celia, + whose love affairs were prospering far more than her own. There was only + one brief interval of general conversation, and that was brought about by + the little Princess’s aunt, who, suddenly raising her voice, began to + speak of the infamous manner in which the Italian newspapers referred to + the Holy Father. Never, indeed, had there been so much bad feeling between + the Vatican and the Quirinal. Cardinal Sarno felt so strongly on the + subject that he departed from his wonted silence to announce that on the + occasion of the sacrilegious festivities of the Twentieth of September, + celebrating the capture of Rome, the Pope intended to cast a fresh letter + of protest in the face of all the Christian powers, whose indifference + proved their complicity in the odious spoliation of the Church. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed! what folly to try and marry the Pope and the King,” bitterly + exclaimed Donna Serafina, alluding to her niece’s deplorable marriage. + </p> + <p> + The old maid now seemed quite beside herself; it was already so late that + neither Monsignor Nani nor anybody else was expected. However, at the + unhoped-for sound of footsteps her eyes again brightened and turned + feverishly towards the door. But it was only to encounter a final + disappointment. The visitor proved to be Narcisse Habert, who stepped up + to her, apologising for making so late a call. It was Cardinal Sarno, his + uncle by marriage, who had introduced him into this exclusive <i>salon</i>, + where he had received a cordial reception on account of his religious + views, which were said to be most uncompromising. If, however, despite the + lateness of the hour, he had ventured to call there that evening, it was + solely on account of Pierre, whom he at once drew on one side. + </p> + <p> + “I felt sure I should find you here,” he said. “Just now I managed to see + my cousin, Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo, and I have some good news for you. + He will see us to-morrow at about eleven in his rooms at the Vatican.” + Then, lowering his voice: “I think he will endeavour to conduct you to the + Holy Father. Briefly, the audience seems to me assured.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was greatly delighted by this promised certainty, which came to him + so suddenly in that dreary drawing-room, where for a couple of hours he + had been gradually sinking into despair! So at last a solution was at + hand! + </p> + <p> + Meantime Narcisse, after shaking hands with Dario and bowing to Benedetta + and Celia, approached his uncle the Cardinal, who, having rid himself of + the old relation, made up his mind to talk. But his conversation was + confined to the state of his health, and the weather, and sundry + insignificant anecdotes which he had lately heard. Not a word escaped him + respecting the thousand complicated matters with which he dealt at the + Propaganda. It was as though, once outside his office, he plunged into the + commonplace and the unimportant by way of resting from the anxious task of + governing the world. And after he had spoken for a time every one got up, + and the visitors took leave. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t forget,” Narcisse repeated to Pierre, “you will find me at the + Sixtine Chapel to-morrow at ten. And I will show you the Botticellis + before we go to our appointment.” + </p> + <p> + At half-past nine on the following morning Pierre, who had come on foot, + was already on the spacious Piazza of St. Peter’s; and before turning to + the right, towards the bronze gate near one corner of Bernini’s colonnade, + he raised his eyes and lingered, gazing at the Vatican. Nothing to his + mind could be less monumental than the jumble of buildings which, without + semblance of architectural order or regularity of any kind, had grown up + in the shadow cast by the dome of the basilica. Roofs rose one above the + other and broad, flat walls stretched out chance-wise, just as wings and + storeys had been added. The only symmetry observable above the colonnade + was that of the three sides of the court of San Damaso, where the lofty + glass-work which now encloses the old <i>loggie</i> sparkled in the sun + between the ruddy columns and pilasters, suggesting, as it were, three + huge conservatories. + </p> + <p> + And this was the most beautiful palace in the world, the largest of all + palaces, comprising no fewer than eleven thousand apartments and + containing the most admirable masterpieces of human genius! But Pierre, + disillusioned as he was, had eyes only for the lofty facade on the right, + overlooking the piazza, for he knew that the second-floor windows there + were those of the Pope’s private apartments. And he contemplated those + windows for a long time, and remembered having been told that the fifth + one on the right was that of the Pope’s bed-room, and that a lamp could + always be seen burning there far into the night. + </p> + <p> + What was there, too, behind that gate of bronze which he saw before him—that + sacred portal by which all the kingdoms of the world communicated with the + kingdom of heaven, whose august vicar had secluded himself behind those + lofty, silent walls? From where he stood Pierre gazed on that gate with + its metal panels studded with large square-headed nails, and wondered what + it defended, what it concealed, what it shut off from the view, with its + stern, forbidding air, recalling that of the gate of some ancient + fortress. What kind of world would he find behind it, what treasures of + human charity jealously preserved in yonder gloom, what revivifying hope + for the new nations hungering for fraternity and justice? He took pleasure + in fancying, in picturing the one holy pastor of humanity, ever watching + in the depths of that closed palace, and, while the nations strayed into + hatred, preparing all for the final reign of Jesus, and at last + proclaiming the advent of that reign by transforming our democracies into + the one great Christian community promised by the Saviour. Assuredly the + world’s future was being prepared behind that bronze portal; assuredly it + was that future which would issue forth. + </p> + <p> + But all at once Pierre was amazed to find himself face to face with + Monsignor Nani, who had just left the Vatican on his way to the + neighbouring Palace of the Inquisition, where, as Assessor, he had his + residence. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Monsignor,” said Pierre, “I am very pleased. My friend Monsieur + Habert is going to present me to his cousin, Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo, + and I think I shall obtain the audience I so greatly desire.” + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Nani smiled with his usual amiable yet keen expression. “Yes, + yes, I know.” But, correcting himself as it were, he added: “I share your + satisfaction, my dear son. Only, you must be prudent.” And then, as if + fearing that the young priest might have understood by his first words + that he had just seen Monsignor Gamba, the most easily terrified prelate + of the whole prudent pontifical family, he related that he had been + running about since an early hour on behalf of two French ladies, who + likewise were dying of a desire to see the Pope. However, he greatly + feared that the help he was giving them would not prove successful. + </p> + <p> + “I will confess to you, Monsignor,” replied Pierre, “that I myself was + getting very discouraged. Yes, it is high time I should find a little + comfort, for my sojourn here is hardly calculated to brace my soul.” + </p> + <p> + He went on in this strain, allowing it to be seen that the sights of Rome + were finally destroying his faith. Such days as those which he had spent + on the Palatine and along the Appian Way, in the Catacombs and at St. + Peter’s, grievously disturbed him, spoilt his dream of Christianity + rejuvenated and triumphant. He emerged from them full of doubt and growing + lassitude, having already lost much of his usually rebellious enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + Still smiling, Monsignor Nani listened and nodded approvingly. Yes, no + doubt that was the fatal result. He seemed to have foreseen it, and to be + well satisfied thereat. “At all events, my dear son,” said he, “everything + is going on well, since you are now certain that you will see his + Holiness.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true, Monsignor; I have placed my only hope in the very just and + perspicacious Leo XIII. He alone can judge me, since he alone can + recognise in my book his own ideas, which I think I have very faithfully + set forth. Ah! if he be willing he will, in Jesus’ name and by democracy + and science, save this old world of ours!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s enthusiasm was returning again, and Nani, smiling more and more + affably with his piercing eyes and thin lips, again expressed approval: + “Certainly; quite so, my dear son. You will speak to him, you will see.” + </p> + <p> + Then as they both raised their heads and looked towards the Vatican, Nani + carried his amiability so far as to undeceive Pierre with respect to the + Pope’s bed-room. No, the window where a light was seen every evening was + simply that of a landing where the gas was kept burning almost all night. + The window of his Holiness’s bed-chamber was the second one farther on. + Then both relapsed into silence, equally grave as they continued to gaze + at the facade. + </p> + <p> + “Well, till we meet again, my dear son,” said Nani at last. “You will tell + me of your interview, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as Pierre was alone he went in by the bronze portal, his heart + beating violently, as if he were entering some redoubtable sanctuary where + the future happiness of mankind was elaborated. A sentry was on duty + there, a Swiss guard, who walked slowly up and down in a grey-blue cloak, + below which one only caught a glimpse of his baggy red, black, and yellow + breeches; and it seemed as if this cloak of sober hue were purposely cast + over a disguise in order to conceal its strangeness, which had become + irksome. Then, on the right-hand, came the covered stairway conducting to + the Court of San Damaso; but to reach the Sixtine Chapel it was necessary + to follow a long gallery, with columns on either hand, and ascend the + royal staircase, the Scala Regia. And in this realm of the gigantic, where + every dimension is exaggerated and replete with overpowering majesty, + Pierre’s breath came short as he ascended the broad steps. + </p> + <p> + He was much surprised on entering the Sixtine Chapel, for it at first + seemed to him small, a sort of rectangular and lofty hall, with a delicate + screen of white marble separating the part where guests congregate on the + occasion of great ceremonies from the choir where the cardinals sit on + simple oaken benches, while the inferior prelates remain standing behind + them. On a low platform to the right of the soberly adorned altar is the + pontifical throne; while in the wall on the left opens the narrow singing + gallery with its balcony of marble. And for everything suddenly to spread + out and soar into the infinite one must raise one’s head, allow one’s eyes + to ascend from the huge fresco of the Last Judgment, occupying the whole + of the end wall, to the paintings which cover the vaulted ceiling down to + the cornice extending between the twelve windows of white glass, six on + either hand. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately there were only three or four quiet tourists there; and Pierre + at once perceived Narcisse Habert occupying one of the cardinals’ seats + above the steps where the train-bearers crouch. Motionless, and with his + head somewhat thrown back, the young man seemed to be in ecstasy. But it + was not the work of Michael Angelo that he thus contemplated. His eyes + never strayed from one of the earlier frescoes below the cornice; and on + recognising the priest he contented himself with murmuring: “Ah! my + friend, just look at the Botticelli.” Then, with dreamy eyes, he relapsed + into a state of rapture. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, for his part, had received a great shock both in heart and in + mind, overpowered as he was by the superhuman genius of Michael Angelo. + The rest vanished; there only remained, up yonder, as in a limitless + heaven, the extraordinary creations of the master’s art. That which at + first surprised one was that the painter should have been the sole artisan + of the mighty work. No marble cutters, no bronze workers, no gilders, no + one of another calling had intervened. The painter with his brush had + sufficed for all—for the pilasters, columns, and cornices of marble, + for the statues and the ornaments of bronze, for the <i>fleurons</i> and + roses of gold, for the whole of the wondrously rich decorative work which + surrounded the frescoes. And Pierre imagined Michael Angelo on the day + when the bare vault was handed over to him, covered with plaster, offering + only a flat white surface, hundreds of square yards to be adorned. And he + pictured him face to face with that huge white page, refusing all help, + driving all inquisitive folks away, jealously, violently shutting himself + up alone with his gigantic task, spending four and a half years in fierce + solitude, and day by day adding to his colossal work of creation. Ah! that + mighty work, a task to fill a whole lifetime, a task which he must have + begun with quiet confidence in his own will and power, drawing, as it + were, an entire world from his brain and flinging it there with the + ceaseless flow of creative virility in the full heyday of its omnipotence. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre was yet more overcome when he began to examine these + presentments of humanity, magnified as by the eyes of a visionary, + overflowing in mighty sympathetic pages of cyclopean symbolisation. Royal + grace and nobility, sovereign peacefulness and power—every beauty + shone out like natural florescence. And there was perfect science, the + most audacious foreshortening risked with the certainty of success—an + everlasting triumph of technique over the difficulty which an arched + surface presented. And, in particular, there was wonderful simplicity of + medium; matter was reduced almost to nothingness; a few colours were used + broadly without any studied search for effect or brilliancy. Yet that + sufficed, the blood seethed freely, the muscles projected, the figures + became animated and stood out of their frames with such energy and dash + that it seemed as if a flame were flashing by aloft, endowing all those + beings with superhuman and immortal life. Life, aye, it was life, which + burst forth and triumphed—mighty, swarming life, miraculous life, + the creation of one sole hand possessed of the supreme gift—simplicity + blended with power. + </p> + <p> + That a philosophical system, a record of the whole of human destiny, + should have been found therein, with the creation of the world, of man, + and of woman, the fall, the chastisement, then the redemption, and finally + God’s judgment on the last day—this was a matter on which Pierre was + unable to dwell, at this first visit, in the wondering stupor into which + the paintings threw him. But he could not help noticing how the human + body, its beauty, its power, and its grace were exalted! Ah! that regal + Jehovah, at once terrible and paternal, carried off amid the whirlwind of + his creation, his arms outstretched and giving birth to worlds! And that + superb and nobly outlined Adam, with extended hand, whom Jehovah, though + he touch him not, animates with his finger—a wondrous and admirable + gesture, leaving a sacred space between the finger of the Creator and that + of the created—a tiny space, in which, nevertheless, abides all the + infinite of the invisible and the mysterious. And then that powerful yet + adorable Eve, that Eve with the sturdy flanks fit for the bearing of + humanity, that Eve with the proud, tender grace of a woman bent on being + loved even to perdition, that Eve embodying the whole of woman with her + fecundity, her seductiveness, her empire! Moreover, even the decorative + figures of the pilasters at the corners of the frescoes celebrate the + triumph of the flesh: there are the twenty young men radiant in their + nakedness, with incomparable splendour of torso and of limb, and such + intensity of life that a craze for motion seems to carry them off, bend + them, throw them over in superb attitudes. And between the windows are the + giants, the prophets and the sibyls—man and woman deified, with + inordinate wealth of muscle and grandeur of intellectual expression. There + is Jeremiah with his elbow resting on his knee and his chin on his hand, + plunged as he is in reflection—in the very depths of his visions and + his dreams; there is the Sibylla Erithraea, so pure of profile, so young + despite the opulence of her form, and with one finger resting on the open + book of destiny; there is Isaiah with the thick lips of truth, virile and + haughty, his head half turned and his hand raised with a gesture of + command; there is the Sibylla Cumaea, terrifying with her science and her + old age, her wrinkled countenance, her vulture’s nose, her square + protruding chin; there is Jonah cast forth by the whale, and wondrously + foreshortened, his torso twisted, his arms bent, his head thrown back, and + his mouth agape and shouting: and there are the others, all of the same + full-blown, majestic family, reigning with the sovereignty of eternal + health and intelligence, and typifying the dream of a broader, loftier, + and indestructible humanity. Moreover, in the lunettes and the arches over + the windows other figures of grace, power, and beauty appear and throng, + the ancestors of the Christ, thoughtful mothers with lovely nude infants, + men with wondering eyes peering into the future, representatives of the + punished weary race longing for the promised Redeemer; while in the + pendentives of the four corners various biblical episodes, the victories + of Israel over the Spirit of Evil, spring into life. And finally there is + the gigantic fresco at the far end, the Last Judgment with its swarming + multitude, so numerous that days and days are needed to see each figure + aright, a distracted crowd, full of the hot breath of life, from the dead + rising in response to the furious trumpeting of the angels, from the + fearsome groups of the damned whom the demons fling into hell, even to + Jesus the justiciar, surrounded by the saints and apostles, and to the + radiant concourse of the blessed who ascend upheld by angels, whilst + higher and still higher other angels, bearing the instruments of the + Passion, triumph as in full glory. And yet, above this gigantic + composition, painted thirty years subsequently, in the full ripeness of + age, the ceiling retains its ethereality, its unquestionable superiority, + for on it the artist bestowed all his virgin power, his whole youth, the + first great flare of his genius. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre found but one word to express his feelings: Michael Angelo was + the monster dominating and crushing all others. Beneath his immense + achievement you had only to glance at the works of Perugino, Pinturicchio, + Roselli, Signorelli, and Botticelli, those earlier frescoes, admirable in + their way, which below the cornice spread out around the chapel. + </p> + <p> + Narcisse for his part had not raised his eyes to the overpowering + splendour of the ceiling. Wrapt in ecstasy, he did not allow his gaze to + stray from one of the three frescoes of Botticelli. “Ah! Botticelli,” he + at last murmured; “in him you have the elegance and the grace of the + mysterious; a profound feeling of sadness even in the midst of + voluptuousness, a divination of the whole modern soul, with the most + troublous charm that ever attended artist’s work.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre glanced at him in amazement, and then ventured to inquire: “You + come here to see the Botticellis?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, certainly,” the young man quietly replied; “I only come here for + him, and five hours every week I only look at his work. There, just study + that fresco, Moses and the daughters of Jethro. Isn’t it the most + penetrating work that human tenderness and melancholy have produced?” + </p> + <p> + Then, with a faint, devout quiver in his voice and the air of a priest + initiating another into the delightful but perturbing atmosphere of a + sanctuary, he went on repeating the praises of Botticelli’s art; his women + with long, sensual, yet candid faces, supple bearing, and rounded forms + showing from under light drapery; his young men, his angels of doubtful + sex, blending stateliness of muscle with infinite delicacy of outline; + next the mouths he painted, fleshy, fruit-like mouths, at times suggesting + irony, at others pain, and often so enigmatical with their sinuous curves + that one knew not whether the words they left unuttered were words of + purity or filth; then, too, the eyes which he bestowed on his figures, + eyes of languor and passion, of carnal or mystical rapture, their joy at + times so instinct with grief as they peer into the nihility of human + things that no eyes in the world could be more impenetrable. And finally + there were Botticelli’s hands, so carefully and delicately painted, so + full of life, wantoning so to say in a free atmosphere, now joining, + caressing, and even, as it were, speaking, the whole evincing such intense + solicitude for gracefulness that at times there seems to be undue + mannerism, though every hand has its particular expression, each varying + expression of the enjoyment or pain which the sense of touch can bring. + And yet there was nothing effeminate or false about the painter’s work: on + all sides a sort of virile pride was apparent, an atmosphere of superb + passionate motion, absolute concern for truth, direct study from life, + conscientiousness, veritable realism, corrected and elevated by a genial + strangeness of feeling and character that imparted a never-to-be-forgotten + charm even to ugliness itself. + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s stupefaction, however, increased as he listened to Narcisse, + whose somewhat studied elegance, whose curly hair cut in the Florentine + fashion, and whose blue, mauvish eyes paling with enthusiasm he now for + the first time remarked. “Botticelli,” he at last said, “was no doubt a + marvellous artist, only it seems to me that here, at any rate, Michael + Angelo—” + </p> + <p> + But Narcisse interrupted him almost with violence. “No! no! Don’t talk of + him! He spoilt everything, ruined everything! A man who harnessed himself + to his work like an ox, who laboured at his task like a navvy, at the rate + of so many square yards a day! And a man, too, with no sense of the + mysterious and the unknown, who saw everything so huge as to disgust one + with beauty, painting girls like the trunks of oak-trees, women like giant + butchers, with heaps and heaps of stupid flesh, and never a gleam of a + divine or infernal soul! He was a mason—a colossal mason, if you + like—but he was nothing more.” + </p> + <p> + Weary “modern” that Narcisse was, spoilt by the pursuit of the original + and the rare, he thus unconsciously gave rein to his fated hate of health + and power. That Michael Angelo who brought forth without an effort, who + had left behind him the most prodigious of all artistic creations, was the + enemy. And his crime precisely was that he had created life, produced life + in such excess that all the petty creations of others, even the most + delightful among them, vanished in presence of the overflowing torrent of + human beings flung there all alive in the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + “Well, for my part,” Pierre courageously declared, “I’m not of your + opinion. I now realise that life is everything in art; that real + immortality belongs only to those who create. The case of Michael Angelo + seems to me decisive, for he is the superhuman master, the monster who + overwhelms all others, precisely because he brought forth that magnificent + living flesh which offends your sense of delicacy. Those who are inclined + to the curious, those who have minds of a pretty turn, whose intellects + are ever seeking to penetrate things, may try to improve on the equivocal + and invisible, and set all the charm of art in some elaborate stroke or + symbolisation; but, none the less, Michael Angelo remains the + all-powerful, the maker of men, the master of clearness, simplicity, and + health.” + </p> + <p> + At this Narcisse smiled with indulgent and courteous disdain. And he + anticipated further argument by remarking: “It’s already eleven. My cousin + was to have sent a servant here as soon as he could receive us. I am + surprised to have seen nobody as yet. Shall we go up to see the <i>stanze</i> + of Raffaelle while we wait?” + </p> + <p> + Once in the rooms above, he showed himself perfect, both lucid in his + remarks and just in his appreciations, having recovered all his easy + intelligence as soon as he was no longer upset by his hatred of colossal + labour and cheerful decoration. + </p> + <p> + It was unfortunate that Pierre should have first visited the Sixtine + Chapel; for it was necessary he should forget what he had just seen and + accustom himself to what he now beheld in order to enjoy its pure beauty. + It was as if some potent wine had confused him, and prevented any + immediate relish of a lighter vintage of delicate fragrance. Admiration + did not here fall upon one with lightning speed; it was slowly, + irresistibly that one grew charmed. And the contrast was like that of + Racine beside Corneille, Lamartine beside Hugo, the eternal pair, the + masculine and feminine genius coupled through centuries of glory. With + Raffaelle it is nobility, grace, exquisiteness, and correctness of line, + and divineness of harmony that triumph. You do not find in him merely the + materialist symbolism so superbly thrown off by Michael Angelo; he + introduces psychological analysis of deep penetration into the painter’s + art. Man is shown more purified, idealised; one sees more of that which is + within him. And though one may be in presence of an artist of sentimental + bent, a feminine genius whose quiver of tenderness one can feel, it is + also certain that admirable firmness of workmanship confronts one, that + the whole is very strong and very great. Pierre gradually yielded to such + sovereign masterliness, such virile elegance, such a vision of supreme + beauty set in supreme perfection. But if the “Dispute on the Sacrament” + and the so-called “School of Athens,” both prior to the paintings of the + Sixtine Chapel, seemed to him to be Raffaelle’s masterpieces, he felt that + in the “Burning of the Borgo,” and particularly in the “Expulsion of + Heliodorus from the Temple,” and “Pope St. Leo staying Attila at the Gates + of Rome,” the artist had lost the flower of his divine grace, through the + deep impression which the overwhelming grandeur of Michael Angelo had + wrought upon him. How crushing indeed had been the blow when the Sixtine + Chapel was thrown open and the rivals entered! The creations of the + monster then appeared, and the greatest of the humanisers lost some of his + soul at sight of them, thenceforward unable to rid himself of their + influence. + </p> + <p> + From the <i>stanze</i> Narcisse took Pierre to the <i>loggie</i>, those + glazed galleries which are so high and so delicately decorated. But here + you only find work which pupils executed after designs left by Raffaelle + at his death. The fall was sudden and complete, and never had Pierre + better understood that genius is everything—that when it disappears + the school collapses. The man of genius sums up his period; at a given + hour he throws forth all the sap of the social soil, which afterwards + remains exhausted often for centuries. So Pierre became more particularly + interested in the fine view that the <i>loggie</i> afford, and all at once + he noticed that the papal apartments were in front of him, just across the + Court of San Damaso. This court, with its porticus, fountain, and white + pavement, had an aspect of empty, airy, sunlit solemnity which surprised + him. There was none of the gloom or pent-up religious mystery that he had + dreamt of with his mind full of the surroundings of the old northern + cathedrals. Right and left of the steps conducting to the rooms of the + Pope and the Cardinal Secretary of State four or five carriages were + ranged, the coachmen stiffly erect and the horses motionless in the + brilliant light; and nothing else peopled that vast square desert of a + court which, with its bareness gilded by the coruscations of its + glass-work and the ruddiness of its stones, suggested a pagan temple + dedicated to the sun. But what more particularly struck Pierre was the + splendid panorama of Rome, for he had not hitherto imagined that the Pope + from his windows could thus behold the entire city spread out before him + as if he merely had to stretch forth his hand to make it his own once + more. + </p> + <p> + While Pierre contemplated the scene a sound of voices caused him to turn; + and he perceived a servant in black livery who, after repeating a message + to Narcisse, was retiring with a deep bow. Looking much annoyed, the <i>attache</i> + approached the young priest. “Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo,” said he, “has + sent word that he can’t see us this morning. Some unexpected duties + require his presence.” However, Narcisse’s embarrassment showed that he + did not believe in the excuse, but rather suspected some one of having so + terrified his cousin that the latter was afraid of compromising himself. + Obliging and courageous as Habert himself was, this made him indignant. + Still he smiled and resumed: “Listen, perhaps there’s a means of forcing + an entry. If your time is your own we can lunch together and then return + to visit the Museum of Antiquities. I shall certainly end by coming across + my cousin and we may, perhaps, be lucky enough to meet the Pope should he + go down to the gardens.” + </p> + <p> + At the news that his audience was yet again postponed Pierre had felt + keenly disappointed. However, as the whole day was at his disposal, he + willingly accepted the <i>attache’s</i> offer. They lunched in front of + St. Peter’s, in a little restaurant of the Borgo, most of whose customers + were pilgrims, and the fare, as it happened, was far from good. Then at + about two o’clock they set off for the museum, skirting the basilica by + way of the Piazza della Sagrestia. It was a bright, deserted, burning + district; and again, but in a far greater degree, did the young priest + experience that sensation of bare, tawny, sun-baked majesty which had come + upon him while gazing into the Court of San Damaso. Then, as he passed the + apse of St. Peter’s, the enormity of the colossus was brought home to him + more strongly than ever: it rose like a giant bouquet of architecture + edged by empty expanses of pavement sprinkled with fine weeds. And in all + the silent immensity there were only two children playing in the shadow of + a wall. The old papal mint, the Zecca, now an Italian possession, and + guarded by soldiers of the royal army, is on the left of the passage + leading to the museums, while on the right, just in front, is one of the + entrances of honour to the Vatican where the papal Swiss Guard keeps watch + and ward; and this is the entrance by which, according to etiquette, the + pair-horse carriages convey the Pope’s visitors into the Court of San + Damaso. + </p> + <p> + Following the long lane which ascends between a wing of the palace and its + garden wall, Narcisse and Pierre at last reached the Museum of + Antiquities. Ah! what a museum it is, with galleries innumerable, a museum + compounded of three museums, the Pio-Clementino, Chiaramonti, and the + Braccio-Nuovo, and containing a whole world found beneath the soil, then + exhumed, and now glorified in full sunlight. For more than two hours + Pierre went from one hall to another, dazzled by the masterpieces, + bewildered by the accumulation of genius and beauty. It was not only the + celebrated examples of statuary, the Laocoon and the Apollo of the + cabinets of the Belvedere, the Meleager, or even the torso of Hercules—that + astonished him. He was yet more impressed by the <i>ensemble</i>, by the + innumerable quantities of Venuses, Bacchuses, and deified emperors and + empresses, by the whole superb growth of beautiful or August flesh + celebrating the immortality of life. Three days previously he had visited + the Museum of the Capitol, where he had admired the Venus, the Dying + Gaul,* the marvellous Centaurs of black marble, and the extraordinary + collection of busts, but here his admiration became intensified into + stupor by the inexhaustible wealth of the galleries. And, with more + curiosity for life than for art, perhaps, he again lingered before the + busts which so powerfully resuscitate the Rome of history—the Rome + which, whilst incapable of realising the ideal beauty of Greece, was + certainly well able to create life. The emperors, the philosophers, the + learned men, the poets are all there, and live such as they really were, + studied and portrayed in all scrupulousness with their deformities, their + blemishes, the slightest peculiarities of their features. And from this + extreme solicitude for truth springs a wonderful wealth of character and + an incomparable vision of the past. Nothing, indeed, could be loftier: the + very men live once more, and retrace the history of their city, that + history which has been so falsified that the teaching of it has caused + generations of school-boys to hold antiquity in horror. But on seeing the + men, how well one understands, how fully one can sympathise! And indeed + the smallest bits of marble, the maimed statues, the bas-reliefs in + fragments, even the isolated limbs—whether the divine arm of a nymph + or the sinewy, shaggy thigh of a satyr—evoke the splendour of a + civilisation full of light, grandeur, and strength. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Best known in England, through Byron’s lines, as the + Dying Gladiator, though that appellation is certainly + erroneous.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + At last Narcisse brought Pierre back into the Gallery of the Candelabra, + three hundred feet in length and full of fine examples of sculpture. + “Listen, my dear Abbe,” said he. “It is scarcely more than four o’clock, + and we will sit down here for a while, as I am told that the Holy Father + sometimes passes this way to go down to the gardens. It would be really + lucky if you could see him, perhaps even speak to him—who can tell? + At all events, it will rest you, for you must be tired out.” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse was known to all the attendants, and his relationship to + Monsignor Gamba gave him the run of almost the entire Vatican, where he + was fond of spending his leisure time. Finding two chairs, they sat down, + and the <i>attache</i> again began to talk of art. + </p> + <p> + How astonishing had been the destiny of Rome, what a singular, borrowed + royalty had been hers! She seemed like a centre whither the whole world + converged, but where nothing grew from the soil itself, which from the + outset appeared to be stricken with sterility. The arts required to be + acclimatised there; it was necessary to transplant the genius of + neighbouring nations, which, once there, however, flourished + magnificently. Under the emperors, when Rome was the queen of the earth, + the beauty of her monuments and sculpture came to her from Greece. Later, + when Christianity arose in Rome, it there remained impregnated with + paganism; it was on another soil that it produced Gothic art, the + Christian Art <i>par excellence</i>. Later still, at the Renascence, it + was certainly at Rome that the age of Julius II and Leo X shone forth; but + the artists of Tuscany and Umbria prepared the evolution, brought it to + Rome that it might thence expand and soar. For the second time, indeed, + art came to Rome from without, and gave her the royalty of the world by + blossoming so triumphantly within her walls. Then occurred the + extraordinary awakening of antiquity, Apollo and Venus resuscitated + worshipped by the popes themselves, who from the time of Nicholas V dreamt + of making papal Rome the equal of the imperial city. After the precursors, + so sincere, tender, and strong in their art—Fra Angelico, Perugino, + Botticelli, and so many others—came the two sovereigns, Michael + Angelo and Raffaelle, the superhuman and the divine. Then the fall was + sudden, years elapsed before the advent of Caravaggio with power of colour + and modelling, all that the science of painting could achieve when bereft + of genius. And afterwards the decline continued until Bernini was reached—Bernini, + the real creator of the Rome of the present popes, the prodigal child who + at twenty could already show a galaxy of colossal marble wenches, the + universal architect who with fearful activity finished the facade, built + the colonnade, decorated the interior of St. Peter’s, and raised + fountains, churches, and palaces innumerable. And that was the end of all, + for since then Rome has little by little withdrawn from life, from the + modern world, as though she, who always lived on what she derived from + others, were dying of her inability to take anything more from them in + order to convert it to her own glory. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Bernini, that delightful Bernini!” continued Narcisse with his + rapturous air. “He is both powerful and exquisite, his verve always ready, + his ingenuity invariably awake, his fecundity full of grace and + magnificence. As for their Bramante with his masterpiece, that cold, + correct Cancelleria, we’ll dub him the Michael Angelo and Raffaelle of + architecture and say no more about it. But Bernini, that exquisite + Bernini, why, there is more delicacy and refinement in his pretended bad + taste than in all the hugeness and perfection of the others! Our own age + ought to recognise itself in his art, at once so varied and so deep, so + triumphant in its mannerisms, so full of a perturbing solicitude for the + artificial and so free from the baseness of reality. Just go to the Villa + Borghese to see the group of Apollo and Daphne which Bernini executed when + he was eighteen,* and in particular see his statue of Santa Teresa in + ecstasy at Santa Maria della Vittoria! Ah! that Santa Teresa! It is like + heaven opening, with the quiver that only a purely divine enjoyment can + set in woman’s flesh, the rapture of faith carried to the point of spasm, + the creature losing breath and dying of pleasure in the arms of the + Divinity! I have spent hours and hours before that work without exhausting + the infinite scope of its precious, burning symbolisation.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * There is also at the Villa Borghese Bernini’s <i>Anchises carried + by Aeneas</i>, which he sculptured when only sixteen. No doubt his + faults were many; but it was his misfortune to belong to a + decadent period.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Narcisse’s voice died away, and Pierre, no longer astonished at his + covert, unconscious hatred of health, simplicity, and strength, scarcely + listened to him. The young priest himself was again becoming absorbed in + the idea he had formed of pagan Rome resuscitating in Christian Rome and + turning it into Catholic Rome, the new political, sacerdotal, domineering + centre of earthly government. Apart from the primitive age of the + Catacombs, had Rome ever been Christian? The thoughts that had come to him + on the Palatine, in the Appian Way, and in St. Peter’s were gathering + confirmation. Genius that morning had brought him fresh proof. No doubt + the paganism which reappeared in the art of Michael Angelo and Raffaelle + was tempered, transformed by the Christian spirit. But did it not still + remain the basis? Had not the former master peered across Olympus when + snatching his great nudities from the terrible heavens of Jehovah? Did not + the ideal figures of Raffaelle reveal the superb, fascinating flesh of + Venus beneath the chaste veil of the Virgin? It seemed so to Pierre, and + some embarrassment mingled with his despondency, for all those beautiful + forms glorifying the ardent passions of life, were in opposition to his + dream of rejuvenated Christianity giving peace to the world and reviving + the simplicity and purity of the early ages. + </p> + <p> + All at once he was surprised to hear Narcisse, by what transition he could + not tell, speaking to him of the daily life of Leo XIII. “Yes, my dear + Abbe, at eighty-four* the Holy Father shows the activity of a young man + and leads a life of determination and hard work such as neither you nor I + would care for! At six o’clock he is already up, says his mass in his + private chapel, and drinks a little milk for breakfast. Then, from eight + o’clock till noon, there is a ceaseless procession of cardinals and + prelates, all the affairs of the congregations passing under his eyes, and + none could be more numerous or intricate. At noon the public and + collective audiences usually begin. At two he dines. Then comes the siesta + which he has well earned, or else a promenade in the gardens until six + o’clock. The private audiences then sometimes keep him for an hour or two. + He sups at nine and scarcely eats, lives on nothing, in fact, and is + always alone at his little table. What do you think, eh, of the etiquette + which compels him to such loneliness? There you have a man who for + eighteen years has never had a guest at his table, who day by day sits all + alone in his grandeur! And as soon as ten o’clock strikes, after saying + the Rosary with his familiars, he shuts himself up in his room. But, + although he may go to bed, he sleeps very little; he is frequently + troubled by insomnia, and gets up and sends for a secretary to dictate + memoranda or letters to him. When any interesting matter requires his + attention he gives himself up to it heart and soul, never letting it + escape his thoughts. And his life, his health, lies in all this. His mind + is always busy; his will and strength must always be exerting themselves. + You may know that he long cultivated Latin verse with affection; and I + believe that in his days of struggle he had a passion for journalism, + inspired the articles of the newspapers he subsidised, and even dictated + some of them when his most cherished ideas were in question.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The reader should remember that the period selected for this + narrative is the year 1894. Leo XIII was born in 1810.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Silence fell. At every moment Narcisse craned his neck to see if the + little papal <i>cortege</i> were not emerging from the Gallery of the + Tapestries to pass them on its way to the gardens. “You are perhaps + aware,” he resumed, “that his Holiness is brought down on a low chair + which is small enough to pass through every doorway. It’s quite a journey, + more than a mile, through the <i>loggie</i>, the <i>stanze</i> of + Raffaelle, the painting and sculpture galleries, not to mention the + numerous staircases, before he reaches the gardens, where a pair-horse + carriage awaits him. It’s quite fine this evening, so he will surely come. + We must have a little patience.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst Narcisse was giving these particulars Pierre again sank into a + reverie and saw the whole extraordinary history pass before him. First + came the worldly, ostentatious popes of the Renascence, those who + resuscitated antiquity with so much passion and dreamt of draping the Holy + See with the purple of empire once more. There was Paul II, the + magnificent Venetian who built the Palazzo di Venezia; Sixtus IV, to whom + one owes the Sixtine Chapel; and Julius II and Leo X, who made Rome a city + of theatrical pomp, prodigious festivities, tournaments, ballets, hunts, + masquerades, and banquets. At that time the papacy had just rediscovered + Olympus amidst the dust of buried ruins, and as though intoxicated by the + torrent of life which arose from the ancient soil, it founded the museums, + thus reviving the superb temples of the pagan age, and restoring them to + the cult of universal admiration. Never had the Church been in such peril + of death, for if the Christ was still honoured at St. Peter’s, Jupiter and + all the other gods and goddesses, with their beauteous, triumphant flesh, + were enthroned in the halls of the Vatican. Then, however, another vision + passed before Pierre, one of the modern popes prior to the Italian + occupation—notably Pius IX, who, whilst yet free, often went into + his good city of Rome. His huge red and gold coach was drawn by six + horses, surrounded by Swiss Guards and followed by Noble Guards; but now + and again he would alight in the Corso, and continue his promenade on + foot, and then the mounted men of the escort galloped forward to give + warning and stop the traffic. The carriages drew up, the gentlemen had to + alight and kneel on the pavement, whilst the ladies simply rose and + devoutly inclined their heads, as the Holy Father, attended by his Court, + slowly wended his way to the Piazza del Popolo, smiling and blessing at + every step. And now had come Leo XIII, the voluntary prisoner, shut up in + the Vatican for eighteen years, and he, behind the high, silent walls, in + the unknown sphere where each of his days flowed by so quietly, had + acquired a more exalted majesty, instinct with sacred and redoubtable + mysteriousness. + </p> + <p> + Ah! that Pope whom you no longer meet or see, that Pope hidden from the + common of mankind like some terrible divinity whom the priests alone dare + to approach! It is in that sumptuous Vatican which his forerunners of the + Renascence built and adorned for giant festivities that he has secluded + himself; it is there he lives, far from the crowd, in prison with the + handsome men and the lovely women of Michael Angelo and Raffaelle, with + the gods and goddesses of marble, with the whole of resplendent Olympus + celebrating around him the religion of life and light. With him the entire + Papacy is there steeped in paganism. What a spectacle when the slender, + weak old man, all soul, so purely white, passes along the galleries of the + Museum of Antiquities on his way to the gardens. Right and left the + statues behold him pass with all their bare flesh. There is Jupiter, there + is Apollo, there is Venus the <i>dominatrix</i>, there is Pan, the + universal god in whose laugh the joys of earth ring out. Nereids bathe in + transparent water. Bacchantes roll, unveiled, in the warm grass. Centaurs + gallop by carrying lovely girls, faint with rapture, on their steaming + haunches. Ariadne is surprised by Bacchus, Ganymede fondles the eagle, + Adonis fires youth and maiden with his flame. And on and on passes the + weak, white old man, swaying on his low chair, amidst that splendid + triumph, that display and glorification of the flesh, which shouts aloud + the omnipotence of Nature, of everlasting matter! Since they have found it + again, exhumed it, and honoured it, that it is which once more reigns + there imperishable; and in vain have they set vine leaves on the statues, + even as they have swathed the huge figures of Michael Angelo; sex still + flares on all sides, life overflows, its germs course in torrents through + the veins of the world. Near by, in that Vatican library of incomparable + wealth, where all human science lies slumbering, there lurks a yet more + terrible danger—the danger of an explosion which would sweep away + everything, Vatican and St. Peter’s also, if one day the books in their + turn were to awake and speak aloud as speak the beauty of Venus and the + manliness of Apollo. But the white, diaphanous old man seems neither to + see nor to hear, and the huge heads of Jupiter, the trunks of Hercules, + the equivocal statues of Antinous continue to watch him as he passes on! + </p> + <p> + However, Narcisse had become impatient, and, going in search of an + attendant, he learnt from him that his Holiness had already gone down. To + shorten the distance, indeed, the <i>cortege</i> often passes along a kind + of open gallery leading towards the Mint. “Well, let us go down as well,” + said Narcisse to Pierre; “I will try to show you the gardens.” + </p> + <p> + Down below, in the vestibule, a door of which opened on to a broad path, + he spoke to another attendant, a former pontifical soldier whom he + personally knew. The man at once let him pass with Pierre, but was unable + to tell him whether Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo had accompanied his Holiness + that day. + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” resumed Narcisse when he and his companion were alone in the + path; “I don’t despair of meeting him—and these, you see, are the + famous gardens of the Vatican.” + </p> + <p> + They are very extensive grounds, and the Pope can go quite two and a half + miles by passing along the paths of the wood, the vineyard, and the + kitchen garden. Occupying the plateau of the Vatican hill, which the + medieval wall of Leo IV still girdles, the gardens are separated from the + neighbouring valleys as by a fortified rampart. The wall formerly + stretched to the castle of Sant’ Angelo, thereby forming what was known as + the Leonine City. No inquisitive eyes can peer into the grounds excepting + from the dome of St. Peter’s, which casts its huge shadow over them during + the hot summer weather. They are, too, quite a little world, which each + pope has taken pleasure in embellishing. There is a large parterre with + lawns of geometrical patterns, planted with handsome palms and adorned + with lemon and orange trees in pots; there is a less formal, a shadier + garden, where, amidst deep plantations of yoke-elms, you find Giovanni + Vesanzio’s fountain, the Aquilone, and Pius IV’s old Casino; then, too, + there are the woods with their superb evergreen oaks, their thickets of + plane-trees, acacias, and pines, intersected by broad avenues, which are + delightfully pleasant for leisurely strolls; and finally, on turning to + the left, beyond other clumps of trees, come the kitchen garden and the + vineyard, the last well tended. + </p> + <p> + Whilst walking through the wood Narcisse told Pierre of the life led by + the Holy Father in these gardens. He strolls in them every second day when + the weather allows. Formerly the popes left the Vatican for the Quirinal, + which is cooler and healthier, as soon as May arrived; and spent the dog + days at Castle Gandolfo on the margins of the Lake of Albano. But nowadays + the only summer residence possessed by his Holiness is a virtually intact + tower of the old rampart of Leo IV. He here spends the hottest days, and + has even erected a sort of pavilion beside it for the accommodation of his + suite. Narcisse, like one at home, went in and secured permission for + Pierre to glance at the one room occupied by the Pope, a spacious round + chamber with semispherical ceiling, on which are painted the heavens with + symbolical figures of the constellations; one of the latter, the lion, + having two stars for eyes—stars which a system of lighting causes to + sparkle during the night. The walls of the tower are so thick that after + blocking up a window, a kind of room, for the accommodation of a couch, + has been contrived in the embrasure. Beside this couch the only furniture + is a large work-table, a dining-table with flaps, and a large regal + arm-chair, a mass of gilding, one of the gifts of the Pope’s episcopal + jubilee. And you dream of the days of solitude and perfect silence, spent + in that low donjon hall, where the coolness of a tomb prevails whilst the + heavy suns of August are scorching overpowered Rome. + </p> + <p> + An astronomical observatory has been installed in another tower, + surmounted by a little white cupola, which you espy amidst the greenery; + and under the trees there is also a Swiss chalet, where Leo XIII is fond + of resting. He sometimes goes on foot to the kitchen garden, and takes + much interest in the vineyard, visiting it to see if the grapes are + ripening and if the vintage will be a good one. What most astonished + Pierre, however, was to learn that the Holy Father had been very fond of + “sport” before age had weakened him. He was indeed passionately addicted + to bird snaring. Broad-meshed nets were hung on either side of a path on + the fringe of a plantation, and in the middle of the path were placed + cages containing the decoys, whose songs soon attracted all the birds of + the neighbourhood—red-breasts, white-throats, black-caps, + nightingales, fig-peckers of all sorts. And when a numerous company of + them was gathered together Leo XIII, seated out of sight and watching, + would suddenly clap his hands and startle the birds, which flew up and + were caught by the wings in the meshes of the nets. All that then remained + to be done was to take them out of the nets and stifle them by a touch of + the thumb. Roast fig-peckers are delicious.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Perhaps so; but what a delightful pastime for the Vicar of the + Divinity!—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + As Pierre came back through the wood he had another surprise. He suddenly + lighted on a “Grotto of Lourdes,” a miniature imitation of the original, + built of rocks and blocks of cement. And such was his emotion at the sight + that he could not conceal it. “It’s true, then!” said he. “I was told of + it, but I thought that the Holy Father was of loftier mind—free from + all such base superstitions!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” replied Narcisse, “I fancy that the grotto dates from Pius IX, who + evinced especial gratitude to our Lady of Lourdes. At all events, it must + be a gift, and Leo XIII simply keeps it in repair.” + </p> + <p> + For a few moments Pierre remained motionless and silent before that + imitation grotto, that childish plaything. Some zealously devout visitors + had left their visiting cards in the cracks of the cement-work! For his + part, he felt very sad, and followed his companion with bowed head, + lamenting the wretched idiocy of the world. Then, on emerging from the + wood, on again reaching the parterre, he raised his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Ah! how exquisite in spite of everything was that decline of a lovely day, + and what a victorious charm ascended from the soil in that part of the + gardens. There, in front of that bare, noble, burning parterre, far more + than under the languishing foliage of the wood or among the fruitful + vines, Pierre realised the strength of Nature. Above the grass growing + meagrely over the compartments of geometrical pattern which the pathways + traced there were barely a few low shrubs, dwarf roses, aloes, rare tufts + of withering flowers. Some green bushes still described the escutcheon of + Pius IX in accordance with the strange taste of former times. And amidst + the warm silence one only heard the faint crystalline murmur of the water + trickling from the basin of the central fountain. But all Rome, its ardent + heavens, sovereign grace, and conquering voluptuousness, seemed with their + own soul to animate this vast rectangular patch of decorative gardening, + this mosaic of verdure, which in its semi-abandonment and scorched decay + assumed an aspect of melancholy pride, instinct with the ever returning + quiver of a passion of fire that could not die. Some antique vases and + statues, whitely nude under the setting sun, skirted the parterres. And + above the aroma of eucalyptus and of pine, stronger even than that of the + ripening oranges, there rose the odour of the large, bitter box-shrubs, so + laden with pungent life that it disturbed one as one passed as if indeed + it were the very scent of the fecundity of that ancient soil saturated + with the dust of generations. + </p> + <p> + “It’s very strange that we have not met his Holiness,” exclaimed Narcisse. + “Perhaps his carriage took the other path through the wood while we were + in the tower.” + </p> + <p> + Then, reverting to Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo, the <i>attache</i> explained + that the functions of <i>Copiere</i>, or papal cup-bearer, which his + cousin should have discharged as one of the four <i>Camerieri segreti + partecipanti</i> had become purely honorary since the dinners offered to + diplomatists or in honour of newly consecrated bishops had been given by + the Cardinal Secretary of State. Monsignor Gamba, whose cowardice and + nullity were legendary, seemed therefore to have no other <i>role</i> than + that of enlivening Leo XIII, whose favour he had won by his incessant + flattery and the anecdotes which he was ever relating about both the black + and the white worlds. Indeed this fat, amiable man, who could even be + obliging when his interests were not in question, was a perfect newspaper, + brimful of tittle-tattle, disdaining no item of gossip whatever, even if + it came from the kitchens. And thus he was quietly marching towards the + cardinalate, certain of obtaining the hat without other exertion than that + of bringing a budget of gossip to beguile the pleasant hours of the + promenade. And Heaven knew that he was always able to garner an abundant + harvest of news in that closed Vatican swarming with prelates of every + kind, in that womanless pontifical family of old begowned bachelors, all + secretly exercised by vast ambitions, covert and revolting rivalries, and + ferocious hatreds, which, it is said, are still sometimes carried as far + as the good old poison of ancient days. + </p> + <p> + All at once Narcisse stopped. “Ah!” he exclaimed, “I was certain of it. + There’s the Holy Father! But we are not in luck. He won’t even see us; he + is about to get into his carriage again.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke a carriage drew up at the verge of the wood, and a little <i>cortege</i> + emerging from a narrow path, went towards it. + </p> + <p> + Pierre felt as if he had received a great blow in the heart. Motionless + beside his companion, and half hidden by a lofty vase containing a + lemon-tree, it was only from a distance that he was able to see the white + old man, looking so frail and slender in the wavy folds of his white + cassock, and walking so very slowly with short, gliding steps. The young + priest could scarcely distinguish the emaciated face of old diaphanous + ivory, emphasised by a large nose which jutted out above thin lips. + However, the Pontiff’s black eyes were glittering with an inquisitive + smile, while his right ear was inclined towards Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo, + who was doubtless finishing some story at once rich and short, flowery and + dignified. And on the left walked a Noble Guard; and two other prelates + followed. + </p> + <p> + It was but a familiar apparition; Leo XIII was already climbing into the + closed carriage. And Pierre, in the midst of that large, odoriferous, + burning garden, again experienced the singular emotion which had come upon + him in the Gallery of the Candelabra while he was picturing the Pope on + his way between the Apollos and Venuses radiant in their triumphant + nudity. There, however, it was only pagan art which had celebrated the + eternity of life, the superb, almighty powers of Nature. But here he had + beheld the Pontiff steeped in Nature itself, in Nature clad in the most + lovely, most voluptuous, most passionate guise. Ah! that Pope, that old + man strolling with his Divinity of grief, humility, and renunciation along + the paths of those gardens of love, in the languid evenings of the hot + summer days, beneath the caressing scents of pine and eucalyptus, ripe + oranges, and tall, acrid box-shrubs! The whole atmosphere around him + proclaimed the powers of the great god Pan. How pleasant was the thought + of living there, amidst that magnificence of heaven and of earth, of + loving the beauty of woman and of rejoicing in the fruitfulness of all! + And suddenly the decisive truth burst forth that from a land of such joy + and light it was only possible for a temporal religion of conquest and + political domination to rise; not the mystical, pain-fraught religion of + the North—the religion of the soul! + </p> + <p> + However, Narcisse led the young priest away, telling him other anecdotes + as they went—anecdotes of the occasional <i>bonhomie</i> of Leo + XIII, who would stop to chat with the gardeners, and question them about + the health of the trees and the sale of the oranges. And he also mentioned + the Pope’s former passion for a pair of gazelles, sent him from Africa, + two graceful creatures which he had been fond of caressing, and at whose + death he had shed tears. But Pierre no longer listened. When they found + themselves on the Piazza of St. Peter’s, he turned round and gazed at the + Vatican once more. + </p> + <p> + His eyes had fallen on the gate of bronze, and he remembered having + wondered that morning what there might be behind these metal panels + ornamented with big nails. And he did not yet dare to answer the question, + and decide if the new nations thirsting for fraternity and justice would + really find there the religion necessary for the democracies of to-morrow; + for he had not been able to probe things, and only carried a first + impression away with him. But how keen it was, and how ill it boded for + his dreams! A gate of bronze! Yes, a hard, impregnable gate, so completely + shutting the Vatican off from the rest of the world that nothing new had + entered the palace for three hundred years. Behind that portal the old + centuries, as far as the sixteenth, remained immutable. Time seemed to + have stayed its course there for ever; nothing more stirred; the very + costumes of the Swiss Guards, the Noble Guards, and the prelates + themselves were unchanged; and you found yourself in the world of three + hundred years ago, with its etiquette, its costumes, and its ideas. That + the popes in a spirit of haughty protest should for five and twenty years + have voluntarily shut themselves up in their palace was already + regrettable; but this imprisonment of centuries within the past, within + the grooves of tradition, was far more serious and dangerous. It was all + Catholicism which was thus imprisoned, whose dogmas and sacerdotal + organisation were obstinately immobilised. Perhaps, in spite of its + apparent flexibility, Catholicism was really unable to yield in anything, + under peril of being swept away, and therein lay both its weakness and its + strength. And then what a terrible world was there, how great the pride + and ambition, how numerous the hatreds and rivalries! And how strange the + prison, how singular the company assembled behind the bars—the + Crucified by the side of Jupiter Capitolinus, all pagan antiquity + fraternising with the Apostles, all the splendours of the Renascence + surrounding the pastor of the Gospel who reigns in the name of the humble + and the poor! + </p> + <p> + The sun was sinking, the gentle, luscious sweetness of the Roman evenings + was falling from the limpid heavens, and after that splendid day spent + with Michael Angelo, Raffaelle, the ancients, and the Pope, in the finest + palace of the world, the young priest lingered, distracted, on the Piazza + of St. Peter’s. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you must excuse me, my dear Abbe,” concluded Narcisse. “But I will + now confess to you that I suspect my worthy cousin of a fear that he might + compromise himself by meddling in your affair. I shall certainly see him + again, but you will do well not to put too much reliance on him.” + </p> + <p> + It was nearly six o’clock when Pierre got back to the Boccanera mansion. + As a rule, he passed in all modesty down the lane, and entered by the + little side door, a key of which had been given him. But he had that + morning received a letter from M. de la Choue, and desired to communicate + it to Benedetta. So he ascended the grand staircase, and on reaching the + anteroom was surprised to find nobody there. As a rule, whenever the + man-servant went out Victorine installed herself in his place and busied + herself with some needlework. Her chair was there, and Pierre even noticed + some linen which she had left on a little table when probably summoned + elsewhere. Then, as the door of the first reception-room was ajar, he at + last ventured in. It was almost night there already, the twilight was + softly dying away, and all at once the young priest stopped short, fearing + to take another step, for, from the room beyond, the large yellow <i>salon</i>, + there came a murmur of feverish, distracted words, ardent entreaties, + fierce panting, a rustling and a shuffling of footsteps. And suddenly + Pierre no longer hesitated, urged on despite himself by the conviction + that the sounds he heard were those of a struggle, and that some one was + hard pressed. + </p> + <p> + And when he darted into the further room he was stupefied, for Dario was + there, no longer showing the degenerate elegance of the last scion of an + exhausted race, but maddened by the hot, frantic blood of the Boccaneras + which had bubbled up within him. He had clasped Benedetta by the shoulders + in a frenzy of passion and was scorching her face with his hot, entreating + words: “But since you say, my darling, that it is all over, that your + marriage will never be dissolved—oh! why should we be wretched for + ever! Love me as you do love me, and let me love you—let me love + you!” + </p> + <p> + But the Contessina, with an indescribable expression of tenderness and + suffering on her tearful face, repulsed him with her outstretched arms, + she likewise evincing a fierce energy as she repeated: “No, no; I love + you, but it must not, it must not be.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment, amidst the roar of his despair, Dario became conscious + that some one was entering the room. He turned and gazed at Pierre with an + expression of stupefied insanity, scarce able even to recognise him. Then + he carried his two hands to his face, to his bloodshot eyes and his cheeks + wet with scalding tears, and fled, heaving a terrible, pain-fraught sigh + in which baffled passion mingled with grief and repentance. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta seated herself, breathing hard, her strength and courage + wellnigh exhausted. But as Pierre, too much embarrassed to speak, turned + towards the door, she addressed him in a calmer voice: “No, no, Monsieur + l’Abbe, do not go away—sit down, I pray you; I should like to speak + to you for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + He thereupon thought it his duty to account for his sudden entrance, and + explained that he had found the door of the first <i>salon</i> ajar, and + that Victorine was not in the ante-room, though he had seen her work lying + on the table there. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” exclaimed the Contessina, “Victorine ought to have been there; I + saw her there but a short time ago. And when my poor Dario lost his head I + called her. Why did she not come?” Then, with sudden expansion, leaning + towards Pierre, she continued: “Listen, Monsieur l’Abbe, I will tell you + what happened, for I don’t want you to form too bad an opinion of my poor + Dario. It was all in some measure my fault. Last night he asked me for an + appointment here in order that we might have a quiet chat, and as I knew + that my aunt would be absent at this time to-day I told him to come. It + was only natural—wasn’t it?—that we should want to see one + another and come to an agreement after the grievous news that my marriage + will probably never be annulled. We suffer too much, and must form a + decision. And so when he came this evening we began to weep and embrace, + mingling our tears together. I kissed him again and again, telling him how + I adored him, how bitterly grieved I was at being the cause of his + sufferings, and how surely I should die of grief at seeing him so unhappy. + Ah! no doubt I did wrong; I ought not to have caught him to my heart and + embraced him as I did, for it maddened him, Monsieur l’Abbe; he lost his + head, and would have made me break my vow to the Blessed Virgin.” + </p> + <p> + She spoke these words in all tranquillity and simplicity, without sign of + embarrassment, like a young and beautiful woman who is at once sensible + and practical. Then she resumed: “Oh! I know my poor Dario well, but it + does not prevent me from loving him; perhaps, indeed, it only makes me + love him the more. He looks delicate, perhaps rather sickly, but in truth + he is a man of passion. Yes, the old blood of my people bubbles up in him. + I know something of it myself, for when I was a child I sometimes had fits + of angry passion which left me exhausted on the floor, and even now, when + the gusts arise within me, I have to fight against myself and torture + myself in order that I may not act madly. But my poor Dario does not know + how to suffer. He is like a child whose fancies must be gratified. And yet + at bottom he has a good deal of common sense; he waits for me because he + knows that the only real happiness lies with the woman who adores him.” + </p> + <p> + As Pierre listened he was able to form a more precise idea of the young + prince, of whose character he had hitherto had but a vague perception. + Whilst dying of love for his cousin, Dario had ever been a man of + pleasure. Though he was no doubt very amiable, the basis of his + temperament was none the less egotism. And, in particular, he was unable + to endure suffering; he loathed suffering, ugliness, and poverty, whether + they affected himself or others. Both his flesh and his soul required + gaiety, brilliancy, show, life in the full sunlight. And withal he was + exhausted, with no strength left him but for the idle life he led, so + incapable of thought and will that the idea of joining the new <i>regime</i> + had not even occurred to him. Yet he had all the unbounded pride of a + Roman; sagacity—a keen, practical perception of the real—was + mingled with his indolence; while his inveterate love of woman, more + frequently displayed in charm of manner, burst forth at times in attacks + of frantic sensuality. + </p> + <p> + “After all he is a man,” concluded Benedetta in a low voice, “and I must + not ask impossibilities of him.” Then, as Pierre gazed at her, his notions + of Italian jealousy quite upset, she exclaimed, aglow with passionate + adoration: “No, no. Situated as we are, I am not jealous. I know very well + that he will always return to me, and that he will be mine alone whenever + I please, whenever it may be possible.” + </p> + <p> + Silence followed; shadows were filling the room, the gilding of the large + pier tables faded away, and infinite melancholy fell from the lofty, dim + ceiling and the old hangings, yellow like autumn leaves. But soon, by some + chance play of the waning light, a painting stood out above the sofa on + which the Contessina was seated. It was the portrait of the beautiful + young girl with the turban—Cassia Boccanera the forerunner, the <i>amorosa</i> + and avengeress. Again was Pierre struck by the portrait’s resemblance to + Benedetta, and, thinking aloud, he resumed: “Passion always proves the + stronger; there invariably comes a moment when one succumbs—” + </p> + <p> + But Benedetta violently interrupted him: “I! I! Ah! you do not know me; I + would rather die!” And with extraordinary exaltation, all aglow with love, + as if her superstitious faith had fired her passion to ecstasy, she + continued: “I have vowed to the Madonna that I will belong to none but the + man I love, and to him only when he is my husband. And hitherto I have + kept that vow, at the cost of my happiness, and I will keep it still, even + if it cost me my life! Yes, we will die, my poor Dario and I, if it be + necessary; but the holy Virgin has my vow, and the angels shall not weep + in heaven!” + </p> + <p> + She was all in those words, her nature all simplicity, intricate, + inexplicable though it might seem. She was doubtless swayed by that idea + of human nobility which Christianity has set in renunciation and purity; a + protest, as it were, against eternal matter, against the forces of Nature, + the everlasting fruitfulness of life. But there was more than this; she + reserved herself, like a divine and priceless gift, to be bestowed on the + one being whom her heart had chosen, he who would be her lord and master + when God should have united them in marriage. For her everything lay in + the blessing of the priest, in the religious solemnisation of matrimony. + And thus one understood her long resistance to Prada, whom she did not + love, and her despairing, grievous resistance to Dario, whom she did love, + but who was not her husband. And how torturing it was for that soul of + fire to have to resist her love; how continual was the combat waged by + duty in the Virgin’s name against the wild, passionate blood of her race! + Ignorant, indolent though she might be, she was capable of great fidelity + of heart, and, moreover, she was not given to dreaming: love might have + its immaterial charms, but she desired it complete. + </p> + <p> + As Pierre looked at her in the dying twilight he seemed to see and + understand her for the first time. The duality of her nature appeared in + her somewhat full, fleshy lips, in her big black eyes, which suggested a + dark, tempestuous night illumined by flashes of lightning, and in the + calm, sensible expression of the rest of her gentle, infantile face. And, + withal, behind those eyes of flame, beneath that pure, candid skin, one + divined the internal tension of a superstitious, proud, and self-willed + woman, who was obstinately intent on reserving herself for her one love. + And Pierre could well understand that she should be adored, that she + should fill the life of the man she chose with passion, and that to his + own eyes she should appear like the younger sister of that lovely, tragic + Cassia who, unwilling to survive the blow that had rendered self-bestowal + impossible, had flung herself into the Tiber, dragging her brother Ercole + and the corpse of her lover Flavio with her. + </p> + <p> + However, with a gesture of kindly affection Benedetta caught hold of + Pierre’s hands. “You have been here a fortnight, Monsieur l’Abbe,” said + she, “and I have come to like you very much, for I feel you to be a + friend. If at first you do not understand us, at least pray do not judge + us too severely. Ignorant as I may be, I always strive to act for the + best, I assure you.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was greatly touched by her affectionate graciousness, and thanked + her whilst for a moment retaining her beautiful hands in his own, for he + also was becoming much attached to her. A fresh dream was carrying him + off, that of educating her, should he have the time, or, at all events, of + not returning home before winning her soul over to his own ideas of future + charity and fraternity. Did not that adorable, unoccupied, indolent, + ignorant creature, who only knew how to defend her love, personify the + Italy of yesterday? The Italy of yesterday, so lovely and so sleepy, + instinct with a dying grace, charming one even in her drowsiness, and + retaining so much mystery in the fathomless depths of her black, + passionate eyes! And what a <i>role</i> would be that of awakening her, + instructing her, winning her over to truth, making her the rejuvenated + Italy of to-morrow such as he had dreamt of! Even in that disastrous + marriage with Count Prada he tried to see merely a first attempt at + revival which had failed, the modern Italy of the North being over-hasty, + too brutal in its eagerness to love and transform that gentle, belated + Rome which was yet so superb and indolent. But might he not take up the + task? Had he not noticed that his book, after the astonishment of the + first perusal, had remained a source of interest and reflection with + Benedetta amidst the emptiness of her days given over to grief? What! was + it really possible that she might find some appeasement for her own + wretchedness by interesting herself in the humble, in the happiness of the + poor? Emotion already thrilled her at the idea, and he, quivering at the + thought of all the boundless love that was within her and that she might + bestow, vowed to himself that he would draw tears of pity from her eyes. + </p> + <p> + But the night had now almost completely fallen, and Benedetta rose to ask + for a lamp. Then, as Pierre was about to take leave, she detained him for + another moment in the gloom. He could no longer see her; he only heard her + grave voice: “You will not go away with too bad an opinion of us, will + you, Monsieur l’Abbe? We love one another, Dario and I, and that is no sin + when one behaves as one ought. Ah! yes, I love him, and have loved him for + years. I was barely thirteen, he was eighteen, and we already loved one + another wildly in those big gardens of the Villa Montefiori which are now + all broken up. Ah! what days we spent there, whole afternoons among the + trees, hours in secret hiding-places, where we kissed like little angels. + When the oranges ripened their perfume intoxicated us. And the large + box-plants, ah, <i>Dio!</i> how they enveloped us, how their strong, acrid + scent made our hearts beat! I can never smell then nowadays without + feeling faint!” + </p> + <p> + A man-servant brought in the lamp, and Pierre ascended to his room. But + when half-way up the little staircase he perceived Victorine, who started + slightly, as if she had posted herself there to watch his departure from + the <i>salon</i>. And now, as she followed him up, talking and seeking for + information, he suddenly realised what had happened. “Why did you not go + to your mistress instead of running off,” he asked, “when she called you, + while you were sewing in the ante-room?” + </p> + <p> + At first she tried to feign astonishment and reply that she had heard + nothing. But her good-natured, frank face did not know how to lie, and she + ended by confessing, with a gay, courageous air. “Well,” she said, “it + surely wasn’t for me to interfere between lovers! Besides, my poor little + Benedetta is simply torturing herself to death with those ideas of hers. + Why shouldn’t they be happy, since they love one another? Life isn’t so + amusing as some may think. And how bitterly one regrets not having seized + hold of happiness when the time for it has gone!” + </p> + <p> + Once alone in his room, Pierre suddenly staggered, quite overcome. The + great box-plants, the great box-plants with their acrid, perturbing + perfume! She, Benedetta, like himself, had quivered as she smelt them; and + he saw them once more in a vision of the pontifical gardens, the + voluptuous gardens of Rome, deserted, glowing under the August sun. And + now his whole day crystallised, assumed clear and full significance. It + spoke to him of the fruitful awakening, of the eternal protest of Nature + and life, Venus and Hercules, whom one may bury for centuries beneath the + soil, but who, nevertheless, one day arise from it, and though one may + seek to wall them up within the domineering, stubborn, immutable Vatican, + reign yet even there, and rule the whole, wide world with sovereign power! + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_PART3" id="link2H_PART3"></a> + PART III. + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"></a> + VII. + </h2> + <p> + On the following day as Pierre, after a long ramble, once more found + himself in front of the Vatican, whither a harassing attraction ever led + him, he again encountered Monsignor Nani. It was a Wednesday evening, and + the Assessor of the Holy Office had just come from his weekly audience + with the Pope, whom he had acquainted with the proceedings of the + Congregation at its meeting that morning. “What a fortunate chance, my + dear sir,” said he; “I was thinking of you. Would you like to see his + Holiness in public while you are waiting for a private audience?” + </p> + <p> + Nani had put on his pleasant expression of smiling civility, beneath which + one would barely detect the faint irony of a superior man who knew + everything, prepared everything, and could do everything. + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes, Monsignor,” Pierre replied, somewhat astonished by the + abruptness of the offer. “Anything of a nature to divert one’s mind is + welcome when one loses one’s time in waiting.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, you are not losing your time,” replied the prelate. “You are + looking round you, reflecting, and enlightening yourself. Well, this is + the point. You are doubtless aware that the great international pilgrimage + of the Peter’s Pence Fund will arrive in Rome on Friday, and be received + on Saturday by his Holiness. On Sunday, moreover, the Holy Father will + celebrate mass at the Basilica. Well, I have a few cards left, and here + are some very good places for both ceremonies.” So saying he produced an + elegant little pocketbook bearing a gilt monogram and handed Pierre two + cards, one green and the other pink. “If you only knew how people fight + for them,” he resumed. “You remember that I told you of two French ladies + who are consumed by a desire to see his Holiness. Well, I did not like to + support their request for an audience in too pressing a way, and they have + had to content themselves with cards like these. The fact is, the Holy + Father is somewhat fatigued at the present time. I found him looking + yellow and feverish just now. But he has so much courage; he nowadays only + lives by force of soul.” Then Nani’s smile came back with its almost + imperceptible touch of derision as he resumed: “Impatient ones ought to + find a great example in him, my dear son. I heard that Monsignor Gamba del + Zoppo had been unable to help you. But you must not be too much distressed + on that account. This long delay is assuredly a grace of Providence in + order that you may instruct yourself and come to understand certain things + which you French priests do not, unfortunately, realise when you arrive in + Rome. And perhaps it will prevent you from making certain mistakes. Come, + calm yourself, and remember that the course of events is in the hands of + God, who, in His sovereign wisdom, fixes the hour for all things.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Nani offered Pierre his plump, supple, shapely hand, a hand soft + like a woman’s but with the grasp of a vice. And afterwards he climbed + into his carriage, which was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + It so happened that the letter which Pierre had received from Viscount + Philibert de la Choue was a long cry of spite and despair in connection + with the great international pilgrimage of the Peter’s Pence Fund. The + Viscount wrote from his bed, to which he was confined by a very severe + attack of gout, and his grief at being unable to come to Rome was the + greater as the President of the Committee, who would naturally present the + pilgrims to the Pope, happened to be Baron de Fouras, one of his most + bitter adversaries of the old conservative, Catholic party. M. de la Choue + felt certain that the Baron would profit by his opportunity to win the + Pope over to the theory of free corporations; whereas he, the Viscount, + believed that the salvation of Catholicism and the world could only be + worked by a system in which the corporations should be closed and + obligatory. And so he urged Pierre to exert himself with such cardinals as + were favourable, to secure an audience with the Holy Father whatever the + obstacles, and to remain in Rome until he should have secured the + Pontiff’s approbation, which alone could decide the victory. The letter + further mentioned that the pilgrimage would be made up of a number of + groups headed by bishops and other ecclesiastical dignitaries, and would + comprise three thousand people from France, Belgium, Spain, Austria, and + even Germany. Two thousand of these would come from France alone. An + international committee had assembled in Paris to organise everything and + select the pilgrims, which last had proved a delicate task, as a + representative gathering had been desired, a commingling of members of the + aristocracy, sisterhood of middle-class ladies, and associations of the + working classes, among whom all social differences would be forgotten in + the union of a common faith. And the Viscount added that the pilgrimage + would bring the Pope a large sum of money, and had settled the date of its + arrival in the Eternal City in such wise that it would figure as a solemn + protest of the Catholic world against the festivities of September 20, by + which the Quirinal had just celebrated the anniversary of the occupation + of Rome. + </p> + <p> + The reception of the pilgrimage being fixed for noon, Pierre in all + simplicity thought that he would be sufficiently early if he reached St. + Peter’s at eleven. The function was to take place in the Hall of + Beatifications, which is a large and handsome apartment over the portico, + and has been arranged as a chapel since 1890. One of its windows opens on + to the central balcony, whence the popes formerly blessed the people, the + city, and the world. To reach the apartment you pass through two other + halls of audience, the Sala Regia and Sala Ducale, and when Pierre wished + to gain the place to which his green card entitled him he found both those + rooms so extremely crowded that he could only elbow his way forward with + the greatest difficulty. For an hour already the three or four thousand + people assembled there had been stifling, full of growing emotion and + feverishness. At last the young priest managed to reach the threshold of + the third hall, but was so discouraged at sight of the extraordinary + multitude of heads before him that he did not attempt to go any further. + </p> + <p> + The apartment, which he could survey at a glance by rising on tip-toe, + appeared to him to be very rich of aspect, with walls gilded and painted + under a severe and lofty ceiling. On a low platform, where the altar + usually stood, facing the entry, the pontifical throne had now been set: a + large arm-chair upholstered in red velvet with glittering golden back and + arms; whilst the hangings of the <i>baldacchino</i>, also of red velvet, + fell behind and spread out on either side like a pair of huge purple + wings. However, what more particularly interested Pierre was the wildly + passionate concourse of people whose hearts he could almost hear beating + and whose eyes sought to beguile their feverish impatience by + contemplating and adoring the empty throne. As if it had been some golden + monstrance which the Divinity in person would soon deign to occupy, that + throne dazzled them, disturbed them, filled them all with devout rapture. + Among the throng were workmen rigged out in their Sunday best, with clear + childish eyes and rough ecstatic faces; ladies of the upper classes + wearing black, as the regulations required, and looking intensely pale + from the sacred awe which mingled with their excessive desire; and + gentlemen in evening dress, who appeared quite glorious, inflated with the + conviction that they were saving both the Church and the nations. One + cluster of dress-coats assembled near the throne, was particularly + noticeable; it comprised the members of the International Committee, + headed by Baron de Fouras, a very tall, stout, fair man of fifty, who + bestirred and exerted himself and issued orders like some commander on the + morning of a decisive victory. Then, amidst the general mass of grey, + neutral hue, there gleamed the violet silk of some bishop’s cassock, for + each pastor had desired to remain with his flock; whilst members of + various religious orders, superiors in brown, black, and white habits, + rose up above all others with lofty bearded or shaven heads. Right and + left drooped banners which associations and congregations had brought to + present to the Pope. And the sea of pilgrims ever waved and surged with a + growing clamour: so much impatient love being exhaled by those perspiring + faces, burning eyes, and hungry mouths that the atmosphere, reeking with + the odour of the throng, seemed thickened and darkened. + </p> + <p> + All at once, however, Pierre perceived Monsignor Nani standing near the + throne and beckoning him to approach; and although the young priest + replied by a modest gesture, implying that he preferred to remain where he + was, the prelate insisted and even sent an usher to make way for him. + Directly the usher had led him forward, Nani inquired: “Why did you not + come to take your place? Your card entitled you to be here, on the left of + the throne.” + </p> + <p> + “The truth is,” answered the priest, “I did not like to disturb so many + people. Besides, this is an undue honour for me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; I gave you that place in order that you should occupy it. I want + you to be in the first rank, so that you may see everything of the + ceremony.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre could not do otherwise than thank him. Then, on looking round, he + saw that several cardinals and many other prelates were likewise waiting + on either side of the throne. But it was in vain that he sought Cardinal + Boccanera, who only came to St. Peter’s and the Vatican on the days when + his functions required his presence there. However, he recognised Cardinal + Sanguinetti, who, broad and sturdy and red of face, was talking in a loud + voice to Baron de Fouras. And Nani, with his obliging air, stepped up + again to point out two other Eminences who were high and mighty personages—the + Cardinal Vicar, a short, fat man, with a feverish countenance scorched by + ambition, and the Cardinal Secretary, who was robust and bony, fashioned + as with a hatchet, suggesting a romantic type of Sicilian bandit, who, to + other courses, had preferred the discreet, smiling diplomacy of the + Church. A few steps further on, and quite alone, the Grand Penitentiary, + silent and seemingly suffering, showed his grey, lean, ascetic profile. + </p> + <p> + Noon had struck. There was a false alert, a burst of emotion, which swept + in like a wave from the other halls. But it was merely the ushers opening + a passage for the <i>cortege</i>. Then, all at once, acclamations arose in + the first hall, gathered volume, and drew nearer. This time it was the <i>cortege</i> + itself. First came a detachment of the Swiss Guard in undress, headed by a + sergeant; then a party of chair-bearers in red; and next the domestic + prelates, including the four <i>Camerieri segreti partecipanti</i>. And + finally, between two rows of Noble Guards, in semi-gala uniforms, walked + the Holy Father, alone, smiling a pale smile, and slowly blessing the + pilgrims on either hand. In his wake the clamour which had risen in the + other apartments swept into the Hall of Beatifications with the violence + of delirious love; and, under his slender, white, benedictive hand, all + those distracted creatures fell upon both knees, nought remaining but the + prostration of a devout multitude, overwhelmed, as it were, by the + apparition of its god. + </p> + <p> + Quivering, carried away, Pierre had knelt like the others. Ah! that + omnipotence, that irresistible contagion of faith, of the redoubtable + current from the spheres beyond, increased tenfold by a <i>scenario</i> + and a pomp of sovereign grandeur! Profound silence fell when Leo XIII was + seated on the throne surrounded by the cardinals and his court; and then + the ceremony proceeded according to rite and usage. First a bishop spoke, + kneeling and laying the homage of the faithful of all Christendom at his + Holiness’s feet. The President of the Committee, Baron de Fouras, + followed, remaining erect whilst he read a long address in which he + introduced the pilgrimage and explained its motive, investing it with all + the gravity of a political and religious protest. This stout man had a + shrill and piercing voice, and his words jarred like the grating of a + gimlet as he proclaimed the grief of the Catholic world at the spoliation + which the Holy See had endured for a quarter of a century, and the desire + of all the nations there represented by the pilgrims to console the + supreme and venerated Head of the Church by bringing him the offerings of + rich and poor, even to the mites of the humblest, in order that the Papacy + might retain the pride of independence and be able to treat its enemies + with contempt. And he also spoke of France, deplored her errors, predicted + her return to healthy traditions, and gave it to be understood that she + remained in spite of everything the most opulent and generous of the + Christian nations, the donor whose gold and presents flowed into Rome in a + never ending stream. At last Leo XIII arose to reply to the bishop and the + baron. His voice was full, with a strong nasal twang, and surprised one + coming from a man so slight of build. In a few sentences he expressed his + gratitude, saying how touched he was by the devotion of the nations to the + Holy See. Although the times might be bad, the final triumph could not be + delayed much longer. There were evident signs that mankind was returning + to faith, and that iniquity would soon cease under the universal dominion + of the Christ. As for France, was she not the eldest daughter of the + Church, and had she not given too many proofs of her affection for the + Holy See for the latter ever to cease loving her? Then, raising his arm, + he bestowed on all the pilgrims present, on the societies and enterprises + they represented, on their families and friends, on France, on all the + nations of the Catholic world, his apostolic benediction, in gratitude for + the precious help which they sent him. And whilst he was again seating + himself applause burst forth, frantic salvoes of applause lasting for ten + minutes and mingling with vivats and inarticulate cries—a + passionate, tempestuous outburst, which made the very building shake. + </p> + <p> + Amidst this blast of frantic adoration Pierre gazed at Leo XIII, now again + motionless on his throne. With the papal cap on his head and the red cape + edged with ermine about his shoulders, he retained in his long white + cassock the rigid, sacerdotal attitude of an idol venerated by two hundred + and fifty millions of Christians. Against the purple background of the + hangings of the <i>baldacchino</i>, between the wing-like drapery on + either side, enclosing, as it were, a brasier of glory, he assumed real + majesty of aspect. He was no longer the feeble old man with the slow, + jerky walk and the slender, scraggy neck of a poor ailing bird. The + simious ugliness of his face, the largeness of his nose, the long slit of + his mouth, the hugeness of his ears, the conflicting jumble of his + withered features disappeared. In that waxen countenance you only + distinguished the admirable, dark, deep eyes, beaming with eternal youth, + with extraordinary intelligence and penetration. And then there was a + resolute bracing of his entire person, a consciousness of the eternity + which he represented, a regal nobility, born of the very circumstance that + he was now but a mere breath, a soul set in so pellucid a body of ivory + that it became visible as though it were already freed from the bonds of + earth. And Pierre realised what such a man—the Sovereign Pontiff, + the king obeyed by two hundred and fifty millions of subjects—must + be for the devout and dolent creatures who came to adore him from so far, + and who fell at his feet awestruck by the splendour of the powers + incarnate in him. Behind him, amidst the purple of the hangings, what a + gleam was suddenly afforded of the spheres beyond, what an Infinite of + ideality and blinding glory! So many centuries of history from the Apostle + Peter downward, so much strength and genius, so many struggles and + triumphs to be summed up in one being, the Elect, the Unique, the + Superhuman! And what a miracle, incessantly renewed, was that of Heaven + deigning to descend into human flesh, of the Deity fixing His abode in His + chosen servant, whom He consecrated above and beyond all others, endowing + him with all power and all science! What sacred perturbation, what emotion + fraught with distracted love might one not feel at the thought of the + Deity being ever there in the depths of that man’s eyes, speaking with his + voice and emanating from his hand each time that he raised it to bless! + Could one imagine the exorbitant absoluteness of that sovereign who was + infallible, who disposed of the totality of authority in this world and of + salvation in the next! At all events, how well one understood that souls + consumed by a craving for faith should fly towards him, that those who at + last found the certainty they had so ardently sought should seek + annihilation in him, the consolation of self-bestowal and disappearance + within the Deity Himself. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the ceremony was drawing to an end; Baron de Fouras was now + presenting the members of the committee and a few other persons of + importance. There was a slow procession with trembling genuflections and + much greedy kissing of the papal ring and slipper. Then the banners were + offered, and Pierre felt a pang on seeing that the finest and richest of + them was one of Lourdes, an offering no doubt from the Fathers of the + Immaculate Conception. On one side of the white, gold-bordered silk Our + Lady of Lourdes was painted, while on the other appeared a portrait of Leo + XIII. Pierre saw the Pope smile at the presentment of himself, and was + greatly grieved thereat, as though, indeed, his whole dream of an + intellectual, evangelical Pope, disentangled from all low superstition, + were crumbling away. And just then his eyes met those of Nani, who from + the outset had been watching him with the inquisitive air of a man who is + making an experiment. + </p> + <p> + “That banner is superb, isn’t it?” said Nani, drawing near. “How it must + please his Holiness to be so nicely painted in company with so pretty a + virgin.” And as the young priest, turning pale, did not reply, the prelate + added, with an air of devout enjoyment: “We are very fond of Lourdes in + Rome; that story of Bernadette is so delightful.” + </p> + <p> + However, the scene which followed was so extraordinary that for a long + time Pierre remained overcome by it. He had beheld never-to-be-forgotten + idolatry at Lourdes, incidents of naive faith and frantic religious + passion which yet made him quiver with alarm and grief. But the crowds + rushing on the grotto, the sick dying of divine love before the Virgin’s + statue, the multitudes delirious with the contagion of the miraculous—nothing + of all that gave an idea of the blast of madness which suddenly inflamed + the pilgrims at the feet of the Pope. Some bishops, superiors of religious + orders, and other delegates of various kinds had stepped forward to + deposit near the throne the offerings which they brought from the whole + Catholic world, the universal “collection” of St. Peter’s Pence. It was + the voluntary tribute of the nations to their sovereign: silver, gold, and + bank notes in purses, bags, and cases. Ladies came and fell on their knees + to offer silk and velvet alms-bags which they themselves had embroidered. + Others had caused the note cases which they tendered to be adorned with + the monogram of Leo XIII in diamonds. And at one moment the enthusiasm + became so intense that several women stripped themselves of their + adornments, flung their own purses on to the platform, and emptied their + pockets even to the very coppers they had about them. One lady, tall and + slender, very beautiful and very dark, wrenched her watch from about her + neck, pulled off her rings, and threw everything upon the carpet. Had it + been possible, they would have torn away their flesh to pluck out their + love-burnt hearts and fling them likewise to the demi-god. They would even + have flung themselves, have given themselves without reserve. It was a + rain of presents, an explosion of the passion which impels one to strip + oneself for the object of one’s cult, happy at having nothing of one’s own + that shall not belong to him. And meantime the clamour grew, vivats and + shrill cries of adoration arose amidst pushing and jostling of increased + violence, one and all yielding to the irresistible desire to kiss the + idol! + </p> + <p> + But a signal was given, and Leo XIII made haste to quit the throne and + take his place in the <i>cortege</i> in order to return to his apartments. + The Swiss Guards energetically thrust back the throng, seeking to open a + way through the three halls. But at sight of his Holiness’s departure a + lamentation of despair arose and spread, as if heaven had suddenly closed + again and shut out those who had not yet been able to approach. What a + frightful disappointment—to have beheld the living manifestation of + the Deity and to see it disappear before gaining salvation by just + touching it! So terrible became the scramble, so extraordinary the + confusion, that the Swiss Guards were swept away. And ladies were seen to + dart after the Pope, to drag themselves on all fours over the marble slabs + and kiss his footprints and lap up the dust of his steps! The tall dark + lady suddenly fell at the edge of the platform, raised a loud shriek, and + fainted; and two gentlemen of the committee had to hold her so that she + might not do herself an injury in the convulsions of the hysterical fit + which had come upon her. Another, a plump blonde, was wildly, desperately + kissing one of the golden arms of the throne-chair, on which the old man’s + poor, bony elbow had just rested. And others, on seeing her, came to + dispute possession, seized both arms, gilding and velvet, and pressed + their mouths to wood-work or upholstery, their bodies meanwhile shaking + with their sobs. Force had to be employed in order to drag them away. + </p> + <p> + When it was all over Pierre went off, emerging as it were from a painful + dream, sick at heart, and with his mind revolting. And again he + encountered Nani’s glance, which never left him. “It was a superb + ceremony, was it not?” said the prelate. “It consoles one for many + iniquities.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, no doubt; but what idolatry!” the young priest murmured despite + himself. + </p> + <p> + Nani, however, merely smiled, as if he had not heard the last word. At + that same moment the two French ladies whom he had provided with tickets + came up to thank him, and. Pierre was surprised to recognise the mother + and daughter whom he had met at the Catacombs. Charming, bright, and + healthy as they were, their enthusiasm was only for the spectacle: they + declared that they were well pleased at having seen it—that it was + really astonishing, unique. + </p> + <p> + As the crowd slowly withdrew Pierre all at once felt a tap on his + shoulder, and, on turning his head, perceived Narcisse Habert, who also + was very enthusiastic. “I made signs to you, my dear Abbe,” said he, “but + you didn’t see me. Ah! how superb was the expression of that dark woman + who fell rigid beside the platform with her arms outstretched. She + reminded me of a masterpiece of one of the primitives, Cimabue, Giotto, or + Fra Angelico. And the others, those who devoured the chair arms with their + kisses, what suavity, beauty, and love! I never miss these ceremonies: + there are always some fine scenes, perfect pictures, in which souls reveal + themselves.” + </p> + <p> + The long stream of pilgrims slowly descended the stairs, and Pierre, + followed by Nani and Narcisse, who had begun to chat, tried to bring the + ideas which were tumultuously throbbing in his brain into something like + order. There was certainly grandeur and beauty in that Pope who had shut + himself up in his Vatican, and who, the more he became a purely moral, + spiritual authority, freed from all terrestrial cares, had grown in the + adoration and awe of mankind. Such a flight into the ideal deeply stirred + Pierre, whose dream of rejuvenated Christianity rested on the idea of the + supreme Head of the Church exercising only a purified, spiritual + authority. He had just seen what an increase of majesty and power was in + that way gained by the Supreme Pontiff of the spheres beyond, at whose + feet the women fainted, and behind whom they beheld a vision of the Deity. + But at the same moment the pecuniary side of the question had risen before + him and spoilt his joy. If the enforced relinquishment of the temporal + power had exalted the Pope by freeing him from the worries of a petty + sovereignty which was ever threatened, the need of money still remained + like a chain about his feet tying him to earth. As he could not accept the + proffered subvention of the Italian Government,* there was certainly in + the Peter’s Pence a means of placing the Holy See above all material + cares, provided, however, that this Peter’s Pence were really the Catholic + <i>sou</i>, the mite of each believer, levied on his daily income and sent + direct to Rome. Such a voluntary tribute paid by the flock to its pastor + would, moreover, suffice for the wants of the Church if each of the + 250,000,000 of Catholics gave his or her <i>sou</i> every week. In this + wise the Pope, indebted to each and all of his children, would be indebted + to none in particular. A <i>sou</i> was so little and so easy to give, and + there was also something so touching about the idea. But, unhappily, + things were not worked in that way; the great majority of Catholics gave + nothing whatever, while the rich ones sent large sums from motives of + political passion; and a particular objection was that the gifts were + centralised in the hands of certain bishops and religious orders, so that + these became ostensibly the benefactors of the papacy, the indispensable + cashiers from whom it drew the sinews of life. The lowly and humble whose + mites filled the collection boxes were, so to say, suppressed, and the + Pope became dependent on the intermediaries, and was compelled to act + cautiously with them, listen to their remonstrances, and even at times + obey their passions, lest the stream of gifts should suddenly dry up. And + so, although he was disburdened of the dead weight of the temporal power, + he was not free; but remained the tributary of his clergy, with interests + and appetites around him which he must needs satisfy. And Pierre + remembered the “Grotto of Lourdes” in the Vatican gardens, and the banner + which he had just seen, and he knew that the Lourdes fathers levied + 200,000 francs a year on their receipts to send them as a present to the + Holy Father. Was not that the chief reason of their great power? He + quivered, and suddenly became conscious that, do what he might, he would + be defeated, and his book would be condemned. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 110,000 pounds per annum. It has never been accepted, and the + accumulations lapse to the Government every five years, and + cannot afterwards be recovered.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + At last, as he was coming out on to the Piazza of St. Peter’s, he heard + Narcisse asking Monsignor Nani: “Indeed! Do you really think that to-day’s + gifts exceeded that figure?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, more than three millions,* I’m convinced of it,” the prelate + replied. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * All the amounts given on this and the following pages are + calculated in francs. The reader will bear in mind that a + million francs is equivalent to 40,000 pounds.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + For a moment the three men halted under the right-hand colonnade and gazed + at the vast, sunlit piazza where the pilgrims were spreading out like + little black specks hurrying hither and thither—an ant-hill, as it + were, in revolution. + </p> + <p> + Three millions! The words had rung in Pierre’s ears. And, raising his + head, he gazed at the Vatican, all golden in the sunlight against the + expanse of blue sky, as if he wished to penetrate its walls and follow the + steps of Leo XIII returning to his apartments. He pictured him laden with + those millions, with his weak, slender arms pressed to his breast, + carrying the silver, the gold, the bank notes, and even the jewels which + the women had flung him. And almost unconsciously the young priest spoke + aloud: “What will he do with those millions? Where is he taking them?” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse and even Nani could not help being amused by this strangely + expressed curiosity. It was the young <i>attache</i> who replied. “Why, + his Holiness is taking them to his room; or, at least, is having them + carried there before him. Didn’t you see two persons of his suite picking + up everything and filling their pockets? And now his Holiness has shut + himself up quite alone; and if you could see him you would find him + counting and recounting his treasure with cheerful care, ranging the rolls + of gold in good order, slipping the bank notes into envelopes in equal + quantities, and then putting everything away in hiding-places which are + only known to himself.” + </p> + <p> + While his companion was speaking Pierre again raised his eyes to the + windows of the Pope’s apartments, as if to follow the scene. Moreover, + Narcisse gave further explanations, asserting that the money was put away + in a certain article of furniture, standing against the right-hand wall in + the Holy Father’s bedroom. Some people, he added, also spoke of a writing + table or secretaire with deep drawers; and others declared that the money + slumbered in some big padlocked trunks stored away in the depths of the + alcove, which was very roomy. Of course, on the left side of the passage + leading to the Archives there was a large room occupied by a general + cashier and a monumental safe; but the funds kept there were simply those + of the Patrimony of St. Peter, the administrative receipts of Rome; + whereas the Peter’s Pence money, the voluntary donations of Christendom, + remained in the hands of Leo XIII: he alone knew the exact amount of that + fund, and lived alone with its millions, which he disposed of like an + absolute master, rendering account to none. And such was his prudence that + he never left his room when the servants cleaned and set it in order. At + the utmost he would consent to remain on the threshold of the adjoining + apartment in order to escape the dust. And whenever he meant to absent + himself for a few hours, to go down into the gardens, for instance, he + double-locked the doors and carried the keys away with him, never + confiding them to another. + </p> + <p> + At this point Narcisse paused and, turning to Nani, inquired: “Is not that + so, Monsignor? These are things known to all Rome.” + </p> + <p> + The prelate, ever smiling and wagging his head without expressing either + approval or disapproval, had begun to study on Pierre’s face the effect of + these curious stories. “No doubt, no doubt,” he responded; “so many things + are said! I know nothing myself, but you seem to be certain of it all, + Monsieur Habert.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” resumed the other, “I don’t accuse his Holiness of sordid avarice, + such as is rumoured. Some fabulous stories are current, stories of coffers + full of gold in which the Holy Father is said to plunge his hands for + hours at a time; treasures which he has heaped up in corners for the sole + pleasure of counting them over and over again. Nevertheless, one may well + admit that his Holiness is somewhat fond of money for its own sake, for + the pleasure of handling it and setting it in order when he happens to be + alone—and after all that is a very excusable mania in an old man who + has no other pastime. But I must add that he is yet fonder of money for + the social power which it brings, the decisive help which it will give to + the Holy See in the future, if the latter desires to triumph.” + </p> + <p> + These words evoked the lofty figure of a wise and prudent Pope, conscious + of modern requirements, inclined to utilise the powers of the century in + order to conquer it, and for this reason venturing on business and + speculation. As it happened, the treasure bequeathed by Pius IX had nearly + been lost in a financial disaster, but ever since that time Leo XIII had + sought to repair the breach and make the treasure whole again, in order + that he might leave it to his successor intact and even enlarged. + Economical he certainly was, but he saved for the needs of the Church, + which, as he knew, increased day by day; and money was absolutely + necessary if Atheism was to be met and fought in the sphere of the + schools, institutions, and associations of all sorts. Without money, + indeed, the Church would become a vassal at the mercy of the civil powers, + the Kingdom of Italy and other Catholic states; and so, although he + liberally helped every enterprise which might contribute to the triumph of + the Faith, Leo XIII had a contempt for all expenditure without an object, + and treated himself and others with stern closeness. Personally, he had no + needs. At the outset of his pontificate he had set his small private + patrimony apart from the rich patrimony of St. Peter, refusing to take + aught from the latter for the purpose of assisting his relatives. Never + had pontiff displayed less nepotism: his three nephews and his two nieces + had remained poor—in fact, in great pecuniary embarrassment. Still + he listened neither to complaints nor accusations, but remained + inflexible, proudly resolved to bequeath the sinews of life, the + invincible weapon money, to the popes of future times, and therefore + vigorously defending the millions of the Holy See against the desperate + covetousness of one and all. + </p> + <p> + “But, after all, what are the receipts and expenses of the Holy See?” + inquired Pierre. + </p> + <p> + In all haste Nani again made his amiable, evasive gesture. “Oh! I am + altogether ignorant in such matters,” he replied. “Ask Monsieur Habert, + who is so well informed.” + </p> + <p> + “For my part,” responded the <i>attache</i>, “I simply know what is known + to all the embassies here, the matters which are the subject of common + report. With respect to the receipts there is, first of all, the treasure + left by Pius IX, some twenty millions, invested in various ways and + formerly yielding about a million a year in interest. But, as I said + before, a disaster happened, and there must then have been a falling off + in the income. Still, nowadays it is reported that nearly all deficiencies + have been made good. Well, besides the regular income from the invested + money, a few hundred thousand francs are derived every year from + chancellery dues, patents of nobility, and all sorts of little fees paid + to the Congregations. However, as the annual expenses exceed seven + millions, it has been necessary to find quite six millions every year; and + certainly it is the Peter’s Pence Fund that has supplied, not the six + millions, perhaps, but three or four of them, and with these the Holy See + has speculated in the hope of doubling them and making both ends meet. It + would take me too long just now to relate the whole story of these + speculations, the first huge gains, then the catastrophe which almost + swept everything away, and finally the stubborn perseverance which is + gradually supplying all deficiencies. However, if you are anxious on the + subject, I will one day tell you all about it.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had listened with deep interest. “Six millions—even four!” he + exclaimed, “what does the Peter’s Pence Fund bring in, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I can only repeat that nobody has ever known the exact figures. In + former times the Catholic Press published lists giving the amounts of + different offerings, and in this way one could frame an approximate + estimate. But the practice must have been considered unadvisable, for no + documents nowadays appear, and it is absolutely impossible for people to + form any real idea of what the Pope receives. He alone knows the correct + amount, keeps the money, and disposes of it with absolute authority. Still + I believe that in good years the offerings have amounted to between four + and five millions. Originally France contributed one-half of the sum; but + nowadays it certainly gives much less. Then come Belgium and Austria, + England and Germany. As for Spain and Italy—oh! Italy—” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse paused and smiled at Monsignor Nani, who was wagging his head + with the air of a man delighted at learning some extremely curious things + of which he had previously had no idea. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you may proceed, you may proceed, my dear son,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, Italy scarcely distinguishes itself. If the Pope had to + provide for his living out of the gifts of the Italian Catholics there + would soon be a famine at the Vatican. Far from helping him, indeed, the + Roman nobility has cost him dear; for one of the chief causes of his + pecuniary losses was his folly in lending money to the princes who + speculated. It is really only from France and England that rich people, + noblemen and so forth, have sent royal gifts to the imprisoned and + martyred Pontiff. Among others there was an English nobleman who came to + Rome every year with a large offering, the outcome of a vow which he had + made in the hope that Heaven would cure his unhappy idiot son. And, of + course, I don’t refer to the extraordinary harvest garnered during the + sacerdotal and the episcopal jubilees—the forty millions which then + fell at his Holiness’s feet.” + </p> + <p> + “And the expenses?” asked Pierre. + </p> + <p> + “Well, as I told you, they amount to about seven millions. We may reckon + two of them for the pensions paid to former officials of the pontifical + government who were unwilling to take service under Italy; but I must add + that this source of expense is diminishing every year as people die off + and their pensions become extinguished. Then, broadly speaking, we may put + down one million for the Italian sees, another for the Secretariate and + the Nunciatures, and another for the Vatican. In this last sum I include + the expenses of the pontifical Court, the military establishment, the + museums, and the repair of the palace and the Basilica. Well, we have + reached five millions, and the two others may be set down for the various + subsidised enterprises, the Propaganda, and particularly the schools, + which Leo XIII, with great practical good sense, subsidises very + handsomely, for he is well aware that the battle and the triumph be in + that direction—among the children who will be men to-morrow, and who + will then defend their mother the Church, provided that they have been + inspired with horror for the abominable doctrines of the age.” + </p> + <p> + A spell of silence ensued, and the three men slowly paced the majestic + colonnade. The swarming crowd had gradually disappeared, leaving the + piazza empty, so that only the obelisk and the twin fountains now arose + from the burning desert of symmetrical paving; whilst on the entablature + of the porticus across the square a noble line of motionless statues stood + out in the bright sunlight. And Pierre, with his eyes still raised to the + Pope’s windows, again fancied that he could see Leo XIII amidst all the + streaming gold that had been spoken of, his whole, white, pure figure, his + poor, waxen, transparent form steeped amidst those millions which he hid + and counted and expended for the glory of God alone. “And so,” murmured + the young priest, “he has no anxiety, he is not in any pecuniary + embarrassment.” + </p> + <p> + “Pecuniary embarrassment!” exclaimed Monsignor Nani, his patience so + sorely tried by the remark that he could no longer retain his diplomatic + reserve. “Oh! my dear son! Why, when Cardinal Mocenni, the treasurer, goes + to his Holiness every month, his Holiness always gives him the sum he asks + for; he would give it, and be able to give it, however large it might be! + His Holiness has certainly had the wisdom to effect great economies; the + Treasure of St. Peter is larger than ever. Pecuniary embarrassment, + indeed! Why, if a misfortune should occur, and the Sovereign Pontiff were + to make a direct appeal to all his children, the Catholics of the entire + world, do you know that in that case a thousand millions would fall at his + feet just like the gold and the jewels which you saw raining on the steps + of his throne just now?” Then suddenly calming himself and recovering his + pleasant smile, Nani added: “At least, that is what I sometimes hear said; + for, personally, I know nothing, absolutely nothing; and it is fortunate + that Monsieur Habert should have been here to give you information. Ah! + Monsieur Habert, Monsieur Habert! Why, I fancied that you were always in + the skies absorbed in your passion for art, and far removed from all base + mundane interests! But you really understand these things like a banker or + a notary. Nothing escapes you, nothing. It is wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse must have felt the sting of the prelate’s delicate sarcasm. At + bottom, beneath this make-believe Florentine all-angelicalness, with long + curly hair and mauve eyes which grew dim with rapture at sight of a + Botticelli, there was a thoroughly practical, business-like young man, who + took admirable care of his fortune and was even somewhat miserly. However, + he contented himself with lowering his eyelids and assuming a languorous + air. “Oh!” said he, “I’m all reverie; my soul is elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “At all events,” resumed Nani, turning towards Pierre, “I am very glad + that you were able to see such a beautiful spectacle. A few more such + opportunities and you will understand things far better than you would + from all the explanations in the world. Don’t miss the grand ceremony at + St. Peter’s to-morrow. It will be magnificent, and will give you food for + useful reflection; I’m sure of it. And now allow me to leave you, + delighted at seeing you in such a fit frame of mind.” + </p> + <p> + Darting a last glance at Pierre, Nani seemed to have observed with + pleasure the weariness and uncertainty which were paling his face. And + when the prelate had gone off, and Narcisse also had taken leave with a + gentle hand-shake, the young priest felt the ire of protest rising within + him. What fit frame of mind did Nani mean? Did that man hope to weary him + and drive him to despair by throwing him into collision with obstacles, so + that he might afterwards overcome him with perfect ease? For the second + time Pierre became suddenly and briefly conscious of the stealthy efforts + which were being made to invest and crush him. But, believing as he did in + his own strength of resistance, pride filled him with disdain. Again he + swore that he would never yield, never withdraw his book, no matter what + might happen. And then, before crossing the piazza, he once more raised + his eyes to the windows of the Vatican, all his impressions crystallising + in the thought of that much-needed money which like a last bond still + attached the Pope to earth. Its chief evil doubtless lay in the manner in + which it was provided; and if indeed the only question were to devise an + improved method of collection, his dream of a pope who should be all soul, + the bond of love, the spiritual leader of the world, would not be + seriously affected. At this thought, Pierre felt comforted and was + unwilling to look on things otherwise than hopefully, moved as he was by + the extraordinary scene which he had just beheld, that feeble old man + shining forth like the symbol of human deliverance, obeyed and venerated + by the multitudes, and alone among all men endowed with the moral + omnipotence that might at last set the reign of charity and peace on + earth. + </p> + <p> + For the ceremony on the following day, it was fortunate that Pierre held a + private ticket which admitted him to a reserved gallery, for the scramble + at the entrances to the Basilica proved terrible. The mass, which the Pope + was to celebrate in person, was fixed for ten o’clock, but people began to + pour into St. Peter’s four hours earlier, as soon, indeed, as the gates + had been thrown open. The three thousand members of the International + Pilgrimage were increased tenfold by the arrival of all the tourists in + Italy, who had hastened to Rome eager to witness one of those great + pontifical functions which nowadays are so rare. Moreover, the devotees + and partisans whom the Holy See numbered in Rome itself and in other great + cities of the kingdom, helped to swell the throng, all alacrity at the + prospect of a demonstration. Judging by the tickets distributed, there + would be a concourse of 40,000 people. And, indeed, at nine o’clock, when + Pierre crossed the piazza on his way to the Canons’ Entrance in the Via + Santa Marta, where the holders of pink tickets were admitted, he saw the + portico of the facade still thronged with people who were but slowly + gaining admittance, while several gentlemen in evening dress, members of + some Catholic association, bestirred themselves to maintain order with the + help of a detachment of Pontifical Guards. Nevertheless, violent quarrels + broke out in the crowd, and blows were exchanged amidst the involuntary + scramble. Some people were almost stifled, and two women were carried off + half crushed to death. + </p> + <p> + A disagreeable surprise met Pierre on his entry into the Basilica. The + huge edifice was draped; coverings of old red damask with bands of gold + swathed the columns and pilasters, seventy-five feet high; even the aisles + were hung with the same old and faded silk; and the shrouding of those + pompous marbles, of all the superb dazzling ornamentation of the church + bespoke a very singular taste, a tawdry affectation of pomposity, + extremely wretched in its effect. However, he was yet more amazed on + seeing that even the statue of St. Peter was clad, costumed like a living + pope in sumptuous pontifical vestments, with a tiara on its metal head. He + had never imagined that people could garment statues either for their + glory or for the pleasure of the eyes, and the result seemed to him + disastrous. + </p> + <p> + The Pope was to say mass at the papal altar of the Confession, the high + altar which stands under the dome. On a platform at the entrance of the + left-hand transept was the throne on which he would afterwards take his + place. Then, on either side of the nave, tribunes had been erected for the + choristers of the Sixtine Chapel, the Corps Diplomatique, the Knights of + Malta, the Roman nobility, and other guests of various kinds. And, + finally, in the centre, before the altar, there were three rows of benches + covered with red rugs, the first for the cardinals and the other two for + the bishops and the prelates of the pontifical court. All the rest of the + congregation was to remain standing. + </p> + <p> + Ah! that huge concert-audience, those thirty, forty thousand believers + from here, there, and everywhere, inflamed with curiosity, passion, or + faith, bestirring themselves, jostling one another, rising on tip-toe to + see the better! The clamour of a human sea arose, the crowd was as gay and + familiar as if it had found itself in some heavenly theatre where it was + allowable for one to chat aloud and recreate oneself with the spectacle of + religious pomp! At first Pierre was thunderstruck, he who only knew of + nervous, silent kneeling in the depths of dim cathedrals, who was not + accustomed to that religion of light, whose brilliancy transformed a + religious celebration into a morning festivity. Around him, in the same + tribune as himself, were gentlemen in dress-coats and ladies gowned in + black, carrying glasses as in an opera-house. There were German and + English women, and numerous Americans, all more or less charming, + displaying the grace of thoughtless, chirruping birds. In the tribune of + the Roman nobility on the left he recognised Benedetta and Donna Serafina, + and there the simplicity of the regulation attire for ladies was relieved + by large lace veils rivalling one another in richness and elegance. Then + on the right was the tribune of the Knights of Malta, where the Grand + Master stood amidst a group of commanders: while across the nave rose the + diplomatic tribune where Pierre perceived the ambassadors of all the + Catholic nations, resplendent in gala uniforms covered with gold lace. + However, the young priest’s eyes were ever returning to the crowd, the + great surging throng in which the three thousand pilgrims were lost amidst + the multitude of other spectators. And yet as the Basilica was so vast + that it could easily contain eighty thousand people, it did not seem to be + more than half full. People came and went along the aisles and took up + favourable positions without impediment. Some could be seen gesticulating, + and calls rang out above the ceaseless rumble of voices. From the lofty + windows of plain white glass fell broad sheets of sunlight, which set a + gory glow upon the faded damask hangings, and these cast a reflection as + of fire upon all the tumultuous, feverish, impatient faces. The multitude + of candles, and the seven-and-eighty lamps of the Confession paled to such + a degree that they seemed but glimmering night-lights in the blinding + radiance; and everything proclaimed the worldly gala of the imperial Deity + of Roman pomp. + </p> + <p> + All at once there came a premature shock of delight, a false alert. Cries + burst forth and circulated through the crowd: “Eccolo! eccolo! Here he + comes!” And then there was pushing and jostling, eddying which made the + human sea whirl and surge, all craning their necks, raising themselves to + their full height, darting forward in a frenzied desire to see the Holy + Father and the <i>cortege</i>. But only a detachment of Noble Guards + marched by and took up position right and left of the altar. A flattering + murmur accompanied them, their fine impassive bearing with its exaggerated + military stiffness, provoking the admiration of the throng. An American + woman declared that they were superb-looking fellows; and a Roman lady + gave an English friend some particulars about the select corps to which + they belonged. Formerly, said she, young men of the aristocracy had + greatly sought the honour of forming part of it, for the sake of wearing + its rich uniform and caracoling in front of the ladies. But recruiting was + now such a difficult matter that one had to content oneself with + good-looking young men of doubtful or ruined nobility, whose only care was + for the meagre “pay” which just enabled them to live. + </p> + <p> + When another quarter of an hour of chatting and scrutinising had elapsed, + the papal <i>cortege</i> at last made its appearance, and no sooner was it + seen than applause burst forth as in a theatre—furious applause it + was which rose and rolled along under the vaulted ceilings, suggesting the + acclamations which ring out when some popular, idolised actor makes his + entry on the stage. As in a theatre, too, everything had been very + skilfully contrived so as to produce all possible effect amidst the + magnificent scenery of the Basilica. The <i>cortege</i> was formed in the + wings, that is in the Cappella della Pieta, the first chapel of the right + aisle, and in order to reach it, the Holy Father, coming from his + apartments by the way of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, had been + stealthily carried behind the hangings of the aisle which served the + purpose of a drop-scene. Awaiting him in all readiness in the Cappella + della Pieta were the cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, the whole + pontifical prelacy, hierarchically classified and grouped. And then, as at + a signal from a ballet master, the <i>cortege</i> made its entry, reaching + the nave and ascending it in triumph from the closed Porta Santa to the + altar of the Confession. On either hand were the rows of spectators whose + applause at the sight of so much magnificence grew louder and louder as + their delirious enthusiasm increased. + </p> + <p> + It was the <i>cortege</i> of the olden solemnities, the cross and sword, + the Swiss Guard in full uniform, the valets in scarlet simars, the Knights + of the Cape and the Sword in Renascence costumes, the Canons in rochets of + lace, the superiors of the religious communities, the apostolic + prothonotaries, the archbishops, and bishops, all the pontifical prelates + in violet silk, the cardinals, each wearing the <i>cappa magna</i> and + draped in purple, walking solemnly two by two with long intervals between + each pair. Finally, around his Holiness were grouped the officers of the + military household, the chamber prelates, Monsignor the Majordomo, + Monsignor the Grand Chamberlain, and all the other high dignitaries of the + Vatican, with the Roman prince assistant of the throne, the traditional, + symbolical defender of the Church. And on the <i>sedia gestatoria</i>, + screened by the <i>flabelli</i> with their lofty triumphal fans of + feathers and carried on high by the bearers in red tunics broidered with + silk, sat the Pope, clad in the sacred vestments which he had assumed in + the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the amict, the alb, the stole, and + the white chasuble and white mitre enriched with gold, two gifts of + extraordinary sumptuousness that had come from France. And, as his + Holiness drew near, all hands were raised and clapped yet more loudly + amidst the waves of living sunlight which streamed from the lofty windows. + </p> + <p> + Then a new and different impression of Leo XIII came to Pierre. The Pope, + as he now beheld him, was no longer the familiar, tired, inquisitive old + man, leaning on the arm of a talkative prelate as he strolled through the + loveliest gardens in the world. He no longer recalled the Holy Father, in + red cape and papal cap, giving a paternal welcome to a pilgrimage which + brought him a fortune. He was here the Sovereign Pontiff, the all-powerful + Master whom Christendom adored. His slim waxen form seemed to have + stiffened within his white vestments, heavy with golden broidery, as in a + reliquary of precious metal; and he retained a rigid, haughty, hieratic + attitude, like that of some idol, gilded, withered for centuries past by + the smoke of sacrifices. Amidst the mournful stiffness of his face only + his eyes lived—eyes like black sparkling diamonds gazing afar, + beyond earth, into the infinite. He gave not a glance to the crowd, he + lowered his eyes neither to right nor to left, but remained soaring in the + heavens, ignoring all that took place at his feet. + </p> + <p> + And as that seemingly embalmed idol, deaf and blind, in spite of the + brilliancy of his eyes, was carried through the frantic multitude which it + appeared neither to hear nor to see, it assumed fearsome majesty, + disquieting grandeur, all the rigidity of dogma, all the immobility of + tradition exhumed with its <i>fascioe</i> which alone kept it erect. Still + Pierre fancied he could detect that the Pope was ill and weary, suffering + from the attack of fever which Nani had spoken of when glorifying the + courage of that old man of eighty-four, whom strength of soul alone now + kept alive. + </p> + <p> + The service began. Alighting from the <i>sedia gestatoria</i> before the + altar of the Confession, his Holiness slowly celebrated a low mass, + assisted by four prelates and the pro-prefect of the ceremonies. When the + time came for washing his fingers, Monsignor the Majordomo and Monsignor + the Grand Chamberlain, accompanied by two cardinals, poured the water on + his august hands; and shortly before the elevation of the host all the + prelates of the pontifical court, each holding a lighted taper, came and + knelt around the altar. There was a solemn moment, the forty thousand + believers there assembled shuddered as if they could feel the terrible yet + delicious blast of the invisible sweeping over them when during the + elevation the silver clarions sounded the famous chorus of angels which + invariably makes some women swoon. Almost immediately an aerial chant + descended from the cupola, from a lofty gallery where one hundred and + twenty choristers were concealed, and the enraptured multitude marvelled + as though the angels had indeed responded to the clarion call. The voices + descended, taking their flight under the vaulted ceilings with the airy + sweetness of celestial harps; then in suave harmony they died away, + reascended to the heavens as with a faint flapping of wings. And, after + the mass, his Holiness, still standing at the altar, in person started the + <i>Te Deum</i>, which the singers of the Sixtine Chapel and the other + choristers took up, each party chanting a verse alternately. But soon the + whole congregation joined them, forty thousand voices were raised, and a + hymn of joy and glory spread through the vast nave with incomparable + splendour of effect. And then the scene became one of extraordinary + magnificence: there was Bernini’s triumphal, flowery, gilded <i>baldacchino</i>, + surrounded by the whole pontifical court with the lighted tapers showing + like starry constellations, there was the Sovereign Pontiff in the centre, + radiant like a planet in his gold-broidered chasuble, there were the + benches crowded with cardinals in purple and archbishops and bishops in + violet silk, there were the tribunes glittering with official finery, the + gold lace of the diplomatists, the variegated uniforms of foreign + officers, and then there was the throng flowing and eddying on all sides, + rolling billows after billows of heads from the most distant depths of the + Basilica. And the hugeness of the temple increased one’s amazement; and + even the glorious hymn which the multitude repeated became colossal, + ascended like a tempest blast amidst the great marble tombs, the + superhuman statues and gigantic pillars, till it reached the vast vaulted + heavens of stone, and penetrated into the firmament of the cupola where + the Infinite seemed to open resplendent with the gold-work of the mosaics. + </p> + <p> + A long murmur of voices followed the <i>Te Deum</i>, whilst Leo XIII, + after donning the tiara in lieu of the mitre, and exchanging the chasuble + for the pontifical cope, went to occupy his throne on the platform at the + entry of the left transept. He thence dominated the whole assembly, + through which a quiver sped when after the prayers of the ritual, he once + more rose erect. Beneath the symbolic, triple crown, in the golden + sheathing of his cope, he seemed to have grown taller. Amidst sudden and + profound silence, which only feverish heart-beats interrupted, he raised + his arm with a very noble gesture and pronounced the papal benediction in + a slow, loud, full voice, which seemed, as it were, the very voice of the + Deity, so greatly did its power astonish one, coming from such waxen lips, + from such a bloodless, lifeless frame. And the effect was prodigious: as + soon as the <i>cortege</i> reformed to return whence it had come, applause + again burst forth, a frenzy of enthusiasm which the clapping of hands + could no longer content. Acclamations resounded and gradually gained upon + the whole multitude. They began among a group of ardent partisans + stationed near the statue of St. Peter: <i>“Evviva il Papa-Re! evviva il + Papa-Re</i>! Long live the Pope-King!” as the <i>cortege</i> went by the + shout rushed along like leaping fire, inflaming heart after heart, and at + last springing from every mouth in a thunderous protest against the theft + of the states of the Church. All the faith, all the love of those + believers, overexcited by the regal spectacle they had just beheld, + returned once more to the dream, to the rageful desire that the Pope + should be both King and Pontiff, master of men’s bodies as he was of their + souls—in one word, the absolute sovereign of the earth. Therein lay + the only truth, the only happiness, the only salvation! Let all be given + to him, both mankind and the world! “<i>Evviva il Papa-Re! evviva il + Papa-Re</i>! Long live the Pope-King!” + </p> + <p> + Ah! that cry, that cry of war which had caused so many errors and so much + bloodshed, that cry of self-abandonment and blindness which, realised, + would have brought back the old ages of suffering, it shocked Pierre, and + impelled him in all haste to quit the tribune where he was in order that + he might escape the contagion of idolatry. And while the <i>cortege</i> + still went its way and the deafening clamour of the crowd continued, he + for a moment followed the left aisle amidst the general scramble. This, + however, made him despair of reaching the street, and anxious to escape + the crush of the general departure, it occurred to him to profit by a door + which he saw open and which led him into a vestibule, whence ascended the + steps conducting to the dome. A sacristan standing in the doorway, both + bewildered and delighted at the demonstration, looked at him for a moment, + hesitating whether he should stop him or not. However, the sight of the + young priest’s cassock combined with his own emotion rendered the man + tolerant. Pierre was allowed to pass, and at once began to climb the + staircase as rapidly as he could, in order that he might flee farther and + farther away, ascend higher and yet higher into peace and silence. + </p> + <p> + And the silence suddenly became profound, the walls stifled the cry of the + multitude. The staircase was easy and light, with broad paved steps + turning within a sort of tower. When Pierre came out upon the roofs of + nave and aisles, he was delighted to find himself in the bright sunlight + and the pure keen air which blew there as in the open country. And it was + with astonishment that he gazed upon the huge expanse of lead, zinc, and + stone-work, a perfect aerial city living a life of its own under the blue + sky. He saw cupolas, spires, terraces, even houses and gardens, houses + bright with flowers, the residences of the workmen who live atop of the + Basilica, which is ever and ever requiring repair. A little population + here bestirs itself, labours, loves, eats, and sleeps. However, Pierre + desired to approach the balustrade so as to get a near view of the + colossal statues of the Saviour and the Apostles which surmount the facade + on the side of the piazza. These giants, some nineteen feet in height, are + constantly being mended; their arms, legs, and heads, into which the + atmosphere is ever eating, nowadays only hold together by the help of + cement, bars, and hooks. And having examined them, Pierre was leaning + forward to glance at the Vatican’s jumble of ruddy roofs, when it seemed + to him that the shout from which he had fled was rising from the piazza, + and thereupon, in all haste, he resumed his ascent within the pillar + conducting to the dome. There was first a staircase, and then came some + narrow, oblique passages, inclines intersected by a few steps, between the + inner and outer walls of the cupola. Yielding to curiosity, Pierre pushed + a door open, and suddenly found himself inside the Basilica again, at + nearly 200 feet from the ground. A narrow gallery there ran round the dome + just above the frieze, on which, in letters five feet high, appeared the + famous inscription: <i>Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram oedificabo + ecclesiam meam et tibi dabo claves regni coelorum.</i>* And then, as + Pierre leant over to gaze into the fearful cavity beneath him and the wide + openings of nave, and aisles, and transepts, the cry, the delirious cry of + the multitude, yet clamorously swarming below, struck him full in the + face. He fled once more; but, higher up, yet a second time he pushed + another door open and found another gallery, one perched above the + windows, just where the splendid mosaics begin, and whence the crowd + seemed to him lost in the depths of a dizzy abyss, altar and <i>baldacchino</i> + alike looking no larger than toys. And yet the cry of idolatry and warfare + arose again, and smote him like the buffet of a tempest which gathers + increase of strength the farther it rushes. So to escape it he had to + climb higher still, even to the outer gallery which encircles the lantern, + hovering in the very heavens. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Thou art Peter (Petrus) and on that rock (Petram) will I build + my church, and to thee will I give the keys of the Kingdom of + Heaven. +</pre> + <p> + How delightful was the relief which that bath of air and sunlight at first + brought him! Above him now there only remained the ball of gilt copper + into which emperors and queens have ascended, as is testified by the + pompous inscriptions in the passages; a hollow ball it is, where the voice + crashes like thunder, where all the sounds of space reverberate. As he + emerged on the side of the apse, his eyes at first plunged into the papal + gardens, whose clumps of trees seemed mere bushes almost level with the + soil; and he could retrace his recent stroll among them, the broad <i>parterre</i> + looking like a faded Smyrna rug, the large wood showing the deep glaucous + greenery of a stagnant pool. Then there were the kitchen garden and the + vineyard easily identified and tended with care. The fountains, the + observatory, the casino, where the Pope spent the hot days of summer, + showed merely like little white spots in those undulating grounds, walled + in like any other estate, but with the fearsome rampart of the fourth Leo, + which yet retained its fortress-like aspect. However, Pierre took his way + round the narrow gallery and abruptly found himself in front of Rome, a + sudden and immense expanse, with the distant sea on the west, the + uninterrupted mountain chains on the east and the south, the Roman + Campagna stretching to the horizon like a bare and greenish desert, while + the city, the Eternal City, was spread out at his feet. Never before had + space impressed him so majestically. Rome was there, as a bird might see + it, within the glance, as distinct as some geographical plan executed in + relief. To think of it, such a past, such a history, so much grandeur, and + Rome so dwarfed and contracted by distance! Houses as lilliputian and as + pretty as toys; and the whole a mere mouldy speck upon the earth’s face! + What impassioned Pierre was that he could at a glance understand the + divisions of Rome: the antique city yonder with the Capitol, the Forum, + and the Palatine; the papal city in that Borgo which he overlooked, with + St. Peter’s and the Vatican gazing across the city of the middle ages—which + was huddled together in the right angle described by the yellow Tiber—towards + the modern city, the Quirinal of the Italian monarchy. And particularly + did he remark the chalky girdle with which the new districts encompassed + the ancient, central, sun-tanned quarters, thus symbolising an effort at + rejuvenescence, the old heart but slowly mended, whereas the outlying + limbs were renewed as if by miracle. + </p> + <p> + In that ardent noontide glow, however, Pierre no longer beheld the pure + ethereal Rome which had met his eyes on the morning of his arrival in the + delightfully soft radiance of the rising sun. That smiling, unobtrusive + city, half veiled by golden mist, immersed as it were in some dream of + childhood, now appeared to him flooded with a crude light, motionless, + hard of outline and silent like death. The distance was as if devoured by + too keen a flame, steeped in a luminous dust in which it crumbled. And + against that blurred background the whole city showed with violent + distinctness in great patches of light and shade, their tracery harshly + conspicuous. One might have fancied oneself above some very ancient, + abandoned stone quarry, which a few clumps of trees spotted with dark + green. Of the ancient city one could see the sunburnt tower of the + Capitol, the black cypresses of the Palatine, and the ruins of the palace + of Septimius Severus, suggesting the white osseous carcase of some fossil + monster, left there by a flood. In front, was enthroned the modern city + with the long, renovated buildings of the Quirinal, whose yellow walls + stood forth with wondrous crudity amidst the vigorous crests of the garden + trees. And to right and left on the Viminal, beyond the palace, the new + districts appeared like a city of chalk and plaster mottled by innumerable + windows as with a thousand touches of black ink. Then here and there were + the Pincio showing like a stagnant mere, the Villa Medici uprearing its + campanili, the castle of Sant’ Angelo brown like rust, the spire of Santa + Maria Maggiore aglow like a burning taper, the three churches of the + Aventine drowsy amidst verdure, the Palazzo Farnese with its summer-baked + tiles showing like old gold, the domes of the Gesu, of Sant’ Andrea della + Valle, of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, and yet other domes and other + domes, all in fusion, incandescent in the brazier of the heavens. And + Pierre again felt a heart-pang in presence of that harsh, stern Rome, so + different from the Rome of his dream, the Rome of rejuvenescence and hope, + which he had fancied he had found on his first morning, but which had now + faded away to give place to the immutable city of pride and domination, + stubborn under the sun even unto death. + </p> + <p> + And there on high, all alone with his thoughts, Pierre suddenly + understood. It was as if a dart of flaming light fell on him in that free, + unbounded expanse where he hovered. Had it come from the ceremony which he + had just beheld, from the frantic cry of servitude still ringing in his + ears? Had it come from the spectacle of that city beneath him, that city + which suggested an embalmed queen still reigning amidst the dust of her + tomb? He knew not; but doubtless both had acted as factors, and at all + events the light which fell upon his mind was complete: he felt that + Catholicism could not exist without the temporal power, that it must + fatally disappear whenever it should no longer be king over this earth. A + first reason of this lay in heredity, in the forces of history, the long + line of the heirs of the Caesars, the popes, the great pontiffs, in whose + veins the blood of Augustus, demanding the empire of the world, had never + ceased to flow. Though they might reside in the Vatican they had come from + the imperial abodes on the Palatine, from the palace of Septimius Severus, + and throughout the centuries their policy had ever pursued the dream of + Roman mastery, of all the nations vanquished, submissive, and obedient to + Rome. If its sovereignty were not universal, extending alike over bodies + and over souls, Catholicism would lose its <i>raison d’etre</i>; for the + Church cannot recognise any empire or kingdom otherwise than politically—the + emperors and the kings being purely and simply so many temporary delegates + placed in charge of the nations pending the time when they shall be called + upon to relinquish their trust. All the nations, all humanity, and the + whole world belong to the Church to whom they have been given by God. And + if real and effective possession is not hers to-day, this is only because + she yields to force, compelled to face accomplished facts, but with the + formal reserve that she is in presence of guilty usurpation, that her + possessions are unjustly withheld from her, and that she awaits the + realisation of the promises of the Christ, who, when the time shall be + accomplished, will for ever restore to her both the earth and mankind. + Such is the real future city which time is to bring: Catholic Rome, + sovereign of the world once more. And Rome the city forms a substantial + part of the dream, Rome whose eternity has been predicted, Rome whose soil + has imparted to Catholicism the inextinguishable thirst of absolute power. + And thus the destiny of the papacy is linked to that of Rome, to such a + point indeed that a pope elsewhere than at Rome would no longer be a + Catholic pope. The thought of all this frightened Pierre; a great shudder + passed through him as he leant on the light iron balustrade, gazing down + into the abyss where the stern mournful city was even now crumbling away + under the fierce sun. + </p> + <p> + There was, however, evidence of the facts which had dawned on him. If Pius + IX and Leo XIII had resolved to imprison themselves in the Vatican, it was + because necessity bound them to Rome. A pope is not free to leave the + city, to be the head of the Church elsewhere; and in the same way a pope, + however well he may understand the modern world, has not the right to + relinquish the temporal power. This is an inalienable inheritance which he + must defend, and it is moreover a question of life, peremptory, above + discussion. And thus Leo XIII has retained the title of Master of the + temporal dominions of the Church, and this he has done the more readily + since as a cardinal—like all the members of the Sacred College when + elected—he swore that he would maintain those dominions intact. + Italy may hold Rome as her capital for another century or more, but the + coming popes will never cease to protest and claim their kingdom. If ever + an understanding should be arrived at, it must be based on the gift of a + strip of territory. Formerly, when rumours of reconciliation were current, + was it not said that the papacy exacted, as a formal condition, the + possession of at least the Leonine City with the neutralisation of a road + leading to the sea? Nothing is not enough, one cannot start from nothing + to attain to everything, whereas that Civitas Leonina, that bit of a city, + would already be a little royal ground, and it would then only be + necessary to conquer the rest, first Rome, next Italy, then the + neighbouring states, and at last the whole world. Never has the Church + despaired, even when, beaten and despoiled, she seemed to be at the last + gasp. Never will she abdicate, never will she renounce the promises of the + Christ, for she believes in a boundless future and declares herself to be + both indestructible and eternal. Grant her but a pebble on which to rest + her head, and she will hope to possess, first the field in which that + pebble lies, and then the empire in which the field is situated. If one + pope cannot achieve the recovery of the inheritance, another pope, ten, + twenty other popes will continue the work. The centuries do not count. And + this explains why an old man of eighty-four has undertaken colossal + enterprises whose achievement requires several lives, certain as he is + that his successors will take his place, and that the work will ever and + ever be carried forward and completed. + </p> + <p> + As these thoughts coursed through his mind, Pierre, overlooking that + ancient city of glory and domination, so stubbornly clinging to its + purple, realised that he was an imbecile with his dream of a purely + spiritual pope. The notion seemed to him so different from the reality, so + out of place, that he experienced a sort of shame-fraught despair. The new + pope, consonant to the teachings of the Gospel, such as a purely spiritual + pope reigning over souls alone, would be, was virtually beyond the ken of + a Roman prelate. At thought of that papal court congealed in ritual, + pride, and authority, Pierre suddenly understood what horror and + repugnance such a pastor would inspire. How great must be the astonishment + and contempt of the papal prelates for that singular notion of the + northern mind, a pope without dominions or subjects, military household or + royal honours, a pope who would be, as it were, a spirit, exercising + purely moral authority, dwelling in the depths of God’s temple, and + governing the world solely with gestures of benediction and deeds of + kindliness and love! All that was but a misty Gothic invention for this + Latin clergy, these priests of light and magnificence, who were certainly + pious and even superstitious, but who left the Deity well sheltered within + the tabernacle in order to govern in His name, according to what they + considered the interests of Heaven. Thence it arose that they employed + craft and artifice like mere politicians, and lived by dint of expedients + amidst the great battle of human appetites, marching with the prudent, + stealthy steps of diplomatists towards the final terrestrial victory of + the Christ, who, in the person of the Pope, was one day to reign over all + the nations. And how stupefied must a French prelate have been—a + prelate like Monseigneur Bergerot, that apostle of renunciation and + charity—when he lighted amidst that world of the Vatican! How + difficult must it have been for him to understand and focus things, and + afterwards how great his grief at finding himself unable to come to any + agreement with those men without country, without fatherland, those + “internationals,” who were ever poring over the maps of both hemispheres, + ever absorbed in schemes which were to bring them empire. Days and days + were necessary, one needed to live in Rome, and he, Pierre himself, had + only seen things clearly after a month’s sojourn, whilst labouring under + the violent shock of the royal pomp of St. Peter’s, and standing face to + face with the ancient city as it slumbered heavily in the sunlight and + dreamt its dream of eternity. + </p> + <p> + But on lowering his eyes to the piazza in front of the Basilica he + perceived the multitude, the 40,000 believers streaming over the pavement + like insects. And then he thought that he could hear the cry again rising: + “<i>Evviva il Papa-Re! evviva il Papa-Re</i>! Long live the Pope-King!” + Whilst ascending those endless staircases a moment previously it had + seemed to him as if the colossus of stone were quivering with the frantic + shout raised beneath its ceilings. And now that he had climbed even into + cloudland that shout apparently was traversing space. If the colossal pile + beneath him still vibrated with it, was it not as with a last rise of sap + within its ancient walls, a reinvigoration of that Catholic blood which + formerly had demanded that the pile should be a stupendous one, the + veritable king of temples, and which now was striving to reanimate it with + the powerful breath of life, and this at the very hour when death was + beginning to fall upon its over-vast, deserted nave and aisles? The crowd + was still streaming forth, filling the piazza, and Pierre’s heart was + wrung by frightful anguish, for that throng with its shout had just swept + his last hope away. On the previous afternoon, after the reception of the + pilgrimage, he had yet been able to deceive himself by overlooking the + necessity for money which bound the Pope to earth in order that he might + see nought but the feeble old man, all spirituality, resplendent like the + symbol of moral authority. But his faith in such a pastor of the Gospel, + free from all considerations of earthly wealth, and king of none other + than a heavenly kingdom, had fled. Not only did the Peter’s Pence impose + hard servitude upon Leo XIII but he was also the prisoner of papal + tradition—the eternal King of Rome, riveted to the soil of Rome, + unable either to quit the city or to renounce the temporal power. The + fatal end would be collapse on the spot, the dome of St. Peter’s falling + even as the temple of Olympian Jupiter had fallen, Catholicism strewing + the grass with its ruins whilst elsewhere schism burst forth: a new faith + for the new nations. Of this Pierre had a grandiose and tragical vision: + he beheld his dream destroyed, his book swept away amidst that cry which + spread around him as if flying to the four corners of the Catholic world “<i>Evviva + il Papa-Re! evviva il Papa-Re!</i> Long live the Pope-King!” But even in + that hour of the papacy’s passing triumph he already felt that the giant + of gold and marble on which he stood was oscillating, even as totter all + old and rotten societies. + </p> + <p> + At last he took his way down again, and a fresh shock of emotion came to + him as he reached the roofs, that sunlit expanse of lead and zinc, large + enough for the site of a town. Monsignor Nani was there, in company with + the two French ladies, the mother and the daughter, both looking very + happy and highly amused. No doubt the prelate had good-naturedly offered + to conduct them to the dome. However, as soon as he recognised the young + priest he went towards him: “Well, my dear son,” he inquired, “are you + pleased? Have you been impressed, edified?” As he spoke, his searching + eyes dived into Pierre’s soul, as if to ascertain the present result of + his experiments. Then, satisfied with what he detected, he began to laugh + softly: “Yes, yes, I see—come, you are a sensible fellow after all. + I begin to think that the unfortunate affair which brought you here will + have a happy ending.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"></a> + VIII. + </h2> + <p> + WHEN Pierre remained in the morning at the Boccanera mansion he often + spent some hours in the little neglected garden which had formerly ended + with a sort of colonnaded <i>loggia</i>, whence two flights of steps + descended to the Tiber. This garden was a delightful, solitary nook, + perfumed by the ripe fruit of the centenarian orange-trees, whose + symmetrical lines were the only indication of the former pathways, now + hidden beneath rank weeds. And Pierre also found there the acrid scent of + the large box-shrubs growing in the old central fountain basin, which had + been filled up with loose earth and rubbish. + </p> + <p> + On those luminous October mornings, full of such tender and penetrating + charm, the spot was one where all the joy of living might well be + savoured, but Pierre brought thither his northern dreaminess, his concern + for suffering, his steadfast feeling of compassion, which rendered yet + sweeter the caress of the sunlight pervading that atmosphere of love. He + seated himself against the right-hand wall on a fragment of a fallen + column over which a huge laurel cast a deep-black shadow, fresh and + aromatic. In the antique greenish sarcophagus beside him, on which fauns + offered violence to nymphs, the streamlet of water trickling from the mask + incrusted in the wall, set the unchanging music of its crystal note, + whilst he read the newspapers and the letters which he received, all the + communications of good Abbe Rose, who kept him informed of his mission + among the wretched ones of gloomy Paris, now already steeped in fog and + mud. + </p> + <p> + One morning however, Pierre unexpectedly found Benedetta seated on the + fallen column which he usually made his chair. She raised a light cry of + surprise on seeing him, and for a moment remained embarrassed, for she had + with her his book “New Rome,” which she had read once already, but had + then imperfectly understood. And overcoming her embarrassment she now + hastened to detain him, making him sit down beside her, and frankly owning + that she had come to the garden in order to be alone and apply herself to + an attentive study of the book, in the same way as some ignorant + school-girl. Then they began to chat like a pair of friends, and the young + priest spent a delightful hour. Although Benedetta did not speak of + herself, he realised that it was her grief alone which brought her nearer + to him, as if indeed her own sufferings enlarged her heart and made her + think of all who suffered in the world. Patrician as she was, regarding + social hierarchy as a divine law, she had never previously thought of such + things, and some pages of Pierre’s book greatly astonished her. What! one + ought to take interest in the lowly, realise that they had the same souls + and the same griefs as oneself, and seek in brotherly or sisterly fashion + to make them happy? She certainly sought to acquire such an interest, but + with no great success, for she secretly feared that it might lead her into + sin, as it could not be right to alter aught of the social system which + had been established by God and consecrated by the Church. Charitable she + undoubtedly was, wont to bestow small sums in alms, but she did not give + her heart, she felt no true sympathy for the humble, belonging as she did + to such a different race, which looked to a throne in heaven high above + the seats of all the plebeian elect. + </p> + <p> + She and Pierre, however, found themselves on other mornings side by side + in the shade of the laurels near the trickling, singing water; and he, + lacking occupation, weary of waiting for a solution which seemed to recede + day by day, fervently strove to animate this young and beautiful woman + with some of his own fraternal feelings. He was impassioned by the idea + that he was catechising Italy herself, the queen of beauty, who was still + slumbering in ignorance, but who would recover all her past glory if she + were to awake to the new times with soul enlarged, swelling with pity for + men and things. Reading good Abbe Rose’s letters to Benedetta, he made her + shudder at the frightful wail of wretchedness which ascends from all great + cities. With such deep tenderness in her eyes, with the happiness of love + reciprocated emanating from her whole being, why should she not recognise, + even as he did, that the law of love was the sole means of saving + suffering humanity, which, through hatred, incurred the danger of death? + And to please him she did try to believe in democracy, in the fraternal + remodelling of society, but among other nations only—not at Rome, + for an involuntary, gentle laugh came to her lips whenever his words + evoked the idea of the poor still remaining in the Trastevere district + fraternising with those who yet dwelt in the old princely palaces. No, no, + things had been as they were so long; they could not, must not, be + altered! And so, after all, Pierre’s pupil made little progress: she was, + in reality, simply touched by the wealth of ardent love which the young + priest had chastely transferred from one alone to the whole of human kind. + And between him and her, as those sunlit October mornings went by, a tie + of exquisite sweetness was formed; they came to love one another with + deep, pure, fraternal affection, amidst the great glowing passion which + consumed them both. + </p> + <p> + Then, one day, Benedetta, her elbow resting on the sarcophagus, spoke of + Dario, whose name she had hitherto refrained from mentioning. Ah! poor <i>amico</i>, + how circumspect and repentant he had shown himself since that fit of + brutal insanity! At first, to conceal his embarrassment, he had gone to + spend three days at Naples, and it was said that La Tonietta, the + sentimental <i>demi-mondaine</i>, had hastened to join him there, wildly + in love with him. Since his return to the mansion he had avoided all + private meetings with his cousin, and scarcely saw her except at the + Monday receptions, when he wore a submissive air, and with his eyes + silently entreated forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + “Yesterday, however,” continued Benedetta, “I met him on the staircase and + gave him my hand. He understood that I was no longer angry with him and + was very happy. What else could I have done? One must not be severe for + ever. Besides, I do not want things to go too far between him and that + woman. I want him to remember that I still love him, and am still waiting + for him. Oh! he is mine, mine alone. But alas! I cannot say the word: our + affairs are in such sorry plight.” + </p> + <p> + She paused, and two big tears welled into her eyes. The divorce + proceedings to which she alluded had now come to a standstill, fresh + obstacles ever arising to stay their course. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was much moved by her tears, for she seldom wept. She herself + sometimes confessed, with her calm smile, that she did not know how to + weep. But now her heart was melting, and for a moment she remained + overcome, leaning on the mossy, crumbling sarcophagus, whilst the clear + water falling from the gaping mouth of the tragic mask still sounded its + flutelike note. And a sudden thought of death came to the priest as he saw + her, so young and so radiant with beauty, half fainting beside that marble + resting-place where fauns were rushing upon nymphs in a frantic bacchanal + which proclaimed the omnipotence of love—that omnipotence which the + ancients were fond of symbolising on their tombs as a token of life’s + eternity. And meantime a faint, warm breeze passed through the sunlit, + silent garden, wafting hither and thither the penetrating scent of box and + orange. + </p> + <p> + “One has so much strength when one loves,” Pierre at last murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, you are right,” she replied, already smiling again. “I am + childish. But it is the fault of your book. It is only when I suffer that + I properly understand it. But all the same I am making progress, am I not? + Since you desire it, let all the poor, all those who suffer, as I do, be + my brothers and sisters.” + </p> + <p> + Then for a while they resumed their chat. + </p> + <p> + On these occasions Benedetta was usually the first to return to the house, + and Pierre would linger alone under the laurels, vaguely dreaming of + sweet, sad things. Often did he think how hard life proved for poor + creatures whose only thirst was for happiness! + </p> + <p> + One Monday evening, at a quarter-past ten, only the young folks remained + in Donna Serafina’s reception-room. Monsignor Nani had merely put in an + appearance that night, and Cardinal Sarno had just gone off. + </p> + <p> + Even Donna Serafina, in her usual seat by the fireplace, seemed to have + withdrawn from the others, absorbed as she was in contemplation of the + chair which the absent Morano still stubbornly left unoccupied. Chatting + and laughing in front of the sofa on which sat Benedetta and Celia were + Dario, Pierre, and Narcisse Habert, the last of whom had begun to twit the + young Prince, having met him, so he asserted, a few days previously, in + the company of a very pretty girl. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! don’t deny it, my dear fellow,” continued Narcisse, “for she was + really superb. She was walking beside you, and you turned into a lane + together—the Borgo Angelico, I think.” + </p> + <p> + Dario listened smiling, quite at his ease and incapable of denying his + passionate predilection for beauty. “No doubt, no doubt; it was I, I don’t + deny it,” he responded. “Only the inferences you draw are not correct.” + And turning towards Benedetta, who, without a thought of jealous anxiety, + wore as gay a look as himself, as though delighted that he should have + enjoyed that passing pleasure of the eyes, he went on: “It was the girl, + you know, whom I found in tears six weeks ago. Yes, that bead-worker who + was sobbing because the workshop was shut up, and who rushed along, all + blushing, to conduct me to her parents when I offered her a bit of silver. + Pierina her name is, as you, perhaps, remember.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! yes, Pierina.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, since then I’ve met her in the street on four or five occasions. + And, to tell the truth, she is so very beautiful that I’ve stopped and + spoken to her. The other day, for instance, I walked with her as far as a + manufacturer’s. But she hasn’t yet found any work, and she began to cry, + and so, to console her a little, I kissed her. She was quite taken aback + at it, but she seemed very well pleased.” + </p> + <p> + At this all the others began to laugh. But suddenly Celia desisted and + said very gravely, “You know, Dario, she loves you; you must not be hard + on her.” + </p> + <p> + Dario, no doubt, was of Celia’s opinion, for he again looked at Benedetta, + but with a gay toss of the head, as if to say that, although the girl + might love him, he did not love her. A bead-worker indeed, a girl of the + lowest classes, pooh! She might be a Venus, but she could be nothing to + him. And he himself made merry over his romantic adventure, which Narcisse + sought to arrange in a kind of antique sonnet: A beautiful bead-worker + falling madly in love with a young prince, as fair as sunlight, who, + touched by her misfortune, hands her a silver crown; then the beautiful + bead-worker, quite overcome at finding him as charitable as handsome, + dreaming of him incessantly, and following him everywhere, chained to his + steps by a link of flame; and finally the beautiful bead-worker, who has + refused the silver crown, so entreating the handsome prince with her soft, + submissive eyes, that he at last deigns to grant her the alms of his + heart. This pastime greatly amused Benedetta; but Celia, with her angelic + face and the air of a little girl who ought to have been ignorant of + everything, remained very grave and repeated sadly, “Dario, Dario, she + loves you; you must not make her suffer.” + </p> + <p> + Then the Contessina, in her turn, was moved to pity. “And those poor folks + are not happy!” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” exclaimed the Prince, “it’s misery beyond belief. On the day she + took me to the Quartiere dei Prati* I was quite overcome; it was awful, + astonishingly awful!” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The district of the castle meadows—see <i>ante</i> note.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + “But I remember that we promised to go to see the poor people,” resumed + Benedetta, “and we have done wrong in delaying our visit so long. For your + studies, Monsieur l’Abbe Froment, you greatly desired to accompany us and + see the poor of Rome—was that not so?” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she raised her eyes to Pierre, who for a moment had been + silent. He was much moved by her charitable thought, for he realised, by + the faint quiver of her voice, that she desired to appear a docile pupil, + progressing in affection for the lowly and the wretched. Moreover, his + passion for his apostolate had at once returned to him. “Oh!” said he, “I + shall not quit Rome without having seen those who suffer, those who lack + work and bread. Therein lies the malady which affects every nation; + salvation can only be attained by the healing of misery. When the roots of + the tree cannot find sustenance the tree dies.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” resumed the Contessina, “we will fix an appointment at once; you + shall come with us to the Quartiere dei Prati—Dario will take us + there.” + </p> + <p> + At this the Prince, who had listened to the priest with an air of + stupefaction, unable to understand the simile of the tree and its roots, + began to protest distressfully, “No, no, cousin, take Monsieur l’Abbe for + a stroll there if it amuses you. But I’ve been, and don’t want to go back. + Why, when I got home the last time I was so upset that I almost took to my + bed. No, no; such abominations are too awful—it isn’t possible.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment a voice, bitter with displeasure, arose from the chimney + corner. Donna Serafina was emerging from her long silence. “Dario is quite + right! Send your alms, my dear, and I will gladly add mine. There are + other places where you might take Monsieur l’Abbe, and which it would be + far more useful for him to see. With that idea of yours you would send him + away with a nice recollection of our city.” + </p> + <p> + Roman pride rang out amidst the old lady’s bad temper. Why, indeed, show + one’s sores to foreigners, whose visit is possibly prompted by hostile + curiosity? One always ought to look beautiful; Rome should not be shown + otherwise than in the garb of glory. + </p> + <p> + Narcisse, however, had taken possession of Pierre. “It’s true, my dear + Abbe,” said he; “I forgot to recommend that stroll to you. You really must + visit the new district built over the castle meadows. It’s typical, and + sums up all the others. And you won’t lose your time there, I’ll warrant + you, for nowhere can you learn more about the Rome of the present day. + It’s extraordinary, extraordinary!” Then, addressing Benedetta, he added, + “Is it decided? Shall we say to-morrow morning? You’ll find the Abbe and + me over there, for I want to explain matters to him beforehand, in order + that he may understand them. What do you say to ten o’clock?” + </p> + <p> + Before answering him the Contessina turned towards her aunt and + respectfully opposed her views. “But Monsieur l’Abbe, aunt, has met enough + beggars in our streets already, so he may well see everything. Besides, + judging by his book, he won’t see worse things than he has seen in Paris. + As he says in one passage, hunger is the same all the world over.” Then, + with her sensible air, she gently laid siege to Dario. “You know, Dario,” + said she, “you would please me very much by taking me there. We can go in + the carriage and join these gentlemen. It will be a very pleasant outing + for us. It is such a long time since we went out together.” + </p> + <p> + It was certainly that idea of going out with Dario, of having a pretext + for a complete reconciliation with him, that enchanted her; he himself + realised it, and, unable to escape, he tried to treat the matter as a + joke. “Ah! cousin,” he said, “it will be your fault; I shall have the + nightmare for a week. An excursion like that spoils all the enjoyment of + life for days and days.” + </p> + <p> + The mere thought made him quiver with revolt. However, laughter again rang + out around him, and, in spite of Donna Serafina’s mute disapproval, the + appointment was finally fixed for the following morning at ten o’clock. + Celia as she went off expressed deep regret that she could not form one of + the party; but, with the closed candour of a budding lily, she really took + interest in Pierina alone. As she reached the ante-room she whispered in + her friend’s ear: “Take a good look at that beauty, my dear, so as to tell + me whether she is so very beautiful—beautiful beyond compare.” + </p> + <p> + When Pierre met Narcisse near the Castle of Sant’ Angelo on the morrow, at + nine o’clock, he was surprised to find him again languid and enraptured, + plunged anew in artistic enthusiasm. At first not a word was said of the + excursion. Narcisse related that he had risen at sunrise in order that he + might spend an hour before Bernini’s “Santa Teresa.” It seemed that when + he did not see that statue for a week he suffered as acutely as if he were + parted from some cherished mistress. And his adoration varied with the + time of day, according to the light in which he beheld the figure: in the + morning, when the pale glow of dawn steeped it in whiteness, he worshipped + it with quite a mystical transport of the soul, whilst in the afternoon, + when the glow of the declining sun’s oblique rays seemed to permeate the + marble, his passion became as fiery red as the blood of martyrs. “Ah! my + friend,” said he with a weary air whilst his dreamy eyes faded to mauve, + “you have no idea how delightful and perturbing her awakening was this + morning—how languorously she opened her eyes, like a pure, candid + virgin, emerging from the embrace of the Divinity. One could die of + rapture at the sight!” + </p> + <p> + Then, growing calm again when he had taken a few steps, he resumed in the + voice of a practical man who does not lose his balance in the affairs of + life: “We’ll walk slowly towards the castle-fields district—the + buildings yonder; and on our way I’ll tell you what I know of the things + we shall see there. It was the maddest affair imaginable, one of those + delirious frenzies of speculation which have a splendour of their own, + just like the superb, monstrous masterpiece of a man of genius whose mind + is unhinged. I was told of it all by some relatives of mine, who took part + in the gambling, and, in point of fact, made a good deal of money by it.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon, with the clearness and precision of a financier, employing + technical terms with perfect ease, he recounted the extraordinary + adventure. That all Italy, on the morrow of the occupation of Rome, should + have been delirious with enthusiasm at the thought of at last possessing + the ancient and glorious city, the eternal capital to which the empire of + the world had been promised, was but natural. It was, so to say, a + legitimate explosion of the delight and the hopes of a young nation + anxious to show its power. The question was to make Rome a modern capital + worthy of a great kingdom, and before aught else there were sanitary + requirements to be dealt with: the city needed to be cleansed of all the + filth which disgraced it. One cannot nowadays imagine in what abominable + putrescence the city of the popes, the <i>Roma sporca</i> which artists + regret, was then steeped: the vast majority of the houses lacked even the + most primitive arrangements, the public thoroughfares were used for all + purposes, noble ruins served as store-places for sewage, the princely + palaces were surrounded by filth, and the streets were perfect manure beds + which fostered frequent epidemics. Thus vast municipal works were + absolutely necessary, the question was one of health and life itself. And + in much the same way it was only right to think of building houses for the + newcomers, who would assuredly flock into the city. There had been a + precedent at Berlin, whose population, after the establishment of the + German empire, had suddenly increased by some hundreds of thousands. In + the same way the population of Rome would certainly be doubled, tripled, + quadrupled, for as the new centre of national life the city would + necessarily attract all the <i>vis viva</i> of the provinces. And at this + thought pride stepped in: the fallen government of the Vatican must be + shown what Italy was capable of achieving, what splendour she would bestow + on the new and third Rome, which, by the magnificence of its thoroughfares + and the multitude of its people, would far excel either the imperial or + the papal city. + </p> + <p> + True, during the early years some prudence was observed; wisely enough, + houses were only built in proportion as they were required. The population + had doubled at one bound, rising from two to four hundred thousand souls, + thanks to the arrival of the little world of employees and officials of + the public services—all those who live on the State or hope to live + on it, without mentioning the idlers and enjoyers of life whom a Court + always carries in its train. However, this influx of newcomers was a first + cause of intoxication, for every one imagined that the increase would + continue, and, in fact, become more and more rapid. And so the city of the + day before no longer seemed large enough; it was necessary to make + immediate preparations for the morrow’s need by enlarging Rome on all + sides. Folks talked, too, of the Paris of the second empire, which had + been so extended and transformed into a city of light and health. But + unfortunately on the banks of the Tiber there was neither any preconcerted + general plan nor any clear-seeing man, master of the situation, supported + by powerful financial organisations. And the work, begun by pride, + prompted by the ambition of surpassing the Rome of the Caesars and the + Popes, the determination to make the eternal, predestined city the queen + and centre of the world once more, was completed by speculation, one of + those extraordinary gambling frenzies, those tempests which arise, rage, + destroy, and carry everything away without premonitory warning or + possibility of arresting their course. All at once it was rumoured that + land bought at five francs the metre had been sold again for a hundred + francs the metre; and thereupon the fever arose—the fever of a + nation which is passionately fond of gambling. A flight of speculators + descending from North Italy swooped down upon Rome, the noblest and + easiest of preys. Those needy, famished mountaineers found spoils for + every appetite in that voluptuous South where life is so benign, and the + very delights of the climate helped to corrupt and hasten moral gangrene. + At first, too; it was merely necessary to stoop; money was to be found by + the shovelful among the rubbish of the first districts which were opened + up. People who were clever enough to scent the course which the new + thoroughfares would take and purchase buildings threatened with demolition + increased their capital tenfold in a couple of years. And after that the + contagion spread, infecting all classes—the princes, burgesses, + petty proprietors, even the shop-keepers, bakers, grocers, and + boot-makers; the delirium rising to such a pitch that a mere baker + subsequently failed for forty-five millions.* Nothing, indeed, was left + but rageful gambling, in which the stakes were millions, whilst the lands + and the houses became mere fictions, mere pretexts for stock-exchange + operations. And thus the old hereditary pride, which had dreamt of + transforming Rome into the capital of the world, was heated to madness by + the high fever of speculation—folks buying, and building, and + selling without limit, without a pause, even as one might throw shares + upon the market as fast and as long as presses can be found to print them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 1,800,000 pounds. See <i>ante</i> note.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + No other city in course of evolution has ever furnished such a spectacle. + Nowadays, when one strives to penetrate things one is confounded. The + population had increased to five hundred thousand, and then seemingly + remained stationary; nevertheless, new districts continued to sprout up + more thickly than ever. Yet what folly it was not to wait for a further + influx of inhabitants! Why continue piling up accommodation for thousands + of families whose advent was uncertain? The only excuse lay in having + beforehand propounded the proposition that the third Rome, the triumphant + capital of Italy, could not count less than a million souls, and in + regarding that proposition as indisputable fact. The people had not come, + but they surely would come: no patriot could doubt it without being guilty + of treason. And so houses were built and built without a pause, for the + half-million citizens who were coming. There was no anxiety as to the date + of their arrival; it was sufficient that they should be expected. Inside + Rome the companies which had been formed in connection with the new + thoroughfares passing through the old, demolished, pestiferous districts, + certainly sold or let their house property, and thereby realised large + profits. But, as the craze increased, other companies were established for + the purpose of erecting yet more and more districts outside Rome—veritable + little towns, of which there was no need whatever. Beyond the Porta San + Giovanni and the Porta San Lorenzo, suburbs sprang up as by miracle. A + town was sketched out over the vast estate of the Villa Ludovisi, from the + Porta Pia to the Porta Salaria and even as far as Sant’ Agnese. And then + came an attempt to make quite a little city, with church, school, and + market, arise all at once on the fields of the Castle of Sant’ Angelo. And + it was no question of small dwellings for labourers, modest flats for + employees, and others of limited means; no, it was a question of colossal + mansions three and four storeys high, displaying uniform and endless + facades which made these new excentral quarters quite Babylonian, such + districts, indeed, as only capitals endowed with intense life, like Paris + and London, could contrive to populate. However, such were the monstrous + products of pride and gambling; and what a page of history, what a bitter + lesson now that Rome, financially ruined, is further disgraced by that + hideous girdle of empty, and, for the most part, uncompleted carcases, + whose ruins already strew the grassy streets! + </p> + <p> + The fatal collapse, the disaster proved a frightful one. Narcisse + explained its causes and recounted its phases so clearly that Pierre fully + understood. Naturally enough, numerous financial companies had sprouted + up: the Immobiliere, the Society d’Edilizia e Construzione, the Fondaria, + the Tiberiana, and the Esquilino. Nearly all of them built, erected huge + houses, entire streets of them, for purposes of sale; but they also + gambled in land, selling plots at large profit to petty speculators, who + also dreamt of making large profits amidst the continuous, fictitious rise + brought about by the growing fever of agiotage. And the worst was that the + petty speculators, the middle-class people, the inexperienced shop-keepers + without capital, were crazy enough to build in their turn by borrowing of + the banks or applying to the companies which had sold them the land for + sufficient cash to enable them to complete their structures. As a general + rule, to avoid the loss of everything, the companies were one day + compelled to take back both land and buildings, incomplete though the + latter might be, and from the congestion which resulted they were bound to + perish. If the expected million of people had arrived to occupy the + dwellings prepared for them the gains would have been fabulous, and in ten + years Rome might have become one of the most flourishing capitals of the + world. But the people did not come, and the dwellings remained empty. + Moreover, the buildings erected by the companies were too large and costly + for the average investor inclined to put his money into house property. + Heredity had acted, the builders had planned things on too huge a scale, + raising a series of magnificent piles whose purpose was to dwarf those of + all other ages; but, as it happened, they were fated to remain lifeless + and deserted, testifying with wondrous eloquence to the impotence of + pride. + </p> + <p> + So there was no private capital that dared or could take the place of that + of the companies. Elsewhere, in Paris for instance, new districts have + been erected and embellishments have been carried out with the capital of + the country—the money saved by dint of thrift. But in Rome all was + built on the credit system, either by means of bills of exchange at ninety + days, or—and this was chiefly the case—by borrowing money + abroad. The huge sum sunk in these enterprises is estimated at a milliard, + four-fifths of which was French money. The bankers did everything; the + French ones lent to the Italian bankers at 3 1-2 or 4 per cent.; and the + Italian bankers accommodated the speculators, the Roman builders, at 6, 7, + and even 8 per cent. And thus the disaster was great indeed when France, + learning of Italy’s alliance with Germany, withdrew her 800,000,000 francs + in less than two years. The Italian banks were drained of their specie, + and the land and building companies, being likewise compelled to reimburse + their loans, were compelled to apply to the banks of issue, those + privileged to issue notes. At the same time they intimidated the + Government, threatening to stop all work and throw 40,000 artisans and + labourers starving on the pavement of Rome if it did not compel the banks + of issue to lend them the five or six millions of paper which they needed. + And this the Government at last did, appalled by the possibility of + universal bankruptcy. Naturally, however, the five or six millions could + not be paid back at maturity, as the newly built houses found neither + purchasers nor tenants; and so the great fall began, and continued with a + rush, heaping ruin upon ruin. The petty speculators fell on the builders, + the builders on the land companies, the land companies on the banks of + issue, and the latter on the public credit, ruining the nation. And that + was how a mere municipal crisis became a frightful disaster: a whole + milliard sunk to no purpose, Rome disfigured, littered with the ruins of + the gaping and empty dwellings which had been prepared for the five or six + hundred thousand inhabitants for whom the city yet waits in vain! + </p> + <p> + Moreover, in the breeze of glory which swept by, the state itself took a + colossal view of things. It was a question of at once making Italy + triumphant and perfect, of accomplishing in five and twenty years what + other nations have required centuries to effect. So there was feverish + activity and a prodigious outlay on canals, ports, roads, railway lines, + and improvements in all the great cities. Directly after the alliance with + Germany, moreover, the military and naval estimates began to devour + millions to no purpose. And the ever growing financial requirements were + simply met by the issue of paper, by a fresh loan each succeeding year. In + Rome alone, too, the building of the Ministry of War cost ten millions, + that of the Ministry of Finances fifteen, whilst a hundred was spent on + the yet unfinished quays, and two hundred and fifty were sunk on works of + defence around the city. And all this was a flare of the old hereditary + pride, springing from that soil whose sap can only blossom in extravagant + projects; the determination to dazzle and conquer the world which comes as + soon as one has climbed to the Capitol, even though one’s feet rest amidst + the accumulated dust of all the forms of human power which have there + crumbled one above the other. + </p> + <p> + “And, my dear friend,” continued Narcisse, “if I could go into all the + stories that are current, that are whispered here and there, you would be + stupefied at the insanity which overcame the whole city amidst the + terrible fever to which the gambling passion gave rise. Folks of small + account, and fools and ignorant people were not the only ones to be + ruined; nearly all the Roman nobles lost their ancient fortunes, their + gold and their palaces and their galleries of masterpieces, which they + owed to the munificence of the popes. The colossal wealth which it had + taken centuries of nepotism to pile up in the hands of a few melted away + like wax, in less than ten years, in the levelling fire of modern + speculation.” Then, forgetting that he was speaking to a priest, he went + on to relate one of the whispered stories to which he had alluded: + “There’s our good friend Dario, Prince Boccanera, the last of the name, + reduced to live on the crumbs which fall to him from his uncle the + Cardinal, who has little beyond his stipend left him. Well, Dario would be + a rich man had it not been for that extraordinary affair of the Villa + Montefiori. You have heard of it, no doubt; how Prince Onofrio, Dario’s + father, speculated, sold the villa grounds for ten millions, then bought + them back and built on them, and how, at last, not only the ten millions + were lost, but also all that remained of the once colossal fortune of the + Boccaneras. What you haven’t been told, however, is the secret part which + Count Prada—our Contessina’s husband—played in the affair. He + was the lover of Princess Boccanera, the beautiful Flavia Montefiori, who + had brought the villa as dowry to the old Prince. She was a very fine + woman, much younger than her husband, and it is positively said that it + was through her that Prada mastered the Prince—for she held her old + doting husband at arm’s length whenever he hesitated to give a signature + or go farther into the affair of which he scented the danger. And in all + this Prada gained the millions which he now spends, while as for the + beautiful Flavia, you are aware, no doubt, that she saved a little fortune + from the wreck and bought herself a second and much younger husband, whom + she turned into a Marquis Montefiori. In the whole affair the only victim + is our good friend Dario, who is absolutely ruined, and wishes to marry + his cousin, who is as poor as himself. It’s true that she’s determined to + have him, and that it’s impossible for him not to reciprocate her love. + But for that he would have already married some American girl with a dowry + of millions, like so many of the ruined princes, on the verge of + starvation, have done; that is, unless the Cardinal and Donna Serafina had + opposed such a match, which would not have been surprising, proud and + stubborn as they are, anxious to preserve the purity of their old Roman + blood. However, let us hope that Dario and the exquisite Benedetta will + some day be happy together.” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse paused; but, after taking a few steps in silence, he added in a + lower tone: “I’ve a relative who picked up nearly three millions in that + Villa Montefiori affair. Ah! I regret that I wasn’t here in those heroic + days of speculation. It must have been very amusing; and what strokes + there were for a man of self-possession to make!” + </p> + <p> + However, all at once, as he raised his head, he saw before him the + Quartiere dei Prati—the new district of the castle fields; and his + face thereupon changed: he again became an artist, indignant with the + modern abominations with which old Rome had been disfigured. His eyes + paled, and a curl of his lips expressed the bitter disdain of a dreamer + whose passion for the vanished centuries was sorely hurt: “Look, look at + it all!” he exclaimed. “To think of it, in the city of Augustus, the city + of Leo X, the city of eternal power and eternal beauty!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre himself was thunderstruck. The meadows of the Castle of Sant’ + Angelo, dotted with a few poplar trees, had here formerly stretched + alongside the Tiber as far as the first slopes of Monte Mario, thus + supplying, to the satisfaction of artists, a foreground or greenery to the + Borgo and the dome of St. Peter’s. But now, amidst the white, leprous, + overturned plain, there stood a town of huge, massive houses, cubes of + stone-work, invariably the same, with broad streets intersecting one + another at right angles. From end to end similar facades appeared, + suggesting series of convents, barracks, or hospitals. Extraordinary and + painful was the impression produced by this town so suddenly immobilised + whilst in course of erection. It was as if on some accursed morning a + wicked magician had with one touch of his wand stopped the works and + emptied the noisy stone-yards, leaving the buildings in mournful + abandonment. Here on one side the soil had been banked up; there deep pits + dug for foundations had remained gaping, overrun with weeds. There were + houses whose halls scarcely rose above the level of the soil; others which + had been raised to a second or third floor; others, again, which had been + carried as high as was intended, and even roofed in, suggesting skeletons + or empty cages. Then there were houses finished excepting that their walls + had not been plastered, others which had been left without window frames, + shutters, or doors; others, again, which had their doors and shutters, but + were nailed up like coffins with not a soul inside them; and yet others + which were partly, and in a few cases fully, inhabited—animated by + the most unexpected of populations. And no words could describe the + fearful mournfulness of that City of the Sleeping Beauty, hushed into + mortal slumber before it had even lived, lying annihilated beneath the + heavy sun pending an awakening which, likely enough, would never come. + </p> + <p> + Following his companion, Pierre walked along the broad, deserted streets, + where all was still as in a cemetery. Not a vehicle nor a pedestrian + passed by. Some streets had no foot ways; weeds were covering the unpaved + roads, turning them once more into fields; and yet there were temporary + gas lamps, mere leaden pipes bound to poles, which had been there for + years. To avoid payment of the door and window tax, the house owners had + generally closed all apertures with planks; while some houses, of which + little had been built, were surrounded by high palings for fear lest their + cellars should become the dens of all the bandits of the district. But the + most painful sight of all was that of the young ruins, the proud, lofty + structures, which, although unfinished, were already cracking on all + sides, and required the support of an intricate arrangement of timbers to + prevent them from falling in dust upon the ground. A pang came to one’s + heart as though one was in a city which some scourge had depopulated—pestilence, + war, or bombardment, of which these gaping carcases seem to retain the + mark. Then at the thought that this was abortment, not death—that + destruction would complete its work before the dreamt-of, vainly awaited + denizens would bring life to the still-born houses, one’s melancholy + deepened to hopeless discouragement. And at each corner, moreover, there + was the frightful irony of the magnificent marble slabs which bore the + names of the streets, illustrious historical names, Gracchus, Scipio, + Pliny, Pompey, Julius Caesar, blazing forth on those unfinished, crumbling + walls like a buffet dealt by the Past to modern incompetency. + </p> + <p> + Then Pierre was once more struck by this truth—that whosoever + possesses Rome is consumed by the building frenzy, the passion for marble, + the boastful desire to build and leave his monument of glory to future + generations. After the Caesars and the Popes had come the Italian + Government, which was no sooner master of the city than it wished to + reconstruct it, make it more splendid, more huge than it had ever been + before. It was the fatal suggestion of the soil itself—the blood of + Augustus rushing to the brain of these last-comers and urging them to a + mad desire to make the third Rome the queen of the earth. Thence had come + all the vast schemes such as the cyclopean quays and the mere ministries + struggling to outvie the Colosseum; and thence had come all the new + districts of gigantic houses which had sprouted like towns around the + ancient city. It was not only on the castle fields, but at the Porta San + Giovanni, the Porta San Lorenzo, the Villa Ludovisi, and on the heights of + the Viminal and the Esquiline that unfinished, empty districts were + already crumbling amidst the weeds of their deserted streets. After two + thousand years of prodigious fertility the soil really seemed to be + exhausted. Even as in very old fruit gardens newly planted plum and cherry + trees wither and die, so the new walls, no doubt, found no life in that + old dust of Rome, impoverished by the immemorial growth of so many + temples, circuses, arches, basilicas, and churches. And thus the modern + houses, which men had sought to render fruitful, the useless, over-huge + houses, swollen with hereditary ambition, had been unable to attain + maturity, and remained there sterile like dry bushes on a plot of land + exhausted by over-cultivation. And the frightful sadness that one felt + arose from the fact that so creative and great a past had culminated in + such present-day impotency—Rome, who had covered the world with + indestructible monuments, now so reduced that she could only generate + ruins. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they’ll be finished some day!” said Pierre. + </p> + <p> + Narcisse gazed at him in astonishment: “For whom?” + </p> + <p> + That was the cruel question! Only by dint of patriotic enthusiasm on the + morrow of the conquest had one been able to indulge in the hope of a + mighty influx of population, and now singular blindness was needed for the + belief that such an influx would ever take place. The past experiments + seemed decisive; moreover, there was no reason why the population should + double: Rome offered neither the attraction of pleasure nor that of gain + to be amassed in commerce and industry for those she had not, nor of + intensity of social and intellectual life, since of this she seemed no + longer capable. In any case, years and years would be requisite. And, + meantime, how could one people those houses which were finished; and for + whom was one to finish those which had remained mere skeletons, falling to + pieces under sun and rain? Must they all remain there indefinitely, some + gaunt and open to every blast and others closed and silent like tombs, in + the wretched hideousness of their inutility and abandonment? What a + terrible proof of error they offered under the radiant sky! The new + masters of Rome had made a bad start, and even if they now knew what they + ought to have done would they have the courage to undo what they had done? + Since the milliard sunk there seemed to be definitely lost and wasted, one + actually hoped for the advent of a Nero, endowed with mighty, sovereign + will, who would take torch and pick and burn and raze everything in the + avenging name of reason and beauty. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” resumed Narcisse, “here are the Contessina and the Prince.” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta had told the coachman to pull up in one of the open spaces + intersecting the deserted streets, and now along the broad, quiet, grassy + road—well fitted for a lovers’ stroll—she was approaching on + Dario’s arm, both of them delighted with their outing, and no longer + thinking of the sad things which they had come to see. “What a nice day it + is!” the Contessina gaily exclaimed as she reached Pierre and Narcisse. + “How pleasant the sunshine is! It’s quite a treat to be able to walk about + a little as if one were in the country!” + </p> + <p> + Dario was the first to cease smiling at the blue sky, all the delight of + his stroll with his cousin on his arm suddenly departing. “My dear,” said + he, “we must go to see those people, since you are bent on it, though it + will certainly spoil our day. But first I must take my bearings. I’m not + particularly clever, you know, in finding my way in places where I don’t + care to go. Besides, this district is idiotic with all its dead streets + and dead houses, and never a face or a shop to serve as a reminder. Still + I think the place is over yonder. Follow me; at all events, we shall see.” + </p> + <p> + The four friends then wended their way towards the central part of the + district, the part facing the Tiber, where a small nucleus of a population + had collected. The landlords turned the few completed houses to the best + advantage they could, letting the rooms at very low rentals, and waiting + patiently enough for payment. Some needy employees, some poverty-stricken + families—had thus installed themselves there, and in the long run + contrived to pay a trifle for their accommodation. In consequence, + however, of the demolition of the ancient Ghetto and the opening of the + new streets by which air had been let into the Trastevere district, + perfect hordes of tatterdemalions, famished and homeless, and almost + without garments, had swooped upon the unfinished houses, filling them + with wretchedness and vermin; and it had been necessary to tolerate this + lawless occupation lest all the frightful misery should remain displayed + in the public thoroughfares. And so it was to those frightful tenants that + had fallen the huge four and five storeyed palaces, entered by monumental + doorways flanked by lofty statues and having carved balconies upheld by + caryatides all along their fronts. Each family had made its choice, often + closing the frameless windows with boards and the gaping doorways with + rags, and occupying now an entire princely flat and now a few small rooms, + according to its taste. Horrid-looking linen hung drying from the carved + balconies, foul stains already degraded the white walls, and from the + magnificent porches, intended for sumptuous equipages, there poured a + stream of filth which rotted in stagnant pools in the roads, where there + was neither pavement nor footpath. + </p> + <p> + On two occasions already Dario had caused his companions to retrace their + steps. He was losing his way and becoming more and more gloomy. “I ought + to have taken to the left,” said he, “but how is one to know amidst such a + set as that!” + </p> + <p> + Parties of verminous children were now to be seen rolling in the dust; + they were wondrously dirty, almost naked, with black skins and tangled + locks as coarse as horsehair. There were also women in sordid skirts and + with their loose jackets unhooked. Many stood talking together in yelping + voices, whilst others, seated on old chairs with their hands on their + knees, remained like that idle for hours. Not many men were met; but a few + lay on the scorched grass, sleeping heavily in the sunlight. However, the + stench was becoming unbearable—a stench of misery as when the human + animal eschews all cleanliness to wallow in filth. And matters were made + worse by the smell from a small, improvised market—the emanations of + the rotting fruit, cooked and sour vegetables, and stale fried fish which + a few poor women had set out on the ground amidst a throng of famished, + covetous children. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! well, my dear, I really don’t know where it is,” all at once + exclaimed the Prince, addressing his cousin. “Be reasonable; we’ve surely + seen enough; let’s go back to the carriage.” + </p> + <p> + He was really suffering, and, as Benedetta had said, he did not know how + to suffer. It seemed to him monstrous that one should sadden one’s life by + such an excursion as this. Life ought to be buoyant and benign under the + clear sky, brightened by pleasant sights, by dance and song. And he, with + his naive egotism, had a positive horror of ugliness, poverty, and + suffering, the sight of which caused him both mental and physical pain. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta shuddered even as he did, but in presence of Pierre she desired + to be brave. Glancing at him, and seeing how deeply interested and + compassionate he looked, she desired to persevere in her effort to + sympathise with the humble and the wretched. “No, no, Dario, we must stay. + These gentlemen wish to see everything—is it not so?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the Rome of to-day is here,” exclaimed Pierre; “this tells one more + about it than all the promenades among the ruins and the monuments.” + </p> + <p> + “You exaggerate, my dear Abbe,” declared Narcisse. “Still, I will admit + that it is very interesting. Some of the old women are particularly + expressive.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment Benedetta, seeing a superbly beautiful girl in front of + her, could not restrain a cry of enraptured admiration: “<i>O che + bellezza!</i>” + </p> + <p> + And then Dario, having recognised the girl, exclaimed with the same + delight: “Why, it’s La Pierina; she’ll show us the way.” + </p> + <p> + The girl had been following the party for a moment already without daring + to approach. Her eyes, glittering with the joy of a loving slave, had at + first darted towards the Prince, and then had hastily scrutinised the + Contessina—not, however, with any show of jealous anger, but with an + expression of affectionate submission and resigned happiness at seeing + that she also was very beautiful. And the girl fully answered to the + Prince’s description of her—tall, sturdy, with the bust of a + goddess, a real antique, a Juno of twenty, her chin somewhat prominent, + her mouth and nose perfect in contour, her eyes large and full like a + heifer’s, and her whole face quite dazzling—gilded, so to say, by a + sunflash—beneath her casque of heavy jet-black hair. + </p> + <p> + “So you will show us the way?” said Benedetta, familiar and smiling, + already consoled for all the surrounding ugliness by the thought that + there should be such beautiful creatures in the world. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, signora, yes, at once!” And thereupon Pierina ran off before + them, her feet in shoes which at any rate had no holes, whilst the old + brown woollen dress which she wore appeared to have been recently washed + and mended. One seemed to divine in her a certain coquettish care, a + desire for cleanliness, which none of the others displayed; unless, + indeed, it were simply that her great beauty lent radiance to her humble + garments and made her appear a goddess. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Che bellezza! the bellezza!</i>” the Contessina repeated without + wearying. “That girl, Dario <i>mio</i>, is a real feast for the eyes!” + </p> + <p> + “I knew she would please you,” he quietly replied, flattered at having + discovered such a beauty, and no longer talking of departure, since he + could at last rest his eyes on something pleasant. + </p> + <p> + Behind them came Pierre, likewise full of admiration, whilst Narcisse + spoke to him of the scrupulosity of his own tastes, which were for the + rare and the subtle. “She’s beautiful, no doubt,” said he; “but at bottom + nothing can be more gross than the Roman style of beauty; there’s no soul, + none of the infinite in it. These girls simply have blood under their + skins without ever a glimpse of heaven.” + </p> + <p> + Meantime Pierina had stopped, and with a wave of the hand directed + attention to her mother, who sat on a broken box beside the lofty doorway + of an unfinished mansion. She also must have once been very beautiful, but + at forty she was already a wreck, with dim eyes, drawn mouth, black teeth, + broadly wrinkled countenance, and huge fallen bosom. And she was also + fearfully dirty, her grey wavy hair dishevelled and her skirt and jacket + soiled and slit, revealing glimpses of grimy flesh. On her knees she held + a sleeping infant, her last-born, at whom she gazed like one overwhelmed + and courageless, like a beast of burden resigned to her fate. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Bene, bene,</i>” said she, raising her head, “it’s the gentleman who + came to give me a crown because he saw you crying. And he’s come back to + see us with some friends. Well, well, there are some good hearts in the + world after all.” + </p> + <p> + Then she related their story, but in a spiritless way, without seeking to + move her visitors. She was called Giacinta, it appeared, and had married a + mason, one Tomaso Gozzo, by whom she had had seven children, Pierina, then + Tito, a big fellow of eighteen, then four more girls, each at an interval + of two years, and finally the infant, a boy, whom she now had on her lap. + They had long lived in the Trastevere district, in an old house which had + lately been pulled down; and their existence seemed to have then been + shattered, for since they had taken refuge in the Quartiere dei Prati the + crisis in the building trade had reduced Tomaso and Tito to absolute + idleness, and the bead factory where Pierina had earned as much as + tenpence a day—just enough to prevent them from dying of hunger—had + closed its doors. At present not one of them had any work; they lived + purely by chance. + </p> + <p> + “If you like to go up,” the woman added, “you’ll find Tomaso there with + his brother Ambrogio, whom we’ve taken to live with us. They’ll know + better than I what to say to you. Tomaso is resting; but what else can he + do? It’s like Tito—he’s dozing over there.” + </p> + <p> + So saying she pointed towards the dry grass amidst which lay a tall young + fellow with a pronounced nose, hard mouth, and eyes as admirable as + Pierina’s. He had raised his head to glance suspiciously at the visitors, + a fierce frown gathering on his forehead when he remarked how rapturously + his sister contemplated the Prince. Then he let his head fall again, but + kept his eyes open, watching the pair stealthily. + </p> + <p> + “Take the lady and gentlemen upstairs, Pierina, since they would like to + see the place,” said the mother. + </p> + <p> + Other women had now drawn near, shuffling along with bare feet in old + shoes; bands of children, too, were swarming around; little girls but half + clad, amongst whom, no doubt, were Giacinta’s four. However, with their + black eyes under their tangled mops they were all so much alike that only + their mothers could identify them. And the whole resembled a teeming camp + of misery pitched on that spot of majestic disaster, that street of + palaces, unfinished yet already in ruins. + </p> + <p> + With a soft, loving smile, Benedetta turned to her cousin. “Don’t you come + up,” she gently said; “I don’t desire your death, Dario <i>mio</i>. It was + very good of you to come so far. Wait for me here in the pleasant + sunshine: Monsieur l’Abbe and Monsieur Habert will go up with me.” + </p> + <p> + Dario began to laugh, and willingly acquiesced. Then lighting a cigarette, + he walked slowly up and down, well pleased with the mildness of the + atmosphere. + </p> + <p> + La Pierina had already darted into the spacious porch whose lofty, vaulted + ceiling was adorned with coffers displaying a rosaceous pattern. However, + a veritable manure heap covered such marble slabs as had already been laid + in the vestibule, whilst the steps of the monumental stone staircase with + sculptured balustrade were already cracked and so grimy that they seemed + almost black. On all sides appeared the greasy stains of hands; the walls, + whilst awaiting the painter and gilder, had been smeared with repulsive + filth. + </p> + <p> + On reaching the spacious first-floor landing Pierina paused, and contented + herself with calling through a gaping portal which lacked both door and + framework: “Father, here’s a lady and two gentlemen to see you.” Then to + the Contessina she added: “It’s the third room at the end.” And forthwith + she herself rapidly descended the stairs, hastening back to her passion. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta and her companions passed through two large rooms, bossy with + plaster under foot and having frameless windows wide open upon space; and + at last they reached a third room, where the whole Gozzo family had + installed itself with the remnants it used as furniture. On the floor, + where the bare iron girders showed, no boards having been laid down, were + five or six leprous-looking palliasses. A long table, which was still + strong, occupied the centre of the room, and here and there were a few + old, damaged, straw-seated chairs mended with bits of rope. The great + business had been to close two of the three windows with boards, whilst + the third one and the door were screened with some old mattress ticking + studded with stains and holes. + </p> + <p> + Tomaso’s face expressed the surprise of a man who is unaccustomed to + visits of charity. Seated at the table, with his elbows resting on it and + his chin supported by his hands, he was taking repose, as his wife + Giacinta had said. He was a sturdy fellow of five and forty, bearded and + long-haired; and, in spite of all his misery and idleness, his large face + had remained as serene as that of a Roman senator. However, the sight of + the two foreigners—for such he at once judged Pierre and Narcisse to + be, made him rise to his feet with sudden distrust. But he smiled on + recognising Benedetta, and as she began to speak of Dario, and to explain + the charitable purpose of their visit, he interrupted her: “Yes, yes, I + know, Contessina. Oh! I well know who you are, for in my father’s time I + once walled up a window at the Palazzo Boccanera.” + </p> + <p> + Then he complaisantly allowed himself to be questioned, telling Pierre, + who was surprised, that although they were certainly not happy they would + have found life tolerable had they been able to work two days a week. And + one could divine that he was, at heart, fairly well content to go on short + commons, provided that he could live as he listed without fatigue. His + narrative and his manner suggested the familiar locksmith who, on being + summoned by a traveller to open his trunk, the key of which was lost, sent + word that he could not possibly disturb himself during the hour of the + siesta. In short, there was no rent to pay, as there were plenty of empty + mansions open to the poor, and a few coppers would have sufficed for food, + easily contented and sober as one was. + </p> + <p> + “But oh, sir,” Tomaso continued, “things were ever so much better under + the Pope. My father, a mason like myself, worked at the Vatican all his + life, and even now, when I myself get a job or two, it’s always there. We + were spoilt, you see, by those ten years of busy work, when we never left + our ladders and earned as much as we pleased. Of course, we fed ourselves + better, and bought ourselves clothes, and took such pleasure as we cared + for; so that it’s all the harder nowadays to have to stint ourselves. But + if you’d only come to see us in the Pope’s time! No taxes, everything to + be had for nothing, so to say—why, one merely had to let oneself + live.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment a growl arose from one of the palliasses lying in the shade + of the boarded windows, and the mason, in his slow, quiet way, resumed: + “It’s my brother Ambrogio, who isn’t of my opinion. + </p> + <p> + “He was with the Republicans in ‘49, when he was fourteen. But it doesn’t + matter; we took him with us when we heard that he was dying of hunger and + sickness in a cellar.” + </p> + <p> + The visitors could not help quivering with pity. Ambrogio was the elder by + some fifteen years; and now, though scarcely sixty, he was already a ruin, + consumed by fever, his legs so wasted that he spent his days on his + palliasse without ever going out. Shorter and slighter, but more turbulent + than his brother, he had been a carpenter by trade. And, despite his + physical decay, he retained an extraordinary head—the head of an + apostle and martyr, at once noble and tragic in its expression, and + encompassed by bristling snowy hair and beard. + </p> + <p> + “The Pope,” he growled; “I’ve never spoken badly of the Pope. Yet it’s his + fault if tyranny continues. He alone in ‘49 could have given us the + Republic, and then we shouldn’t have been as we are now.” + </p> + <p> + Ambrogio had known Mazzini, whose vague religiosity remained in him—the + dream of a Republican pope at last establishing the reign of liberty and + fraternity. But later on his passion for Garibaldi had disturbed these + views, and led him to regard the papacy as worthless, incapable of + achieving human freedom. And so, between the dream of his youth and the + stern experience of his life, he now hardly knew in which direction the + truth lay. Moreover, he had never acted save under the impulse of violent + emotion, but contented himself with fine words—vague, indeterminate + wishes. + </p> + <p> + “Brother Ambrogio,” replied Tomaso, all tranquillity, “the Pope is the + Pope, and wisdom lies in putting oneself on his side, because he will + always be the Pope—that is to say, the stronger. For my part, if we + had to vote to-morrow I’d vote for him.” + </p> + <p> + Calmed by the shrewd prudence characteristic of his race, the old + carpenter made no haste to reply. At last he said, “Well, as for me, + brother Tomaso, I should vote against him—always against him. And + you know very well that we should have the majority. The Pope-king indeed! + That’s all over. The very Borgo would revolt. Still, I won’t say that we + oughtn’t to come to an understanding with him, so that everybody’s + religion may be respected.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened, deeply interested, and at last ventured to ask: “Are + there many socialists among the Roman working classes?” + </p> + <p> + This time the answer came after a yet longer pause. “Socialists? Yes, + there are some, no doubt, but much fewer than in other places. All those + things are novelties which impatient fellows go in for without + understanding much about them. We old men, we were for liberty; we don’t + believe in fire and massacre.” + </p> + <p> + Then, fearing to say too much in presence of that lady and those + gentlemen, Ambrogio began to moan on his pallet, whilst the Contessina, + somewhat upset by the smell of the place, took her departure, after + telling the young priest that it would be best for them to leave their + alms with the wife downstairs. Meantime Tomaso resumed his seat at the + table, again letting his chin rest on his hands as he nodded to his + visitors, no more impressed by their departure than he had been by their + arrival: “To the pleasure of seeing you again, and am happy to have been + able to oblige you.” + </p> + <p> + On the threshold, however, Narcisse’s enthusiasm burst forth; he turned to + cast a final admiring glance at old Ambrogio’s head, “a perfect + masterpiece,” which he continued praising whilst he descended the stairs. + </p> + <p> + Down below Giacinta was still sitting on the broken box with her infant + across her lap, and a few steps away Pierina stood in front of Dario, + watching him with an enchanted air whilst he finished his cigarette. Tito, + lying low in the grass like an animal on the watch for prey, did not for a + moment cease to gaze at them. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, signora!” resumed the woman, in her resigned, doleful voice, “the + place is hardly inhabitable, as you must have seen. The only good thing is + that one gets plenty of room. But there are draughts enough to kill me, + and I’m always so afraid of the children falling down some of the holes.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon she related a story of a woman who had lost her life through + mistaking a window for a door one evening and falling headlong into the + street. Then, too, a little girl had broken both arms by tumbling from a + staircase which had no banisters. And you could die there without anybody + knowing how bad you were and coming to help you. Only the previous day the + corpse of an old man had been found lying on the plaster in a lonely room. + Starvation must have killed him quite a week previously, yet he would + still have been stretched there if the odour of his remains had not + attracted the attention of neighbours. + </p> + <p> + “If one only had something to eat things wouldn’t be so bad!” continued + Giacinta. “But it’s dreadful when there’s a baby to suckle and one gets no + food, for after a while one has no milk. This little fellow wants his + titty and gets angry with me because I can’t give him any. But it isn’t my + fault. He has sucked me till the blood came, and all I can do is to cry.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke tears welled into her poor dim eyes. But all at once she flew + into a tantrum with Tito, who was still wallowing in the grass like an + animal instead of rising by way of civility towards those fine people, who + would surely leave her some alms. “Eh! Tito, you lazy fellow, can’t you + get up when people come to see you?” she called. + </p> + <p> + After some pretence of not hearing, the young fellow at last rose with an + air of great ill-humour; and Pierre, feeling interested in him, tried to + draw him out as he had done with the father and uncle upstairs. But Tito + only returned curt answers, as if both bored and suspicious. Since there + was no work to be had, said he, the only thing was to sleep. It was of no + use to get angry; that wouldn’t alter matters. So the best was to live as + one could without increasing one’s worry. As for socialists—well, + yes, perhaps there were a few, but he didn’t know any. And his weary, + indifferent manner made it quite clear that, if his father was for the + Pope and his uncle for the Republic, he himself was for nothing at all. In + this Pierre divined the end of a nation, or rather the slumber of a nation + in which democracy has not yet awakened. However, as the priest continued, + asking Tito his age, what school he had attended, and in what district he + had been born, the young man suddenly cut the questions short by pointing + with one finger to his breast and saying gravely, “<i>Io son’ Romano di + Roma</i>.” + </p> + <p> + And, indeed, did not that answer everything? “I am a Roman of Rome.” + Pierre smiled sadly and spoke no further. Never had he more fully realised + the pride of that race, the long-descending inheritance of glory which was + so heavy to bear. The sovereign vanity of the Caesars lived anew in that + degenerate young fellow who was scarcely able to read and write. + Starveling though he was, he knew his city, and could instinctively have + recounted the grand pages of its history. The names of the great emperors + and great popes were familiar to him. And why should men toil and moil + when they had been the masters of the world? Why not live nobly and idly + in the most beautiful of cities, under the most beautiful of skies? “<i>Io + son’ Romano di Roma</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta had slipped her alms into the mother’s hand, and Pierre and + Narcisse were following her example when Dario, who had already done so, + thought of Pierina. He did not like to offer her money, but a pretty, + fanciful idea occurred to him. Lightly touching his lips with his + finger-tips, he said, with a faint laugh, “For beauty!” + </p> + <p> + There was something really pretty and pleasing in the kiss thus wafted + with a slightly mocking laugh by that familiar, good-natured young Prince + who, as in some love story of the olden time, was touched by the beautiful + bead-worker’s mute adoration. Pierina flushed with pleasure, and, losing + her head, darted upon Dario’s hand and pressed her warm lips to it with + unthinking impulsiveness, in which there was as much divine gratitude as + tender passion. But Tito’s eyes flashed with anger at the sight, and, + brutally seizing his sister by the skirt, he threw her back, growling + between his teeth, “None of that, you know, or I’ll kill you, and him + too!” + </p> + <p> + It was high time for the visitors to depart, for other women, scenting the + presence of money, were now coming forward with outstretched hands, or + despatching tearful children in their stead. The whole wretched, abandoned + district was in a flutter, a distressful wail ascended from those lifeless + streets with high resounding names. But what was to be done? One could not + give to all. So the only course lay in flight—amidst deep sadness as + one realised how powerless was charity in presence of such appalling want. + </p> + <p> + When Benedetta and Dario had reached their carriage they hastened to take + their seats and nestle side by side, glad to escape from all such horrors. + Still the Contessina was well pleased with her bravery in the presence of + Pierre, whose hand she pressed with the emotion of a pupil touched by the + master’s lesson, after Narcisse had told her that he meant to take the + young priest to lunch at the little restaurant on the Piazza of St. + Peter’s whence one obtained such an interesting view of the Vatican. + </p> + <p> + “Try some of the light white wine of Genzano,” said Dario, who had become + quite gay again. “There’s nothing better to drive away the blues.” + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre’s curiosity was insatiable, and on the way he again + questioned Narcisse about the people of modern Rome, their life, habits, + and manners. There was little or no education, he learnt; no large + manufactures and no export trade existed. The men carried on the few + trades that were current, all consumption being virtually limited to the + city itself. Among the women there were bead-workers and embroiderers; and + the manufacture of religious articles, such as medals and chaplets, and of + certain popular jewellery had always occupied a fair number of hands. But + after marriage the women, invariably burdened with numerous offspring, + attempted little beyond household work. Briefly, the population took life + as it came, working just sufficiently to secure food, contenting itself + with vegetables, pastes, and scraggy mutton, without thought of rebellion + or ambition. The only vices were gambling and a partiality for the red and + white wines of the Roman province—wines which excited to quarrel and + murder, and on the evenings of feast days, when the taverns emptied, + strewed the streets with groaning men, slashed and stabbed with knives. + The girls, however, but seldom went wrong; one could count those who + allowed themselves to be seduced; and this arose from the great union + prevailing in each family, every member of which bowed submissively to the + father’s absolute authority. Moreover, the brothers watched over their + sisters even as Tito did over Pierina, guarding them fiercely for the sake + of the family honour. And amidst all this there was no real religion, but + simply a childish idolatry, all hearts going forth to Madonna and the + Saints, who alone were entreated and regarded as having being: for it + never occurred to anybody to think of God. + </p> + <p> + Thus the stagnation of the lower orders could easily be understood. Behind + them were the many centuries during which idleness had been encouraged, + vanity flattered, and nerveless life willingly accepted. When they were + neither masons, nor carpenters, nor bakers, they were servants serving the + priests, and more or less directly in the pay of the Vatican. Thence + sprang the two antagonistic parties, on the one hand the more numerous + party composed of the old Carbonari, Mazzinians, and Garibaldians, the <i>elite</i> + of the Trastevere; and on the other the “clients” of the Vatican, all who + lived on or by the Church and regretted the Pope-King. But, after all, the + antagonism was confined to opinions; there was no thought of making an + effort or incurring a risk. For that, some sudden flare of passion, strong + enough to overcome the sturdy calmness of the race, would have been + needed. But what would have been the use of it? The wretchedness had + lasted for so many centuries, the sky was so blue, the siesta preferable + to aught else during the hot hours! And only one thing seemed positive—that + the majority was certainly in favour of Rome remaining the capital of + Italy. Indeed, rebellion had almost broken out in the Leonine City when + the cession of the latter to the Holy See was rumoured. As for the + increase of want and poverty, this was largely due to the circumstance + that the Roman workman had really gained nothing by the many works carried + on in his city during fifteen years. First of all, over 40,000 + provincials, mostly from the North, more spirited and resistant than + himself, and working at cheaper rates, had invaded Rome; and when he, the + Roman, had secured his share of the labour, he had lived in better style, + without thought of economy; so that after the crisis, when the 40,000 men + from the provinces were sent home again, he had found himself once more in + a dead city where trade was always slack. And thus he had relapsed into + his antique indolence, at heart well pleased at no longer being hustled by + press of work, and again accommodating himself as best he could to his old + mistress, Want, empty in pocket yet always a <i>grand seigneur</i>. + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre was struck by the great difference between the want and + wretchedness of Rome and Paris. In Rome the destitution was certainly more + complete, the food more loathsome, the dirt more repulsive. Yet at the + same time the Roman poor retained more ease of manner and more real + gaiety. The young priest thought of the fireless, breadless poor of Paris, + shivering in their hovels at winter time; and suddenly he understood. The + destitution of Rome did not know cold. What a sweet and eternal + consolation; a sun for ever bright, a sky for ever blue and benign out of + charity to the wretched! And what mattered the vileness of the dwelling if + one could sleep under the sky, fanned by the warm breeze! What mattered + even hunger if the family could await the windfall of chance in sunlit + streets or on the scorched grass! The climate induced sobriety; there was + no need of alcohol or red meat to enable one to face treacherous fogs. + Blissful idleness smiled on the golden evenings, poverty became like the + enjoyment of liberty in that delightful atmosphere where the happiness of + living seemed to be all sufficient. Narcisse told Pierre that at Naples, + in the narrow odoriferous streets of the port and Santa Lucia districts, + the people spent virtually their whole lives out-of-doors, gay, childish, + and ignorant, seeking nothing beyond the few pence that were needed to buy + food. And it was certainly the climate which fostered the prolonged + infancy of the nation, which explained why such a democracy did not awaken + to social ambition and consciousness of itself. No doubt the poor of + Naples and Rome suffered from want; but they did not know the rancour + which cruel winter implants in men’s hearts, the dark rancour which one + feels on shivering with cold while rich people are warming themselves + before blazing fires. They did not know the infuriated reveries in + snow-swept hovels, when the guttering dip burns low, the passionate need + which then comes upon one to wreak justice, to revolt, as from a sense of + duty, in order that one may save wife and children from consumption, in + order that they also may have a warm nest where life shall be a + possibility! Ah! the want that shivers with the bitter cold—therein + lies the excess of social injustice, the most terrible of schools, where + the poor learn to realise their sufferings, where they are roused to + indignation, and swear to make those sufferings cease, even if in doing so + they annihilate all olden society! + </p> + <p> + And in that same clemency of the southern heavens Pierre also found an + explanation of the life of St. Francis,* that divine mendicant of love who + roamed the high roads extolling the charms of poverty. Doubtless he was an + unconscious revolutionary, protesting against the overflowing luxury of + the Roman court by his return to the love of the humble, the simplicity of + the primitive Church. But such a revival of innocence and sobriety would + never have been possible in a northern land. The enchantment of Nature, + the frugality of a people whom the sunlight nourished, the benignity of + mendicancy on roads for ever warm, were needed to effect it. And yet how + was it possible that a St. Francis, glowing with brotherly love, could + have appeared in a land which nowadays so seldom practises charity, which + treats the lowly so harshly and contemptuously, and cannot even bestow + alms on its own Pope? Is it because ancient pride ends by hardening all + hearts, or because the experience of very old races leads finally to + egotism, that one now beholds Italy seemingly benumbed amidst dogmatic and + pompous Catholicism, whilst the return to the ideals of the Gospel, the + passionate interest in the poor and the suffering comes from the woeful + plains of the North, from the nations whose sunlight is so limited? Yes, + doubtless all that has much to do with the change, and the success of St. + Francis was in particular due to the circumstance that, after so gaily + espousing his lady, Poverty, he was able to lead her, bare-footed and + scarcely clad, during endless and delightful spring-tides, among + communities whom an ardent need of love and compassion then consumed. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the famous order of + mendicant friars.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + While conversing, Pierre and Narcisse had reached the Piazza of St. + Peter’s, and they sat down at one of the little tables skirting the + pavement outside the restaurant where they had lunched once before. The + linen was none too clean, but the view was splendid. The Basilica rose up + in front of them, and the Vatican on the right, above the majestic curve + of the colonnade. Just as the waiter was bringing the <i>hors-d’oeuvre</i>, + some <i>finocchio</i>* and anchovies, the young priest, who had fixed his + eyes on the Vatican, raised an exclamation to attract Narcisse’s + attention: “Look, my friend, at that window, which I am told is the Holy + Father’s. Can’t you distinguish a pale figure standing there, quite + motionless?” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Fennel-root, eaten raw, a favourite “appetiser” in Rome during + the spring and autumn.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + The young man began to laugh. “Oh! well,” said he, “it must be the Holy + Father in person. You are so anxious to see him that your very anxiety + conjures him into your presence.” + </p> + <p> + “But I assure you,” repeated Pierre, “that he is over there behind the + window-pane. There is a white figure looking this way.” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse, who was very hungry, began to eat whilst still indulging in + banter. All at once, however, he exclaimed: “Well, my dear Abbe, as the + Pope is looking at us, this is the moment to speak of him. I promised to + tell you how he sunk several millions of St. Peter’s Patrimony in the + frightful financial crisis of which you have just seen the ruins; and, + indeed, your visit to the new district of the castle fields would not be + complete without this story by way of appendix.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon, without losing a mouthful, Narcisse spoke at considerable + length. At the death of Pius IX the Patrimony of St. Peter, it seemed, had + exceeded twenty millions of francs. Cardinal Antonelli, who speculated, + and whose ventures were usually successful, had for a long time left a + part of this money with the Rothschilds and a part in the hands of + different nuncios, who turned it to profit abroad. After Antonelli’s + death, however, his successor, Cardinal Simeoni, withdrew the money from + the nuncios to invest it at Rome; and Leo XIII on his accession entrusted + the administration of the Patrimony to a commission of cardinals, of which + Monsignor Folchi was appointed secretary. This prelate, who for twelve + years played such an important <i>role</i>, was the son of an employee of + the Dataria, who, thanks to skilful financial operations, had left a + fortune of a million francs. Monsignor Folchi inherited his father’s + cleverness, and revealed himself to be a financier of the first rank in + such wise that the commission gradually relinquished its powers to him, + letting him act exactly as he pleased and contenting itself with approving + the reports which he laid before it at each meeting. The Patrimony, + however, yielded scarcely more than a million francs per annum, and, as + the expenditure amounted to seven millions, six had to be found. + Accordingly, from that other source of income, the Peter’s Pence, the Pope + annually gave three million francs to Monsignor Folchi, who, by skilful + speculations and investments, was able to double them every year, and thus + provide for all disbursements without ever breaking into the capital of + the Patrimony. In the earlier times he realised considerable profit by + gambling in land in and about Rome. He took shares also in many new + enterprises, speculated in mills, omnibuses, and water-services, without + mentioning all the gambling in which he participated with the Banca di + Roma, a Catholic institution. Wonderstruck by his skill, the Pope, who, on + his own side, had hitherto speculated through the medium of a confidential + employee named Sterbini, dismissed the latter, and entrusted Monsignor + Folchi with the duty of turning his money to profit in the same way as he + turned that of the Holy See. This was the climax of the prelate’s favour, + the apogee of his power. Bad days were dawning, things were tottering + already, and the great collapse was soon to come, sudden and swift like + lightning. One of Leo XIII’s practices was to lend large sums to the Roman + princes who, seized with the gambling frenzy, and mixed up in land and + building speculations, were at a loss for money. To guarantee the Pope’s + advances they deposited shares with him, and thus, when the downfall came, + he was left with heaps of worthless paper on his hands. Then another + disastrous affair was an attempt to found a house of credit in Paris in + view of working off the shares which could not be disposed of in Italy + among the French aristocracy and religious people. To egg these on it was + said that the Pope was interested in the venture; and the worst was that + he dropped three millions of francs in it.* The situation then became the + more critical as he had gradually risked all the money he disposed of in + the terrible agiotage going on in Rome, tempted thereto by the prospect of + huge profits and perhaps indulging in the hope that he might win back by + money the city which had been torn from him by force. His own + responsibility remained complete, for Monsignor Folchi never made an + important venture without consulting him; and he must have been therefore + the real artisan of the disaster, mastered by his passion for gain, his + desire to endow the Church with a huge capital, that great source of power + in modern times. As always happens, however, the prelate was the only + victim. He had become imperious and difficult to deal with; and was no + longer liked by the cardinals of the commission, who were merely called + together to approve such transactions as he chose to entrust to them. So, + when the crisis came, a plot was laid; the cardinals terrified the Pope by + telling him of all the evil rumours which were current, and then forced + Monsignor Folchi to render a full account of his speculations. The + situation proved to be very bad; it was no longer possible to avoid heavy + losses. And so Monsignor Folchi was disgraced, and since then has vainly + solicited an audience of Leo XIII, who has always refused to receive him, + as if determined to punish him for their common fault—that passion + for lucre which blinded them both. Very pious and submissive, however, + Monsignor Folchi has never complained, but has kept his secrets and bowed + to fate. Nobody can say exactly how many millions the Patrimony of St. + Peter lost when Rome was changed into a gambling-hell, but if some + prelates only admit ten, others go as far as thirty. The probability is + that the loss was about fifteen millions.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The allusion is evidently to the famous Union Generale, on + which the Pope bestowed his apostolic benediction, and with + which M. Zola deals at length in his novel <i>Money</i>. Certainly + a very brilliant idea was embodied in the Union Generale, that + of establishing a great international Catholic bank which + would destroy the Jewish financial autocracy throughout Europe, + and provide both the papacy and the Legitimist cause in several + countries with the sinews of war. But in the battle which + ensued the great Jew financial houses proved the stronger, and + the disaster which overtook the Catholic speculators was a + terrible one.—Trans. + + ** That is 600,000 pounds. +</pre> + <p> + Whilst Narcisse was giving this account he and Pierre had despatched their + cutlets and tomatoes, and the waiter was now serving them some fried + chicken. “At the present time,” said Narcisse by way of conclusion, “the + gap has been filled up; I told you of the large sums yielded by the + Peter’s Pence Fund, the amount of which is only known by the Pope, who + alone fixes its employment. And, by the way, he isn’t cured of + speculating: I know from a good source that he still gambles, though with + more prudence. Moreover, his confidential assistant is still a prelate. + And, when all is said, my dear Abbe, he’s in the right: a man must belong + to his times—dash it all!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had listened with growing surprise, in which terror and sadness + mingled. Doubtless such things were natural, even legitimate; yet he, in + his dream of a pastor of souls free from all terrestrial cares, had never + imagined that they existed. What! the Pope—the spiritual father of + the lowly and the suffering—had speculated in land and in stocks and + shares! He had gambled, placed funds in the hands of Jew bankers, + practised usury, extracted hard interest from money—he, the + successor of the Apostle, the Pontiff of Christ, the representative of + Jesus, of the Gospel, that divine friend of the poor! And, besides, what a + painful contrast: so many millions stored away in those rooms of the + Vatican, and so many millions working and fructifying, constantly being + diverted from one speculation to another in order that they might yield + the more gain; and then down below, near at hand, so much want and misery + in those abominable unfinished buildings of the new districts, so many + poor folks dying of hunger amidst filth, mothers without milk for their + babes, men reduced to idleness by lack of work, old ones at the last gasp + like beasts of burden who are pole-axed when they are of no more use! Ah! + God of Charity, God of Love, was it possible! The Church doubtless had + material wants; she could not live without money; prudence and policy had + dictated the thought of gaining for her such a treasure as would enable + her to fight her adversaries victoriously. But how grievously this wounded + one’s feelings, how it soiled the Church, how she descended from her + divine throne to become nothing but a party, a vast international + association organised for the purpose of conquering and possessing the + world! + </p> + <p> + And the more Pierre thought of the extraordinary adventure the greater was + his astonishment. Could a more unexpected, startling drama be imagined? + That Pope shutting himself up in his palace—a prison, no doubt, but + one whose hundred windows overlooked immensity; that Pope who, at all + hours of the day and night, in every season, could from his window see his + capital, the city which had been stolen from him, and the restitution of + which he never ceased to demand; that Pope who, day by day, beheld the + changes effected in the city—the opening of new streets, the + demolition of ancient districts, the sale of land, and the gradual + erection of new buildings which ended by forming a white girdle around the + old ruddy roofs; that Pope who, in presence of this daily spectacle, this + building frenzy, which he could follow from morn till eve, was himself + finally overcome by the gambling passion, and, secluded in his closed + chamber, began to speculate on the embellishments of his old capital, + seeking wealth in the spurt of work and trade brought about by that very + Italian Government which he reproached with spoliation; and finally that + Pope losing millions in a catastrophe which he ought to have desired, but + had been unable to foresee! No, never had dethroned monarch yielded to a + stranger idea, compromised himself in a more tragical venture, the result + of which fell upon him like divine punishment. And it was no mere king who + had done this, but the delegate of God, the man who, in the eyes of + idolatrous Christendom, was the living manifestation of the Deity! + </p> + <p> + Dessert had now been served—a goat’s cheese and some fruit—and + Narcisse was just finishing some grapes when, on raising his eyes, he in + turn exclaimed: “Well, you are quite right, my dear Abbe, I myself can see + a pale figure at the window of the Holy Father’s room.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, who scarcely took his eyes from the window, answered slowly: “Yes, + yes, it went away, but has just come back, and stands there white and + motionless.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, after all, what would you have the Pope do?” resumed Narcisse with + his languid air. “He’s like everybody else; he looks out of the window + when he wants a little distraction, and certainly there’s plenty for him + to look at.” + </p> + <p> + The same idea had occurred to Pierre, and was filling him with emotion. + People talked of the Vatican being closed, and pictured a dark, gloomy + palace, encompassed by high walls, whereas this palace overlooked all + Rome, and the Pope from his window could see the world. Pierre himself had + viewed the panorama from the summit of the Janiculum, the <i>loggie</i> of + Raffaelle, and the dome of St. Peter’s, and so he well knew what it was + that Leo XIII was able to behold. In the centre of the vast desert of the + Campagna, bounded by the Sabine and Alban mountains, the seven illustrious + hills appeared to him with their trees and edifices. His eyes ranged also + over all the basilicas, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, + the cradle of the papacy, San Paolo-fuori-le-Mura, Santa Croce in + Gerusalemme, Sant’ Agnese, and the others; they beheld, too, the domes of + the Gesu of Sant’ Andrea della Valle, San Carlo and San Giovanni dei + Fiorentini, and indeed all those four hundred churches of Rome which make + the city like a <i>campo santo</i> studded with crosses. And Leo XIII + could moreover see the famous monuments testifying to the pride of + successive centuries—the Castle of Sant’ Angelo, that imperial + mausoleum which was transformed into a papal fortress, the distant white + line of the tombs of the Appian Way, the scattered ruins of the baths of + Caracalla and the abode of Septimius Severus; and then, after the + innumerable columns, porticoes, and triumphal arches, there were the + palaces and villas of the sumptuous cardinals of the Renascence, the + Palazzo Farnese, the Palazzo Borghese, the Villa Medici, and others, + amidst a swarming of facades and roofs. But, in particular, just under his + window, on the left, the Pope was able to see the abominations of the + unfinished district of the castle fields. In the afternoon, when he + strolled through his gardens, bastioned by the wall of the fourth Leo like + the plateau of a citadel, his view stretched over the ravaged valley at + the foot of Monte Mario, where so many brick-works were established during + the building frenzy. The green slopes are still ripped up, yellow trenches + intersect them in all directions, and the closed works and factories have + become wretched ruins with lofty, black, and smokeless chimneys. And at + any other hour of the day Leo XIII could not approach his window without + beholding the abandoned houses for which all those brick-fields had + worked, those houses which had died before they even lived, and where + there was now nought but the swarming misery of Rome, rotting there like + some decomposition of olden society. + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre more particularly thought of Leo XIII, forgetting the rest + of the city to let his thoughts dwell on the Palatine, now bereft of its + crown of palaces and rearing only its black cypresses towards the blue + heavens. Doubtless in his mind he rebuilt the palaces of the Caesars, + whilst before him rose great shadowy forms arrayed in purple, visions of + his real ancestors, those emperors and Supreme Pontiffs who alone could + tell him how one might reign over every nation and be the absolute master + of the world. Then, however, his glances strayed to the Quirinal, and + there he could contemplate the new and neighbouring royalty. How strange + the meeting of those two palaces, the Quirinal and the Vatican, which rise + up and gaze at one another across the Rome of the middle ages and the + Renascence, whose roofs, baked and gilded by the burning sun, are jumbled + in confusion alongside the Tiber. When the Pope and the King go to their + windows they can with a mere opera-glass see each other quite distinctly. + True, they are but specks in the boundless immensity, and what a gulf + there is between them—how many centuries of history, how many + generations that battled and suffered, how much departed greatness, and + how much new seed for the mysterious future! Still, they can see one + another, and they are yet waging the eternal fight, the fight as to which + of them—the pontiff and shepherd of the soul or the monarch and + master of the body—shall possess the people whose stream rolls + beneath them, and in the result remain the absolute sovereign. And Pierre + wondered also what might be the thoughts and dreams of Leo XIII behind + those window-panes where he still fancied he could distinguish his pale, + ghostly figure. On surveying new Rome, the ravaged olden districts and the + new ones laid waste by the blast of disaster, the Pope must certainly + rejoice at the colossal failure of the Italian Government. His city had + been stolen from him; the newcomers had virtually declared that they would + show him how a great capital was created, and their boast had ended in + that catastrophe—a multitude of hideous and useless buildings which + they did not even know how to finish! He, the Pope, could moreover only be + delighted with the terrible worries into which the usurping <i>regime</i> + had fallen, the political crisis, and the financial crisis, the whole + growing national unrest amidst which that <i>regime</i> seemed likely to + sink some day; and yet did not he himself possess a patriotic soul? was he + not a loving son of that Italy whose genius and ancient ambition coursed + in the blood of his veins? Ah! no, nothing against Italy; rather + everything that would enable her to become once more the mistress of the + world. And so, even amidst the joy of hope, he must have been grieved to + see her thus ruined, threatened with bankruptcy, displaying like a sore + that overturned, unfinished Rome which was a confession of her impotency. + But, on the other hand, if the House of Savoy were to be swept away, would + he not be there to take its place, and at last resume possession of his + capital, which, from his window, for fifteen years past, he had beheld in + the grip of masons and demolishers? And then he would again be the master + and reign over the world, enthroned in the predestined city to which + prophecy has ensured eternity and universal dominion. + </p> + <p> + But the horizon spread out, and Pierre wondered what Leo XIII beheld + beyond Rome, beyond the Campagna and the Sabine and Alban mountains. What + had he seen for eighteen years past from that window whence he obtained + his only view of the world? What echoes of modern society, its truths and + certainties, had reached his ears? From the heights of the Viminal, where + the railway terminus stands, the prolonged whistling of engines must have + occasionally been carried towards him, suggesting our scientific + civilisation, the nations brought nearer together, free humanity marching + on towards the future. Did he himself ever dream of liberty when, on + turning to the right, he pictured the sea over yonder, past the tombs of + the Appian Way? Had he ever desired to go off, quit Rome and her + traditions, and found the Papacy of the new democracies elsewhere? As he + was said to possess so clear and penetrating a mind he ought to have + understood and trembled at the far-away stir and noise that came from + certain lands of battle, from those United States of America, for + instance, where revolutionary bishops were conquering, winning over the + people. Were they working for him or for themselves? If he could not + follow them, if he remained stubborn within his Vatican, bound on every + side by dogma and tradition, might not rupture some day become + unavoidable? And, indeed, the fear of a blast of schism, coming from afar, + must have filled him with growing anguish. It was assuredly on that + account that he had practised the diplomacy of conciliation, seeking to + unite in his hands all the scattered forces of the Church, overlooking the + audacious proceedings of certain bishops as far as possible, and himself + striving to gain the support of the people by putting himself on its side + against the fallen monarchies. But would he ever go any farther? Shut up + in that Vatican, behind that bronze portal, was he not bound to the strict + formulas of Catholicism, chained to them by the force of centuries? There + obstinacy was fated; it was impossible for him to resign himself to that + which was his real and surpassing power, the purely spiritual power, the + moral authority which brought mankind to his feet, made thousands of + pilgrims kneel and women swoon. Departure from Rome and the renunciation + of the temporal power would not displace the centre of the Catholic world, + but would transform him, the head of the Catholic Church, into the head of + something else. And how anxious must have been his thoughts if the evening + breeze ever brought him a vague presentiment of that something else, a + fear of the new religion which was yet dimly, confusedly dawning amidst + the tramp of the nations on the march, and the sound of which must have + reached him at one and the same time from every point of the compass. + </p> + <p> + At this precise moment, however, Pierre felt that the white and motionless + shadow behind those windowpanes was held erect by pride, by the ever + present conviction of victory. If man could not achieve it, a miracle + would intervene. He, the Pope, was absolutely convinced that he or some + successor would recover possession of Rome. Had not the Church all + eternity before it? And, moreover, why should not the victor be himself? + Could not God accomplish the impossible? Why, if it so pleased God, on the + very morrow his city would be restored to him, in spite of all the + objections of human reason, all the apparent logic of facts. Ah! how he + would welcome the return of that prodigal daughter whose equivocal + adventures he had ever watched with tears bedewing his paternal eyes! He + would soon forget the excesses which he had beheld during eighteen years + at all hours and in all seasons. Perhaps he dreamt of what he would do + with those new districts with which the city had been soiled. Should they + be razed, or left as evidence of the insanity of the usurpers? At all + events, Rome would again become the august and lifeless city, disdainful + of such vain matters as material cleanliness and comfort, and shining + forth upon the world like a pure soul encompassed by the traditional glory + of the centuries. And his dream continued, picturing the course which + events would take on the very morrow, no doubt. Anything, even a republic + was preferable to that House of Savoy. Why not a federal republic, + reviving the old political divisions of Italy, restoring Rome to the + Church, and choosing him, the Pope, as the natural protector of the + country thus reorganised? But his eyes travelled beyond Rome and Italy, + and his dream expanded, embracing republican France, Spain which might + become republican again, Austria which would some day be won, and indeed + all the Catholic nations welded into the United States of Europe, and + fraternising in peace under his high presidency as Sovereign Pontiff. And + then would follow the supreme triumph, all the other churches at last + vanishing, and all the dissident communities coming to him as to the one + and only pastor, who would reign in the name of Jesus over the universal + democracy. + </p> + <p> + However, whilst Pierre was immersed in this dream which he attributed to + Leo XIII, he was all at once interrupted by Narcisse, who exclaimed: “Oh! + my dear Abbe, just look at those statues on the colonnade.” The young + fellow had ordered a cup of coffee and was languidly smoking a cigar, deep + once more in the subtle aesthetics which were his only preoccupation. + “They are rosy, are they not?” he continued; “rosy, with a touch of mauve, + as if the blue blood of angels circulated in their stone veins. It is the + sun of Rome which gives them that supra-terrestrial life; for they live, + my friend; I have seen them smile and hold out their arms to me during + certain fine sunsets. Ah! Rome, marvellous, delicious Rome! One could live + here as poor as Job, content with the very atmosphere, and in everlasting + delight at breathing it!” + </p> + <p> + This time Pierre could not help feeling surprised at Narcisse’s language, + for he remembered his incisive voice and clear, precise, financial acumen + when speaking of money matters. And, at this recollection, the young + priest’s mind reverted to the castle fields, and intense sadness filled + his heart as for the last time all the want and suffering rose before him. + Again he beheld the horrible filth which was tainting so many human + beings, that shocking proof of the abominable social injustice which + condemns the greater number to lead the joyless, breadless lives of + accursed beasts. And as his glance returned yet once more to the window of + the Vatican, and he fancied he could see a pale hand uplifted behind the + glass panes, he thought of that papal benediction which Leo XIII gave from + that height, over Rome, and over the plain and the hills, to the faithful + of all Christendom. And that papal benediction suddenly seemed to him a + mockery, destitute of all power, since throughout such a multitude of + centuries it had not once been able to stay a single one of the sufferings + of mankind, and could not even bring a little justice for those poor + wretches who were agonising yonder beneath the very window. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"></a> + IX. + </h2> + <p> + THAT evening at dusk, as Benedetta had sent Pierre word that she desired + to see him, he went down to her little <i>salon</i>, and there found her + chatting with Celia. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve seen your Pierina, you know,” exclaimed the latter, just as the + young priest came in. “And with Dario, too. Or rather, she must have been + watching for him; he found her waiting in a path on the Pincio and smiled + at her. I understood at once. What a beauty she is!” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm; but her lips twitched + somewhat painfully, for, however sensible she might be, this passion, + which she realised to be so naive and so strong, was beginning to make her + suffer. She certainly made allowances for Dario, but the girl was too much + in love with him, and she feared the consequences. Even in turning the + conversation she allowed the secret of her heart to escape her. “Pray sit + down, Monsieur l’Abbe,” she said, “we are talking scandal, you see. My + poor Dario is accused of making love to every pretty woman in Rome. People + say that it’s he who gives La Tonietta those white roses which she has + been exhibiting at the Corso every afternoon for a fortnight past.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s certain, my dear,” retorted Celia impetuously. “At first people + were in doubt, and talked of little Pontecorvo and Lieutenant Moretta. But + every one now knows that La Tonietta’s caprice is Dario. Besides, he + joined her in her box at the Costanzi the other evening.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre remembered that the young Prince had pointed out La Tonietta at the + Pincio one afternoon. She was one of the few <i>demi-mondaines</i> that + the higher-class society of Rome took an interest in. For a month or so + the rich Englishman to whom she owed her means had been absent, + travelling. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” resumed Benedetta, whose budding jealousy was entirely confined to + La Pierina, “so my poor Dario is ruining himself in white roses! Well, I + shall have to twit him about it. But one or another of these beauties will + end by robbing me of him if our affairs are not soon settled. Fortunately, + I have had some better news. Yes, my suit is to be taken in hand again, + and my aunt has gone out to-day on that very account.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as Victorine came in with a lamp, and Celia rose to depart, + Benedetta turned towards Pierre, who also was rising from his chair: + “Please stay,” said she; “I wish to speak to you.” + </p> + <p> + However, Celia still lingered, interested by the mention of the divorce + suit, and eager to know if the cousins would soon be able to marry. And at + last throwing her arms round Benedetta, she kissed her passionately. “So + you are hopeful, my dear,” she exclaimed. “You think that the Holy Father + will give you back your liberty? Oh! I am so pleased; it will be so nice + for you to marry Dario! And I’m well pleased on my own account, for my + father and mother are beginning to yield. Only yesterday I said to them + with that quiet little air of mine, ‘I want Attilio, and you must give him + me.’ And then my father flew into a furious passion and upbraided me, and + shook his fist at me, saying that if he’d made my head as hard as his own + he would know how to break it. My mother was there quite silent and vexed, + and all at once he turned to her and said: ‘Here, give her that Attilio + she wants, and then perhaps we shall have some peace!’ Oh yes! I’m well + pleased, very well pleased indeed!” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke her pure virginal face beamed with so much innocent, + celestial joy that Pierre and Benedetta could not help laughing. And at + last she went off attended by a maid who had waited for her in the first + <i>salon</i>. + </p> + <p> + When they were alone Benedetta made the priest sit down again: “I have + been asked to give you some important advice, my friend,” she said. “It + seems that the news of your presence in Rome is spreading, and that bad + reports of you are circulated. Your book is said to be a fierce appeal to + schism, and you are spoken of as a mere ambitious, turbulent schismatic. + After publishing your book in Paris you have come to Rome, it is said, to + raise a fearful scandal over it in order to make it sell. Now, if you + still desire to see his Holiness, so as to plead your cause before him, + you are advised to make people forget you, to disappear altogether for a + fortnight or three weeks.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was stupefied. Why, they would end by maddening him with all the + obstacles they raised to exhaust his patience; they would actually implant + in him an idea of schism, of an avenging, liberating scandal! He wished to + protest and refuse the advice, but all at once he made a gesture of + weariness. What would be the good of it, especially with that young woman, + who was certainly sincere and affectionate. “Who asked you to give me this + advice?” he inquired. She did not answer, but smiled, and with sudden + intuition he resumed: “It was Monsignor Nani, was it not?” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon, still unwilling to give a direct reply, she began to praise the + prelate. He had at last consented to guide her in her divorce affair; and + Donna Serafina had gone to the Palace of the Inquisition that very + afternoon in order to acquaint him with the result of certain steps she + had taken. Father Lorenza, the confessor of both the Boccanera ladies, was + to be present at the interview, for the idea of the divorce was in reality + his own. He had urged the two women to it in his eagerness to sever the + bond which the patriotic priest Pisoni had tied full of such fine + illusions. Benedetta became quite animated as she explained the reasons of + her hopefulness. “Monsignor Nani can do everything,” she said, “and I am + very happy that my affair should be in his hands. You must be reasonable + also, my friend; do as you are requested. I’m sure you will some day be + well pleased at having taken this advice.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had bowed his head and remained thoughtful. There was nothing + unpleasant in the idea of remaining for a few more weeks in Rome, where + day by day his curiosity found so much fresh food. Of course, all these + delays were calculated to discourage him and bend his will. Yet what did + he fear, since he was still determined to relinquish nothing of his book, + and to see the Holy Father for the sole purpose of proclaiming his new + faith? Once more, in silence, he took that oath, then yielded to + Benedetta’s entreaties. And as he apologised for being a source of + embarrassment in the house she exclaimed: “No, no, I am delighted to have + you here. I fancy that your presence will bring us good fortune now that + luck seems to be changing in our favour.” + </p> + <p> + It was then agreed that he would no longer prowl around St. Peter’s and + the Vatican, where his constant presence must have attracted attention. He + even promised that he would virtually spend a week indoors, desirous as he + was of reperusing certain books, certain pages of Rome’s history. Then he + went on chatting for a moment, lulled by the peacefulness which reigned + around him, since the lamp had illumined the <i>salon</i> with its sleepy + radiance. Six o’clock had just struck, and outside all was dark. + </p> + <p> + “Wasn’t his Eminence indisposed to-day?” the young man asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied the Contessina. “But we are not anxious: it is only a + little fatigue. He sent Don Vigilio to tell me that he intended to shut + himself up in his room and dictate some letters. So there can be nothing + much the matter, you see.” + </p> + <p> + Silence fell again. For a while not a sound came from the deserted street + or the old empty mansion, mute and dreamy like a tomb. But all at once the + soft somnolence, instinct with all the sweetness of a dream of hope, was + disturbed by a tempestuous entry, a whirl of skirts, a gasp of terror. It + was Victorine, who had gone off after bringing the lamp, but now returned, + scared and breathless: “Contessina! Contessina!” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta had risen, suddenly quite white and cold, as at the advent of a + blast of misfortune. “What, what is it? Why do you run and tremble?” she + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Dario, Monsieur Dario—down below. I went down to see if the lantern + in the porch were alight, as it is so often forgotten. And in the dark, in + the porch, I stumbled against Monsieur Dario. He is on the ground; he has + a knife-thrust somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + A cry leapt from the <i>amorosa’s</i> heart: “Dead!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, wounded.” + </p> + <p> + But Benedetta did not hear; in a louder and louder voice she cried: “Dead! + dead!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, I tell you, he spoke to me. And for Heaven’s sake, be quiet. He + silenced me because he did not want any one to know; he told me to come + and fetch you—only you. However, as Monsieur l’Abbe is here, he had + better help us. We shall be none too many.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened, also quite aghast. And when Victorine wished to take the + lamp her trembling hand, with which she had no doubt felt the prostrate + body, was seen to be quite bloody. The sight filled Benedetta with so much + horror that she again began to moan wildly. + </p> + <p> + “Be quiet, be quiet!” repeated Victorine. “We ought not to make any noise + in going down. I shall take the lamp, because we must at all events be + able to see. Now, quick, quick!” + </p> + <p> + Across the porch, just at the entrance of the vestibule, Dario lay prone + upon the slabs, as if, after being stabbed in the street, he had only had + sufficient strength to take a few steps before falling. And he had just + fainted, and lay there with his face very pale, his lips compressed, and + his eyes closed. Benedetta, recovering the energy of her race amidst her + excessive grief, no longer lamented or cried out, but gazed at him with + wild, tearless, dilated eyes, as though unable to understand. The horror + of it all was the suddenness and mysteriousness of the catastrophe, the + why and wherefore of this murderous attempt amidst the silence of the old + deserted palace, black with the shades of night. The wound had as yet bled + but little, for only the Prince’s clothes were stained. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, quick!” repeated Victorine in an undertone after lowering the lamp + and moving it around. “The porter isn’t there—he’s always at the + carpenter’s next door—and you see that he hasn’t yet lighted the + lantern. Still he may come back at any moment. So the Abbe and I will + carry the Prince into his room at once.” She alone retained her head, like + a woman of well-balanced mind and quiet activity. The two others, whose + stupor continued, listened to her and obeyed her with the docility of + children. “Contessina,” she continued, “you must light us. Here, take the + lamp and lower it a little so that we may see the steps. You, Abbe, take + the feet; I’ll take hold of him under the armpits. And don’t be alarmed, + the poor dear fellow isn’t heavy.” + </p> + <p> + Ah! that ascent of the monumental staircase with its low steps and its + landings as spacious as guardrooms. They facilitated the cruel journey, + but how lugubrious looked the little <i>cortege</i> under the flickering + glimmer of the lamp which Benedetta held with arm outstretched, stiffened + by determination! And still not a sound came from the old lifeless + dwelling, nothing but the silent crumbling of the walls, the slow decay + which was making the ceilings crack. Victorine continued to whisper words + of advice whilst Pierre, afraid of slipping on the shiny slabs, put forth + an excess of strength which made his breath come short. Huge, wild shadows + danced over the big expanse of bare wall up to the very vaults decorated + with sunken panels. So endless seemed the ascent that at last a halt + became necessary; but the slow march was soon resumed. Fortunately Dario’s + apartments—bed-chamber, dressing-room, and sitting-room—were + on the first floor adjoining those of the Cardinal in the wing facing the + Tiber; so, on reaching the landing, they only had to walk softly along the + corridor, and at last, to their great relief, laid the wounded man upon + his bed. + </p> + <p> + Victorine vented her satisfaction in a light laugh. “That’s done,” said + she; “put the lamp on that table, Contessina. I’m sure nobody heard us. + It’s lucky that Donna Serafina should have gone out, and that his Eminence + should have shut himself up with Don Vigilio. I wrapped my skirt round + Monsieur Dario’s shoulders, you know, so I don’t think any blood fell on + the stairs. By and by, too, I’ll go down with a sponge and wipe the slabs + in the porch—” She stopped short, looked at Dario, and then quickly + added: “He’s breathing—now I’ll leave you both to watch over him + while I go for good Doctor Giordano, who saw you come into the world, + Contessina. He’s a man to be trusted.” + </p> + <p> + Alone with the unconscious sufferer in that dim chamber, which seemed to + quiver with the frightful horror that filled their hearts, Benedetta and + Pierre remained on either side of the bed, as yet unable to exchange a + word. The young woman first opened her arms and wrung her hands whilst + giving vent to a hollow moan, as if to relieve and exhale her grief; and + then, leaning forward, she watched for some sign of life on that pale face + whose eyes were closed. Dario was certainly breathing, but his respiration + was slow and very faint, and some time went by before a touch of colour + returned to his cheeks. At last, however, he opened his eyes, and then she + at once took hold of his hand and pressed it, instilling into the pressure + all the anguish of her heart. Great was her happiness on feeling that he + feebly returned the clasp. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” she said, “you can see me and hear me, can’t you? What has + happened, good God?” + </p> + <p> + He did not at first answer, being worried by the presence of Pierre. On + recognising the young priest, however, he seemed content that he should be + there, and then glanced apprehensively round the room to see if there were + anybody else. And at last he murmured: “No one saw me, no one knows?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; be easy. We carried you up with Victorine without meeting a soul. + Aunt has just gone out, uncle is shut up in his rooms.” + </p> + <p> + At this Dario seemed relieved, and he even smiled. “I don’t want anybody + to know, it is so stupid,” he murmured. + </p> + <p> + “But in God’s name what has happened?” she again asked him. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I don’t know, I don’t know,” was his response, as he lowered his + eyelids with a weary air as if to escape the question. But he must have + realised that it was best for him to confess some portion of the truth at + once, for he resumed: “A man was hidden in the shadow of the porch—he + must have been waiting for me. And so, when I came in, he dug his knife + into my shoulder, there.” + </p> + <p> + Forthwith she again leant over him, quivering, and gazing into the depths + of his eyes: “But who was the man, who was he?” she asked. Then, as he, in + a yet more weary way, began to stammer that he didn’t know, that the man + had fled into the darkness before he could recognise him, she raised a + terrible cry: “It was Prada! it was Prada, confess it, I know it already!” + And, quite delirious, she went on: “I tell you that I know it! Ah! I would + not be his, and he is determined that we shall never belong to one + another. Rather than have that he will kill you on the day when I am free + to be your wife! Oh! I know him well; I shall never, never be happy. Yes, + I know it well, it was Prada, Prada!” + </p> + <p> + But sudden energy upbuoyed the wounded man, and he loyally protested: “No, + no, it was not Prada, nor was it any one working for him. That I swear to + you. I did not recognise the man, but it wasn’t Prada—no, no!” + </p> + <p> + There was such a ring of truth in Dario’s words that Benedetta must have + been convinced by them. But terror once more overpowered her, for the hand + she held was suddenly growing soft, moist, and powerless. Exhausted by his + effort, Dario had fallen back, again fainting, his face quite white and + his eyes closed. And it seemed to her that he was dying. Distracted by her + anguish, she felt him with trembling, groping hands: “Look, look, Monsieur + l’Abbe!” she exclaimed. “But he is dying, he is dying; he is already quite + cold. Ah! God of heaven, he is dying!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, terribly upset by her cries, sought to reassure her, saying: “He + spoke too much; he has lost consciousness, as he did before. But I assure + you that I can feel his heart beating. Here, put your hand here, + Contessina. For mercy’s sake don’t distress yourself like that; the doctor + will soon be here, and everything will be all right.” + </p> + <p> + But she did not listen to him, and all at once he was lost in amazement, + for she flung herself upon the body of the man she adored, caught it in a + frantic embrace, bathed it with tears and covered it with kisses whilst + stammering words of fire: “Ah! if I were to lose you, if I were to lose + you! And to think that I repulsed you, that I would not accept happiness + when it was yet possible! Yes, that idea of mine, that vow I made to the + Madonna! Yet how could she be offended by our happiness? And then, and + then, if she has deceived me, if she takes you from me, ah! then I can + have but one regret—that I did not damn myself with you—yes, + yes, damnation rather than that we should never, never be each other’s!” + </p> + <p> + Was this the woman who had shown herself so calm, so sensible, so patient + the better to ensure her happiness? Pierre was terrified, and no longer + recognised her. He had hitherto seen her so reserved, so modest, with a + childish charm that seemed to come from her very nature! But under the + threatening blow she feared, the terrible blood of the Boccaneras had + awoke within her with a long heredity of violence, pride, frantic and + exasperated longings. She wished for her share of life, her share of love! + And she moaned and she clamoured, as if death, in taking her lover from + her, were tearing away some of her own flesh. + </p> + <p> + “Calm yourself, I entreat you, madame,” repeated the priest. “He is alive, + his heart beats. You are doing yourself great harm.” + </p> + <p> + But she wished to die with her lover: “O my darling! if you must go, take + me, take me with you. I will lay myself on your heart, I will clasp you so + tightly with my arms that they shall be joined to yours, and then we must + needs be buried together. Yes, yes, we shall be dead, and we shall be + wedded all the same—wedded in death! I promised that I would belong + to none but you, and I will be yours in spite of everything, even in the + grave. O my darling, open your eyes, open your mouth, kiss me if you don’t + want me to die as soon as you are dead!” + </p> + <p> + A blaze of wild passion, full of blood and fire, had passed through that + mournful chamber with old, sleepy walls. But tears were now overcoming + Benedetta, and big gasping sobs at last threw her, blinded and + strengthless, on the edge of the bed. And fortunately an end was put to + the terrible scene by the arrival of the doctor whom Victorine had + fetched. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Giordano was a little old man of over sixty, with white curly hair, + and fresh-looking, clean-shaven countenance. By long practice among + Churchmen he had acquired the paternal appearance and manner of an amiable + prelate. And he was said to be a very worthy man, tending the poor for + nothing, and displaying ecclesiastical reserve and discretion in all + delicate cases. For thirty years past the whole Boccanera family, + children, women, and even the most eminent Cardinal himself, had in all + cases of sickness been placed in the hands of this prudent practitioner. + Lighted by Victorine and helped by Pierre, he undressed Dario, who was + roused from his swoon by pain; and after examining the wound he declared + with a smile that it was not at all dangerous. The young Prince would at + the utmost have to spend three weeks in bed, and no complications were to + be feared. Then, like all the doctors of Rome, enamoured of the fine + thrusts and cuts which day by day they have to dress among chance patients + of the lower classes, he complacently lingered over the wound, doubtless + regarding it as a clever piece of work, for he ended by saying to the + Prince in an undertone: “That’s what we call a warning. The man didn’t + want to kill, the blow was dealt downwards so that the knife might slip + through the flesh without touching the bone. Ah! a man really needs to be + skilful to deal such a stab; it was very neatly done.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” murmured Dario, “he spared me; had he chosen he could have + pierced me through.” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta did not hear. Since the doctor had declared the case to be free + from danger, and had explained that the fainting fits were due to nervous + shock, she had fallen in a chair, quite prostrated. Gradually, however, + some gentle tears coursed from her eyes, bringing relief after her + frightful despair, and then, rising to her feet, she came and kissed Dario + with mute and passionate delight. + </p> + <p> + “I say, my dear doctor,” resumed the Prince, “it’s useless for people to + know of this. It’s so ridiculous. Nobody has seen anything, it seems, + excepting Monsieur l’Abbe, whom I ask to keep the matter secret. And in + particular I don’t want anybody to alarm the Cardinal or my aunt, or + indeed any of our friends.” + </p> + <p> + Doctor Giordano indulged in one of his placid smiles. “<i>Bene, bene</i>,” + said he, “that’s natural; don’t worry yourself. We will say that you have + had a fall on the stairs and have dislocated your shoulder. And now that + the wound is dressed you must try to sleep, and don’t get feverish. I will + come back to-morrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + That evening of excitement was followed by some very tranquil days, and a + new life began for Pierre, who at first remained indoors, reading and + writing, with no other recreation than that of spending his afternoons in + Dario’s room, where he was certain to find Benedetta. After a somewhat + intense fever lasting for eight and forty hours, cure took its usual + course, and the story of the dislocated shoulder was so generally + believed, that the Cardinal insisted on Donna Serafina departing from her + habits of strict economy, to have a second lantern lighted on the landing + in order that no such accident might occur again. And then the monotonous + peacefulness was only disturbed by a final incident, a threat of trouble, + as it were, with which Pierre found himself mixed up one evening when he + was lingering beside the convalescent patient. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta had absented herself for a few minutes, and as Victorine, who + had brought up some broth, was leaning towards the Prince to take the + empty cup from him, she said in a low voice: “There’s a girl, Monsieur, La + Pierina, who comes here every day, crying and asking for news of you. I + can’t get rid of her, she’s always prowling about the place, so I thought + it best to tell you of it.” + </p> + <p> + Unintentionally, Pierre heard her and understood everything. Dario, who + was looking at him, at once guessed his thoughts, and without answering + Victorine exclaimed: “Yes, Abbe, it was that brute Tito! How idiotic, eh?” + At the same time, although the young man protested that he had done + nothing whatever for the girl’s brother to give him such a “warning,” he + smiled in an embarrassed way, as if vexed and even somewhat ashamed of + being mixed up in an affair of the kind. And he was evidently relieved + when the priest promised that he would see the girl, should she come back, + and make her understand that she ought to remain at home. + </p> + <p> + “It was such a stupid affair!” the Prince repeated, with an exaggerated + show of anger. “Such things are not of our times.” + </p> + <p> + But all at once he ceased speaking, for Benedetta entered the room. She + sat down again beside her dear patient, and the sweet, peaceful evening + then took its course in the old sleepy chamber, the old, lifeless palace, + whence never a sound arose. + </p> + <p> + When Pierre began to go out again he at first merely took a brief airing + in the district. The Via Giulia interested him, for he knew how splendid + it had been in the time of Julius II, who had dreamt of lining it with + sumptuous palaces. Horse and foot races then took place there during the + carnival, the Palazzo Farnese being the starting-point, and the Piazza of + St. Peter’s the goal. Pierre had also lately read that a French + ambassador, D’Estree, Marquis de Coure, had resided at the Palazzo + Sacchetti, and in 1638 had given some magnificent entertainments in honour + of the birth of the Dauphin,* when on three successive days there had been + racing from the Ponte Sisto to San Giovanni dei Fiorentini amidst an + extraordinary display of sumptuosity: the street being strewn with + flowers, and rich hangings adorning every window. On the second evening + there had been fireworks on the Tiber, with a machine representing the + ship Argo carrying Jason and his companions to the recovery of the Golden + Fleece; and, on another occasion, the Farnese fountain, the Mascherone, + had flowed with wine. Nowadays, however, all was changed. The street, + bright with sunshine or steeped in shadow according to the hour, was ever + silent and deserted. The heavy, ancient palatial houses, their old doors + studded with plates and nails, their windows barred with huge iron + gratings, always seemed to be asleep, whole storeys showing nothing but + closed shutters as if to keep out the daylight for evermore. Now and + again, when a door was open, you espied deep vaults, damp, cold courts, + green with mildew, and encompassed by colonnades like cloisters. Then, in + the outbuildings of the mansions, the low structures which had collected + more particularly on the side of the Tiber, various small silent shops had + installed themselves. There was a baker’s, a tailor’s, and a bookbinder’s, + some fruiterers’ shops with a few tomatoes and salad plants set out on + boards, and some wine-shops which claimed to sell the vintages of Frascati + and Genzano, but whose customers seemed to be dead. Midway along the + street was a modern prison, whose horrid yellow wall in no wise enlivened + the scene, whilst, overhead, a flight of telegraph wires stretched from + the arcades of the Farnese palace to the distant vista of trees beyond the + river. With its infrequent traffic the street, even in the daytime, was + like some sepulchral corridor where the past was crumbling into dust, and + when night fell its desolation quite appalled Pierre. You did not meet a + soul, you did not see a light in any window, and the glimmering gas lamps, + few and far between, seemed powerless to pierce the gloom. On either hand + the doors were barred and bolted, and not a sound, not a breath came from + within. Even when, after a long interval, you passed a lighted wine-shop, + behind whose panes of frosted glass a lamp gleamed dim and motionless, not + an exclamation, not a suspicion of a laugh ever reached your ear. There + was nothing alive save the two sentries placed outside the prison, one + before the entrance and the other at the corner of the right-hand lane, + and they remained erect and still, coagulated, as it were, in that dead + street. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Afterwards Louis XIV.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Pierre’s interest, however, was not merely confined to the Via Giulia; it + extended to the whole district, once so fine and fashionable, but now + fallen into sad decay, far removed from modern life, and exhaling a faint + musty odour of monasticism. Towards San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, where the + new Corso Vittorio Emanuele has ripped up every olden district, the lofty + five-storeyed houses with their dazzling sculptured fronts contrasted + violently with the black sunken dwellings of the neighbouring lanes. In + the evening the globes of the electric lamps on the Corso shone out with + such dazzling whiteness that the gas lamps of the Via Giulia and other + streets looked like smoky lanterns. There were several old and famous + thoroughfares, the Via Banchi Vecchi, the Via del Pellegrino, the Via di + Monserrato, and an infinity of cross-streets which intersected and + connected the others, all going towards the Tiber, and for the most part + so narrow that vehicles scarcely had room to pass. And each street had its + church, a multitude of churches all more or less alike, highly decorated, + gilded, and painted, and open only at service time when they were full of + sunlight and incense. In the Via Giulia, in addition to San Giovanni dei + Fiorentini, San Biagio della Pagnotta, San Eligio degli Orefici, and three + or four others, there was the so-called Church of the Dead, Santa Maria + dell’ Orazione; and this church, which is at the lower end behind the + Farnese palace, was often visited by Pierre, who liked to dream there of + the wild life of Rome, and of the pious brothers of the Confraternita + della Morte, who officiate there, and whose mission is to search for and + bury such poor outcasts as die in the Campagna. One evening he was present + at the funeral of two unknown men, whose bodies, after remaining unburied + for quite a fortnight, had been discovered in a field near the Appian Way. + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre’s favourite promenade soon became the new quay of the + Tiber beyond the Palazzo Boccanera. He had merely to take the narrow lane + skirting the mansion to reach a spot where he found much food for + reflection. Although the quay was not yet finished, the work seemed to be + quite abandoned. There were heaps of rubbish, blocks of stone, broken + fences, and dilapidated tool-sheds all around. To such a height had it + been necessary to carry the quay walls—designed to protect the city + from floods, for the river bed has been rising for centuries past—that + the old terrace of the Boccanera gardens, with its double flight of steps + to which pleasure boats had once been moored, now lay in a hollow, + threatened with annihilation whenever the works should be finished. But + nothing had yet been levelled; the soil, brought thither for making up the + bank, lay as it had fallen from the carts, and on all sides were pits and + mounds interspersed with the abandoned building materials. Wretched + urchins came to play there, workmen without work slept in the sunshine, + and women after washing ragged linen spread it out to dry upon the stones. + Nevertheless the spot proved a happy, peaceful refuge for Pierre, one + fruitful in inexhaustible reveries when for hours at a time he lingered + gazing at the river, the quays, and the city, stretching in front of him + and on either hand. + </p> + <p> + At eight in the morning the sun already gilded the vast opening. On + turning to the left he perceived the roofs of the Trastevere, of a misty, + bluish grey against the dazzling sky. Then, just beyond the apse of San + Giovanni, on the right, the river curved, and on its other bank the + poplars of the Ospedale di Santo Spirito formed a green curtain, while the + castle of Sant’ Angelo showed brightly in the distance. But Pierre’s eyes + dwelt more particularly on the bank just in front of him, for there he + found some lingering vestiges of old Rome. On that side indeed between the + Ponte Sisto and the Ponte Sant’ Angelo, the quays, which were to imprison + the river within high, white, fortress-like walls, had not yet been + raised, and the bank with its remnants of the old papal city conjured up + an extraordinary vision of the middle ages. The houses, descending to the + river brink, were cracked, scorched, rusted by innumerable burning + summers, like so many antique bronzes. Down below there were black vaults + into which the water flowed, piles upholding walls, and fragments of Roman + stone-work plunging into the river bed; then, rising from the shore, came + steep, broken stairways, green with moisture, tiers of terraces, storeys + with tiny windows pierced here and their in hap-hazard fashion, houses + perched atop of other houses, and the whole jumbled together with a + fantastic commingling of balconies and wooden galleries, footbridges + spanning courtyards, clumps of trees growing apparently on the very roofs, + and attics rising from amidst pinky tiles. The contents of a drain fell + noisily into the river from a worn and soiled gorge of stone; and wherever + the houses stood back and the bank appeared, it was covered with wild + vegetation, weeds, shrubs, and mantling ivy, which trailed like a kingly + robe of state. And in the glory of the sun the wretchedness and dirt + vanished, the crooked, jumbled houses seemed to be of gold, draped with + the purple of the red petticoats and the dazzling white of the shifts + which hung drying from their windows; while higher still, above the + district, the Janiculum rose into all the luminary’s dazzlement, uprearing + the slender profile of Sant’ Onofrio amidst cypresses and pines. + </p> + <p> + Leaning on the parapet of the quay wall, Pierre sadly gazed at the Tiber + for hours at a time. Nothing could convey an idea of the weariness of + those old waters, the mournful slowness of their flow along that + Babylonian trench where they were confined within huge, bare, livid + prison-like walls. In the sunlight their yellowness was gilded, and the + faint quiver of the current brought ripples of green and blue; but as soon + as the shade spread over it the stream became opaque like mud, so turbid + in its venerable old age that it no longer even gave back a reflection of + the houses lining it. And how desolate was its abandonment, what a stream + of silence and solitude it was! After the winter rains it might roll + furiously and threateningly, but during the long months of bright weather + it traversed Rome without a sound, and Pierre could remain there all day + long without seeing either a skiff or a sail. The two or three little + steam-boats which arrived from the coast, the few tartanes which brought + wine from Sicily, never came higher than the Aventine, beyond which there + was only a watery desert in which here and there, at long intervals, a + motionless angler let his line dangle. All that Pierre ever saw in the way + of shipping was a sort of ancient, covered pinnace, a rotting Noah’s ark, + moored on the right beside the old bank, and he fancied that it might be + used as a washhouse, though on no occasion did he see any one in it. And + on a neck of mud there also lay a stranded boat with one side broken in, a + lamentable symbol of the impossibility and the relinquishment of + navigation. Ah! that decay of the river, that decay of father Tiber, as + dead as the famous ruins whose dust he is weary of laving! And what an + evocation! all the centuries of history, so many things, so many men, that + those yellow waters have reflected till, full of lassitude and disgust, + they have grown heavy, silent and deserted, longing only for annihilation. + </p> + <p> + One morning on the river bank Pierre found La Pierina standing behind an + abandoned tool-shed. With her neck extended, she was looking fixedly at + the window of Dario’s room, at the corner of the quay and the lane. + Doubtless she had been frightened by Victorine’s severe reception, and had + not dared to return to the mansion; but some servant, possibly, had told + her which was the young Prince’s window, and so she now came to this spot, + where without wearying she waited for a glimpse of the man she loved, for + some sign of life and salvation, the mere hope of which made her heart + leap. Deeply touched by the way in which she hid herself, all humility and + quivering with adoration, the priest approached her, and instead of + scolding her and driving her away as he had been asked to do, spoke to her + in a gentle, cheerful manner, asking her for news of her people as though + nothing had happened, and at last contriving to mention Dario’s name in + order that she might understand that he would be up and about again within + a fortnight. On perceiving Pierre, La Pierina had started with timidity + and distrust as if anxious to flee; but when she understood him, tears of + happiness gushed from her eyes, and with a bright smile she kissed her + hand to him, calling: “<i>Grazie, grazie</i>, thanks, thanks!” And + thereupon she darted away, and he never saw her again. + </p> + <p> + On another morning at an early hour, as Pierre was going to say mass at + Santa Brigida on the Piazza Farnese, he was surprised to meet Benedetta + coming out of the church and carrying a small phial of oil. She evinced no + embarrassment, but frankly told him that every two or three days she went + thither to obtain from the beadle a few drops of the oil used for the lamp + that burnt before an antique wooden statue of the Madonna, in which she + had perfect confidence. She even confessed that she had never had + confidence in any other Madonna, having never obtained anything from any + other, though she had prayed to several of high repute, Madonnas of marble + and even of silver. And so her heart was full of ardent devotion for the + holy image which refused her nothing. And she declared in all simplicity, + as though the matter were quite natural and above discussion, that the few + drops of oil which she applied, morning and evening, to Dario’s wound, + were alone working his cure, so speedy a cure as to be quite miraculous. + Pierre, fairly aghast, distressed indeed to find such childish, + superstitious notions in one so full of sense and grace and passion, did + not even venture to smile. + </p> + <p> + In the evenings, when he came back from his strolls and spent an hour or + so in Dario’s room, he would for a time divert the patient by relating + what he had done and seen and thought of during the day. And when he again + ventured to stray beyond the district, and became enamoured of the lovely + gardens of Rome, which he visited as soon as they opened in the morning in + order that he might be virtually alone, he delighted the young prince and + Benedetta with his enthusiasm, his rapturous passion for the splendid + trees, the plashing water, and the spreading terraces whence the views + were so sublime. It was not the most extensive of these gardens which the + more deeply impressed his heart. In the grounds of the Villa Borghese, the + little Roman Bois de Boulogne, there were certainly some majestic clumps + of greenery, some regal avenues where carriages took a turn in the + afternoon before the obligatory drive to the Pincio; but Pierre was more + touched by the reserved garden of the villa—that villa dazzling with + marble and now containing one of the finest museums in the world. There + was a simple lawn of fine grass with a vast central basin surmounted by a + figure of Venus, nude and white; and antique fragments, vases, statues, + columns, and <i>sarcophagi</i> were ranged symmetrically all around the + deserted, sunlit yet melancholy, sward. On returning on one occasion to + the Pincio Pierre spent a delightful morning there, penetrated by the + charm of this little nook with its scanty evergreens, and its admirable + vista of all Rome and St. Peter’s rising up afar off in the soft limpid + radiance. At the Villa Albani and the Villa Pamphili he again came upon + superb parasol pines, tall, stately, and graceful, and powerful elm-trees + with twisted limbs and dusky foliage. In the Pamphili grounds, the + elm-trees steeped the paths in a delicious half-light, the lake with its + weeping willows and tufts of reeds had a dreamy aspect, while down below + the <i>parterre</i> displayed a fantastic floral mosaic bright with the + various hues of flowers and foliage. That which most particularly struck + Pierre, however, in this, the noblest, most spacious, and most carefully + tended garden of Rome, was the novel and unexpected view that he suddenly + obtained of St. Peter’s, whilst skirting a low wall: a view whose + symbolism for ever clung to him. Rome had completely vanished, and between + the slopes of Monte Mario and another wooded height which hid the city, + there only appeared the colossal dome which seemed to be poised on an + infinity of scattered blocks, now white, now red. These were the houses of + the Borgo, the jumbled piles of the Vatican and the Basilica which the + huge dome surmounted and annihilated, showing greyly blue in the light + blue of the heavens, whilst far away stretched a delicate, boundless vista + of the Campagna, likewise of a bluish tint. + </p> + <p> + It was, however, more particularly in the less sumptuous gardens, those of + a more homely grace, that Pierre realised that even things have souls. Ah! + that Villa Mattei on one side of the Coelius with its terraced grounds, + its sloping alleys edged with laurel, aloe, and spindle tree, its + box-plants forming arbours, its oranges, its roses, and its fountains! + Pierre spent some delicious hours there, and only found a similar charm on + visiting the Aventine, where three churches are embowered in verdure. The + little garden of Santa Sabina, the birthplace of the Dominican order, is + closed on all sides and affords no view: it slumbers in quiescence, warm + and perfumed by its orange-trees, amongst which that planted by St. + Dominic stands huge and gnarled but still laden with ripe fruit. At the + adjoining Priorato, however, the garden, perched high above the Tiber, + overlooks a vast expanse, with the river and the buildings on either bank + as far as the summit of the Janiculum. And in these gardens of Rome Pierre + ever found the same clipped box-shrubs, the same eucalypti with white + trunks and pale leaves long like hair, the same ilex-trees squat and + dusky, the same giant pines, the same black cypresses, the same marbles + whitening amidst tufts of roses, and the same fountains gurgling under + mantling ivy. Never did he enjoy more gentle, sorrow-tinged delight than + at the Villa of Pope Julius, where all the life of a gay and sensual + period is suggested by the semi-circular porticus opening on the gardens, + a porticus decorated with paintings, golden trellis-work laden with + flowers, amidst which flutter flights of smiling Cupids. Then, on the + evening when he returned from the Farnesina, he declared that he had + brought all the dead soul of ancient Rome away with him, and it was not + the paintings executed after Raffaelle’s designs that had touched him, it + was rather the pretty hall on the river side decorated in soft blue and + pink and lilac, with an art devoid of genius yet so charming and so Roman; + and in particular it was the abandoned garden once stretching down to the + Tiber, and now shut off from it by the new quay, and presenting an aspect + of woeful desolation, ravaged, bossy and weedy like a cemetery, albeit the + golden fruit of orange and citron tree still ripened there. + </p> + <p> + And for the last time a shock came to Pierre’s heart on the lovely evening + when he visited the Villa Medici. There he was on French soil.* And again + what a marvellous garden he found with box-plants, and pines, and avenues + full of magnificence and charm! What a refuge for antique reverie was that + wood of ilex-trees, so old and so sombre, where the sun in declining cast + fiery gleams of red gold amidst the sheeny bronze of the foliage. You + ascend by endless steps, and from the crowning belvedere on high you + embrace all Rome at a glance as though by opening your arms you could + seize it in its entirety. From the villa’s dining-room, decorated with + portraits of all the artists who have successfully sojourned there, and + from the spacious peaceful library one beholds the same splendid, broad, + all-conquering panorama, a panorama of unlimited ambition, whose infinite + ought to set in the hearts of the young men dwelling there a determination + to subjugate the world. Pierre, who came thither opposed to the principle + of the “Prix de Rome,” that traditional, uniform education so dangerous + for originality, was for a moment charmed by the warm peacefulness, the + limpid solitude of the garden, and the sublime horizon where the wings of + genius seemed to flutter. Ah! how delightful, to be only twenty and to + live for three years amidst such infinite sweetness, encompassed by the + finest works of man; to say to oneself that one is as yet too young to + produce, and to reflect, and seek, and learn how to enjoy, suffer, and + love! But Pierre afterwards reflected that this was not a fit task for + youth, and that to appreciate the divine enjoyment of such a retreat, all + art and blue sky, ripe age was needed, age with victories already gained + and weariness following upon the accomplishment of work. He chatted with + some of the young pensioners, and remarked that if those who were inclined + to dreaminess and contemplation, like those who could merely claim + mediocrity, accommodated themselves to this life cloistered in the art of + the past, on the other hand artists of active bent and personal + temperament pined with impatience, their eyes ever turned towards Paris, + their souls eager to plunge into the furnace of battle and production. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Here is the French Academy, where winners of the “Prix de + Rome” in painting, sculpture, architecture, engraving, and + music are maintained by the French Government for three + years. The creation dates from Louis XIV.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + All those gardens of which Pierre spoke to Dario and Benedetta with so + much rapture, awoke within them the memory of the garden of the Villa + Montefiori, now a waste, but once so green, planted with the finest + orange-trees of Rome, a grove of centenarian orange-trees where they had + learnt to love one another. And the memory of their early love brought + thoughts of their present situation and their future prospects. To these + the conversation always reverted, and evening after evening Pierre + witnessed their delight, and heard them talk of coming happiness like + lovers transported to the seventh heaven. The suit for the dissolution of + Benedetta’s marriage was now assuming a more and more favourable aspect. + Guided by a powerful hand, Donna Serafina was apparently acting very + vigorously, for almost every day she had some further good news to report. + She was indeed anxious to finish the affair both for the continuity and + for the honour of the name, for on the one hand Dario refused to marry any + one but his cousin, and on the other this marriage would explain + everything and put an end to an intolerable situation. The scandalous + rumours which circulated both in the white and the black world quite + incensed her, and a victory was the more necessary as Leo XIII, already so + aged, might be snatched away at any moment, and in the Conclave which + would follow she desired that her brother’s name should shine forth with + untarnished, sovereign radiance. Never had the secret ambition of her + life, the hope that her race might give a third pope to the Church, filled + her with so much passion. It was as if she therein sought a consolation + for the harsh abandonment of Advocate Morano. Invariably clad in sombre + garb, ever active and slim, so tightly laced that from behind one might + have taken her for a young girl, she was so to say the black soul of that + old palace; and Pierre, who met her everywhere, prowling and inspecting + like a careful house-keeper, and jealously watching over her brother the + Cardinal, bowed to her in silence, chilled to the heart by the stern look + of her withered wrinkled face in which was set the large, opiniative nose + of her family. However she barely returned his bows, for she still + disdained that paltry foreign priest, and only tolerated him in order to + please Monsignor Nani and Viscount Philibert de la Choue. + </p> + <p> + A witness every evening of the anxious delight and impatience of Benedetta + and Dario, Pierre by degrees became almost as impassioned as themselves, + as desirous for an early solution. Benedetta’s suit was about to come + before the Congregation of the Council once more. Monsignor Palma, the + defender of the marriage, had demanded a supplementary inquiry after the + favourable decision arrived at in the first instance by a bare majority of + one vote—a majority which the Pope would certainly not have thought + sufficient had he been asked for his ratification. So the question now was + to gain votes among the ten cardinals who formed the Congregation, to + persuade and convince them, and if possible ensure an almost unanimous + pronouncement. The task was arduous, for, instead of facilitating matters, + Benedetta’s relationship to Cardinal Boccanera raised many difficulties, + owing to the intriguing spirit rife at the Vatican, the spite of rivals + who, by perpetuating the scandal, hoped to destroy Boccanera’s chance of + ever attaining to the papacy. Every afternoon, however, Donna Serafina + devoted herself to the task of winning votes under the direction of her + confessor, Father Lorenza, whom she saw daily at the Collegio Germanico, + now the last refuge of the Jesuits in Rome, for they have ceased to be + masters of the Gesu. The chief hope of success lay in Prada’s formal + declaration that he would not put in an appearance. The whole affair + wearied and irritated him; the imputations levelled against him as a man, + seemed to him supremely odious and ridiculous; and he no longer even took + the trouble to reply to the assignations which were sent to him. He acted + indeed as if he had never been married, though deep in his heart the wound + dealt to his passion and his pride still lingered, bleeding afresh + whenever one or another of the scandalous rumours in circulation reached + his ears. However, as their adversary desisted from all action, one can + understand that the hopes of Benedetta and Dario increased, the more so as + hardly an evening passed without Donna Serafina telling them that she + believed she had gained the support of another cardinal. + </p> + <p> + But the man who terrified them all was Monsignor Palma, whom the + Congregation had appointed to defend the sacred ties of matrimony. His + rights and privileges were almost unlimited, he could appeal yet again, + and in any case would make the affair drag on as long as it pleased him. + His first report, in reply to Morano’s memoir, had been a terrible blow, + and it was now said that a second one which he was preparing would prove + yet more pitiless, establishing as a fundamental principle of the Church + that it could not annul a marriage whose nonconsummation was purely and + simply due to the action of the wife in refusing obedience to her husband. + In presence of such energy and logic, it was unlikely that the cardinals, + even if sympathetic, would dare to advise the Holy Father to dissolve the + marriage. And so discouragement was once more overcoming Benedetta when + Donna Serafina, on returning from a visit to Monsignor Nani, calmed her + somewhat by telling her that a mutual friend had undertaken to deal with + Monsignor Palma. However, said she, even if they succeeded, it would + doubtless cost them a large sum. + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Palma, a theologist expert in all canonical affairs, and a + perfectly honest man in pecuniary matters, had met with a great misfortune + in his life. He had a niece, a poor and lovely girl, for whom, unhappily, + in his declining years he conceived an insensate passion, with the result + that to avoid a scandal he was compelled to marry her to a rascal who now + preyed upon her and even beat her. And the prelate was now passing through + a fearful crisis, weary of reducing himself to beggary, and indeed no + longer having the money necessary to extricate his nephew by marriage from + a very nasty predicament, the result of cheating at cards. So the idea was + to save the young man by a considerable pecuniary payment, and then to + procure him employment without asking aught of his uncle, who, as if + offering complicity, came in tears one evening, when night had fallen, to + thank Donna Serafina for her exceeding goodness. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was with Dario that evening when Benedetta entered the room, + laughing and joyfully clapping her bands. “It’s done, it’s done!” she + said, “he has just left aunt, and vowed eternal gratitude to her. He will + now be obliged to show himself amiable.” + </p> + <p> + However Dario distrustfully inquired: “But was he made to sign anything, + did he enter into a formal engagement?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! no; how could one do that? It’s such a delicate matter,” replied + Benedetta. “But people say that he is a very honest man.” Nevertheless, in + spite of these words, she herself became uneasy. What if Monsignor Palma + should remain incorruptible in spite of the great service which had been + rendered him? Thenceforth this idea haunted them, and their suspense began + once more. + </p> + <p> + Dario, eager to divert his mind, was imprudent enough to get up before he + was perfectly cured, and, his wound reopening, he was obliged to take to + his bed again for a few days. Every evening, as previously, Pierre strove + to enliven him with an account of his strolls. The young priest was now + getting bolder, rambling in turn through all the districts of Rome, and + discovering the many “classical” curiosities catalogued in the + guide-books. One evening he spoke with a kind of affection of the + principal squares of the city which he had first thought commonplace, but + which now seemed to him very varied, each with original features of its + own. There was the noble Piazza del Popolo of such monumental symmetry and + so full of sunlight; there was the Piazza di Spagna, the lively + meeting-place of foreigners, with its double flight of a hundred and + thirty steps gilded by the sun; there was the vast Piazza Colonna, always + swarming with people, and the most Italian of all the Roman squares from + the presence of the idle, careless crowd which ever lounged round the + column of Marcus Aurelius as if waiting for fortune to fall from heaven; + there was also the long and regular Piazza Navona, deserted since the + market was no longer held there, and retaining a melancholy recollection + of its former bustling life; and there was the Campo dei Fiori, which was + invaded each morning by the tumultuous fruit and vegetable markets, quite + a plantation of huge umbrellas sheltering heaps of tomatoes, pimentoes, + and grapes amidst a noisy stream of dealers and housewives. Pierre’s great + surprise, however, was the Piazza del Campidoglio—the “Square of the + Capitol”—which to him suggested a summit, an open spot overlooking + the city and the world, but which he found to be small and square, and on + three sides enclosed by palaces, whilst on the fourth side the view was of + little extent.* There are no passers-by there; visitors usually come up by + a flight of steps bordered by a few palm-trees, only foreigners making use + of the winding carriage-ascent. The vehicles wait, and the tourists loiter + for a while with their eyes raised to the admirable equestrian statue of + Marcus Aurelius, in antique bronze, which occupies the centre of the + piazza. Towards four o’clock, when the sun gilds the left-hand palace, and + the slender statues of its entablature show vividly against the blue sky, + you might think yourself in some warm cosy square of a little provincial + town, what with the women of the neighbourhood who sit knitting under the + arcade, and the bands of ragged urchins who disport themselves on all + sides like school-boys in a playground. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Piazza del Campidoglio is really a depression between the + Capitolium proper and the northern height called the Arx. It is + supposed to have been the exact site of Romulus’s traditional + Asylum.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Then, on another evening Pierre told Benedetta and Dario of his admiration + for the Roman fountains, for in no other city of the world does water flow + so abundantly and magnificently in fountains of bronze and marble, from + the boat-shaped Fontana della Barcaccia on the Piazza di Spagna, the + Triton on the Piazza Barberini, and the Tortoises which give their name to + the Piazza delle Tartarughe, to the three fountains of the Piazza Navona + where Bernini’s vast central composition of rock and river-gods rises so + triumphantly, and to the colossal and pompous fountain of Trevi, where + King Neptune stands on high attended by lofty figures of Health and + Fruitfulness. And on yet another evening Pierre came home quite pleased, + relating that he had at last discovered why it was that the old streets + around the Capitol and along the Tiber seemed to him so strange: it was + because they had no footways, and pedestrians, instead of skirting the + walls, invariably took the middle of the road, leisurely wending their way + among the vehicles. Pierre was very fond of those old districts with their + winding lanes, their tiny squares so irregular in shape, and their huge + square mansions swamped by a multitudinous jumble of little houses. He + found a charm, too, in the district of the Esquiline, where, besides + innumerable flights of ascending steps, each of grey pebbles edged with + white stone, there were sudden sinuous slopes, tiers of terraces, + seminaries and convents, lifeless, with their windows ever closed, and + lofty, blank walls above which a superb palm-tree would now and again soar + into the spotless blue of the sky. And on yet another evening, having + strolled into the Campagna beside the Tiber and above the Ponte Molle, he + came back full of enthusiasm for a form of classical art which hitherto he + had scarcely appreciated. Along the river bank, however, he had found the + very scenery that Poussin so faithfully depicted: the sluggish, yellow + stream fringed with reeds; low riven cliffs, whose chalky whiteness showed + against the ruddy background of a far-stretching, undulating plain, + bounded by blue hills; a few spare trees with a ruined porticus opening on + to space atop of the bank, and a line of pale-hued sheep descending to + drink, whilst the shepherd, with an elbow resting on the trunk of an + ilex-tree, stood looking on. It was a special kind of beauty, broad and + ruddy, made up of nothing, sometimes simplified into a series of low, + horizontal lines, but ever ennobled by the great memories it evoked: the + Roman legions marching along the paved highways across the bare Campagna; + the long slumber of the middle ages; and then the awakening of antique + nature in the midst of Catholicism, whereby, for the second time, Rome + became ruler of the world. + </p> + <p> + One day when Pierre came back from seeing the great modern cemetery, the + Campo Verano, he found Celia, as well as Benedetta, by the side of Dario’s + bed. “What, Monsieur l’Abbe!” exclaimed the little Princess when she + learnt where he had been; “it amuses you to visit the dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh those Frenchmen,” remarked Dario, to whom the mere idea of a cemetery + was repulsive; “those Frenchmen seem to take a pleasure in making their + lives wretched with their partiality for gloomy scenes.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is no escaping the reality of death,” gently replied Pierre; + “the best course is to look it in the face.” + </p> + <p> + This made the Prince quite angry. “Reality, reality,” said he, “when + reality isn’t pleasant I don’t look at it; I try never to think of it + even.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of this rejoinder, Pierre, with his smiling, placid air, went on + enumerating the things which had struck him: first, the admirable manner + in which the cemetery was kept, then the festive appearance which it + derived from the bright autumn sun, and the wonderful profusion in which + marble was lavished in slabs, statues, and chapels. The ancient atavism + had surely been at work, the sumptuous mausoleums of the Appian Way had + here sprung up afresh, making death a pretext for the display of pomp and + pride. In the upper part of the cemetery the Roman nobility had a district + of its own, crowded with veritable temples, colossal statues, groups of + several figures; and if at times the taste shown in these monuments was + deplorable, it was none the less certain that millions had been expended + on them. One charming feature of the place, said Pierre, was that the + marbles, standing among yews and cypresses were remarkably well preserved, + white and spotless; for, if the summer sun slowly gilded them, there were + none of those stains of moss and rain which impart an aspect of melancholy + decay to the statues of northern climes. + </p> + <p> + Touched by the discomfort of Dario, Benedetta, hitherto silent, ended by + interrupting Pierre. “And was the hunt interesting?” she asked, turning to + Celia. + </p> + <p> + The little Princess had been taken by her mother to see a fox-hunt, and + had been speaking of it when the priest entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was very interesting, my dear,” she replied; “the meet was at + noon near the tomb of Caecilia Metella, where a buffet had been arranged + under a tent. And there was such a number of people—the foreign + colony, the young men of the embassies, and some officers, not to mention + ourselves—all the men in scarlet and a great many ladies in habits. + The ‘throw-off’ was at one o’clock, and the gallop lasted more than two + hours and a half, so that the fox had a very long run. I wasn’t able to + follow, but all the same I saw some extraordinary things—a great + wall which the whole hunt had to leap, and then ditches and hedges—a + mad race indeed in the rear of the hounds. There were two accidents, but + nothing serious; one gentleman, who was unseated, sprained his wrist + badly, and another broke his leg.” * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Roman Hunt, which counts about one hundred subscribers, + has flourished since 1840. There is a kennel of English + hounds, an English huntsman and whip, and a stable of + English hunters.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Dario had listened to Celia with passionate interest, for fox-hunting is + one of the great pleasures of Rome, and the Campagna, flat and yet + bristling with obstacles, is certainly well adapted to the sport. “Ah!” + said the young Prince in a despairing tone, “how idiotic it is to be + riveted to this room! I shall end by dying of <i>ennui</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta contented herself with smiling; neither reproach nor expression + of sadness came from her at this candid display of egotism. Her own + happiness at having him all to herself in the room where she nursed him + was great indeed; still her love, at once full of youth and good sense, + included a maternal element, and she well understood that he hardly amused + himself, deprived as he was of his customary pleasures and severed from + his friends, few of whom he was willing to receive, for he feared that + they might think the story of the dislocated shoulder suspicious. Of + course there were no more <i>fetes</i>, no more evenings at the theatre, + no more flirtations. But above everything else Dario missed the Corso, and + suffered despairingly at no longer seeing or learning anything by watching + the procession of Roman society from four to five each afternoon. + Accordingly, as soon as an intimate called, there were endless questions: + Had the visitor seen so and so? Had such a one reappeared? How had a + certain friend’s love affair ended? Was any new adventure setting the city + agog? And so forth; all the petty frivolities, nine days’ wonders, and + puerile intrigues in which the young Prince had hitherto expended his + manly energy. + </p> + <p> + After a pause Celia, who was fond of coming to him with innocent gossip, + fixed her candid eyes on him—the fathomless eyes of an enigmatical + virgin, and resumed: “How long it takes to set a shoulder right!” + </p> + <p> + Had she, child as she was, with love her only business, divined the truth? + Dario in his embarrassment glanced at Benedetta, who still smiled. + However, the little Princess was already darting to another subject: “Ah! + you know, Dario, at the Corso yesterday I saw a lady—” Then she + stopped short, surprised and embarrassed that these words should have + escaped her. However, in all bravery she resumed like one who had been a + friend since childhood, sharing many a little love secret: “Yes, a very + pretty person whom you know. Well, she had a bouquet of white roses with + her all the same.” + </p> + <p> + At this Benedetta indulged in a burst of frank merriment, and Dario, still + looking at her, also laughed. She had twitted him during the early days + because no young woman ever sent to make inquiries about him. For his + part, he was not displeased with the rupture, for the continuance of the + connection might have proved embarrassing; and so, although his vanity may + have been slightly hurt, the news that he was already replaced in La + Tonietta’s affections was welcome rather than otherwise. “Ah!” he + contented himself with saying, “the absent are always in the wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “The man one loves is never absent,” declared Celia with her grave, candid + air. + </p> + <p> + However, Benedetta had stepped up to the bed to raise the young man’s + pillows: “Never mind, Dario <i>mio</i>,” said she, “all those things are + over; I mean to keep you, and you will only have me to love.” + </p> + <p> + He gave her a passionate glance and kissed her hair. She spoke the truth: + he had never loved any one but her, and she was not mistaken in her + anticipation of keeping him always to herself alone, as soon as they + should be wedded. To her great delight, since she had been nursing him he + had become quite childish again, such as he had been when she had learnt + to love him under the orange-trees of the Villa Montefiori. He retained a + sort of puerility, doubtless the outcome of impoverished blood, that + return to childhood which one remarks amongst very ancient races; and he + toyed on his bed with pictures, gazed for hours at photographs, which made + him laugh. Moreover, his inability to endure suffering had yet increased; + he wished Benedetta to be gay and sing, and amused her with his petty + egotism which led him to dream of a life of continual joy with her. Ah! + how pleasant it would be to live together and for ever in the sunlight, to + do nothing and care for nothing, and even if the world should crumble + somewhere to heed it not! + </p> + <p> + “One thing which greatly pleases me,” suddenly said the young Prince, “is + that Monsieur l’Abbe has ended by falling in love with Rome.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre admitted it with a good grace. + </p> + <p> + “We told you so,” remarked Benedetta. “A great deal of time is needed for + one to understand and love Rome. If you had only stayed here for a + fortnight you would have gone off with a deplorable idea of us, but now + that you have been here for two full months we are quite at ease, for you + will never think of us without affection.” + </p> + <p> + She looked exceedingly charming as she spoke these words, and Pierre again + bowed. However, he had already given thought to the phenomenon, and + fancied he could explain it. When a stranger comes to Rome he brings with + him a Rome of his own, a Rome such as he dreams of, so ennobled by + imagination that the real Rome proves a terrible disenchantment. And so it + is necessary to wait for habituation, for the mediocrity of the reality to + soften, and for the imagination to have time to kindle again, and only + behold things such as they are athwart the prodigious splendour of the + past. + </p> + <p> + However, Celia had risen and was taking leave. “Good-bye, dear,” she said; + “I hope the wedding will soon take place. You know, Dario, that I mean to + be betrothed before the end of the month. Oh yes, I intend to make my + father give a grand entertainment. And how nice it would be if the two + weddings could take place at the same time!” + </p> + <p> + Two days later, after a long ramble through the Trastevere district, + followed by a visit to the Palazzo Farnese, Pierre felt that he could at + last understand the terrible, melancholy truth about Rome. He had several + times already strolled through the Trastevere, attracted towards its + wretched denizens by his compassion for all who suffered. Ah! that + quagmire of wretchedness and ignorance! He knew of abominable nooks in the + faubourgs of Paris, frightful “rents” and “courts” where people rotted in + heaps, but there was nothing in France to equal the listless, filthy + stagnation of the Trastevere. On the brightest days a dank gloom chilled + the sinuous, cellar-like lanes, and the smell of rotting vegetables, rank + oil, and human animality brought on fits of nausea. Jumbled together in a + confusion which artists of romantic turn would admire, the antique, + irregular houses had black, gaping entrances diving below ground, outdoor + stairways conducting to upper floors, and wooden balconies which only a + miracle upheld. There were crumbling fronts, shored up with beams; sordid + lodgings whose filth and bareness could be seen through shattered windows; + and numerous petty shops, all the open-air cook-stalls of a lazy race + which never lighted a fire at home: you saw frying-shops with heaps of + polenta, and fish swimming in stinking oil, and dealers in cooked + vegetables displaying huge turnips, celery, cauliflowers, and spinach, all + cold and sticky. The butcher’s meat was black and clumsily cut up; the + necks of the animals bristled with bloody clots, as though the heads had + simply been torn away. The baker’s loaves, piled on planks, looked like + little round paving stones; at the beggarly greengrocers’ merely a few + pimentoes and fir-apples were shown under the strings of dry tomatoes + which festooned the doorways; and the only shops which were at all + attractive were those of the pork butchers with their salted provisions + and their cheese, whose pungent smell slightly attenuated the pestilential + reek of the gutters. Lottery offices, displaying lists of winning numbers, + alternated with wine-shops, of which latter there was a fresh one every + thirty yards with large inscriptions setting forth that the best wines of + Genzano, Marino, and Frascati were to be found within. And the whole + district teemed with ragged, grimy denizens, children half naked and + devoured by vermin, bare-headed, gesticulating and shouting women, whose + skirts were stiff with grease, old men who remained motionless on benches + amidst swarms of hungry flies; idleness and agitation appearing on all + sides, whilst cobblers sat on the sidewalks quietly plying their trade, + and little donkeys pulled carts hither and thither, and men drove turkeys + along, whip in hand, and hands of beggars rushed upon the few anxious + tourists who had timorously ventured into the district. At the door of a + little tailor’s shop an old house-pail dangled full of earth, in which a + succulent plant was flowering. And from every window and balcony, as from + the many cords which stretched across the street from house to house, all + the household washing hung like bunting, nameless drooping rags, the + symbolical banners of abominable misery. + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s fraternal, soul filled with pity at the sight. Ah! yes, it was + necessary to demolish all those pestilential districts where the populace + had wallowed for centuries as in a poisonous gaol! He was for demolition + and sanitary improvement, even if old Rome were killed and artists + scandalised. Doubtless the Trastevere was already greatly changed, pierced + with several new thoroughfares which let the sun stream in. And amidst the + <i>abattis</i> of rubbish and the spacious clearings, where nothing new + had yet been erected, the remaining portions of the old district seemed + even blacker and more loathsome. Some day, no doubt, it would all be + rebuilt, but how interesting was this phase of the city’s evolution: old + Rome expiring and new Rome just dawning amidst countless difficulties! To + appreciate the change it was necessary to have known the filthy Rome of + the past, swamped by sewage in every form. The recently levelled Ghetto + had, over a course of centuries, so rotted the soil on which it stood that + an awful pestilential odour yet arose from its bare site. It was only + fitting that it should long remain waste, so that it might dry and become + purified in the sun. In all the districts on either side of the Tiber + where extensive improvements have been undertaken you find the same + scenes. You follow some narrow, damp, evil-smelling street with black + house-fronts and overhanging roofs, and suddenly come upon a clearing as + in a forest of ancient leprous hovels. There are squares, broad footways; + lofty white carved buildings yet in the rough, littered with rubbish and + fenced off. On every side you find as it were a huge building yard, which + the financial crisis perpetuates; the city of to-morrow arrested in its + growth, stranded there in its monstrous, precocious, surprising infancy. + Nevertheless, therein lies good and healthful work, such as was and is + absolutely necessary if Rome is to become a great modern city, instead of + being left to rot, to dwindle into a mere ancient curiosity, a museum + show-piece. + </p> + <p> + That day, as Pierre went from the Trastevere to the Palazzo Farnese, where + he was expected, he chose a roundabout route, following the Via di + Pettinari and the Via dei Giubbonari, the former so dark and narrow with a + great hospital wall on one side and a row of wretched houses on the other, + and the latter animated by a constant stream of people and enlivened by + the jewellers’ windows, full of big gold chains, and the displays of the + drapers’ shops, where stuffs hung in bright red, blue, green, and yellow + lengths. And the popular district through which he had roamed and the + trading district which he was now crossing reminded him of the castle + fields with their mass of workpeople reduced to mendicity by lack of + employment and forced to camp in the superb, unfinished, abandoned + mansions. Ah! the poor, sad people, who were yet so childish, kept in the + ignorance and credulity of a savage race by centuries of theocracy, so + habituated to mental night and bodily suffering that even to-day they + remained apart from the social awakening, simply desirous of enjoying + their pride, indolence, and sunlight in peace! They seemed both blind and + deaf in their decadence, and whilst Rome was being overturned they + continued to lead the stagnant life of former times, realising nought but + the worries of the improvements, the demolition of the old favourite + districts, the consequent change in habits, and the rise in the cost of + food, as if indeed they would rather have gone without light, cleanliness, + and health, since these could only be secured by a great financial and + labour crisis. And yet, at bottom, it was solely for the people, the + populace, that Rome was being cleansed and rebuilt with the idea of making + it a great modern capital, for democracy lies at the end of these present + day transformations; it is the people who will inherit the cities whence + dirt and disease are being expelled, and where the law of labour will end + by prevailing and killing want. And so, though one may curse the dusting + and repairing of the ruins and the stripping of all the wild flora from + the Colosseum, though one may wax indignant at sight of the hideous + fortress like ramparts which imprison the Tiber, and bewail the old + romantic banks with their greenery and their antique dwellings dipping + into the stream, one must at the same time acknowledge that life springs + from death, and that to-morrow must perforce blossom in the dust of the + past. + </p> + <p> + While thinking of all these things Pierre had reached the deserted, + stern-looking Piazza Farnese, and for a moment he looked up at the bare + monumental facade of the heavy square Palazzo, its lofty entrance where + hung the tricolour, its rows of windows and its famous cornice sculptured + with such marvellous art. Then he went in. A friend of Narcisse Habert, + one of the <i>attaches</i> of the embassy to the King of Italy, was + waiting for him, having offered to show him over the huge pile, the finest + palace in Rome, which France had leased as a lodging for her ambassador.* + Ah! that colossal, sumptuous, deadly dwelling, with its vast court whose + porticus is so dark and damp, its giant staircase with low steps, its + endless corridors, its immense galleries and halls. All was sovereign pomp + blended with death. An icy, penetrating chill fell from the walls. With a + discreet smile the <i>attache</i> owned that the embassy was frozen in + winter and baked in summer. The only part of the building which was at all + lively and pleasant was the first storey, overlooking the Tiber, which the + ambassador himself occupied. From the gallery there, containing the famous + frescoes of Annibale Caracci, one can see the Janiculum, the Corsini + gardens, and the Acqua Paola above San Pietro in Montorio. Then, after a + vast drawing-room comes the study, peaceful and pleasant, and enlivened by + sunshine. But the dining-room, the bed-chambers, and other apartments + occupied by the <i>personnel</i> look out on to the mournful gloom of a + side street. All these vast rooms, twenty and four-and-twenty feet high, + have admirable carved or painted ceilings, bare walls, a few of them + decorated with frescoes, and incongruous furniture, superb pier tables + mingling with modern <i>bric-a-brac</i>. And things become abominable when + you enter the gala reception-rooms overlooking the piazza, for there you + no longer find an article of furniture, no longer a hanging, nothing but + disaster, a series of magnificent deserted halls given over to rats and + spiders. The embassy occupies but one of them, where it heaps up its dusty + archives. Near by is a huge hall occupying the height of two floors, and + thus sixty feet in elevation. Reserved by the owner of the palace, the + ex-King of Naples, it has become a mere lumber-room where <i>maquettes</i>, + unfinished statues, and a very fine sarcophagus are stowed away amidst all + kinds of remnants. And this is but a part of the palace. The ground floor + is altogether uninhabited; the French “Ecole de Rome” occupies a corner of + the second floor; while the embassy huddles in chilly fashion in the most + habitable corner of the first floor, compelled to abandon everything else + and lock the doors to spare itself the useless trouble of sweeping. No + doubt it is grand to live in the Palazzo Farnese, built by Pope Paul III + and for more than a century inhabited by cardinals; but how cruel the + discomfort and how frightful the melancholy of this huge ruin, + three-fourths of whose rooms are dead, useless, impossible, cut off from + life. And the evenings, oh! the evenings, when porch, court, stairs, and + corridors are invaded by dense gloom, against which a few smoky gas lamps + struggle in vain, when a long, long journey lies before one through the + lugubrious desert of stone, before one reaches the ambassador’s warm and + cheerful drawing-room! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The French have two embassies at Rome: one at the Palazzo + Farnese, to the Italian Court, and the other at the Palazzo + Rospigliosi, to the Vatican.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Pierre came away quite aghast. And, as he walked along, the many other + grand palaces which he had seen during his strolls rose before him, one + and all of them stripped of their splendour, shorn of their princely + establishments, let out in uncomfortable flats! What could be done with + those grandiose galleries and halls now that no fortune could defray the + cost of the pompous life for which they had been built, or even feed the + retinue needed to keep them up? Few indeed were the nobles who, like + Prince Aldobrandini, with his numerous progeny, still occupied their + entire mansions. Almost all of them let the antique dwellings of their + forefathers to companies or individual tenants, reserving only a storey, + and at times a mere lodging in some dark corner, for themselves. The + Palazzo Chigi was let: the ground floor to bankers and the first floor to + the Austrian ambassador, while the Prince and his family divided the + second floor with a cardinal. The Palazzo Sciarra was let: the first floor + to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the second to a senator, while the + Prince and his mother merely occupied the ground floor. The Palazzo + Barberini was let: its ground floor, first floor, and second floor to + various families, whilst the Prince found a refuge on the third floor in + the rooms which had been occupied by his ancestors’ lackeys. The Palazzo + Borghese was let: the ground floor to a dealer in antiquities, the first + floor to a Lodge of Freemasons, and the rest to various households, whilst + the Prince only retained the use of a small suite of apartments. And the + Palazzo Odescalchi, the Palazzo Colonna, the Palazzo Doria were let: their + Princes reduced to the position of needy landlords eager to derive as much + profit as possible from their property in order to make both ends meet. A + blast of ruin was sweeping over the Roman patriziato, the greatest + fortunes had crumbled in the financial crisis, very few remained wealthy, + and what a wealth it was, stagnant and dead, which neither commerce nor + industry could renew. The numerous princes who had tried speculation were + stripped of their fortunes. The others, terrified, called upon to pay + enormous taxes, amounting to nearly one-third of their incomes, could + henceforth only wait and behold their last stagnant millions dwindle away + till they were exhausted or distributed according to the succession laws. + Such wealth as remained to these nobles must perish, for, like everything + else, wealth perishes when it lacks a soil in which it may fructify. In + all this there was solely a question of time: eventual ruin was a foregone + and irremediable conclusion, of absolute, historical certainty. Those who + resigned themselves to the course of letting their deserted mansions still + struggled for life, seeking to accommodate themselves to present-day + exigencies; whilst death already dwelt among the others, those stubborn, + proud ones who immured themselves in the tombs of their race, like that + appalling Palazzo Boccanera, which was falling into dust amidst such + chilly gloom and silence, the latter only broken at long intervals when + the Cardinal’s old coach rumbled over the grassy court. + </p> + <p> + The point which most struck Pierre, however, was that his visits to the + Trastevere and the Palazzo Farnese shed light one on the other, and led + him to a conclusion which had never previously seemed so manifest. As yet + no “people,” and soon no aristocracy. He had found the people so wretched, + ignorant, and resigned in its long infancy induced by historic and + climatic causes that many years of instruction and culture were necessary + for it to become a strong, healthy, and laborious democracy, conscious of + both its rights and its duties. As for the aristocracy, it was dwindling + to death in its crumbling palaces, no longer aught than a finished, + degenerate race, with such an admixture also of American, Austrian, + Polish, and Spanish blood that pure Roman blood became a rare exception; + and, moreover, it had ceased to belong either to sword or gown, unwilling + to serve constitutional Italy and forsaking the Sacred College, where only + <i>parvenus</i> now donned the purple. And between the lowly and the + aristocracy there was as yet no firmly seated middle class, with the + vigour of fresh sap and sufficient knowledge, and good sense to act as the + transitional educator of the nation. The middle class was made up in part + of the old servants and clients of the princes, the farmers who rented + their lands, the stewards, notaries, and solicitors who managed their + fortunes; in part, too, of all the employees, the functionaries of every + rank and class, the deputies and senators, whom the new Government had + brought from the provinces; and, in particular, of the voracious hawks who + had swooped down upon Rome, the Pradas, the men of prey from all parts of + the kingdom, who with beak and talon devoured both people and aristocracy. + For whom, then, had one laboured? For whom had those gigantic works of new + Rome been undertaken? A shudder of fear sped by, a crack as of doom was + heard, arousing pitiful disquietude in every fraternal heart. Yes, a + threat of doom and annihilation: as yet no people, soon no aristocracy, + and only a ravenous middle class, quarrying, vulture-like, among the + ruins. + </p> + <p> + On the evening of that day, when all was dark, Pierre went to spend an + hour on the river quay beyond the Boccanera mansion. He was very fond of + meditating on that deserted spot in spite of the warnings of Victorine, + who asserted that it was not safe. And, indeed, on such inky nights as + that one, no cutthroat place ever presented a more tragic aspect. Not a + soul, not a passer-by; a dense gloom, a void in front and on either hand. + At a corner of the mansion, now steeped in darkness, there was a gas lamp + which stood in a hollow since the river margin had been banked up, and + this lamp cast an uncertain glimmer upon the quay, level with the latter’s + bossy soil. Thus long vague shadows stretched from the various materials, + piles of bricks and piles of stone, which were strewn around. On the right + a few lights shone upon the bridge near San Giovanni and in the windows of + the hospital of the Santo Spirito. On the left, amidst the dim recession + of the river, the distant districts were blotted out. Then yonder, across + the stream, was the Trastevere, the houses on the bank looking like vague, + pale phantoms, with infrequent window-panes showing a blurred yellow + glimmer, whilst on high only a dark band shadowed the Janiculum, near + whose summit the lamps of some promenade scintillated like a triangle of + stars. But it was the Tiber which impassioned Pierre; such was its + melancholy majesty during those nocturnal hours. Leaning over the parapet, + he watched it gliding between the new walls, which looked like those of + some black and monstrous prison built for a giant. So long as lights + gleamed in the windows of the houses opposite he saw the sluggish water + flow by, showing slow, moire-like ripples there where the quivering + reflections endowed it with a mysterious life. And he often mused on the + river’s famous past and evoked the legends which assert that fabulous + wealth lies buried in its muddy bed. At each fresh invasion of the + barbarians, and particularly when Rome was sacked, the treasures of + palaces and temples are said to have been cast into the water to prevent + them from falling into the hands of the conquerors. Might not those golden + bars trembling yonder in the glaucous stream be the branches of the famous + candelabrum which Titus brought from Jerusalem? Might not those pale + patches whose shape remained uncertain amidst the frequent eddies indicate + the white marble of statues and columns? And those deep moires glittering + with little flamelets, were they not promiscuous heaps of precious metal, + cups, vases, ornaments enriched with gems? What a dream was that of the + swarming riches espied athwart the old river’s bosom, of the hidden life + of the treasures which were said to have slumbered there for centuries; + and what a hope for the nation’s pride and enrichment centred in the + miraculous finds which might be made in the Tiber if one could some day + dry it up and search its bed, as had already been suggested! Therein, + perchance, lay Rome’s new fortune. + </p> + <p> + However, on that black night, whilst Pierre leant over the parapet, it was + stern reality alone which occupied his mind. He was still pursuing the + train of thought suggested by his visits to the Trastevere and the Farnese + palace, and in presence of that lifeless water was coming to the + conclusion that the selection of Rome for transformation into a modern + capital was the great misfortune to which the sufferings of young Italy + were due. He knew right well that the selection had been inevitable: Rome + being the queen of glory, the antique ruler of the world to whom eternity + had been promised, and without whom the national unity had always seemed + an impossibility. And so the problem was a terrible one, since without + Rome Italy could not exist, and with Rome it seemed difficult for it to + exist. Ah! that dead river, how it symbolised disaster! Not a boat upon + its surface, not a quiver of the commercial and industrial activity of + those waters which bear life to the very hearts of great modern cities! + There had been fine schemes, no doubt—Rome a seaport, gigantic + works, canalisation to enable vessels of heavy tonnage to come up to the + Aventine; but these were mere delusions; the authorities would scarcely be + able to clear the river mouth, which deposits were continually choking. + And there was that other cause of mortal languishment, the Campagna—the + desert of death which the dead river crossed and which girdled Rome with + sterility. There was talk of draining and planting it; much futile + discussion on the question whether it had been fertile in the days of the + old Romans; and even a few experiments were made; but, all the same, Rome + remained in the midst of a vast cemetery like a city of other times, for + ever separated from the modern world by that <i>lande</i> or moor where + the dust of centuries had accumulated. The geographical considerations + which once gave the city the empire of the world no longer exist. The + centre of civilisation has been displaced. The basin of the Mediterranean + has been divided among powerful nations. In Italy all roads now lead to + Milan, the city of industry and commerce, and Rome is but a town of + passage. And so the most valiant efforts have failed to rouse it from its + invincible slumber. The capital which the newcomers sought to improvise + with such extreme haste has remained unfinished, and has almost ruined the + nation. The Government, legislators, and functionaries only camp there, + fleeing directly the warm weather sets in so as to escape the pernicious + climate. The hotels and shops even put up their shutters, and the streets + and promenades become deserts, the city having failed to acquire any life + of its own, and relapsing into death as soon as the artificial life + instilled into it is withdrawn. So all remains in suspense in this purely + decorative capital, where only a fresh growth of men and money can finish + and people the huge useless piles of the new districts. If it be true that + to-morrow always blooms in the dust of the past, one ought to force + oneself to hope; but Pierre asked himself if the soil were not exhausted, + and since mere buildings could no longer grow on it, if it were not for + ever drained of the sap which makes a race healthy, a nation powerful. + </p> + <p> + As the night advanced the lights in the houses of the Trastevere went out + one by one: yet Pierre for a long time lingered on the quay, leaning over + the blackened river and yielding to hopelessness. There was now no + distance to the gloom; all had become dense; no longer did any reflections + set a moire-like, golden quiver in the water, or reveal beneath its + mystery-concealing current a fantastic, dancing vision of fabulous wealth. + Gone was the legend, gone the seven-branched golden candelabrum, gone the + golden vases, gone the golden jewellery, the whole dream of antique + treasure that had vanished into night, even like the antique glory of + Rome. Not a glimmer, nothing but slumber, disturbed solely by the heavy + fall of sewage from the drain on the right-hand, which could not be seen. + The very water had disappeared, and Pierre no longer espied its leaden + flow through the darkness, no longer had any perception of the sluggish + senility, the long-dating weariness, the intense sadness of that ancient + and glorious Tiber, whose waters now rolled nought but death. Only the + vast, opulent sky, the eternal, pompous sky displayed the dazzling life of + its milliards of planets above that river of darkness, bearing away the + ruins of wellnigh three thousand years. + </p> + <p> + Before returning to his own chamber that evening Pierre entered Dario’s + room, and found Victorine there preparing things for the night. And as + soon as she heard where he had been she raised her voice in protest: + “What! you have again been to the quay at this time of night, Monsieur + l’Abbe? You want to get a good knife thrust yourself, it seems. Well, for + my part, I certainly wouldn’t take the air at such a late hour in this + dangerous city.” Then, with her wonted familiarity, she turned and spoke + to the Prince, who was lying back in an arm-chair and smiling: “That girl, + La Pierina,” she said, “hasn’t been back here, but all the same I’ve + lately seen her prowling about among the building materials.” + </p> + <p> + Dario raised his hand to silence her, and, addressing Pierre, exclaimed: + “But you spoke to her, didn’t you? It’s becoming idiotic! Just fancy that + brute Tito coming back to dig his knife into my other shoulder—” + </p> + <p> + All at once he paused, for he had just perceived Benedetta standing there + and listening to him; she had slipped into the room a moment previously in + order to wish him good-night. At sight of her his embarrassment was great + indeed; he wished to speak, explain his words, and swear that he was + wholly innocent in the affair. But she, with a smiling face, contented + herself with saying, “I knew all about it, Dario <i>mio</i>. I am not so + foolish as not to have thought it all over and understood the truth. If I + ceased questioning you it was because I knew, and loved you all the same.” + </p> + <p> + The young woman looked very happy as she spoke, and for this she had good + cause, for that very evening she had learnt that Monsignor Palma had shown + himself grateful for the service rendered to his nephew by laying a fresh + and favourable memoir on the marriage affair before the Congregation of + the Council. He had been unwilling to recall his previous opinions so far + as to range himself completely on the Contessina’s side, but the + certificates of two doctors whom she had recently seen had enabled him to + conclude that her own declarations were accurate. And gliding over the + question of wifely obedience, on which he had previously laid stress, he + had skilfully set forth the reasons which made a dissolution of the + marriage desirable. No hope of reconciliation could be entertained, so it + was certain that both parties were constantly exposed to temptation and + sin. He discreetly alluded to the fact that the husband had already + succumbed to this danger, and praised the wife’s lofty morality and piety, + all the virtues which she displayed, and which guaranteed her veracity. + Then, without formulating any conclusion of his own, he left the decision + to the wisdom of the Congregation. And as he virtually repeated Advocate + Morano’s arguments, and Prada stubbornly refused to enter an appearance, + it now seemed certain that the Congregation would by a great majority + pronounce itself in favour of dissolution, a result which would enable the + Holy Father to act benevolently. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Dario <i>mio</i>!” said Benedetta, “we are at the end of our worries. + But what a lot of money, what a lot of money it all costs! Aunt says that + they will scarcely leave us water to drink.” + </p> + <p> + So speaking she laughed with the happy heedlessness of an impassioned <i>amorosa</i>. + It was not that the jurisdiction of the Congregations was in itself + ruinous; indeed, in principle, it was gratuitous. Still there were a + multitude of petty expenses, payments to subaltern employees, payments for + medical consultations and certificates, copies of documents, and the + memoirs and addresses of counsel. And although the votes of the cardinals + were certainly not bought direct, some of them ended by costing + considerable sums, for it often became necessary to win over dependants, + to induce quite a little world to bring influence to bear upon their + Eminences; without mentioning that large pecuniary gifts, when made with + tact, have a decisive effect in clearing away the greatest difficulties in + that sphere of the Vatican. And, briefly, Monsignor Palma’s nephew by + marriage had cost the Boccaneras a large sum. + </p> + <p> + “But it doesn’t matter, does it, Dario <i>mio</i>?” continued Benedetta. + “Since you are now cured, they must make haste to give us permission to + marry. That’s all we ask of them. And if they want more, well, I’ll give + them my pearls, which will be all I shall have left me.” + </p> + <p> + He also laughed, for money had never held any place in his life. He had + never had it at his pleasure, and simply hoped that he would always live + with his uncle the cardinal, who would certainly not leave him and his + young wife in the streets. Ruined as the family was, one or two hundred + thousand francs represented nothing to his mind, and he had heard that + certain dissolutions of marriage had cost as much as half a million. So, + by way of response, he could only find a jest: “Give them my ring as + well,” said he; “give them everything, my dear, and we shall still be + happy in this old palace even if we have to sell the furniture!” + </p> + <p> + His words filled her with enthusiasm; she took his head between both hands + and kissed him madly on the eyes in an extraordinary transport of passion. + Then, suddenly turning to Pierre, she said: “Oh! excuse me, Monsieur + l’Abbe. I was forgetting that I have a commission for you. Yes, Monsignor + Nani, who brought us that good news, bade me tell you that you are making + people forget you too much, and that you ought to set to work to defend + your book.” + </p> + <p> + The priest listened in astonishment; then replied: “But it was he who + advised me to disappear.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt—only it seems that the time has now come for you to see + people and plead your cause. And Monsignor Nani has been able to learn + that the reporter appointed to examine your book is Monsignor Fornaro, who + lives on the Piazza Navona.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s stupefaction was increasing, for a reporter’s name is never + divulged, but kept quite secret, in order to ensure a free exercise of + judgment. Was a new phase of his sojourn in Rome about to begin then? His + mind was all wonderment. However, he simply answered: “Very good, I will + set to work and see everybody.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_PART4" id="link2H_PART4"></a> + PART IV. + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0050" id="link2H_4_0050"></a> + X. + </h2> + <p> + IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his + campaign on the very next day. But on whom should he first call if he were + to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical + world? The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door + that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a + sudden inspiration asked him to step inside. He realised that this thin + little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and + displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well + informed, mixed up in everything. At one period it had seemed to Pierre + that the secretary purposely avoided him, doubtless for fear of + compromising himself; but recently Don Vigilio had proved less unsociable, + as though he were not far from sharing the impatience which must be + consuming the young Frenchman amidst his long enforced inactivity. And so, + on this occasion, he did not seek to avoid the chat on which Pierre was + bent. + </p> + <p> + “I must apologise,” said the latter, “for asking you in here when things + are in such disorder. But I have just received some more linen and some + winter clothing from Paris. I came, you know, with just a little valise, + meaning to stay for a fortnight, and yet I’ve now been here for nearly + three months, and am no more advanced than I was on the morning of my + arrival.” + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio nodded. “Yes, yes, I know,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Pierre explained to him that Monsignor Nani had informed him, + through the Contessina, that he now ought to act and see everybody for the + defence of his book. But he was much embarrassed, as he did not know in + what order to make his visits so that they might benefit him. For + instance, ought he to call in the first place on Monsignor Fornaro, the <i>consultore</i> + selected to report on his book, and whose name had been given him? + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” exclaimed Don Vigilio, quivering; “has Monsignor Nani gone as far as + that—given you the reporter’s name? That’s even more than I + expected.” Then, forgetting his prudence, yielding to his secret interest + in the affair, he resumed: “No, no; don’t begin with Monsignor Fornaro. + Your first visit should be a very humble one to the Prefect of the + Congregation of the Index—his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti; for he + would never forgive you for having offered your first homage to another + should he some day hear of it.” And, after a pause, Don Vigilio added, in + a low voice, amidst a faint, feverish shiver: “And he <i>would</i> hear of + it; everything becomes known.” + </p> + <p> + Again he hesitated, and then, as if yielding to sudden, sympathetic + courage, he took hold of the young Frenchman’s hands. “I swear to you, my + dear Monsieur Froment,” he said, “that I should be very happy to help you, + for you are a man of simple soul, and I really begin to feel worried for + you. But you must not ask me for impossibilities. Ah! if you only knew—if + I could only tell you of all the perils which surround us! However, I + think I can repeat to you that you must in no wise rely on my patron, his + Eminence Cardinal Boccanera. He has expressed absolute disapproval of your + book in my presence on several occasions. Only he is a saint, a most + worthy, honourable man; and, though he won’t defend you, he won’t attack + you—he will remain neutral out of regard for his niece, whom he + loves so dearly, and who protects you. So, when you see him, don’t plead + your cause; it would be of no avail, and might even irritate him.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was not particularly distressed by this news, for at his first + interview with the Cardinal, and on the few subsequent occasions when he + had respectfully visited him, he had fully understood that his Eminence + would never be other than an adversary. “Well,” said he, “I will wait on + him to thank him for his neutrality.” + </p> + <p> + But at this all Don Vigilio’s terrors returned. “No, no, don’t do that; he + would perhaps realise that I have spoken to you, and then what a disaster—my + position would be compromised. I’ve said nothing, nothing! See the + cardinals to begin with, see all the cardinals. Let it be understood + between us that I’ve said nothing more.” And, on that occasion at any + rate, Don Vigilio would speak no further, but left the room shuddering and + darting fiery, suspicious glances on either side of the corridor. + </p> + <p> + Pierre at once went out to call on Cardinal Sanguinetti. It was ten + o’clock, and there was a chance that he might find him at home. This + cardinal resided on the first floor of a little palazzo in a dark, narrow + street near San Luigi dei Francesi.* There was here none of the giant ruin + full of princely and melancholy grandeur amidst which Cardinal Boccanera + so stubbornly remained. The old regulation gala suite of rooms had been + cut down just like the number of servants. There was no throne-room, no + red hat hanging under a <i>baldacchino</i>, no arm-chair turned to the + wall pending a visit from the Pope. A couple of apartments served as + ante-rooms, and then came a <i>salon</i> where the Cardinal received; and + there was no luxury, indeed scarcely any comfort; the furniture was of + mahogany, dating from the empire period, and the hangings and carpets were + dusty and faded by long use. Moreover, Pierre had to wait a long time for + admittance, and when a servant, leisurely putting on his jacket, at last + set the door ajar, it was only to say that his Eminence had been away at + Frascati since the previous day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This is the French church of Rome, and is under the protection + of the French Government.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Pierre then remembered that Cardinal Sanguinetti was one of the suburban + bishops. At his see of Frascati he had a villa where he occasionally spent + a few days whenever a desire for rest or some political motive impelled + him to do so. + </p> + <p> + “And will his Eminence soon return?” Pierre inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! we don’t know. His Eminence is poorly, and expressly desired us to + send nobody to worry him.” + </p> + <p> + When Pierre reached the street again he felt quite bewildered by this + disappointment. At first he wondered whether he had not better call on + Monsignor Fornaro without more ado, but he recollected Don Vigilio’s + advice to see the cardinals first of all, and, an inspiration coming to + him, he resolved that his next visit should be for Cardinal Sarno, whose + acquaintance he had eventually made at Donna Serafina’s Mondays. In spite + of Cardinal Sarno’s voluntary self-effacement, people looked upon him as + one of the most powerful and redoubtable members of the Sacred College, + albeit his nephew Narcisse Habert declared that he knew no man who showed + more obtuseness in matters which did not pertain to his habitual + occupations. At all events, Pierre thought that the Cardinal, although not + a member of the Congregation of the Index, might well give him some good + advice, and possibly bring his great influence to bear on his colleagues. + </p> + <p> + The young man straightway betook himself to the Palace of the Propaganda, + where he knew he would find the Cardinal. This palace, which is seen from + the Piazza di Spagna, is a bare, massive corner pile between two streets. + And Pierre, hampered by his faulty Italian, quite lost himself in it, + climbing to floors whence he had to descend again, and finding himself in + a perfect labyrinth of stairs, passages, and halls. At last he luckily + came across the Cardinal’s secretary, an amiable young priest, whom he had + already seen at the Boccanera mansion. “Why, yes,” said the secretary, “I + think that his Eminence will receive you. You did well to come at this + hour, for he is always here of a morning. Kindly follow me, if you + please.” + </p> + <p> + Then came a fresh journey. Cardinal Sarno, long a Secretary of the + Propaganda, now presided over the commission which controlled the + organisation of worship in those countries of Europe, Africa, America, and + Oceanica where Catholicism had lately gained a footing; and he thus had a + private room of his own with special officers and assistants, reigning + there with the ultra-methodical habits of a functionary who had grown old + in his arm-chair, closely surrounded by nests of drawers, and knowing + nothing of the world save the usual sights of the street below his window. + </p> + <p> + The secretary left Pierre on a bench at the end of a dark passage, which + was lighted by gas even in full daylight. And quite a quarter of an hour + went by before he returned with his eager, affable air. “His Eminence is + conferring with some missionaries who are about to leave Rome,” he said; + “but it will soon be over, and he told me to take you to his room, where + you can wait for him.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as Pierre was alone in the Cardinal’s sanctum he examined it with + curiosity. Fairly spacious, but in no wise luxurious, it had green paper + on its walls, and its furniture was of black wood and green damask. From + two windows overlooking a narrow side street a mournful light reached the + dark wall-paper and faded carpets. There were a couple of pier tables and + a plain black writing-table, which stood near one window, its worn + mole-skin covering littered with all sorts of papers. Pierre drew near to + it for a moment, and glanced at the arm-chair with damaged, sunken seat, + the screen which sheltered it from draughts, and the old inkstand + splotched with ink. And then, in the lifeless and oppressive atmosphere, + the disquieting silence, which only the low rumbles from the street + disturbed, he began to grow impatient. + </p> + <p> + However, whilst he was softly walking up and down he suddenly espied a map + affixed to one wall, and the sight of it filled him with such absorbing + thoughts that he soon forgot everything else. It was a coloured map of the + world, the different tints indicating whether the territories belonged to + victorious Catholicism or whether Catholicism was still warring there + against unbelief; these last countries being classified as vicariates or + prefectures, according to the general principles of organisation. And the + whole was a graphic presentment of the long efforts of Catholicism in + striving for the universal dominion which it has sought so unremittingly + since its earliest hour. God has given the world to His Church, but it is + needful that she should secure possession of it since error so stubbornly + abides. From this has sprung the eternal battle, the fight which is + carried on, even in our days, to win nations over from other religions, as + it was in the days when the Apostles quitted Judaea to spread abroad the + tidings of the Gospel. During the middle ages the great task was to + organise conquered Europe, and this was too absorbing an enterprise to + allow of any attempt at reconciliation with the dissident churches of the + East. Then the Reformation burst forth, schism was added to schism, and + the Protestant half of Europe had to be reconquered as well as all the + orthodox East. + </p> + <p> + War-like ardour, however, awoke at the discovery of the New World. Rome + was ambitious of securing that other side of the earth, and missions were + organised for the subjection of races of which nobody had known anything + the day before, but which God had, nevertheless, given to His Church, like + all the others. And by degrees the two great divisions of Christianity + were formed, on one hand the Catholic nations, those where the faith + simply had to be kept up, and which the Secretariate of State installed at + the Vatican guided with sovereign authority, and on the other the + schismatical or pagan nations which were to be brought back to the fold or + converted, and over which the Congregation of the Propaganda sought to + reign. Then this Congregation had been obliged to divide itself into two + branches in order to facilitate its work—the Oriental branch, which + dealt with the dissident sects of the East, and the Latin branch, whose + authority extended over all the other lands of mission: the two forming a + vast organisation—a huge, strong, closely meshed net cast over the + whole world in order that not a single soul might escape. + </p> + <p> + It was in presence of that map that Pierre for the first time became + clearly conscious of the mechanism which for centuries had been working to + bring about the absorption of humanity. The Propaganda, richly dowered by + the popes, and disposing of a considerable revenue, appeared to him like a + separate force, a papacy within the papacy, and he well understood that + the Prefect of the Congregation should be called the “Red Pope,” for how + limitless were the powers of that man of conquest and domination, whose + hands stretched from one to the other end of the earth. Allowing that the + Cardinal Secretary held Europe, that diminutive portion of the globe, did + not he, the Prefect, hold all the rest—the infinity of space, the + distant countries as yet almost unknown? Besides, statistics showed that + Rome’s uncontested dominion was limited to 200 millions of Apostolic and + Roman Catholics; whereas the schismatics of the East and the Reformation, + if added together, already exceeded that number, and how small became the + minority of the true believers when, besides the schismatics, one brought + into line the 1000 millions of infidels who yet remained to be converted. + The figures struck Pierre with a force which made him shudder. What! there + were 5 million Jews, nearly 200 million Mahommedans, more than 700 million + Brahmanists and Buddhists, without counting another 100 million pagans of + divers creeds, the whole making 1000 millions, and against these the + Christians could marshal barely more than 400 millions, who were divided + among themselves, ever in conflict, one half with Rome and the other half + against her?* Was it possible that in 1800 years Christianity had not + proved victorious over even one-third of mankind, and that Rome, the + eternal and all-powerful, only counted a sixth part of the nations among + her subjects? Only one soul saved out of every six—how fearful was + the disproportion! However, the map spoke with brutal eloquence: the + red-tinted empire of Rome was but a speck when compared with the + yellow-hued empire of the other gods—the endless countries which the + Propaganda still had to conquer. And the question arose: How many + centuries must elapse before the promises of the Christ were realised, + before the whole world were gained to Christianity, before religious + society spread over secular society, and there remained but one kingdom + and one belief? And in presence of this question, in presence of the + prodigious labour yet to be accomplished, how great was one’s astonishment + when one thought of Rome’s tranquil serenity, her patient stubbornness, + which has never known doubt or weariness, her bishops and ministers + toiling without cessation in the conviction that she alone will some day + be the mistress of the world! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Some readers may question certain of the figures given by M. + Zola, but it must be remembered that all such calculations + (even those of the best “authorities”) are largely guesswork. + I myself think that there are more than 5 million Jews, and + more than 200 millions of Mahommedans, but I regard the alleged + number of Brahmanists and Buddhists as exaggerated. On the + other hand, some statistical tables specify 80 millions of + Confucianists, of whom M. Zola makes no separate mention. + However, as regards the number of Christians in the world, the + figures given above are, within a few millions, probably + accurate.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Narcisse had told Pierre how carefully the embassies at Rome watched the + doings of the Propaganda, for the missions were often the instruments of + one or another nation, and exercised decisive influence in far-away lands. + And so there was a continual struggle, in which the Congregation did all + it could to favour the missionaries of Italy and her allies. It had always + been jealous of its French rival, “L’Oeuvre de la Propagation de la Foi,” + installed at Lyons, which is as wealthy in money as itself, and richer in + men of energy and courage. However, not content with levelling tribute on + this French association, the Propaganda thwarted it, sacrificed it on + every occasion when it had reason to think it might achieve a victory. Not + once or twice, but over and over again had the French missionaries, the + French orders, been driven from the scenes of their labours to make way + for Italians or Germans. And Pierre, standing in that mournful, dusty + room, which the sunlight never brightened, pictured the secret hot-bed of + political intrigue masked by the civilising ardour of faith. Again he + shuddered as one shudders when monstrous, terrifying things are brought + home to one. And might not the most sensible be overcome? Might not the + bravest be dismayed by the thought of that universal engine of conquest + and domination, which worked with the stubbornness of eternity, not merely + content with the gain of souls, but ever seeking to ensure its future + sovereignty over the whole of corporeal humanity, and—pending the + time when it might rule the nations itself—disposing of them, + handing them over to the charge of this or that temporary master, in + accordance with its good pleasure. And then, too, what a prodigious dream! + Rome smiling and tranquilly awaiting the day when she will have united + Christians, Mahommedans, Brahmanists, and Buddhists into one sole nation, + of whom she will be both the spiritual and the temporal queen! + </p> + <p> + However, a sound of coughing made Pierre turn, and he started on + perceiving Cardinal Sarno, whom he had not heard enter. Standing in front + of that map, he felt like one caught in the act of prying into a secret, + and a deep flush overspread his face. The Cardinal, however, after looking + at him fixedly with his dim eyes, went to his writing-table, and let + himself drop into the arm-chair without saying a word. With a gesture he + dispensed Pierre of the duty of kissing his ring. + </p> + <p> + “I desired to offer my homage to your Eminence,” said the young man. “Is + your Eminence unwell?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, it’s nothing but a dreadful cold which I can’t get rid of. And + then, too, I have so many things to attend to just now.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre looked at the Cardinal as he appeared in the livid light from the + window, puny, lopsided, with the left shoulder higher than the right, and + not a sign of life on his worn and ashen countenance. The young priest was + reminded of one of his uncles, who, after thirty years spent in the + offices of a French public department, displayed the same lifeless glance, + parchment-like skin, and weary hebetation. Was it possible that this + withered old man, so lost in his black cassock with red edging, was really + one of the masters of the world, with the map of Christendom so deeply + stamped on his mind, albeit he had never left Rome, that the Prefect of + the Propaganda did not take a decision without asking his opinion? + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, Monsieur l’Abbe,” said the Cardinal. “So you have come to see + me—you have something to ask of me!” And, whilst disposing himself + to listen, he stretched out his thin bony hands to finger the documents + heaped up before him, glancing at each of them like some general, some + strategist, profoundly versed in the science of his profession, who, + although his army is far away, nevertheless directs it to victory from his + private room, never for a moment allowing it to escape his mind. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was somewhat embarrassed by such a plain enunciation of the + interested object of his visit; still, he decided to go to the point. + “Yes, indeed,” he answered, “it is a liberty I have taken to come and + appeal to your Eminence’s wisdom for advice. Your Eminence is aware that I + am in Rome for the purpose of defending a book of mine, and I should be + grateful if your Eminence would help and guide me.” Then he gave a brief + account of the present position of the affair, and began to plead his + cause; but as he continued speaking he noticed that the Cardinal gave him + very little attention, as though indeed he were thinking of something + else, and failed to understand. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! yes,” the great man at last muttered, “you have written a book. There + was some question of it at Donna Serafina’s one evening. But a priest + ought not to write; it is a mistake for him to do so. What is the good of + it? And the Congregation of the Index must certainly be in the right if it + is prosecuting your book. At all events, what can I do? I don’t belong to + the Congregation, and I know nothing, nothing about the matter.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, pained at finding him so listless and indifferent, went on trying + to enlighten and move him. But he realised that this man’s mind, so + far-reaching and penetrating in the field in which it had worked for forty + years, closed up as soon as one sought to divert it from its specialty. It + was neither an inquisitive nor a supple mind. All trace of life faded from + the Cardinal’s eyes, and his entire countenance assumed an expression of + mournful imbecility. “I know nothing, nothing,” he repeated, “and I never + recommend anybody.” However, at last he made an effort: “But Nani is mixed + up in this,” said he. “What does Nani advise you to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsignor Nani has been kind enough to reveal to me that the reporter is + Monsignor Fornaro, and advises me to see him.” + </p> + <p> + At this Cardinal Sarno seemed surprised and somewhat roused. A little + light returned to his eyes. “Ah! really,” he rejoined, “ah! really—Well, + if Nani has done that he must have some idea. Go and see Monsignor + Fornaro.” Then, after rising and dismissing his visitor, who was compelled + to thank him, bowing deeply, he resumed his seat, and a moment later the + only sound in the lifeless room was that of his bony fingers turning over + the documents before him. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, in all docility, followed the advice given him, and immediately + betook himself to the Piazza Navona, where, however, he learnt from one of + Monsignor Fornaro’s servants that the prelate had just gone out, and that + to find him at home it was necessary to call in the morning at ten + o’clock. Accordingly it was only on the following day that Pierre was able + to obtain an interview. He had previously made inquiries and knew what was + necessary concerning Monsignor Fornaro. Born at Naples, he had there begun + his studies under the Barnabites, had finished them at the Seminario + Romano, and had subsequently, for many years, been a professor at the + University Gregoriana. Nowadays Consultor to several Congregations and a + Canon of Santa Maria Maggiore, he placed his immediate ambition in a + Canonry at St. Peter’s, and harboured the dream of some day becoming + Secretary of the Consistorial Congregation, a post conducting to the + cardinalate. A theologian of remarkable ability, Monsignor Fornaro + incurred no other reproach than that of occasionally sacrificing to + literature by contributing articles, which he carefully abstained from + signing, to certain religious reviews. He was also said to be very + worldly. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was received as soon as he had sent in his card, and perhaps he + would have fancied that his visit was expected had not an appearance of + sincere surprise, blended with a little anxiety, marked his reception. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur l’Abbe Froment, Monsieur l’Abbe Froment,” repeated the prelate, + looking at the card which he still held. “Kindly step in—I was about + to forbid my door, for I have some urgent work to attend to. But no + matter, sit down.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, remained standing, quite charmed by the blooming + appearance of this tall, strong, handsome man who, although five and forty + years of age, was quite fresh and rosy, with moist lips, caressing eyes, + and scarcely a grey hair among his curly locks. Nobody more fascinating + and decorative could be found among the whole Roman prelacy. Careful of + his person undoubtedly, and aiming at a simple elegance, he looked really + superb in his black cassock with violet collar. And around him the + spacious room where he received his visitors, gaily lighted as it was by + two large windows facing the Piazza Navona, and furnished with a taste + nowadays seldom met with among the Roman clergy, diffused a pleasant odour + and formed a setting instinct with kindly cheerfulness. + </p> + <p> + “Pray sit down, Monsieur l’Abbe Froment,” he resumed, “and tell me to what + I am indebted for the honour of your visit.” + </p> + <p> + He had already recovered his self-possession and assumed a <i>naif</i>, + purely obliging air; and Pierre, though the question was only natural, and + he ought to have foreseen it, suddenly felt greatly embarrassed, more + embarrassed indeed than in Cardinal Sarno’s presence. Should he go to the + point at once, confess the delicate motive of his visit? A moment’s + reflection showed him that this would be the best and worthier course. + “Dear me, Monseigneur,” he replied, “I know very well that the step I have + taken in calling on you is not usually taken, but it has been advised me, + and it has seemed to me that among honest folks there can never be any + harm in seeking in all good faith to elucidate the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, what is it, then?” asked the prelate with an expression of + perfect candour, and still continuing to smile. + </p> + <p> + “Well, simply this. I have learnt that the Congregation of the Index has + handed you my book ‘New Rome,’ and appointed you to examine it; and I have + ventured to present myself before you in case you should have any + explanations to ask of me.” + </p> + <p> + But Monsignor Fornaro seemed unwilling to hear any more. He had carried + both hands to his head and drawn back, albeit still courteous. “No, no,” + said he, “don’t tell me that, don’t continue, you would grieve me + dreadfully. Let us say, if you like, that you have been deceived, for + nothing ought to be known, in fact nothing is known, either by others or + myself. I pray you, do not let us talk of such matters.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, had fortunately remarked what a decisive effect was + produced when he had occasion to mention the name of the Assessor of the + Holy Office. So it occurred to him to reply: “I most certainly do not + desire to give you the slightest cause for embarrassment, Monseigneur, and + I repeat to you that I would never have ventured to importune you if + Monsignor Nani himself had not acquainted me with your name and address.” + </p> + <p> + This time the effect was immediate, though Monsignor Fornaro, with that + easy grace which he introduced into all things, made some ceremony about + surrendering. He began by a demurrer, speaking archly with subtle shades + of expression. “What! is Monsignor Nani the tattler! But I shall scold + him, I shall get angry with him! And what does he know? He doesn’t belong + to the Congregation; he may have been led into error. You must tell him + that he has made a mistake, and that I have nothing at all to do with your + affair. That will teach him not to reveal needful secrets which everybody + respects!” Then, in a pleasant way, with winning glance and flowery lips, + he went on: “Come, since Monsignor Nani desires it, I am willing to chat + with you for a moment, my dear Monsieur Froment, but on condition that you + shall know nothing of my report or of what may have been said or done at + the Congregation.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre in his turn smiled, admiring how easy things became when forms were + respected and appearances saved. And once again he began to explain his + case, the profound astonishment into which the prosecution of his book had + thrown him, and his ignorance of the objections which were taken to it, + and for which he had vainly sought a cause. + </p> + <p> + “Really, really,” repeated the prelate, quite amazed at so much innocence. + “The Congregation is a tribunal, and can only act when a case is brought + before it. Proceedings have been taken against your book simply because it + has been denounced.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know, denounced.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course. Complaint was laid by three French bishops, whose names you + will allow me to keep secret, and it consequently became necessary for the + Congregation to examine the incriminated work.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre looked at him quite scared. Denounced by three bishops? Why? With + what object? Then he thought of his protector. “But Cardinal Bergerot,” + said he, “wrote me a letter of approval, which I placed at the beginning + of my work as a preface. Ought not a guarantee like that to have been + sufficient for the French episcopacy?” + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Fornaro wagged his head in a knowing way before making up his + mind to reply: “Ah! yes, no doubt, his Eminence’s letter, a very beautiful + letter. I think, however, that it would have been much better if he had + not written it, both for himself and for you especially.” Then as the + priest, whose surprise was increasing, opened his mouth to urge him to + explain himself, he went on: “No, no, I know nothing, I say nothing. His + Eminence Cardinal Bergerot is a saintly man whom everybody venerates, and + if it were possible for him to sin it would only be through pure goodness + of heart.” + </p> + <p> + Silence fell. Pierre could divine that an abyss was opening, and dared not + insist. However, he at last resumed with some violence: “But, after all, + why should my book be prosecuted, and the books of others be left + untouched? I have no intention of acting as a denouncer myself, but how + many books there are to which Rome closes her eyes, and which are far more + dangerous than mine can be!” + </p> + <p> + This time Monsignor Fornaro seemed glad to be able to support Pierre’s + views. “You are right,” said he, “we cannot deal with every bad book, and + it greatly distresses us. But you must remember what an incalculable + number of works we should be compelled to read. And so we have to content + ourselves with condemning the worst <i>en bloc</i>.” + </p> + <p> + Then he complacently entered into explanations. In principle, no printer + ought to send any work to press without having previously submitted the + manuscript to the approval of the bishop of the diocese. Nowadays, + however, with the enormous output of the printing trade, one could + understand how terribly embarrassed the bishops would be if the printers + were suddenly to conform to the Church’s regulation. There was neither the + time nor the money, nor were there the men necessary for such colossal + labour. And so the Congregation of the Index condemned <i>en masse</i>, + without examination, all works of certain categories: first, books which + were dangerous for morals, all erotic writings, and all novels; next the + various bibles in the vulgar tongue, for the perusal of Holy Writ without + discretion was not allowable; then the books on magic and sorcery, and all + works on science, history, or philosophy that were in any way contrary to + dogma, as well as the writings of heresiarchs or mere ecclesiastics + discussing religion, which should never be discussed. All these were wise + laws made by different popes, and were set forth in the preface to the + catalogue of forbidden books which the Congregation published, and without + them this catalogue, to have been complete, would in itself have formed a + large library. On turning it over one found that the works singled out for + interdiction were chiefly those of priests, the task being so vast and + difficult that Rome’s concern extended but little beyond the observance of + good order within the Church. And Pierre and his book came within the + limit. + </p> + <p> + “You will understand,” continued Monsignor Fornaro, “that we have no + desire to advertise a heap of unwholesome writings by honouring them with + special condemnation. Their name is legion in every country, and we should + have neither enough paper nor enough ink to deal with them all. So we + content ourselves with condemning one from time to time, when it bears a + famous name and makes too much noise, or contains disquieting attacks on + the faith. This suffices to remind the world that we exist and defend + ourselves without abandoning aught of our rights or duties.” + </p> + <p> + “But my book, my book,” exclaimed Pierre, “why these proceedings against + my book?” + </p> + <p> + “I am explaining that to you as far as it is allowable for me to do, my + dear Monsieur Froment. You are a priest, your book is a success, you have + published a cheap edition of it which sells very readily; and I don’t + speak of its literary merit, which is remarkable, for it contains a breath + of real poetry which transported me, and on which I must really compliment + you. However, under the circumstances which I have enumerated, how could + we close our eyes to such a work as yours, in which the conclusion arrived + at is the annihilation of our holy religion and the destruction of Rome?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre remained open-mouthed, suffocating with surprise. “The destruction + of Rome!” he at last exclaimed; “but I desire to see Rome rejuvenated, + eternal, again the queen of the world.” And, once more mastered by his + glowing enthusiasm, he defended himself and confessed his faith: + Catholicism reverting to the principles and practices of the primitive + Church, drawing the blood of regeneration from the fraternal Christianity + of Jesus; the Pope, freed from all terrestrial royalty, governing the + whole of humanity with charity and love, and saving the world from the + frightful social cataclysm that threatens it by leading it to the real + Kingdom of God: the Christian communion of all nations united in one + nation only. “And can the Holy Father disavow me?” he continued. “Are not + these his secret ideas, which people are beginning to divine, and does not + my only offence lie in having expressed them perhaps too soon and too + freely? And if I were allowed to see him should I not at once obtain from + him an order to stop these proceedings?” + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Fornaro no longer spoke, but wagged his head without appearing + offended by the priest’s juvenile ardour. On the contrary, he smiled with + increasing amiability, as though highly amused by so much innocence and + imagination. At last he gaily responded, “Oh! speak on, speak on; it isn’t + I who will stop you. I’m forbidden to say anything. But the temporal + power, the temporal power.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what of the temporal power?” asked Pierre. + </p> + <p> + The prelate had again become silent, raising his amiable face to heaven + and waving his white hands with a pretty gesture. And when he once more + opened his mouth it was to say: “Then there’s your new religion—for + the expression occurs twice: the new religion, the new religion—ah, + <i>Dio</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Again he became restless, going off into an ecstasy of wonderment, at + sight of which Pierre impatiently exclaimed: “I do not know what your + report will be, Monseigneur, but I declare to you that I have had no + desire to attack dogma. And, candidly now, my whole book shows that I only + sought to write a work of pity and salvation. It is only justice that some + account should be taken of one’s intentions.” + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Fornaro had become very calm and paternal again. “Oh! + intentions! intentions!” he said as he rose to dismiss his visitor. “You + may be sure, my dear Monsieur Froment, that I feel much honoured by your + visit. Naturally I cannot tell you what my report will be; as it is, we + have talked too much about it, and, in fact, I ought to have refused to + listen to your defence. At the same time, you will always find me ready to + be of service to you in anything that does not go against my duty. But I + greatly fear that your book will be condemned.” And then, as Pierre again + started, he added: “Well, yes. It is facts that are judged, you know, not + intentions. So all defence is useless; the book is there, and we take it + such as it is. However much you may try to explain it, you cannot alter + it. And this is why the Congregation never calls the accused parties + before it, and never accepts from them aught but retraction pure and + simple. And, indeed, the wisest course would be for you to withdraw your + book and make your submission. No? You won’t? Ah! how young you are, my + friend!” + </p> + <p> + He laughed yet more loudly at the gesture of revolt, of indomitable pride + which had just escaped his young friend, as he called him. Then, on + reaching the door, he again threw off some of his reserve, and said in a + low voice, “Come, my dear Abbe, there is something I will do for you. I + will give you some good advice. At bottom, I myself am nothing. I deliver + my report, and it is printed, and the members of the Congregation read it, + but are quite free to pay no attention to it. However, the Secretary of + the Congregation, Father Dangelis, can accomplish everything, even + impossibilities. Go to see him; you will find him at the Dominican convent + behind the Piazza di Spagna. Don’t name me. And for the present good-bye, + my dear fellow, good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre once more found himself on the Piazza Navona, quite dazed, no + longer knowing what to believe or hope. A cowardly idea was coming over + him; why should he continue this struggle, in which his adversaries + remained unknown and indiscernible? Why carry obstinacy any further, why + linger any longer in that impassionating but deceptive Rome? He would flee + that very evening, return to Paris, disappear there, and forget his bitter + disillusion in the practice of humble charity. He was traversing one of + those hours of weakness when the long-dreamt-of task suddenly seems to be + an impossibility. However, amidst his great confusion he was nevertheless + walking on, going towards his destination. And when he found himself in + the Corso, then in the Via dei Condotti, and finally in the Piazza di + Spagna, he resolved that he would at any rate see Father Dangelis. The + Dominican convent is there, just below the Trinity de’ Monti. + </p> + <p> + Ah! those Dominicans! Pierre had never thought of them without a feeling + of respect with which mingled a little fear. What vigorous pillars of the + principle of authority and theocracy they had for centuries proved + themselves to be! To them the Church had been indebted for its greatest + measure of authority; they were the glorious soldiers of its triumph. + Whilst St. Francis won the souls of the humble over to Rome, St. Dominic, + on Rome’s behalf, subjected all the superior souls—those of the + intelligent and powerful. And this he did with passion, amidst a blaze of + faith and determination, making use of all possible means, preachings, + writings, and police and judicial pressure. Though he did not found the + Inquisition, its principles were his, and it was with fire and sword that + his fraternal, loving heart waged war on schism. Living like his monks, in + poverty, chastity, and obedience—the great virtues of those times of + pride and licentiousness—he went from city to city, exhorting the + impious, striving to bring them back to the Church and arraigning them + before the ecclesiastical courts when his preachings did not suffice. He + also laid siege to science, sought to make it his own, dreamt of defending + God with the weapons of reason and human knowledge like a true forerunner + of the angelic St. Thomas, that light of the middle ages, who joined the + Dominican order and set everything in his “Summa Theologiae,” psychology, + logic, policy, and morals. And thus it was that the Dominicans filled the + world, upholding the doctrines of Rome in the most famous pulpits of every + nation, and contending almost everywhere against the free sprit of the + Universities, like the vigilant guardians of dogma that they were, the + unwearying artisans of the fortunes of the popes, the most powerful + amongst all the artistic, scientific, and literary workers who raised the + huge edifice of Catholicism such as it exists to-day. + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre, who could feel that this edifice was even now tottering, + though it had been built, people fancied, so substantially as to last + through all eternity, asked himself what could be the present use of the + Dominicans, those toilers of another age, whose police system and whose + tribunals had perished beneath universal execration, whose voices were no + longer listened to, whose books were but seldom read, and whose <i>role</i> + as <i>savants</i> and civilisers had come to an end in presence of + latter-day science, the truths of which were rending dogma on all sides. + Certainly the Dominicans still form an influential and prosperous order; + but how far one is from the times when their general reigned in Rome, + Master of the Holy Palace, with convents and schools, and subjects + throughout Europe! Of all their vast inheritance, so far as the Roman + curia is concerned, only a few posts now remain to them, and among others + the Secretaryship of the Congregation of the Index, a former dependency of + the Holy Office where they once despotically ruled. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was immediately ushered into the presence of Father Dangelis. The + convent parlour was vast, bare, and white, flooded with bright sunshine. + The only furniture was a table and some stools; and a large brass crucifix + hung from the wall. Near the table stood the Father, a very thin man of + about fifty, severely draped in his ample white habit and black mantle. + From his long ascetic face, with thin lips, thin nose, and pointed, + obstinate chin, his grey eyes shone out with a fixity that embarrassed + one. And, moreover, he showed himself very plain and simple of speech, and + frigidly polite in manner. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur l’Abbe Froment—the author of ‘New Rome,’ I suppose?” Then + seating himself on one stool and pointing to another, he added: “Pray + acquaint me with the object of your visit, Monsieur l’Abbe.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Pierre had to begin his explanation, his defence, all over + again; and the task soon became the more painful as his words fell from + his lips amidst death-like silence and frigidity. Father Dangelis did not + stir; with his hands crossed upon his knees he kept his sharp, penetrating + eyes fixed upon those of the priest. And when the latter had at last + ceased speaking, he slowly said: “I did not like to interrupt you, + Monsieur l’Abbe, but it was not for me to hear all this. Process against + your book has begun, and no power in the world can stay or impede its + course. I do not therefore realise what it is that you apparently expect + of me.” + </p> + <p> + In a quivering voice Pierre was bold enough to answer: “I look for some + kindness and justice.” + </p> + <p> + A pale smile, instinct with proud humility, arose to the Dominican’s lips. + “Be without fear,” he replied, “God has ever deigned to enlighten me in + the discharge of my modest duties. Personally, be it said, I have no + justice to render; I am but an employee whose duty is to classify matters + and draw up documents concerning them. Their Eminences, the members of the + Congregation, will alone pronounce judgment on your book. And assuredly + they will do so with the help of the Holy Spirit. You will only have to + bow to their sentence when it shall have been ratified by his Holiness.” + </p> + <p> + Then he broke off the interview by rising, and Pierre was obliged to do + the same. The Dominican’s words were virtually identical with those that + had fallen from Monsignor Fornaro, but they were spoken with cutting + frankness, a sort of tranquil bravery. On all sides Pierre came into + collision with the same anonymous force, the same powerful engine whose + component parts sought to ignore one another. For a long time yet, no + doubt, he would be sent from one to the other, without ever finding the + volitional element which reasoned and acted. And the only thing that he + could do was to bow to it all. + </p> + <p> + However, before going off, it occurred to him once more to mention the + name of Monsignor Nani, the powerful effect of which he had begun to + realise. “I ask your pardon,” he said, “for having disturbed you to no + purpose, but I simply deferred to the kind advice of Monsignor Nani, who + has condescended to show me some interest.” + </p> + <p> + The effect of these words was unexpected. Again did Father Dangelis’s thin + face brighten into a smile, but with a twist of the lips, sharp with + ironical contempt. He had become yet paler, and his keen intelligent eyes + were flaming. “Ah! it was Monsignor Nani who sent you!” he said. “Well, if + you think you need a protector, it is useless for you to apply to any + other than himself. He is all-powerful. Go to see him; go to see him!” + </p> + <p> + And that was the only encouragement Pierre derived from his visit: the + advice to go back to the man who had sent him. At this he felt that he was + losing ground, and he resolved to return home in order to reflect on + things and try to understand them before taking any further steps. The + idea of questioning Don Vigilio at once occurred to him, and that same + evening after supper he luckily met the secretary in the corridor, just + as, candle in hand, he was on his way to bed. + </p> + <p> + “I have so many things that I should like to say to you,” Pierre said to + him. “Can you kindly come to my rooms for a moment?” + </p> + <p> + But the other promptly silenced him with a gesture, and then whispered: + “Didn’t you see Abbe Paparelli on the first floor? He was following us, + I’m sure.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre often saw the train-bearer roaming about the house, and greatly + disliked his stealthy, prying ways. However, he had hitherto attached no + importance to him, and was therefore much surprised by Don Vigilio’s + question. The other, without awaiting his reply, had returned to the end + of the corridor, where for a long while he remained listening. Then he + came back on tip-toe, blew out his candle, and darted into Pierre’s + sitting-room. “There—that’s done,” he murmured directly the door was + shut. “But if it is all the same to you, we won’t stop in this + sitting-room. Let us go into your bed-room. Two walls are better than + one.” + </p> + <p> + When the lamp had been placed on the table and they found themselves + seated face to face in that bare, faded bed-chamber, Pierre noticed that + the secretary was suffering from a more violent attack of fever than + usual. His thin puny figure was shivering from head to foot, and his + ardent eyes had never before blazed so blackly in his ravaged, yellow + face. “Are you poorly?” asked Pierre. “I don’t want to tire you.” + </p> + <p> + “Poorly, yes, I am on fire—but I want to talk. I can’t bear it any + longer. One always has to relieve oneself some day or other.” + </p> + <p> + Was it his complaint that he desired to relieve; or was he anxious to + break his long silence in order that it might not stifle him? This at + first remained uncertain. He immediately asked for an account of the steps + that Pierre had lately taken, and became yet more restless when he heard + how the other had been received by Cardinal Sarno, Monsignor Fornaro, and + Father Dangelis. “Yes, that’s quite it,” he repeated, “nothing astonishes + me nowadays, and yet I feel indignant on your account. Yes, it doesn’t + concern me, but all the same it makes me ill, for it reminds me of all my + own troubles. You must not rely on Cardinal Sarno, remember, for he is + always elsewhere, with his mind far away, and has never helped anybody. + But that Fornaro, that Fornaro!” + </p> + <p> + “He seemed to me very amiable, even kindly disposed,” replied Pierre; “and + I really think that after our interview, he will considerably soften his + report.” + </p> + <p> + “He! Why, the gentler he was with you the more grievously he will saddle + you! He will devour you, fatten himself with such easy prey. Ah! you don’t + know him, <i>dilizioso</i> that he is, ever on the watch to rear his own + fortune on the troubles of poor devils whose defeat is bound to please the + powerful. I prefer the other one, Father Dangelis, a terrible man, no + doubt, but frank and brave and of superior mind. I must admit, however, + that he would burn you like a handful of straw if he were the master. And + ah! if I could tell you everything, if I could show you the frightful + under-side of this world of ours, the monstrous, ravenous ambition, the + abominable network of intrigues, venality, cowardice, treachery, and even + crime!” + </p> + <p> + On seeing Don Vigilio so excited, in such a blaze of spite, Pierre thought + of extracting from him some of the many items of information which he had + hitherto sought in vain. “Well, tell me merely what is the position of my + affair,” he responded. “When I questioned you on my arrival here you said + that nothing had yet reached Cardinal Boccanera. But all information must + now have been collected, and you must know of it. And, by the way, + Monsignor Fornaro told me that three French bishops had asked that my book + should be prosecuted. Three bishops, is it possible?” + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio shrugged his shoulders. “Ah!” said he, “yours is an innocent + soul! I’m surprised that there were <i>only</i> three! Yes, several + documents relating to your affair are in our hands; and, moreover, things + have turned out much as I suspected. The three bishops are first the + Bishop of Tarbes, who evidently carries out the vengeance of the Fathers + of Lourdes; and then the Bishops of Poitiers and Evreux, who are both + known as uncompromising Ultramontanists and passionate adversaries of + Cardinal Bergerot. The Cardinal, you know, is regarded with disfavour at + the Vatican, where his Gallican ideas and broad liberal mind provoke + perfect anger. And don’t seek for anything else. The whole affair lies in + that: an execution which the powerful Fathers of Lourdes demand of his + Holiness, and a desire to reach and strike Cardinal Bergerot through your + book, by means of the letter of approval which he imprudently wrote to you + and which you published by way of preface. For a long time past the + condemnations of the Index have largely been secret knock-down blows + levelled at Churchmen. Denunciation reigns supreme, and the law applied is + that of good pleasure. I could tell you some almost incredible things, how + perfectly innocent books have been selected among a hundred for the sole + object of killing an idea or a man; for the blow is almost always levelled + at some one behind the author, some one higher than he is. And there is + such a hot-bed of intrigue, such a source of abuses in this institution of + the Index, that it is tottering, and even among those who surround the + Pope it is felt that it must soon be freshly regulated if it is not to + fall into complete discredit. I well understand that the Church should + endeavour to retain universal power, and govern by every fit weapon, but + the weapons must be such as one can use without their injustice leading to + revolt, or their antique childishness provoking merriment!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened with dolorous astonishment in his heart. Since he had been + at Rome and had seen the Fathers of the Grotto saluted and feared there, + holding an authoritative position, thanks to the large alms which they + contributed to the Peter’s Pence, he had felt that they were behind the + proceedings instituted against him, and realised that he would have to pay + for a certain page of his book in which he had called attention to an + iniquitous displacement of fortune at Lourdes, a frightful spectacle which + made one doubt the very existence of the Divinity, a continual cause of + battle and conflict which would disappear in the truly Christian society + of to-morrow. And he could also now understand that his delight at the + loss of the temporal power must have caused a scandal, and especially that + the unfortunate expression “a new religion” had alone been sufficient to + arm <i>delatores</i> against him. But that which amazed and grieved him + was to learn that Cardinal Bergerot’s letter was looked upon as a crime, + and that his (Pierre’s) book was denounced and condemned in order that + adversaries who dared not attack the venerable pastor face to face might, + deal him a cowardly blow from behind. The thought of afflicting that + saintly man, of serving as the implement to strike him in his ardent + charity, cruelly grieved Pierre. And how bitter and disheartening it was + to find the most hideous questions of pride and money, ambition and + appetite, running riot with the most ferocious egotism, beneath the + quarrels of those leaders of the Church who ought only to have contended + together in love for the poor! + </p> + <p> + And then Pierre’s mind revolted against that supremely odious and idiotic + Index. He now understood how it worked, from the arrival of the + denunciations to the public posting of the titles of the condemned works. + He had just seen the Secretary of the Congregation, Father Dangelis, to + whom the denunciations came, and who then investigated the affair, + collecting all documents and information concerning it with the passion of + a cultivated authoritarian monk, who dreamt of ruling minds and + consciences as in the heroic days of the Inquisition. Then, too, Pierre + had visited one of the consultive prelates, Monsignor Fornaro, who was so + ambitious and affable, and so subtle a theologian that he would have + discovered attacks against the faith in a treatise on algebra, had his + interests required it. Next there were the infrequent meetings of the + cardinals, who at long intervals voted for the interdiction of some + hostile book, deeply regretting that they could not suppress them all; and + finally came the Pope, approving and signing the decrees, which was a mere + formality, for were not all books guilty? But what an extraordinary + wretched Bastille of the past was that aged Index, that senile institution + now sunk into second childhood. One realised that it must have been a + formidable power when books were rare and the Church had tribunals of + blood and fire to enforce her edicts. But books had so greatly multiplied, + the written, printed thoughts of mankind had swollen into such a deep + broad river, that they had swept all opposition away, and now the Index + was swamped and reduced to powerlessness, compelled more and more to limit + its field of action, to confine itself to the examination of the writings + of ecclesiastics, and even in this respect it was becoming corrupt, fouled + by the worst passions and changed into an instrument of intrigue, hatred, + and vengeance. Ah! that confession of decay, of paralysis which grew more + and more complete amidst the scornful indifference of the nations. To + think that Catholicism, the once glorious agent of civilisation, had come + to such a pass that it cast books into hell-fire by the heap; and what + books they were, almost the entire literature, history, philosophy, and + science of the past and the present! Few works, indeed, are published + nowadays that would not fall under the ban of the Church. If she seems to + close her eyes, it is in order to avoid the impossible task of hunting out + and destroying everything. Yet she stubbornly insists on retaining a + semblance of sovereign authority over human intelligence, just as some + very aged queen, dispossessed of her states and henceforth without judges + or executioners, might continue to deliver vain sentences to which only an + infinitesimal minority would pay heed. But imagine the Church momentarily + victorious, miraculously mastering the modern world, and ask yourself what + she, with her tribunals to condemn and her gendarmes to enforce, would do + with human thought. Imagine a strict application of the Index regulations: + no printer able to put anything whatever to press without the approval of + his bishop, and even then every book laid before the Congregation, the + past expunged, the present throttled, subjected to an intellectual Reign + of Terror! Would not the closing of every library perforce ensue, would + not the long heritage of written thought be cast into prison, would not + the future be barred, would not all progress, all conquest of knowledge, + be totally arrested? Rome herself is nowadays a terrible example of such a + disastrous experiment—Rome with her congealed soil, her dead sap, + killed by centuries of papal government, Rome which has become so barren + that not a man, not a work has sprung from her midst even after five and + twenty years of awakening and liberty! And who would accept such a state + of things, not among people of revolutionary mind, but among those of + religious mind that might possess any culture and breadth of view? Plainly + enough it was all mere childishness and absurdity. + </p> + <p> + Deep silence reigned, and Pierre, quite upset by his reflections, made a + gesture of despair whilst glancing at Don Vigilio, who sat speechless in + front of him. For a moment longer, amidst the death-like quiescence of + that old sleeping mansion, both continued silent, seated face to face in + the closed chamber which the lamp illumined with a peaceful glow. But at + last Don Vigilio leant forward, his eyes sparkling, and with a feverish + shiver murmured: “It is they, you know, always they, at the bottom of + everything.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, who did not understand, felt astonished, indeed somewhat anxious + at such a strange remark coming without any apparent transition. “Who are + <i>they</i>?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “The Jesuits!” + </p> + <p> + In this reply the little, withered, yellow priest had set all the + concentrated rage of his exploding passion. Ah! so much the worse if he + had perpetrated a fresh act of folly. The cat was out of the bag at last! + Nevertheless, he cast a final suspicious glance around the walls. And then + he relieved his mind at length, with a flow of words which gushed forth + the more irresistibly since he had so long held them in check. “Ah! the + Jesuits, the Jesuits! You fancy that you know them, but you haven’t even + an idea of their abominable actions and incalculable power. They it is + whom one always comes upon, everywhere, in every circumstance. Remember <i>that</i> + whenever you fail to understand anything, if you wish to understand it. + Whenever grief or trouble comes upon you, whenever you suffer, whenever + you weep, say to yourself at once: ‘It is they; they are there!’ Why, for + all I know, there may be one of them under that bed, inside that cupboard. + Ah! the Jesuits, the Jesuits! They have devoured me, they are devouring me + still, they will leave nothing of me at last, neither flesh nor bone.” + </p> + <p> + Then, in a halting voice, he related the story of his life, beginning with + his youth, which had opened so hopefully. He belonged to the petty + provincial nobility, and had been dowered with a fairly large income, + besides a keen, supple intelligence, which looked smilingly towards the + future. Nowadays, he would assuredly have been a prelate, on the road to + high dignities, but he had been foolish enough to speak ill of the Jesuits + and to thwart them in two or three circumstances. And from that moment, if + he were to be believed, they had caused every imaginable misfortune to + rain upon him: his father and mother had died, his banker had robbed him + and fled, good positions had escaped him at the very moment when he was + about to occupy them, the most awful misadventures had pursued him amidst + the duties of his ministry to such a point indeed, that he had narrowly + escaped interdiction. It was only since Cardinal Boccanera, + compassionating his bad luck, had taken him into his house and attached + him to his person, that he had enjoyed a little repose. “Here I have a + refuge, an asylum,” he continued. “They execrate his Eminence, who has + never been on their side, but they haven’t yet dared to attack him or his + servants. Oh! I have no illusions, they will end by catching me again, all + the same. Perhaps they will even hear of our conversation this evening, + and make me pay dearly for it; for I do wrong to speak, I speak in spite + of myself. They have stolen all my happiness, and brought all possible + misfortune on me, everything that was possible, everything—you hear + me!” + </p> + <p> + Increasing discomfort was taking possession of Pierre, who, seeking to + relieve himself by a jest, exclaimed: “Come, come, at any rate it wasn’t + the Jesuits who gave you the fever.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, it was!” Don Vigilio violently declared. “I caught it on the + bank of the Tiber one evening, when I went to weep there in my grief at + having been driven from the little church where I officiated.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, hitherto, had never believed in the terrible legend of the + Jesuits. He belonged to a generation which laughed at the idea of + wehr-wolves, and considered the <i>bourgeois</i> fear of the famous black + men, who hid themselves in walls and terrorised families, to be a trifle + ridiculous. To him all such things seemed to be nursery tales, exaggerated + by religious and political passion. And so it was with amazement that he + examined Don Vigilio, suddenly fearing that he might have to deal with a + maniac. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless he could not help recalling the extraordinary story of the + Jesuits. If St. Francis of Assisi and St. Dominic are the very soul and + spirit of the middle ages, its masters and teachers, the former a living + expression of all the ardent, charitable faith of the humble, and the + other defending dogma and fixing doctrines for the intelligent and the + powerful, on the other hand Ignatius de Loyola appeared on the threshold + of modern times to save the tottering heritage by accommodating religion + to the new developments of society, thereby ensuring it the empire of the + world which was about to appear. + </p> + <p> + At the advent of the modern era it seemed as if the Deity were to be + vanquished in the uncompromising struggle with sin, for it was certain + that the old determination to suppress Nature, to kill the man within man, + with his appetites, passions, heart, and blood, could only result in a + disastrous defeat, in which, indeed, the Church found herself on the very + eve of sinking; and it was the Jesuits who came to extricate her from this + peril and reinvigorate her by deciding that it was she who now ought to go + to the world, since the world seemed unwilling to go any longer to her. + All lay in that; you find the Jesuits declaring that one can enter into + arrangements with heaven; they bend and adjust themselves to the customs, + prejudices, and even vices of the times; they smile, all condescension, + cast rigourism aside, and practice the diplomacy of amiability, ever ready + to turn the most awful abominations “to the greater glory of God.” That is + their motto, their battle-cry, and thence springs the moral principle + which many regard as their crime: that all means are good to attain one’s + end, especially when that end is the furtherance of the Deity’s interests + as represented by those of the Church. And what overwhelming success + attends the efforts of the Jesuits! they swarm and before long cover the + earth, on all sides becoming uncontested masters. They shrive kings, they + acquire immense wealth, they display such victorious power of invasion + that, however humbly they may set foot in any country, they soon wholly + possess it: souls, bodies, power, and fortune alike falling to them. And + they are particularly zealous in founding schools, they show themselves to + be incomparable moulders of the human brain, well understanding that power + always belongs to the morrow, to the generations which are growing up and + whose master one must be if one desire to reign eternally. So great is + their power, based on the necessity of compromise with sin, that, on the + morrow of the Council of Trent, they transform the very spirit of + Catholicism, penetrate it, identify it with themselves and become the + indispensable soldiers of the papacy which lives by them and for them. And + from that moment Rome is theirs, Rome where their general so long + commands, whence so long go forth the directions for the obscure tactics + which are blindly followed by their innumerable army, whose skilful + organisation covers the globe as with an iron network hidden by the velvet + of hands expert in dealing gently with poor suffering humanity. But, after + all, the most prodigious feature is the stupefying vitality of the Jesuits + who are incessantly tracked, condemned, executed, and yet still and ever + erect. As soon as their power asserts itself, their unpopularity begins + and gradually becomes universal. Hoots of execration arise around them, + abominable accusations, scandalous law cases in which they appear as + corruptors and felons. Pascal devotes them to public contempt, parliaments + condemn their books to be burnt, universities denounce their system of + morals and their teaching as poisonous. They foment such disturbances, + such struggles in every kingdom, that organised persecution sets in, and + they are soon driven from everywhere. During more than a century they + become wanderers, expelled, then recalled, passing and repassing + frontiers, leaving a country amidst cries of hatred to return to it as + soon as quiet has been restored. Finally, for supreme disaster, they are + suppressed by one pope, but another re-establishes them, and since then + they have been virtually tolerated everywhere. And in the diplomatic + self-effacement, the shade in which they have the prudence to sequester + themselves, they are none the less triumphant, quietly confident of their + victory like soldiers who have once and for ever subdued the earth. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was aware that, judging by mere appearances, the Jesuits were + nowadays dispossessed of all influence in Rome. They no longer officiated + at the Gesu, they no longer directed the Collegio Romano, where they + formerly fashioned so many souls; and with no abode of their own, reduced + to accept foreign hospitality, they had modestly sought a refuge at the + Collegio Germanico, where there is a little chapel. There they taught and + there they still confessed, but without the slightest bustle or display. + Was one to believe, however, that this effacement was but masterly + cunning, a feigned disappearance in order that they might really remain + secret, all-powerful masters, the hidden hand which directs and guides + everything? People certainly said that the proclamation of papal + Infallibility had been their work, a weapon with which they had armed + themselves whilst feigning to bestow it on the papacy, in readiness for + the coming decisive task which their genius foresaw in the approaching + social upheavals. And thus there might perhaps be some truth in what Don + Vigilio, with a shiver of mystery, related about their occult sovereignty, + a seizin, as it were, of the government of the Church, a royalty ignored + but nevertheless complete. + </p> + <p> + As this idea occurred to Pierre, a dim connection between certain of his + experiences arose in his mind and he all at once inquired: “Is Monsignor + Nani a Jesuit, then?” + </p> + <p> + These words seemed to revive all Don Vigilio’s anxious passion. He waved + his trembling hand, and replied: “He? Oh, he’s too clever, too skilful by + far to have taken the robe. But he comes from that Collegio Romano where + his generation grew up, and he there imbibed that Jesuit genius which + adapted itself so well to his own. Whilst fully realising the danger of + wearing an unpopular and embarrassing livery, and wishing to be free, he + is none the less a Jesuit in his flesh, in his bones, in his very soul. He + is evidently convinced that the Church can only triumph by utilising the + passions of mankind, and withal he is very fond of the Church, very pious + at bottom, a very good priest, serving God without weakness in gratitude + for the absolute power which God gives to His ministers. And besides, he + is so charming, incapable of any brutal action, full of the good breeding + of his noble Venetian ancestors, and deeply versed in knowledge of the + world, thanks to his experiences at the nunciatures of Paris, Vienna, and + other places, without mentioning that he knows everything that goes on by + reason of the delicate functions which he has discharged for ten years + past as Assessor of the Holy Office. Yes, he is powerful, all-powerful, + and in him you do not have the furtive Jesuit whose robe glides past + amidst suspicion, but the head, the brain, the leader whom no uniform + designates.” + </p> + <p> + This reply made Pierre grave, for he was quite willing to admit that an + opportunist code of morals, like that of the Jesuits, was inoculable and + now predominated throughout the Church. Indeed, the Jesuits might + disappear, but their doctrine would survive them, since it was the one + weapon of combat, the one system of strategy which might again place the + nations under the dominion of Rome. And in reality the struggle which + continued lay precisely in the attempts to accommodate religion to the + century, and the century to religion. Such being the case, Pierre realised + that such men as Monsignor Nani might acquire vast and even decisive + importance. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! if you knew, if you knew,” continued Don Vigilio, “he’s everywhere, + he has his hand in everything. For instance, nothing has ever happened + here, among the Boccaneras, but I’ve found him at the bottom of it, + tangling or untangling the threads according to necessities with which he + alone is acquainted.” + </p> + <p> + Then, in the unquenchable fever for confiding things which was now + consuming him, the secretary related how Monsignor Nani had most certainly + brought on Benedetta’s divorce case. The Jesuits, in spite of their + conciliatory spirit, have always taken up a hostile position with regard + to Italy, either because they do not despair of reconquering Rome, or + because they wait to treat in due season with the ultimate and real + victor, whether King or Pope. And so Nani, who had long been one of Donna + Serafina’s intimates, had helped to precipitate the rupture with Prada as + soon as Benedetta’s mother was dead. Again, it was he who, to prevent any + interference on the part of the patriotic Abbe Pisoni, the young woman’s + confessor and the artisan of her marriage, had urged her to take the same + spiritual director as her aunt, Father Lorenza, a handsome Jesuit with + clear and kindly eyes, whose confessional in the chapel of the Collegio + Germanico was incessantly besieged by penitents. And it seemed certain + that this manoeuvre had brought about everything; what one cleric working + for Italy had done, was to be undone by another working against Italy. Why + was it, however, that Nani, after bringing about the rupture, had + momentarily ceased to show all interest in the affair to the point even of + jeopardising the suit for the dissolution of the marriage? And why was he + now again busying himself with it, setting Donna Serafina in action, + prompting her to buy Monsignor Palma’s support, and bringing his own + influence to bear on the cardinals of the Congregation? There was mystery + in all this, as there was in everything he did, for his schemes were + always complicated and distant in their effects. However, one might + suppose that he now wished to hasten the marriage of Benedetta and Dario, + in order to stop all the abominable rumours which were circulating in the + white world; unless, indeed, this divorce secured by pecuniary payments + and the pressure of notorious influences were an intentional scandal at + first spun out and now hastened, in order to harm Cardinal Boccanera, whom + the Jesuits might desire to brush aside in certain eventualities which + were possibly near at hand. + </p> + <p> + “To tell the truth, I rather incline to the latter view,” said Don + Vigilio, “the more so indeed as I learnt this evening that the Pope is not + well. With an old man of eighty-four the end may come at any moment, and + so the Pope can never catch cold but what the Sacred College and the + prelacies are all agog, stirred by sudden ambitious rivalries. Now, the + Jesuits have always opposed Cardinal Boccanera’s candidature. They ought + to be on his side, on account of his rank, and his uncompromising attitude + towards Italy, but the idea of giving themselves such a master disquiets + them, for they consider him unseasonably rough and stern, too violent in + his faith, which unbending as it is would prove dangerous in these + diplomatic times through which the Church is passing. And so I should in + no wise be astonished if there were an attempt to discredit him and render + his candidature impossible, by employing the most underhand and shameful + means.” + </p> + <p> + A little quiver of fear was coming over Pierre. The contagion of the + unknown, of the black intrigues plotted in the dark, was spreading amidst + the silence of the night in the depths of that palace, near that Tiber, in + that Rome so full of legendary tragedies. But all at once the young man’s + mind reverted to himself, to his own affair. “But what is my part in all + this?” he asked: “why does Monsignor Nani seem to take an interest in me? + Why is he mixed up in the proceedings against my book?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! one never knows, one never knows exactly!” replied Don Vigilio, + waving his arms. “One thing I can say, that he only knew of the affair + when the denunciations of the three bishops were already in the hands of + Father Dangelis; and I have also learnt that he then tried to stop the + proceedings, which he no doubt thought both useless and impolitic. But + when a matter is once before the Congregation it is almost impossible for + it to be withdrawn, and Monsignor Nani must also have come into collision + with Father Dangelis who, like a faithful Dominican, is the passionate + adversary of the Jesuits. It was then that he caused the Contessina to + write to Monsieur de la Choue, requesting him to tell you to hasten here + in order to defend yourself, and to arrange for your acceptance of + hospitality in this mansion, during your stay.” + </p> + <p> + This revelation brought Pierre’s emotion to a climax. “You are sure of + that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! quite sure. I heard Nani speak of you one Monday, and some time ago I + told you that he seemed to know all about you, as if he had made most + minute inquiries. My belief is that he had already read your book, and was + extremely preoccupied about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that he shares my ideas, then? Is he sincere, is he + defending himself while striving to defend me?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! no, no, not at all. Your ideas, why he certainly hates them, and your + book and yourself as well. You have no idea what contempt for the weak, + what hatred of the poor, and love of authority and domination he conceals + under his caressing amiability. Lourdes he might abandon to you, though it + embodies a marvellous weapon of government; but he will never forgive you + for being on the side of the little ones of the world, and for pronouncing + against the temporal power. If you only heard with what gentle ferocity he + derides Monsieur de la Choue, whom he calls the weeping willow of + Neo-Catholicism!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre carried his hands to his temples and pressed his head despairingly. + “Then why, why, tell me I beg of you, why has he brought me here and kept + me here in this house at his disposal? Why has he promenaded me up and + down Rome for three long months, throwing me against obstacles and + wearying me, when it was so easy for him to let the Index condemn my book + if it embarrassed him? It’s true, of course, that things would not have + gone quietly, for I was disposed to refuse submission and openly confess + my new faith, even against the decisions of Rome.” + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio’s black eyes flared in his yellow face: “Perhaps it was that + which he wished to prevent. He knows you to be very intelligent and + enthusiastic, and I have often heard him say that intelligence and + enthusiasm should not be fought openly.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, had risen to his feet, and instead of listening, was + striding up and down the room as though carried away by the whirlwind of + his thoughts. “Come, come,” he said at last, “it is necessary that I + should know and understand things if I am to continue the struggle. You + must be kind enough to give me some detailed particulars about each of the + persons mixed up in my affair. Jesuits, Jesuits everywhere? <i>Mon Dieu</i>, + it may be so, you are perhaps right! But all the same you must point out + the different shades to me. Now, for instance, what of that Fornaro?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsignor Fornaro, oh! he’s whatever you like. Still he also was brought + up at the Collegio Romano, so you may be certain that he is a Jesuit, a + Jesuit by education, position, and ambition. He is longing to become a + cardinal, and if he some day becomes one, he’ll long to be the next pope. + Besides, you know, every one here is a candidate to the papacy as soon as + he enters the seminary.” + </p> + <p> + “And Cardinal Sanguinetti?” + </p> + <p> + “A Jesuit, a Jesuit! To speak plainly, he was one, then ceased to be one, + and is now undoubtedly one again. Sanguinetti has flirted with every + influence. It was long thought that he was in favour of conciliation + between the Holy See and Italy; but things drifted into a bad way, and he + violently took part against the usurpers. In the same style he has + frequently fallen out with Leo XIII and then made his peace. To-day at the + Vatican, he keeps on a footing of diplomatic reserve. Briefly he only has + one object, the tiara, and even shows it too plainly, which is a mistake, + for it uses up a candidate. Still, just at present the struggle seems to + be between him and Cardinal Boccanera. And that’s why he has gone over to + the Jesuits again, utilising their hatred of his rival, and anticipating + that they will be forced to support <i>him</i> in order to defeat the + other. But I doubt it, they are too shrewd, they will hesitate to + patronise a candidate who is already so compromised. He, blunder-head, + passionate and proud as he is, doubts nothing, and since you say that he + is now at Frascati, I’m certain that he made all haste to shut himself up + there with some grand strategical object in view, as soon as he heard of + the Pope’s illness.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and the Pope himself, Leo XIII?” asked Pierre. + </p> + <p> + This time Don Vigilio slightly hesitated, his eyes blinking. Then he said: + “Leo XIII? He is a Jesuit, a Jesuit! Oh! I know it is said that he sides + with the Dominicans, and this is in a measure true, for he fancies that he + is animated with their spirit and he has brought St. Thomas into favour + again, and has restored all the ecclesiastical teaching of doctrine. But + there is also the Jesuit, remember, who is one involuntarily and without + knowing it, and of this category the present Pope will prove the most + famous example. Study his acts, investigate his policy, and you will find + that everything in it emanates from the Jesuit spirit. The fact is that he + has unwittingly become impregnated with that spirit, and that all the + influence, directly or indirectly brought to bear on him comes from a + Jesuit centre. Ah! why don’t you believe me? I repeat that the Jesuits + have conquered and absorbed everything, that all Rome belongs to them from + the most insignificant cleric to his Holiness in person.” + </p> + <p> + Then he continued, replying to each fresh name that Pierre gave with the + same obstinate, maniacal cry: “Jesuit, Jesuit!” It seemed as if a + Churchman could be nothing else, as if each answer were a confirmation of + the proposition that the clergy must compound with the modern world if it + desired to preserve its Deity. The heroic age of Catholicism was + accomplished, henceforth it could only live by dint of diplomacy and + ruses, concessions and arrangements. “And that Paparelli, he’s a Jesuit + too, a Jesuit!” Don Vigilio went on, instinctively lowering his voice. + “Yes, the humble but terrible Jesuit, the Jesuit in his most abominable <i>role</i> + as a spy and a perverter! I could swear that he has merely been placed + here in order to keep watch on his Eminence! And you should see with what + supple talent and craft he has performed his task, to such a point indeed + that it is now he alone who wills and orders things. He opens the door to + whomsoever he pleases, uses his master like something belonging to him, + weighs on each of his resolutions, and holds him in his power by dint of + his stealthy unremitting efforts. Yes! it’s the lion conquered by the + insect; the infinitesimally small disposing of the infinitely great; the + train-bearer—whose proper part is to sit at his cardinal’s feet like + a faithful hound—in reality reigning over him, and impelling him in + whatsoever direction he chooses. Ah! the Jesuit! the Jesuit! Mistrust him + when you see him gliding by in his shabby old cassock, with the flabby + wrinkled face of a devout old maid. And make sure that he isn’t behind the + doors, or in the cupboards, or under the beds. Ah! I tell you that they’ll + devour you as they’ve devoured me; and they’ll give you the fever too, + perhaps even the plague if you are not careful!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre suddenly halted in front of his companion. He was losing all + assurance, both fear and rage were penetrating him. And, after all, why + not? These extraordinary stories must be true. “But in that case give me + some advice,” he exclaimed, “I asked you to come in here this evening + precisely because I no longer know what to do, and need to be set in the + right path—” Then he broke off and again paced to and fro, as if + urged into motion by his exploding passion. “Or rather no, tell me + nothing!” he abruptly resumed. “It’s all over; I prefer to go away. The + thought occurred to me before, but it was in a moment of cowardice and + with the idea of disappearing and of returning to live in peace in my + little nook: whereas now, if I go off, it will be as an avenger, a judge, + to cry aloud to all the world from Paris, to proclaim what I have seen in + Rome, what men have done there with the Christianity of Jesus, the Vatican + falling into dust, the corpse-like odour which comes from it, the idiotic + illusions of those who hope that they will one day see a renascence of the + modern soul arise from a sepulchre where the remnants of dead centuries + rot and slumber. Oh! I will not yield, I will not make my submission, I + will defend my book by a fresh one. And that book, I promise you, will + make some noise in the world, for it will sound the last agony of a dying + religion, which one must make all haste to bury lest its remains should + poison the nations!” + </p> + <p> + All this was beyond Don Vigilio’s mind. The Italian priest, with narrow + belief and ignorant terror of the new ideas, awoke within him. He clasped + his hands, affrighted. “Be quiet, be quiet! You are blaspheming! And, + besides, you cannot go off like that without again trying to see his + Holiness. He alone is sovereign. And I know that I shall surprise you; but + Father Dangelis has given you in jest the only good advice that can be + given: Go back to see Monsignor Nani, for he alone will open the door of + the Vatican for you.” + </p> + <p> + Again did Pierre give a start of anger: “What! It was with Monsignor Nani + that I began, from him that I set out; and I am to go back to him? What + game is that? Can I consent to be a shuttlecock sent flying hither and + thither by every battledore? People are having a game with me!” + </p> + <p> + Then, harassed and distracted, the young man fell on his chair in front of + Don Vigilio, who with his face drawn by his prolonged vigil, and his hands + still and ever faintly trembling, remained for some time silent. At last + he explained that he had another idea. He was slightly acquainted with the + Pope’s confessor, a Franciscan father, a man of great simplicity, to whom + he might recommend Pierre. This Franciscan, despite his self-effacement, + would perhaps prove of service to him. At all events he might be tried. + Then, once more, silence fell, and Pierre, whose dreamy eyes were turned + towards the wall, ended by distinguishing the old picture which had + touched him so deeply on the day of his arrival. In the pale glow of the + lamp it gradually showed forth and lived, like an incarnation of his own + case, his own futile despair before the sternly closed portal of truth and + justice. Ah! that outcast woman, that stubborn victim of love, weeping + amidst her streaming hair, her visage hidden whilst with pain and grief + she sank upon the steps of that palace whose door was so pitilessly shut—how + she resembled him! Draped with a mere strip of linen, she was shivering, + and amidst the overpowering distress of her abandonment she did not reveal + her secret, misfortune, or transgression, whichever it might be. But he, + behind her close-pressed hands, endowed her with a face akin to his own: + she became his sister, as were all the poor creatures without roof or + certainty who weep because they are naked and alone, and wear out their + strength in seeking to force the wicked thresholds of men. He could never + gaze at her without pitying her, and it stirred him so much that evening + to find her ever so unknown, nameless and visageless, yet steeped in the + most bitter tears, that he suddenly began to question his companion. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said he, “do you know who painted that old picture? It stirs me + to the soul like a masterpiece.” + </p> + <p> + Stupefied by this unexpected question, the secretary raised his head and + looked, feeling yet more astonished when he had examined the blackened, + forsaken panel in its sorry frame. + </p> + <p> + “Where did it come from?” resumed Pierre; “why has it been stowed away in + this room?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” replied Don Vigilio, with a gesture of indifference, “it’s nothing. + There are heaps of valueless old paintings everywhere. That one, no doubt, + has always been here. But I don’t know; I never noticed it before.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst speaking he had at last risen to his feet, and this simple action + had brought on such a fit of shivering that he could scarcely take leave, + so violently did his teeth chatter with fever. “No, no, don’t show me + out,” he stammered, “keep the lamp here. And to conclude: the best course + is for you to leave yourself in the hands of Monsignor Nani, for he, at + all events, is a superior man. I told you on your arrival that, whether + you would or not, you would end by doing as he desired. And so what’s the + use of struggling? And mind, not a word of our conversation to-night; it + would mean my death.” + </p> + <p> + Then he noiselessly opened the doors, glanced distrustfully into the + darkness of the passage, and at last ventured out and disappeared, + regaining his own room with such soft steps that not the faintest footfall + was heard amidst the tomb-like slumber of the old mansion. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, Pierre, again mastered by a desire to fight on to the very + end, got Don Vigilio to recommend him to the Pope’s confessor, the + Franciscan friar with whom the secretary was slightly acquainted. However, + this friar proved to be an extremely timid if worthy man, selected + precisely on account of his great modesty, simplicity, and absolute lack + of influence in order that he might not abuse his position with respect to + the Holy Father. And doubtless there was an affectation of humility on the + latter’s part in taking for confessor a member of the humblest of the + regular orders, a friend of the poor, a holy beggar of the roads. At the + same time the friar certainly enjoyed a reputation for oratory; and hidden + by a veil the Pope at times listened to his sermons; for although as + infallible Sovereign Pontiff Leo XIII could not receive lessons from any + priest, it was admitted that as a man he might reap profit by listening to + good discourse. Nevertheless apart from his natural eloquence, the worthy + friar was really a mere washer of souls, a confessor who listens and + absolves without even remembering the impurities which he removes in the + waters of penitence. And Pierre, finding him really so poor and such a + cipher, did not insist on an intervention which he realised would be + futile. + </p> + <p> + All that day the young priest was haunted by the figure of that ingenuous + lover of poverty, that delicious St. Francis, as Narcisse Habert was wont + to say. Pierre had often wondered how such an apostle, so gentle towards + both animate and inanimate creation, and so full of ardent charity for the + wretched, could have arisen in a country of egotism and enjoyment like + Italy, where the love of beauty alone has remained queen. Doubtless the + times have changed; yet what a strong sap of love must have been needed in + the old days, during the great sufferings of the middle ages, for such a + consoler of the humble to spring from the popular soil and preach the gift + of self to others, the renunciation of wealth, the horror of brutal force, + the equality and obedience which would ensure the peace of the world. St. + Francis trod the roads clad as one of the poorest, a rope girdling his + grey gown and his bare feet shod with sandals, and he carried with him + neither purse nor staff. And he and his brethren spoke aloud and freely, + with sovereign florescence of poetry and boldness of truth, attacking the + rich and the powerful, and daring even to denounce the priests of evil + life, the debauched, simoniacal, and perjured bishops. A long cry of + relief greeted the Franciscans, the people followed them in crowds—they + were the friends, the liberators of all the humble ones who suffered. And + thus, like revolutionaries, they at first so alarmed Rome, that the popes + hesitated to authorise their Order. When they at last gave way it was + assuredly with the hope of using this new force for their own profit, by + conquering the whole vague mass of the lowly whose covert threats have + ever growled through the ages, even in the most despotic times. And + thenceforward in the sons of St. Francis the Church possessed an ever + victorious army—a wandering army which spread over the roads, in the + villages and through the towns, penetrating to the firesides of artisan + and peasant, and gaining possession of all simple hearts. How great the + democratic power of such an Order which had sprung from the very entrails + of the people! And thence its rapid prosperity, its teeming growth in a + few years, friaries arising upon all sides, and the third Order* so + invading the secular population as to impregnate and absorb it. And that + there was here a genuine growth of the soil, a vigorous vegetation of the + plebeian stock was shown by an entire national art arising from it—the + precursors of the Renascence in painting and even Dante himself, the soul + of Italia’s genius. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Franciscans, like the Dominicans and others, admit, in + addition to the two Orders of friars and nuns, a third Order + comprising devout persons of either sex who have neither the + vocation nor the opportunity for cloistered life, but live in + the world, privately observing the chief principles of the + fraternity with which they are connected. In central and + southern Europe members of these third Orders are still + numerous.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + For some days now, in the Rome of the present time, Pierre had been coming + into contact with those great Orders of the past. The Franciscans and the + Dominicans were there face to face in their vast convents of prosperous + aspect. But it seemed as if the humility of the Franciscans had in the + long run deprived them of influence. Perhaps, too, their <i>role</i> as + friends and liberators of the people was ended since the people now + undertook to liberate itself. And so the only real remaining battle was + between the Dominicans and the Jesuits, both of whom still claimed to + mould the world according to their particular views. Warfare between them + was incessant, and Rome—the supreme power at the Vatican—was + ever the prize for which they contended. But, although the Dominicans had + St. Thomas on their side, they must have felt that their old dogmatic + science was crumbling, compelled as they were each day to surrender a + little ground to the Jesuits whose principles accorded better with the + spirit of the century. And, in addition to these, there were the + white-robed Carthusians, those very holy, pure, and silent meditators who + fled from the world into quiet cells and cloisters, those despairing and + consoled ones whose numbers may decrease but whose Order will live for + ever, even as grief and desire for solitude will live. And then there were + the Benedictines whose admirable rules have sanctified labour, passionate + toilers in literature and science, once powerful instruments of + civilisation, enlarging universal knowledge by their immense historical + and critical works. These Pierre loved, and with them would have sought a + refuge two centuries earlier, yet he was astonished to find them building + on the Aventine a huge dwelling, for which Leo XIII has already given + millions, as if the science of to-day and to-morrow were yet a field where + they might garner harvests. But <i>cui bono</i>, when the workmen have + changed, and dogmas are there to bar the road—dogmas which totter, + no doubt, but which believers may not fling aside in order to pass onward? + And finally came the swarm of less important Orders, hundreds in number; + there were the Carmelites, the Trappists, the Minims, the Barnabites, the + Lazzarists, the Eudists, the Mission Fathers, the Servites, the Brothers + of the Christian Doctrine; there were the Bernadines, the Augustinians, + the Theatines, the Observants, the Passionists, the Celestines, and the + Capuchins, without counting the corresponding Orders of women or the Poor + Clares, or the innumerable nuns like those of the Visitation and the + Calvary. Each community had its modest or sumptuous dwelling, certain + districts of Rome were entirely composed of convents, and behind the + silent lifeless facades all those people buzzed, intrigued, and waged the + everlasting warfare of rival interests and passions. The social evolution + which produced them had long since ceased, still they obstinately sought + to prolong their life, growing weaker and more useless day by day, + destined to a slow agony until the time shall come when the new + development of society will leave them neither foothold nor breathing + space. + </p> + <p> + And it was not only with the regulars that Pierre came in contact during + his peregrinations through Rome; indeed, he more particularly had to deal + with the secular clergy, and learnt to know them well. A hierarchical + system which was still vigorously enforced maintained them in various + ranks and classes. Up above, around the Pope, reigned the pontifical + family, the high and noble cardinals and prelates whose conceit was great + in spite of their apparent familiarity. Below them the parish clergy + formed a very worthy middle class of wise and moderate minds; and here + patriot priests were not rare. Moreover, the Italian occupation of a + quarter of a century, by installing in the city a world of functionaries + who saw everything that went on, had, curiously enough, greatly purified + the private life of the Roman priesthood, in which under the popes women, + beyond all question, played a supreme part. And finally one came to the + plebeian clergy whom Pierre studied with curiosity, a collection of + wretched, grimy, half-naked priests who like famished animals prowled + around in search of masses, and drifted into disreputable taverns in the + company of beggars and thieves. However, he was more interested by the + floating population of foreign priests from all parts of Christendom—the + adventurers, the ambitious ones, the believers, the madmen whom Rome + attracted just as a lamp at night time attracts the insects of the gloom. + Among these were men of every nationality, position, and age, all lashed + on by their appetites and scrambling from morn till eve around the + Vatican, in order to snap at the prey which they hoped to secure. He found + them everywhere, and told himself with some shame that he was one of them, + that the unit of his own personality served to increase the incredible + number of cassocks that one encountered in the streets. Ah! that ebb and + flow, that ceaseless tide of black gowns and frocks of every hue! With + their processions of students ever walking abroad, the seminaries of the + different nations would alone have sufficed to drape and decorate the + streets, for there were the French and the English all in black, the South + Americans in black with blue sashes, the North Americans in black with red + sashes, the Poles in black with green sashes, the Greeks in blue, the + Germans in red, the Scots in violet, the Romans in black or violet or + purple, the Bohemians with chocolate sashes, the Irish with red lappets, + the Spaniards with blue cords, to say nothing of all the others with + broidery and bindings and buttons in a hundred different styles. And in + addition there were the confraternities, the penitents, white, black, + blue, and grey, with sleeveless frocks and capes of different hue, grey, + blue, black, or white. And thus even nowadays Papal Rome at times seemed + to resuscitate, and one could realise how tenaciously and vivaciously she + struggled on in order that she might not disappear in the cosmopolitan + Rome of the new era. However, Pierre, whilst running about from one + prelate to another, frequenting priests and crossing churches, could not + accustom himself to the worship, the Roman piety which astonished him when + it did not wound him. One rainy Sunday morning, on entering Santa Maria + Maggiore, he fancied himself in some waiting-room, a very splendid one, no + doubt, but where God seemed to have no habitation. There was not a bench, + not a chair in the nave, across which people passed, as they might pass + through a railway station, wetting and soiling the precious mosaic + pavement with their muddy shoes; and tired women and children sat round + the bases of the columns, even as in railway stations one sees people + sitting and waiting for their trains during the great crushes of the + holiday season. And for this tramping throng of folks of small degree, who + had looked in <i>en passant</i>, a priest was saying a low mass in a side + chapel, before which a narrow file of standing people had gathered, + extending across the nave, and recalling the crowds which wait in front of + theatres for the opening of the doors. At the elevation of the host one + and all inclined themselves devoutly, but almost immediately afterwards + the gathering dispersed. And indeed why linger? The mass was said. Pierre + everywhere found the same form of attendance, peculiar to the countries of + the sun; the worshippers were in a hurry and only favoured the Deity with + short familiar visits, unless it were a question of some gala scene at San + Paolo or San Giovanni in Laterano or some other of the old basilicas. It + was only at the Gesu, on another Sunday morning, that the young priest + came upon a high-mass congregation, which reminded him of the devout + throngs of the North. Here there were benches and women seated, a worldly + warmth and cosiness under the luxurious, gilded, carved, and painted roof, + whose tawny splendour is very fine now that time has toned down the + eccentricities of the decoration. But how many of the churches were empty, + among them some of the most ancient and venerable, San Clemente, Sant’ + Agnese, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where during the offices one saw but a + few believers of the neighbourhood. Four hundred churches were a good many + for even Rome to people; and, indeed, some were merely attended on fixed + ceremonial occasions, and a good many merely opened their doors once every + year—on the feast day, that is, of their patron saint. Some also + subsisted on the lucky possession of a fetish, an idol compassionate to + human sufferings. Santa Maria in Ara Coeli possessed the miraculous little + Jesus, the “Bambino,” who healed sick children, and Sant’ Agostino had the + “Madonna del Parto,” who grants a happy delivery to mothers. Then others + were renowned for the holy water of their fonts, the oil of their lamps, + the power of some wooden saint or marble virgin. Others again seemed + forsaken, given up to tourists and the perquisites of beadles, like mere + museums peopled with dead gods: Finally others disturbed one’s faith by + the suggestiveness of their aspects, as, for instance, that Santa Maria + Rotonda, which is located in the Pantheon, a circular hall recalling a + circus, where the Virgin remains the evident tenant of the Olympian + deities. + </p> + <p> + Pierre took no little interest in the churches of the poor districts, but + did not find there the keen faith and the throngs he had hoped for. One + afternoon, at Santa Maria in Trastevere, he heard the choir in full song, + but the church was quite empty, and the chant had a most lugubrious sound + in such a desert. Then, another day, on entering San Crisogono, he found + it draped, probably in readiness for some festival on the morrow. The + columns were cased with red damask, and between them were hangings and + curtains alternately yellow and blue, white and red; and the young man + fled from such a fearful decoration as gaudy as that of a fair booth. Ah! + how far he was from the cathedrals where in childhood he had believed and + prayed! On all sides he found the same type of church, the antique + basilica accommodated to the taste of eighteenth-century Rome. Though the + style of San Luigi dei Francesi is better, more soberly elegant, the only + thing that touched him even there was the thought of the heroic or saintly + Frenchmen, who sleep in foreign soil beneath the flags. And as he sought + for something Gothic, he ended by going to see Santa Maria sopra Minerva,* + which, he was told, was the only example of the Gothic style in Rome. Here + his stupefaction attained a climax at sight of the clustering columns + cased in stucco imitating marble, the ogives which dared not soar, the + rounded vaults condemned to the heavy majesty of the dome style. No, no, + thought he, the faith whose cooling cinders lingered there was no longer + that whose brazier had invaded and set all Christendom aglow! However, + Monsignor Fornaro whom he chanced to meet as he was leaving the church, + inveighed against the Gothic style as rank heresy. The first Christian + church, said the prelate, had been the basilica, which had sprung from the + temple, and it was blasphemy to assert that the Gothic cathedral was the + real Christian house of prayer, for Gothic embodied the hateful + Anglo-Saxon spirit, the rebellious genius of Luther. At this a passionate + reply rose to Pierre’s lips, but he said nothing for fear that he might + say too much. However, he asked himself whether in all this there was not + a decisive proof that Catholicism was the very vegetation of Rome, + Paganism modified by Christianity. Elsewhere Christianity has grown up in + quite a different spirit, to such a point that it has risen in rebellion + and schismatically turned against the mother-city. And the breach has ever + gone on widening, the dissemblance has become more and more marked; and + amidst the evolution of new societies, yet a fresh schism appears + inevitable and proximate in spite of all the despairing efforts to + maintain union. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * So called because it occupies the site of a temple to + Minerva.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + While Pierre thus visited the Roman churches, he also continued his + efforts to gain support in the matter of his book, his irritation tending + to such stubbornness, that if in the first instance he failed to obtain an + interview, he went back again and again to secure one, steadfastly keeping + his promise to call in turn upon each cardinal of the Congregation of the + Index. And as a cardinal may belong to several Congregations, it resulted + that he gradually found himself roaming through those former ministries of + the old pontifical government which, if less numerous than formerly, are + still very intricate institutions, each with its cardinal-prefect, its + cardinal-members, its consultative prelates, and its numerous employees. + Pierre repeatedly had to return to the Cancelleria, where the Congregation + of the Index meets, and lost himself in its world of staircases, + corridors, and halls. From the moment he passed under the porticus he was + overcome by the icy shiver which fell from the old walls, and was quite + unable to appreciate the bare, frigid beauty of the palace, Bramante’s + masterpiece though it be, so purely typical of the Roman Renascence. He + also knew the Propaganda where he had seen Cardinal Sarno; and, sent as he + was hither and thither, in his efforts to gain over influential prelates, + chance made him acquainted with the other Congregations, that of the + Bishops and Regulars, that of the Rites and that of the Council. He even + obtained a glimpse of the Consistorial, the Dataria,* and the sacred + Penitentiary. All these formed part of the administrative mechanism of the + Church under its several aspects—the government of the Catholic + world, the enlargement of the Church’s conquests, the administration of + its affairs in conquered countries, the decision of all questions touching + faith, morals, and individuals, the investigation and punishment of + offences, the grant of dispensations and the sale of favours. One can + scarcely imagine what a fearful number of affairs are each morning + submitted to the Vatican, questions of the greatest gravity, delicacy, and + intricacy, the solution of which gives rise to endless study and research. + It is necessary to reply to the innumerable visitors who flock to Rome + from all parts, and to the letters, the petitions, and the batches of + documents which are submitted and require to be distributed among the + various offices. And Pierre was struck by the deep and discreet silence in + which all this colossal labour was accomplished; not a sound reaching the + streets from the tribunals, parliaments, and factories for the manufacture + of saints and nobles, whose mechanism was so well greased, that in spite + of the rust of centuries and the deep and irremediable wear and tear, the + whole continued working without clank or creak to denote its presence + behind the walls. And did not that silence embody the whole policy of the + Church, which is to remain mute and await developments? Nevertheless what + a prodigious mechanism it was, antiquated no doubt, but still so powerful! + And amidst those Congregations how keenly Pierre felt himself to be in the + grip of the most absolute power ever devised for the domination of + mankind. However much he might notice signs of decay and coming ruin he + was none the less seized, crushed, and carried off by that huge engine + made up of vanity and venality, corruption and ambition, meanness and + greatness. And how far, too, he now was from the Rome that he had dreamt + of, and what anger at times filled him amidst his weariness, as he + persevered in his resolve to defend himself! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * It is from the Dataria that bulls, rescripts, letters of + appointment to benefices, and dispensations of marriage, + are issued, after the affixture of the date and formula + <i>Datum Romae</i>, “Given at Rome.”—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + All at once certain things which he had never understood were explained to + him. One day, when he returned to the Propaganda, Cardinal Sarno spoke to + him of Freemasonry with such icy rage that he was abruptly enlightened. + Freemasonry had hitherto made him smile; he had believed in it no more + than he had believed in the Jesuits. Indeed, he had looked upon the + ridiculous stories which were current—the stories of mysterious, + shadowy men who governed the world with secret incalculable power—as + mere childish legends. In particular he had been amazed by the blind + hatred which maddened certain people as soon as Freemasonry was mentioned. + However, a very distinguished and intelligent prelate had declared to him, + with an air of profound conviction, that at least on one occasion every + year each masonic Lodge was presided over by the Devil in person, + incarnate in a visible shape! And now, by Cardinal Sarno’s remarks, he + understood the rivalry, the furious struggle of the Roman Catholic Church + against that other Church, the Church of over the way.* Although the + former counted on her own triumph, she none the less felt that the other, + the Church of Freemasonry, was a competitor, a very ancient enemy, who + indeed claimed to be more ancient than herself, and whose victory always + remained a possibility. And the friction between them was largely due to + the circumstance that they both aimed at universal sovereignty, and had a + similar international organisation, a similar net thrown over the nations, + and in a like way mysteries, dogmas, and rites. It was deity against + deity, faith against faith, conquest against conquest: and so, like + competing tradesmen in the same street, they were a source of mutual + embarrassment, and one of them was bound to kill the other. But if Roman + Catholicism seemed to Pierre to be worn out and threatened with ruin, he + remained quite as sceptical with regard to the power of Freemasonry. He + had made inquiries as to the reality of that power in Rome, where both + Grand Master and Pope were enthroned, one in front of the other. He was + certainly told that the last Roman princes had thought themselves + compelled to become Freemasons in order to render their own difficult + position somewhat easier and facilitate the future of their sons. But was + this true? had they not simply yielded to the force of the present social + evolution? And would not Freemasonry eventually be submerged by its own + triumph—that of the ideas of justice, reason, and truth, which it + had defended through the dark and violent ages of history? It is a thing + which constantly happens; the victory of an idea kills the sect which has + propagated it, and renders the apparatus with which the members of the + sect surrounded themselves, in order to fire imaginations, both useless + and somewhat ridiculous. Carbonarism did not survive the conquest of the + political liberties which it demanded; and on the day when the Catholic + Church crumbles, having accomplished its work of civilisation, the other + Church, the Freemasons’ Church of across the road, will in a like way + disappear, its task of liberation ended. Nowadays the famous power of the + Lodges, hampered by traditions, weakened by a ceremonial which provokes + laughter, and reduced to a simple bond of brotherly agreement and mutual + assistance, would be but a sorry weapon of conquest for humanity, were it + not that the vigorous breath of science impels the nations onwards and + helps to destroy the old religions. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Some readers may think the above passages an exaggeration, but + such is not the case. The hatred with which the Catholic + priesthood, especially in Italy, Spain, and France, regards + Freemasonry is remarkable. At the moment of writing these lines + I have before me several French clerical newspapers, which + contain the most abusive articles levelled against President + Faure solely because he is a Freemason. One of these prints, a + leading journal of Lyons, tells the French President that he + cannot serve both God and the Devil; and that if he cannot give + up Freemasonry he would do well to cease desecrating the abode + of the Deity by his attendance at divine service.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + However, all Pierre’s journeyings and applications brought him no + certainty; and, while stubbornly clinging to Rome, intent on fighting to + the very end, like a soldier who will not believe in the possibility of + defeat, he remained as anxious as ever. He had seen all the cardinals + whose influence could be of use to him. He had seen the Cardinal Vicar, + entrusted with the diocese of Rome, who, like the man of letters he was, + had spoken to him of Horace, and, like a somewhat blundering politician, + had questioned him about France, the Republic, the Army, and the Navy + Estimates, without dealing in the slightest degree with the incriminated + book. He had also seen the Grand Penitentiary, that tall old man, with + fleshless, ascetic face, of whom he had previously caught a glimpse at the + Boccanera mansion, and from whom he now only drew a long and severe sermon + on the wickedness of young priests, whom the century had perverted and who + wrote most abominable books. Finally, at the Vatican, he had seen the + Cardinal Secretary, in some wise his Holiness’s Minister of Foreign + Affairs, the great power of the Holy See, whom he had hitherto been + prevented from approaching by terrifying warnings as to the possible + result of an unfavourable reception. However, whilst apologising for + calling at such a late stage, he had found himself in presence of a most + amiable man, whose somewhat rough appearance was softened by diplomatic + affability, and who, after making him sit down, questioned him with an air + of interest, listened to him, and even spoke some words of comfort. + Nevertheless, on again reaching the Piazza of St. Peter’s, Pierre well + understood that his affair had not made the slightest progress, and that + if he ever managed to force the Pope’s door, it would not be by way of the + Secretariate of State. And that evening he returned home quite exhausted + by so many visits, in such distraction at feeling that little by little he + had been wholly caught in that huge mechanism with its hundred wheels, + that he asked himself in terror what he should do on the morrow now that + there remained nothing for him to do—unless, indeed, it were to go + mad. + </p> + <p> + However, meeting Don Vigilio in a passage of the house, he again wished to + ask him for some good advice. But the secretary, who had a gleam of terror + in his eyes, silenced him, he knew not why, with an anxious gesture. And + then in a whisper, in Pierre’s ear, he said: “Have you seen Monsignor + Nani? No! Well, go to see him, go to see him. I repeat that you have + nothing else to do!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre yielded. And indeed why should he have resisted? Apart from the + motives of ardent charity which had brought him to Rome to defend his + book, was he not there for a self-educating, experimental purpose? It was + necessary that he should carry his attempts to the very end. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, when he reached the colonnade of St. Peter’s, the hour was + so early that he had to wait there awhile. He had never better realised + the enormity of those four curving rows of columns, forming a forest of + gigantic stone trunks among which nobody ever promenades. In fact, the + spot is a grandiose and dreary desert, and one asks oneself the why and + wherefore of such a majestic porticus. Doubtless, however, it was for its + sole majesty, for the mere pomp of decoration, that this colonnade was + reared; and therein, again, one finds the whole Roman spirit. However, + Pierre at last turned into the Via di Sant’ Offizio, and passing the + sacristy of St. Peter’s, found himself before the Palace of the Holy + Office in a solitary silent district, which the footfall of pedestrians or + the rumble of wheels but seldom disturbs. The sun alone lives there, in + sheets of light which spread slowly over the small, white paving. You + divine the vicinity of the Basilica, for there is a smell as of incense, a + cloisteral quiescence as of the slumber of centuries. And at one corner + the Palace of the Holy Office rises up with heavy, disquieting bareness, + only a single row of windows piercing its lofty, yellow front. The wall + which skirts a side street looks yet more suspicious with its row of even + smaller casements, mere peep-holes with glaucous panes. In the bright + sunlight this huge cube of mud-coloured masonry ever seems asleep, + mysterious, and closed like a prison, with scarcely an aperture for + communication with the outer world. + </p> + <p> + Pierre shivered, but then smiled as at an act of childishness, for he + reflected that the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition, nowadays the + Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, was no longer the institution it + had been, the purveyor of heretics for the stake, the occult tribunal + beyond appeal which had right of life and death over all mankind. True, it + still laboured in secrecy, meeting every Wednesday, and judging and + condemning without a sound issuing from within its walls. But on the other + hand if it still continued to strike at the crime of heresy, if it smote + men as well as their works, it no longer possessed either weapons or + dungeons, steel or fire to do its bidding, but was reduced to a mere <i>role</i> + of protest, unable to inflict aught but disciplinary penalties even upon + the ecclesiastics of its own Church. + </p> + <p> + When Pierre on entering was ushered into the reception-room of Monsignor + Nani who, as assessor, lived in the palace, he experienced an agreeable + surprise. The apartment faced the south, and was spacious and flooded with + sunshine. And stiff as was the furniture, dark as were the hangings, an + exquisite sweetness pervaded the room, as though a woman had lived in it + and accomplished the prodigy of imparting some of her own grace to all + those stern-looking things. There were no flowers, yet there was a + pleasant smell. A charm expanded and conquered every heart from the very + threshold. + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Nani at once came forward, with a smile on his rosy face, his + blue eyes keenly glittering, and his fine light hair powdered by age. With + hands outstretched, he exclaimed: “Ah! how kind of you to have come to see + me, my dear son! Come, sit down, let us have a friendly chat.” Then with + an extraordinary display of affection, he began to question Pierre: “How + are you getting on? Tell me all about it, exactly what you have done.” + </p> + <p> + Touched in spite of Don Vigilio’s revelations, won over by the sympathy + which he fancied he could detect, Pierre thereupon confessed himself, + relating his visits to Cardinal Sarno, Monsignor Fornaro and Father + Dangelis, his applications to all the influential cardinals, those of the + Index, the Grand Penitentiary, the Cardinal Vicar, and the Cardinal + Secretary; and dwelling on his endless journeys from door to door through + all the Congregations and all the clergy, that huge, active, silent + bee-hive amidst which he had wearied his feet, exhausted his limbs, and + bewildered his poor brain. And at each successive Station of this Calvary + of entreaty, Monsignor Nani, who seemed to listen with an air of rapture, + exclaimed: “But that’s very good, that’s capital! Oh! your affair is + progressing. Yes, yes, it’s progressing marvellously well.” + </p> + <p> + He was exultant, though he allowed no unseemly irony to appear, while his + pleasant, penetrating eyes fathomed the young priest, to ascertain if he + had been brought to the requisite degree of obedience. Had he been + sufficiently wearied, disillusioned and instructed in the reality of + things, for one to finish with him? Had three months’ sojourn in Rome + sufficed to turn the somewhat mad enthusiast of the first days into an + unimpassioned or at least resigned being? + </p> + <p> + However, all at once Monsignor Nani remarked: “But, my dear son, you tell + me nothing of his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti.” + </p> + <p> + “The fact is, Monseigneur, that his Eminence is at Frascati, so I have + been unable to see him.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the prelate, as if once more postponing the <i>denouement</i> + with the secret enjoyment of an artistic <i>diplomate</i>, began to + protest, raising his little plump hands with the anxious air of a man who + considers everything lost: “Oh! but you must see his Eminence; it is + absolutely necessary! Think of it! The Prefect of the Index! We can only + act after your visit to him, for as you have not seen <i>him</i> it is as + if you had seen nobody. Go, go to Frascati, my dear son.” + </p> + <p> + And thereupon Pierre could only bow and reply: “I will go, Monseigneur.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"></a> + XI. + </h2> + <p> + ALTHOUGH Pierre knew that he would be unable to see Cardinal Sanguinetti + before eleven o’clock, he nevertheless availed himself of an early train, + so that it was barely nine when he alighted at the little station of + Frascati. He had already visited the place during his enforced idleness, + when he had made the classical excursion to the Roman castles which extend + from Frascati to Rocco di Papa, and from Rocco di Papa to Monte Cavo, and + he was now delighted with the prospect of strolling for a couple of hours + along those first slopes of the Alban hills, where, amidst rushes, olives, + and vines, Frascati, like a promontory, overlooks the immense ruddy sea of + the Campagna even as far as Rome, which, six full leagues away, wears the + whitish aspect of a marble isle. + </p> + <p> + Ah! that charming Frascati, on its greeny knoll at the foot of the wooded + Tusculan heights, with its famous terrace whence one enjoys the finest + view in the world, its old patrician villas with proud and elegant + Renascence facades and magnificent parks, which, planted with cypress, + pine, and ilex, are for ever green! There was a sweetness, a delight, a + fascination about the spot, of which Pierre would have never wearied. And + for more than an hour he had wandered blissfully along roads edged with + ancient, knotty olive-trees, along dingle ways shaded by the spreading + foliage of neighbouring estates, and along perfumed paths, at each turn of + which the Campagna was seen stretching far away, when all at once he was + accosted by a person whom he was both surprised and annoyed to meet. He + had strolled down to some low ground near the railway station, some old + vineyards where a number of new houses had been built of recent years, and + suddenly saw a stylish pair-horse victoria, coming from the direction of + Rome, draw up close by, whilst its occupant called to him: “What! Monsieur + l’Abbe Froment, are you taking a walk here, at this early hour?” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Pierre recognised Count Luigi Prada, who alighted, shook hands + with him and began to walk beside him, whilst the empty carriage went on + in advance. And forthwith the Count explained his tastes: “I seldom take + the train,” he said, “I drive over. It gives my horses an outing. I have + interests over here as you may know, a big building enterprise which is + unfortunately not progressing very well. And so, although the season is + advanced, I’m obliged to come rather more frequently than I care to do.” + </p> + <p> + As Prada suggested, Pierre was acquainted with the story. The Boccaneras + had been obliged to sell a sumptuous villa which a cardinal of their + family had built at Frascati in accordance with the plans of Giacomo della + Porta, during the latter part of the sixteenth century: a regal + summer-residence it had been, finely wooded, with groves and basins and + cascades, and in particular a famous terrace projecting like a cape above + the Roman Campagna whose expanse stretches from the Sabine mountains to + the Mediterranean sands. Through the division of the property, Benedetta + had inherited from her mother some very extensive vineyards below + Frascati, and these she had brought as dowry to Prada at the very moment + when the building mania was extending from Rome into the provinces. And + thereupon Prada had conceived the idea of erecting on the spot a number of + middle-class villas like those which litter the suburbs of Paris. Few + purchasers, however, had come forward, the financial crash had supervened, + and he was now with difficulty liquidating this unlucky business, having + indemnified his wife at the time of their separation. + </p> + <p> + “And then,” he continued, addressing Pierre, “one can come and go as one + likes with a carriage, whereas, on taking the train, one is at the mercy + of the time table. This morning, for instance, I have appointments with + contractors, experts, and lawyers, and I have no notion how long they will + keep me. It’s a wonderful country, isn’t it? And we are quite right to be + proud of it in Rome. Although I may have some worries just now, I can + never set foot here without my heart beating with delight.” + </p> + <p> + A circumstance which he did not mention, was that his <i>amica</i>, + Lisbeth Kauffmann, had spent the summer in one of the newly erected + villas, where she had installed her studio and had been visited by all the + foreign colony, which tolerated her irregular position on account of her + gay spirits and artistic talent. Indeed, people had even ended by + accepting the outcome of her connection with Prada, and a fortnight + previously she had returned to Rome, and there given birth to a son—an + event which had again revived all the scandalous tittle-tattle respecting + Benedetta’s divorce suit. And Prada’s attachment to Frascati doubtless + sprang from the recollection of the happy hours he had spent there, and + the joyful pride with which the birth of the boy inspired him. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, for his part, felt ill at ease in the young Count’s presence, for + he had an instinctive hatred of money-mongers and men of prey. + Nevertheless, he desired to respond to his amiability, and so inquired + after his father, old Orlando, the hero of the Liberation. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” replied Prada, “excepting for his legs he’s in wonderfully good + health. He’ll live a hundred years. Poor father! I should so much have + liked to install him in one of these little houses, last summer. But I + could not get him to consent; he’s determined not to leave Rome; he’s + afraid, perhaps, that it might be taken away from him during his absence.” + Then the young Count burst into a laugh, quite merry at the thought of + jeering at the heroic but no longer fashionable age of independence. And + afterwards he said, “My father was speaking of you again only yesterday, + Monsieur l’Abbe. He is astonished that he has not seen you lately.” + </p> + <p> + This distressed Pierre, for he had begun to regard Orlando with respectful + affection. Since his first visit, he had twice called on the old hero, but + the latter had refused to broach the subject of Rome so long as his young + friend should not have seen, felt, and understood everything. There would + be time for a talk later on, said he, when they were both in a position to + formulate their conclusions. + </p> + <p> + “Pray tell Count Orlando,” responded Pierre, “that I have not forgotten + him, and that, if I have deferred a fresh visit, it is because I desire to + satisfy him. However, I certainly will not leave Rome without going to + tell him how deeply his kind greeting has touched me.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst talking, the two men slowly followed the ascending road past the + newly erected villas, several of which were not yet finished. And when + Prada learned that the priest had come to call on Cardinal Sanguinetti, he + again laughed, with the laugh of a good-natured wolf, showing his white + fangs. “True,” he exclaimed, “the Cardinal has been here since the Pope + has been laid up. Ah! you’ll find him in a pretty fever.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, because there’s bad news about the Holy Father this morning. When I + left Rome it was rumoured that he had spent a fearful night.” + </p> + <p> + So speaking, Prada halted at a bend of the road, not far from an antique + chapel, a little church of solitary, mournful grace of aspect, on the + verge of an olive grove. Beside it stood a ruinous building, the old + parsonage, no doubt, whence there suddenly emerged a tall, knotty priest + with coarse and earthy face, who, after roughly locking the door, went off + in the direction of the town. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” resumed the Count in a tone of raillery, “that fellow’s heart also + must be beating violently; he’s surely gone to your Cardinal in search of + news.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had looked at the priest. “I know him,” he replied; “I saw him, I + remember, on the day after my arrival at Cardinal Boccanera’s. He brought + the Cardinal a basket of figs and asked him for a certificate in favour of + his young brother, who had been sent to prison for some deed of violence—a + knife thrust if I recollect rightly. However, the Cardinal absolutely + refused him the certificate.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s the same man,” said Prada, “you may depend on it. He was often at + the Villa Boccanera formerly; for his young brother was gardener there. + But he’s now the client, the creature of Cardinal Sanguinetti. Santobono + his name is, and he’s a curious character, such as you wouldn’t find in + France, I fancy. He lives all alone in that falling hovel, and officiates + at that old chapel of St. Mary in the Fields, where people don’t go to + hear mass three times in a year. Yes, it’s a perfect sinecure, which with + its stipend of a thousand francs enables him to live there like a peasant + philosopher, cultivating the somewhat extensive garden whose big walls you + see yonder.” + </p> + <p> + The close to which he called attention stretched down the slope behind the + parsonage, without an aperture, like some savage place of refuge into + which not even the eye could penetrate. And all that could be seen above + the left-hand wall was a superb, gigantic fig-tree, whose big leaves + showed blackly against the clear sky. Prada had moved on again, and + continued to speak of Santobono, who evidently interested him. Fancy, a + patriot priest, a Garibaldian! Born at Nemi, in that yet savage nook among + the Alban hills, he belonged to the people and was still near to the soil. + However, he had studied, and knew sufficient history to realise the past + greatness of Rome, and dream of the re-establishment of Roman dominion as + represented by young Italy. And he had come to believe, with passionate + fervour, that only a great pope could realise his dream by seizing upon + power, and then conquering all the other nations. And what could be + easier, since the Pope commanded millions of Catholics? Did not half + Europe belong to him? France, Spain, and Austria would give way as soon as + they should see him powerful, dictating laws to the world. Germany and + Great Britain, indeed all the Protestant countries, would also inevitably + be conquered, for the papacy was the only dike that could be opposed to + error, which must some day fatally succumb in its efforts against such a + barrier. Politically, however, Santobono had declared himself for Germany, + for he considered that France needed to be crushed before she would throw + herself into the arms of the Holy Father. And thus contradictions and + fancies clashed in his foggy brain, whose burning ideas swiftly turned to + violence under the influence of primitive, racial fierceness. Briefly, the + priest was a barbarian upholder of the Gospel, a friend of the humble and + woeful, a sectarian of that school which is capable alike of great virtues + and great crimes. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” concluded Prada, “he is now devoted to Cardinal Sanguinetti because + he believes that the latter will prove the great pope of to-morrow, who is + to make Rome the one capital of the nations. At the same time he doubtless + harbours a lower personal ambition, that of attaining to a canonry or of + gaining assistance in the little worries of life, as when he wished to + extricate his brother from trouble. Here, you know, people stake their + luck on a cardinal just as they nurse a ‘trey’ in the lottery, and if + their cardinal proves the winning number and becomes pope they gain a + fortune. And that’s why you now see Santobono striding along yonder, all + anxiety to know if Leo XIII will die and Sanguinetti don the tiara.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think the Pope so very ill, then?” asked Pierre, both anxious and + interested. + </p> + <p> + The Count smiled and raised both arms: “Ah!” said he, “can one ever tell? + They all get ill when their interest lies that way. However, I believe + that the Pope is this time really indisposed; a complaint of the bowels, + it is said; and at his age, you know, the slightest indisposition may + prove fatal.” + </p> + <p> + The two men took a few steps in silence, then the priest again asked a + question: “Would Cardinal Sanguinetti have a great chance if the Holy See + were vacant?” + </p> + <p> + “A great chance! Ah! that’s another of those things which one never knows. + The truth is people class Sanguinetti among the acceptable candidates, and + if personal desire sufficed he would certainly be the next pope, for + ambition consumes him to the marrow, and he displays extraordinary passion + and determination in his efforts to succeed. But therein lies his very + weakness; he is using himself up, and he knows it. And so he must be + resolved to every step during the last days of battle. You may be quite + sure that if he has shut himself up here at this critical time, it is in + order that he may the better direct his operations from a distance, whilst + at the same time feigning a retreat, a disinterestedness which is bound to + have a good effect.” + </p> + <p> + Then Prada began to expatiate on Sanguinetti with no little complacency, + for he liked the man’s spirit of intrigue, his keen, conquering appetite, + his excessive, and even somewhat blundering activity. He had become + acquainted with him on his return from the nunciature at Vienna, when he + had already resolved to win the tiara. That ambition explained everything, + his quarrels and reconciliations with the reigning pope, his affection for + Germany, followed by a sudden evolution in the direction of France, his + varying attitude with regard to Italy, at first a desire for agreement, + and then absolute rejection of all compromises, a refusal to grant any + concession, so long as Rome should not be evacuated. This, indeed, seemed + to be Sanguinetti’s definite position; he made a show of disliking the + wavering sway of Leo XIII, and of retaining a fervent admiration for Pius + IX, the great, heroic pope of the days of resistance, whose goodness of + heart had proved no impediment to unshakable firmness. And all this was + equivalent to a promise that he, Sanguinetti, would again make kindliness + exempt from weakness, the rule of the Church, and would steer clear of the + dangerous compounding of politics. At bottom, however, politics were his + only dream, and he had even formulated a complete programme of intentional + vagueness, which his clients and creatures spread abroad with an air of + rapturous mystery. However, since a previous indisposition of the Pope’s, + during the spring, he had been living in mortal disquietude, for it had + then been rumoured that the Jesuits would resign themselves to support + Cardinal Pio Boccanera, although the latter scarcely favoured them. He was + rough and stern, no doubt, and his extreme bigotry might be a source of + danger in this tolerant age; but, on the other hand, was he not a + patrician, and would not his election imply that the papacy would never + cease to claim the temporal power? From that moment Boccanera had been the + one man whom Sanguinetti feared, for he beheld himself despoiled of his + prize, and spent his time in devising plans to rid himself of such a + powerful rival, repeating abominable stories of Cardinal Pio’s alleged + complaisance with regard to Benedetta and Dario, and incessantly + representing him as Antichrist, the man of sin, whose reign would + consummate the ruin of the papacy. Finally, to regain the support of the + Jesuits, Sanguinetti’s last idea was to repeat through his familiars that + for his part he would not merely maintain the principle of the temporal + power intact, but would even undertake to regain that power. And he had a + full plan on the subject, which folks confided to one another in whispers, + a plan which, in spite of its apparent concessions, would lead to the + overwhelming victory of the Church. It was to raise the prohibition which + prevented Catholics from voting or becoming candidates at the Italian + elections; to send a hundred, then two hundred, and then three hundred + deputies to the Chamber, and in that wise to overthrow the House of Savoy, + and establish a Federation of the Italian provinces, whereof the Holy + Father, once more placed in possession of Rome, would become the august + and sovereign President. + </p> + <p> + As Prada finished he again laughed, showing his white teeth—teeth + which would never readily relinquish the prey they held. “So you see,” he + added, “we need to defend ourselves, since it’s a question of turning us + out. Fortunately, there are some little obstacles in the way of that. + Nevertheless, such dreams naturally have great influence on excited minds, + such as that of Santobono, for instance. He’s a man whom one word from + Sanguinetti would lead far indeed. Ah! he has good legs. Look at him up + yonder, he has already reached the Cardinal’s little palace—that + white villa with the sculptured balconies.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre raised his eyes and perceived the episcopal residence, which was + one of the first houses of Frascati. Of modern construction and Renascence + style, it overlooked the immensity of the Roman Campagna. + </p> + <p> + It was now eleven o’clock, and as the young priest, before going up to pay + his own visit, bade the Count good-bye, the latter for a moment kept hold + of his hand. “Do you know,” said he, “it would be very kind of you to + lunch with me—will you? Come and join me at that restaurant yonder + with the pink front as soon as you are at liberty. I shall have settled my + own business in an hour’s time, and I shall be delighted to have your + company at table.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre began by declining, but he could offer no possible excuse, and at + last surrendered, won over, despite himself, by Prada’s real charm of + manner. When they had parted, the young priest only had to climb a street + in order to reach the Cardinal’s door. With his natural expansiveness and + craving for popularity, Sanguinetti was easy of access, and at Frascati in + particular his doors were flung open even to the most humble cassocks. So + Pierre was at once ushered in, a circumstance which somewhat surprised + him, for he remembered the bad humour of the servant whom he had seen on + calling at the Cardinal’s residence in Rome, when he had been advised to + forego the journey, as his Eminence did not like to be disturbed when he + was ill. However, nothing spoke of illness in that pleasant villa, flooded + with sunshine. True, the waiting-room, where he was momentarily left + alone, displayed neither luxury nor comfort; but it was brightened by the + finest light in the world, and overlooked that extraordinary Campagna, so + flat, so bare, and so unique in its beauty, for in front of it one ever + dreams and sees the past arise. And so, whilst waiting, Pierre stationed + himself at an open window, conducting on to a balcony, and his eyes roamed + over the endless sea of herbage to the far-away whiteness of Rome, above + which rose the dome of St. Peter’s, at that distance a mere sparkling + speck, barely as large as the nail of one’s little finger. + </p> + <p> + However, the young man had scarcely taken up this position when he was + surprised to hear some people talking, their words reaching him with great + distinctness. And on leaning forward he realised that his Eminence in + person was standing on another balcony close by, and conversing with a + priest, only a portion of whose cassock could be seen. Still, this + sufficed for Pierre to recognise Santobono. His first impulse, dictated by + natural discretion, was to withdraw from the window, but the words he next + heard riveted him to the spot. + </p> + <p> + “We shall know in a moment,” his Eminence was saying in his full voice. “I + sent Eufemio to Rome, for he is the only person in whom I’ve any + confidence. And see, there is the train bringing him back.” + </p> + <p> + A train, still as small as a plaything, could in fact be seen approaching + over the vast plain, and doubtless it was to watch for its arrival that + Sanguinetti had stationed himself on the balcony. And there he lingered, + with his eyes fixed on distant Rome. Then Santobono, in a passionate + voice, spoke some words which Pierre imperfectly understood, but the + Cardinal with clear articulation rejoined, “Yes, yes, my dear fellow, a + catastrophe would be a great misfortune. Ah! may his Holiness long be + preserved to us.” Then he paused, and as he was no hypocrite, gave full + expression to the thoughts which were in his mind: “At least, I hope that + he will be preserved just now, for the times are bad, and I am in + frightful anguish. The partisans of Antichrist have lately gained much + ground.” + </p> + <p> + A cry escaped Santobono: “Oh! your Eminence will act and triumph.” + </p> + <p> + “I, my dear fellow? What would you have me do? I am simply at the disposal + of my friends, those who are willing to believe in me, with the sole + object of ensuring the victory of the Holy See. It is they who ought to + act, it is they—each according to the measure of his means—who + ought to bar the road to the wicked in order that the righteous may + succeed. Ah! if Antichrist should reign—” + </p> + <p> + The recurrence of this word Antichrist greatly disturbed Pierre; but he + suddenly remembered what the Count had told him: Antichrist was Cardinal + Boccanera. + </p> + <p> + “Think of that, my dear fellow,” continued Sanguinetti. “Picture + Antichrist at the Vatican, consummating the ruin of religion by his + implacable pride, his iron will, his gloomy passion for nihility; for + there can be no doubt of it, he is the Beast of Death announced by the + prophecies, the Beast who will expose one and all to the danger of being + swallowed up with him in his furious rush into abysmal darkness. I know + him; he only dreams of obstinacy and destruction, he will seize the + pillars of the temple and shake them in order that he may sink beneath the + ruins, he and the whole Catholic world! In less than six months he will be + driven from Rome, at strife with all the nations, execrated by Italy, and + roaming the world like the phantom of the last pope!” + </p> + <p> + It was with a low growl, suggestive of a stifled oath, that Santobono + responded to this frightful prediction. But the train had now reached the + station, and among the few passengers who had alighted, Pierre could + distinguish a little Abbe, who was walking so fast that his cassock + flapped against his hips. It was Abbe Eufemio, the Cardinal’s secretary, + and when he had perceived his Eminence on the balcony he lost all + self-respect, and broke into a run, in order that he might the sooner + ascend the sloping street. “Ah! here’s Eufemio,” exclaimed the Cardinal, + quivering with anxiety. “We shall know now, we shall know now.” + </p> + <p> + The secretary had plunged into the doorway below, and he climbed the + stairs with such rapidity that almost immediately afterwards Pierre saw + him rush breathlessly across the waiting-room, and vanish into the + Cardinal’s sanctum. Sanguinetti had quitted the balcony to meet his + messenger, but soon afterwards he returned to it asking questions, venting + exclamations, raising, in fact, quite a tumult over the news which he had + received. “And so it’s really true, the night was a bad one. His Holiness + scarcely slept! Colic, you were told? But nothing could be worse at his + age; it might carry him off in a couple of hours. And the doctors, what do + they say?” + </p> + <p> + The answer did not reach Pierre, but he understood its purport as the + Cardinal in his naturally loud voice resumed: “Oh! the doctors never know. + Besides, when they refuse to speak death is never far off. <i>Dio</i>! + what a misfortune if the catastrophe cannot be deferred for a few days!” + </p> + <p> + Then he became silent, and Pierre realised that his eyes were once more + travelling towards Rome, gazing with ambitious anguish at the dome of St. + Peter’s, that little, sparkling speck above the vast, ruddy plain. What a + commotion, what agitation if the Pope were dead! And he wished that it had + merely been necessary for him to stretch forth his arm in order to take + and hold the Eternal City, the Holy City, which, yonder on the horizon, + occupied no more space than a heap of gravel cast there by a child’s + spade. And he was already dreaming of the coming Conclave, when the canopy + of each other cardinal would fall, and his own, motionless and sovereign, + would crown him with purple. + </p> + <p> + “But you are right, my friend!” he suddenly exclaimed, addressing + Santobono, “one must act, the salvation of the Church is at stake. And, + besides, it is impossible that Heaven should not be with us, since our + sole desire is its triumph. If necessary, at the supreme moment, Heaven + will know how to crush Antichrist.” + </p> + <p> + Then, for the first time, Pierre distinctly heard the voice of Santobono, + who, gruffly, with a sort of savage decision, responded: “Oh! if Heaven is + tardy it shall be helped.” + </p> + <p> + That was all; the young man heard nothing further save a confused murmur + of voices. The speakers quitted the balcony, and his spell of waiting + began afresh in the sunlit <i>salon</i> so peaceful and delightful in its + brightness. But all at once the door of his Eminence’s private room was + thrown wide open and a servant ushered him in; and he was surprised to + find the Cardinal alone, for he had not witnessed the departure of the two + priests, who had gone off by another door. The Cardinal, with his highly + coloured face, big nose, thick lips, square-set, vigorous figure, which + still looked young despite his sixty years, was standing near a window in + the bright golden light. He had put on the paternal smile with which he + greeted even the humblest from motives of good policy, and as soon as + Pierre had knelt and kissed his ring, he motioned him to a chair. “Sit + down, dear son, sit down. You have come of course about that unfortunate + affair of your book. I am very pleased indeed to be able to speak with you + about it.” + </p> + <p> + He himself then took a chair in front of that window overlooking Rome + whence he seemed unable to drag himself. And the young priest, whilst + apologising for coming to disturb his rest, perceived that he scarcely + listened, for his eyes again sought the prey which he so ardently coveted. + Yet the semblance of good-natured attention was perfect, and Pierre + marvelled at the force of will which this man must possess to appear so + calm, so interested in the affairs of others, when such a tempest was + raging in him. + </p> + <p> + “Your Eminence will, I hope, kindly forgive me,” continued the young + priest. + </p> + <p> + “But you have done right to come, since I am kept here by my failing + health,” said the Cardinal. “Besides, I am somewhat better, and it is only + natural that you should wish to give me some explanations and defend your + work and enlighten my judgment. In fact, I was astonished at not yet + having seen you, for I know that your faith in your cause is great and + that you spare no steps to convert your judges. So speak, my dear son, I + am listening and shall be pleased indeed if I can absolve you.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was caught by these kind words, and a hope returned to him, that of + winning the support of the all-powerful Prefect of the Index. He already + regarded this ex-nuncio—who at Brussels and Vienna had acquired the + worldly art of sending people away satisfied with indefinite promises + though he meant to grant them nothing—as a man of rare intelligence + and exquisite cordiality. And so once more he regained the fervour of his + apostolate to express his views respecting the future Rome, the Rome he + dreamt of, which was destined yet again to become the mistress of the + world if she would return to the Christianity of Jesus, to an ardent love + for the weak and the humble. + </p> + <p> + Sanguinetti smiled, wagged his head, and raised exclamations of rapture: + “Very good, very good indeed, perfect! Oh! I agree with you, dear son. One + cannot put things better. It is quite evident; all good minds must agree + with you.” And then, said he, the poetic side deeply touched him. Like Leo + XIII—and doubtless in a spirit of rivalry—he courted the + reputation of being a very distinguished Latinist, and professed a special + and boundless affection for Virgil. “I know, I know,” he exclaimed, “I + remember your page on the return of spring, which consoles the poor whom + winter has frozen. Oh! I read it three times over! And are you aware that + your writing is full of Latin turns of style. I noticed more than fifty + expressions which could be found in the ‘Bucolics.’ Your book is a charm, + a perfect charm!” + </p> + <p> + As he was no fool, and realised that the little priest before him was a + man of high intelligence, he ended by interesting himself, not in Pierre + personally, but in the profit which he might possibly derive from him. + Amidst his feverish intrigues, he unceasingly sought to utilise all the + qualities possessed by those whom God sent to him that might in any way be + conducive to his own triumph. So, for a moment, he turned away from Rome + and looked his companion in the face, listening to him and asking himself + in what way he might employ him—either at once in the crisis through + which he was passing, or later on when he should be pope. But the young + priest again made the mistake of attacking the temporal power, and of + employing that unfortunate expression, “a new religion.” Thereupon the + Cardinal stopped him with a gesture, still smiling, still retaining all + his amiability, although the resolution which he had long since formed + became from that moment definitive. “You are certainly in the right on + many points, my dear son,” he said, “and I often share your views—share + them completely. But come, you are doubtless not aware that I am the + protector of Lourdes here at Rome. And so, after the page which you have + written about the Grotto, how can I possibly pronounce in your favour and + against the Fathers?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was utterly overcome by this announcement, for he was indeed + unaware of the Cardinal’s position with respect to Lourdes, nobody having + taken the precaution to warn him. However, each of the Catholic + enterprises distributed throughout the world has a protector at Rome, a + cardinal who is designated by the Pope to represent it and, if need be, to + defend it. + </p> + <p> + “Those good Fathers!” Sanguinetti continued in a gentle voice, “you have + caused them great grief, and really our hands are tied, we cannot add to + their sorrow. If you only knew what a number of masses they send us! I + know more than one of our poor priests who would die of hunger if it were + not for them.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre could only bow beneath the blow. Once more he found himself in + presence of the pecuniary question, the necessity in which the Holy See is + placed to secure the revenue it requires one year with another. And thus + the Pope was ever in servitude, for if the loss of Rome had freed him of + the cares of state, his enforced gratitude for the alms he received still + riveted him to earth. So great, indeed, were the requirements, that money + was the ruler, the sovereign power, before which all bowed at the Court of + Rome. + </p> + <p> + And now Sanguinetti rose to dismiss his visitor. “You must not despair, + dear son,” he said effusively. “I have only my own vote, you know, and I + promise you that I will take into account the excellent explanations which + you have just given me. And who can tell? If God be with you, He will save + you even in spite of all!” This speech formed part of the Cardinal’s usual + tactics; for one of his principles was never to drive people to extremes + by sending them away hopeless. What good, indeed, would it do to tell this + one that the condemnation of his book was a foregone conclusion, and that + his only prudent course would be to disavow it? Only a savage like + Boccanera breathed anger upon fiery souls and plunged them into rebellion. + “You must hope, hope!” repeated Sanguinetti with a smile, as if implying a + multitude of fortunate things which he could not plainly express. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Pierre, who was deeply touched, felt born anew. He even forgot + the conversation he had surprised, the Cardinal’s keen ambition and covert + rage with his redoubtable rival. Besides, might not intelligence take the + place of heart among the powerful? If this man should some day become + pope, and had understood him, might he not prove the pope who was awaited, + the pope who would accept the task of reorganising the Church of the + United States of Europe, and making it the spiritual sovereign of the + world? So he thanked him with emotion, bowed, and left him to his dream, + standing before that widely open window whence Rome appeared to him, + glittering like a jewel, even indeed as the tiara of gold and gems, in the + splendour of the autumn sun. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly one o’clock when Pierre and Count Prada were at last able to + sit down to <i>dejeuner</i> in the little restaurant where they had agreed + to meet. They had both been delayed by their affairs. However, the Count, + having settled some worrying matters to his own advantage, was very + lively, whilst the priest on his side was again hopeful, and yielded to + the delightful charm of that last fine day. And so the meal proved a very + pleasant one in the large, bright room, which, as usual at that season of + the year, was quite deserted. Pink and blue predominated in the + decoration, but Cupids fluttered on the ceiling, and landscapes, vaguely + recalling the Roman castles, adorned the walls. The things they ate were + fresh, and they drank the wine of Frascati, to which the soil imparts a + kind of burnt flavour as if the old volcanoes of the region had left some + little of their fire behind. + </p> + <p> + For a long while the conversation ranged over those wild and graceful + Alban hills, which, fortunately for the pleasure of the eye, overlook the + flat Roman Campagna. Pierre, who had made the customary carriage excursion + from Frascati to Nemi, still felt its charm and spoke of it in glowing + language. First came the lovely road from Frascati to Albano, ascending + and descending hillsides planted with reeds, vines, and olive-trees, + amongst which one obtained frequent glimpses of the Campagna’s wavy + immensity. On the right-hand the village of Rocca di Papa arose in + amphitheatrical fashion, showing whitely on a knoll below Monte Cavo, + which was crowned by lofty and ancient trees. And from this point of the + road, on looking back towards Frascati, one saw high up, on the verge of a + pine wood the ruins of Tusculum, large ruddy ruins, baked by centuries of + sunshine, and whence the boundless panorama must have been superb. Next + one passed through Marino, with its sloping streets, its large cathedral, + and its black decaying palace belonging to the Colonnas. Then, beyond a + wood of ilex-trees, the lake of Albano was skirted with scenery which has + no parallel in the world. In front, beyond the clear mirror of motionless + water, were the ruins of Alba Longa; on the left rose Monte Cavo with + Rocca di Papa and Palazzuolo; whilst on the right Castel Gandolfo + overlooked the lake as from the summit of a cliff. Down below in the + extinct crater, as in the depths of a gigantic cup of verdure, the lake + slept heavy and lifeless: a sheet of molten metal, which the sun on one + side streaked with gold, whilst the other was black with shade. And the + road then ascended all the way to Castel Gandolfo, which was perched on + its rock, like a white bird betwixt the lake and the sea. Ever refreshed + by breezes, even in the most burning hours of summer, the little place was + once famous for its papal villa, where Pius IX loved to spend hours of + indolence, and whither Leo XIII has never come. And next the road dipped + down, and the ilex-trees appeared again, ilex-trees famous for their size, + a double row of monsters with twisted limbs, two and three hundred years + old. Then one at last reached Albano, a small town less modernised and + less cleansed than Frascati, a patch of the old land which has retained + some of its ancient wildness; and afterwards there was Ariccia with the + Palazzo Chigi, and hills covered with forests and viaducts spanning + ravines which overflowed with foliage; and there was yet Genzano, and yet + Nemi, growing still wilder and more remote, lost in the midst of rocks and + trees. + </p> + <p> + Ah! how ineffaceable was the recollection which Pierre had retained of + Nemi, Nemi on the shore of its lake, Nemi so delicious and fascinating + from afar, conjuring up all the ancient legends of fairy towns springing + from amidst the greenery of mysterious waters, but so repulsively filthy + when one at last reaches it, crumbling on all sides but yet dominated by + the Orsini tower, as by the evil genius of the middle ages, which there + seems to perpetuate the ferocious habits, the violent passions, the knife + thrusts of the past! Thence came that Santobono whose brother had killed, + and who himself, with his eyes of crime glittering like live embers, + seemed to be consumed by a murderous flame. And the lake, that lake round + like an extinguished moon fallen into the depths of a former crater, a + deeper and less open cup than that of the lake of Albano, a cup rimmed + with trees of wondrous vigour and density! Pines, elms, and willows + descend to the very margin, with a green mass of tangled branches which + weigh each other down. This formidable fecundity springs from the vapour + which constantly arises from the water under the parching action of the + sun, whose rays accumulate in this hollow till it becomes like a furnace. + There is a warm, heavy dampness, the paths of the adjacent gardens grow + green with moss, and in the morning dense mists often fill the large cup + with white vapour, as with the steaming milk of some sorceress of + malevolent craft. And Pierre well remembered how uncomfortable he had felt + before that lake where ancient atrocities, a mysterious religion with + abominable rites, seemed to slumber amidst the superb scenery. He had seen + it at the approach of evening, looking, in the shade of its forest girdle, + like a plate of dull metal, black and silver, motionless by reason of its + weight. And that water, clear and yet so deep, that water deserted, + without a bark upon its surface, that water august, lifeless, and + sepulchral, had left him a feeling of inexpressible sadness, of mortal + melancholy, the hopelessness of great solitary passion, earth and water + alike swollen by the mute spasms of germs, troublous in their fecundity. + Ah! those black and plunging banks, and that black mournful lake prone at + the bottom!* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Some literary interest attaches to M. Zola’s account of Nemi, + whose praises have been sung by a hundred poets. It will be + observed that he makes no mention of Egeria. The religion + distinguished by abominable practices to which he alludes, + may perhaps be the worship of the Egyptian Diana, who had a + famous temple near Nemi, which was excavated by Lord Savile + some ten years ago, when all the smaller objects discovered + were presented to the town of Nottingham. At this temple, + according to some classical writers, the chief priest was + required to murder his predecessor, and there were other + abominable usages.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Count Prada began to laugh when Pierre told him of these impressions. + “Yes, yes,” said he, “it’s true, Nemi isn’t always gay. In dull weather I + have seen the lake looking like lead, and even the full sunshine scarcely + animates it. For my part, I know I should die of <i>ennui</i> if I had to + live face to face with that bare water. But it is admired by poets and + romantic women, those who adore great tragedies of passion.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as he and Pierre rose from the table to go and take coffee on the + terrace of the restaurant, the conversation changed: “Do you mean to + attend Prince Buongiovanni’s reception this evening?” the Count inquired. + “It will be a curious sight, especially for a foreigner, and I advise you + not to miss it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have an invitation,” Pierre replied. “A friend of mine, Monsieur + Narcisse Habert, an <i>attache</i> at our embassy, procured it for me, and + I am going with him.” + </p> + <p> + That evening, indeed, there was to be a <i>fete</i> at the Palazzo + Buongiovanni on the Corso, one of the few galas that take place in Rome + each winter. People said that this one would surpass all others in + magnificence, for it was to be given in honour of the betrothal of little + Princess Celia. The Prince, her father, after boxing her ears, it was + rumoured, and narrowly escaping an attack of apoplexy as the result of a + frightful fit of anger, had, all at once, yielded to her quiet, gentle + stubbornness, and consented to her marriage with Lieutenant Attilio, the + son of Minister Sacco. And all the drawing-rooms of Rome, those of the + white world quite as much as those of the black, were thoroughly upset by + the tidings. + </p> + <p> + Count Prada made merry over the affair. “Ah! you’ll see a fine sight!” he + exclaimed. “Personally, I’m delighted with it all for the sake of my good + cousin Attilio, who is really a very nice and worthy fellow. And nothing + in the world would keep me from going to see my dear uncle Sacco make his + entry into the ancient <i>salons</i> of the Buongiovanni. It will be + something extraordinary and superb. He has at last become Minister of + Agriculture, you know. My father, who always takes things so seriously, + told me this morning that the affair so worried him he hadn’t closed his + eyes all night.” + </p> + <p> + The Count paused, but almost immediately added: “I say, it is half-past + two and you won’t have a train before five o’clock. Do you know what you + ought to do? Why, drive back to Rome with me in my carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” rejoined Pierre, “I’m deeply obliged to you but I’m to dine with + my friend Narcisse this evening, and I mustn’t be late.” + </p> + <p> + “But you won’t be late—on the contrary! We shall start at three and + reach Rome before five o’clock. There can’t be a more pleasant promenade + when the light falls; and, come, I promise you a splendid sunset.” + </p> + <p> + He was so pressing that the young priest had to accept, quite subjugated + by so much amiability and good humour. They spent another half-hour very + pleasantly in chatting about Rome, Italy, and France. Then, for a moment, + they went up into Frascati where the Count wished to say a few words to a + contractor, and just as three o’clock was striking they started off, + seated side by side on the soft cushions and gently rocked by the motion + of the victoria as the two horses broke into a light trot. As Prada had + predicted, that return to Rome across the bare Campagna under the vast + limpid heavens at the close of such a mild autumn day proved most + delightful. First of all, however, the victoria had to descend the slopes + of Frascati between vineyards and olive-trees. The paved road snaked, and + was but little frequented; they merely saw a few peasants in old felt + hats, a white mule, and a cart drawn by a donkey, for it is only upon + Sundays that the <i>osterie</i> or wine-shops are filled and that artisans + in easy circumstances come to eat a dish of kid at the surrounding <i>bastides</i>. + However, at one turn of the road they passed a monumental fountain. Then a + flock of sheep momentarily barred the way before defiling past. And beyond + the gentle undulations of the ruddy Campagna Rome appeared amidst the + violet vapours of evening, sinking by degrees as the carriage itself + descended to a lower and lower level. There came a moment when the city + was a mere thin grey streak, speckled whitely here and there by a few + sunlit house-fronts. And then it seemed to plunge below the ground—to + be submerged by the swell of the far-spreading fields. + </p> + <p> + The victoria was now rolling over the plain, leaving the Alban hills + behind, whilst before it and on either hand came the expanse of meadows + and stubbles. And then it was that the Count, after leaning forward, + exclaimed: “Just look ahead, yonder, there’s our man of this morning, + Santobono in person—what a strapping fellow he is, and how fast he + walks! My horses can scarcely overtake him.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre in his turn leant forward and likewise perceived the priest of St. + Mary in the Fields, looking tall and knotty, fashioned as it were with a + bill-hook. Robed in a long black cassock, he showed like a vigorous + splotch of ink amidst the bright sunshine streaming around him; and he was + walking on at such a fast, stern, regular pace that he suggested Destiny + on the march. Something, which could not be well distinguished, was + hanging from his right arm. + </p> + <p> + When the carriage had at last overtaken him Prada told the coachman to + slacken speed, and then entered into conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Good-day, Abbe; you are well, I hope?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Signor Conte, I thank you.” + </p> + <p> + “And where are you going so bravely?” + </p> + <p> + “Signor Conte, I am going to Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “What! to Rome, at this late hour?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I shall be there nearly as soon as yourself. The distance doesn’t + frighten me, and money’s quickly earned by walking.” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely turning his head to reply, stepping out beside the wheels, + Santobono did not miss a stride. And Prada, diverted by the meeting, + whispered to Pierre: “Wait a bit, he’ll amuse us.” Then he added aloud: + “Since you are going to Rome, Abbe, you had better get in here; there’s + room for you.” + </p> + <p> + Santobono required no pressing, but at once accepted the offer. + “Willingly; a thousand thanks,” he said. “It’s still better to save one’s + shoe leather.” + </p> + <p> + Then he got in and installed himself on the bracket-seat, declining with + abrupt humility the place which Pierre politely offered him beside the + Count. The young priest and the latter now saw that the object he was + carrying was a little basket of fresh figs, nicely arranged and covered + with leaves. + </p> + <p> + The horses set off again at a faster trot, and the carriage rolled on and + on over the superb, flat plain. “So you are going to Rome?” the Count + resumed in order to make Santobono talk. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” the other replied, “I am taking his Eminence Cardinal Boccanera + these few figs, the last of the season: a little present which I had + promised him.” He had placed the basket on his knees and was holding it + between his big knotty hands as if it were something rare and fragile. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! some of the famous figs of your garden,” said Prada. “It’s quite + true, they are like honey. But why don’t you rid yourself of them. You + surely don’t mean to keep them on your knees all the way to Rome. Give + them to me, I’ll put them in the hood.” + </p> + <p> + However, Santobono became quite agitated, and vigorously declined the + offer. “No, no, a thousand thanks! They don’t embarrass me in the least; + they are very well here; and in this way I shall be sure that no accident + will befall them.” + </p> + <p> + His passion for the fruit he grew quite amused Prada, who nudged Pierre, + and then inquired: “Is the Cardinal fond of your figs?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! his Eminence condescends to adore them. In former years, when he + spent the summer at the villa, he would never touch the figs from other + trees. And so, you see, knowing his tastes, it costs me very little to + gratify him.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst making this reply Santobono had shot such a keen glance in the + direction of Pierre that the Count felt it necessary to introduce them to + one another. This he did saying: “As it happens, Monsieur l’Abbe Froment + is stopping at the Palazzo Boccanera; he has been there for three months + or so.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I’m aware of it,” Santobono quietly replied; “I found Monsieur + l’Abbe with his Eminence one day when I took some figs to the Palazzo. + Those were less ripe, but these are perfect.” So speaking he gave the + little basket a complacent glance, and seemed to press it yet more closely + between his huge and hairy fingers. + </p> + <p> + Then came a spell of silence, whilst on either hand the Campagna spread + out as far as the eye could reach. All houses had long since disappeared; + there was not a wall, not a tree, nothing but the undulating expanse whose + sparse, short herbage was, with the approach of winter, beginning to turn + green once more. A tower, a half-fallen ruin which came into sight on the + left, rising in solitude into the limpid sky above the flat, boundless + line of the horizon, suddenly assumed extraordinary importance. Then, on + the right, the distant silhouettes of cattle and horses were seen in a + large enclosure with wooden rails. Urged on by the goad, oxen, still yoked, + were slowly coming back from ploughing; whilst a farmer, cantering beside + the ploughed land on a little sorrel nag, gave a final look round for the + night. Now and again the road became peopled. A <i>biroccino</i>, an + extremely light vehicle with two huge wheels and a small seat perched upon + the springs, whisked by like a gust of wind. From time to time also the + victoria passed a <i>carrotino</i>, one of the low carts in which + peasants, sheltered by a kind of bright-hued tent, bring the wine, + vegetables, and fruit of the castle-lands to Rome. The shrill tinkling of + horses’ bells was heard afar off as the animals followed the well-known + road of their own accord, their peasant drivers usually being sound + asleep. Women with bare, black hair, scarlet neckerchiefs, and skirts + caught up, were seen going home in groups of three and four. And then the + road again emptied, and the solitude became more and more complete, + without a wayfarer or an animal appearing for miles and miles, whilst + yonder, at the far end of the lifeless sea, so grandiose and mournful in + its monotony, the sun continued to descend from the infinite vault of + heaven. + </p> + <p> + “And the Pope, Abbe, is he dead?” Prada suddenly inquired. + </p> + <p> + Santobono did not even start. “I trust,” he replied in all simplicity, + “that his Holiness still has many long years to live for the triumph of + the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “So you had good news this morning when you called on your bishop, + Cardinal Sanguinetti?” + </p> + <p> + This time the priest was unable to restrain a slight start. Had he been + seen, then? In his haste he had failed to notice the two men following the + road behind him. However, he at once regained self-possession, and + replied: “Oh! one can never tell exactly whether news is good or bad. It + seems that his Holiness passed a somewhat painful night, but I devoutly + hope that the next will be a better one.” Then he seemed to meditate for a + moment, and added: “Moreover, if God should have deemed it time to call + his Holiness to Himself, He would not leave His flock without a shepherd. + He would have already chosen and designated the Sovereign Pontiff of + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + This superb answer increased Prada’s gaiety. “You are really + extraordinary, Abbe,” he said. “So you think that popes are solely created + by the grace of the Divinity! The pope of to-morrow is chosen up in + heaven, eh, and simply waits? Well, I fancied that men had something to do + with the matter. But perhaps you already know which cardinal it is that + the divine favour has thus elected in advance?” + </p> + <p> + Then, like the unbeliever he was, he went on with his facile jests, which + left the priest unruffled. In fact, the latter also ended by laughing when + the Count, after alluding to the gambling passion which at each fresh + Conclave sets wellnigh the whole population of Rome betting for or against + this or that candidate, told him that he might easily make his fortune if + he were in the divine secret. Next the talk turned on the three white + cassocks of different sizes which are always kept in readiness in a + cupboard at the Vatican. Which of them would be required on this occasion?—the + short one, the long one, or the one of medium size? Each time that the + reigning pope falls somewhat seriously ill there is in this wise an + extraordinary outburst of emotion, a keen awakening of all ambitions and + intrigues, to such a point that not merely in the black world, but + throughout the city, people have no other subject of curiosity, + conversation, and occupation than that of discussing the relative claims + of the cardinals and predicting which of them will be elected. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come,” Prada resumed, “since you know the truth, I’m determined + that you shall tell me. Will it be Cardinal Moretta?” + </p> + <p> + Santobono, in spite of his evident desire to remain dignified and + disinterested, like a good, pious priest, was gradually growing + impassioned, yielding to the hidden fire which consumed him. And this + interrogatory finished him off; he could no longer restrain himself, but + replied: “Moretta! What an idea! Why, he is sold to all Europe!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, will it be Cardinal Bartolini?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! you can’t think that. Bartolini has used himself up in striving for + everything and getting nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Will it be Cardinal Dozio, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Dozio, Dozio! Why, if Dozio were to win one might altogether despair of + our Holy Church, for no man can have a baser mind than he!” + </p> + <p> + Prada raised his hands, as if he had exhausted the serious candidates. In + order to increase the priest’s exasperation he maliciously refrained from + naming Cardinal Sanguinetti, who was certainly Santobono’s nominee. All at + once, however, he pretended to make a good guess, and gaily exclaimed: + “Ah! I have it; I know your man—Cardinal Boccanera!” + </p> + <p> + The blow struck Santobono full in the heart, wounding him both in his + rancour and his patriotic faith. His terrible mouth was already opening, + and he was about to shout “No! no!” with all his strength, but he managed + to restrain the cry, compelled as he was to silence by the present on his + knees—that little basket of figs which he pressed so convulsively + with both hands; and the effort which he was obliged to make left him + quivering to such a point that he had to wait some time before he could + reply in a calm voice: “His most reverend Eminence Cardinal Boccanera is a + saintly man, well worthy of the throne, and my only fear is that, with his + hatred of new Italy, he might bring us warfare.” + </p> + <p> + Prada, however, desired to enlarge the wound. “At all events,” said he, + “you accept him and love him too much not to rejoice over his chances of + success. And I really think that we have arrived at the truth, for + everybody is convinced that the Conclave’s choice cannot fall elsewhere. + Come, come; Boccanera is a very tall man, so it’s the long white cassock + which will be required.” + </p> + <p> + “The long cassock, the long cassock,” growled Santobono, despite himself; + “that’s all very well, but—” + </p> + <p> + Then he stopped short, and, again overcoming his passion, left his + sentence unfinished. Pierre, listening in silence, marvelled at the man’s + self-restraint, for he remembered the conversation which he had overheard + at Cardinal Sanguinetti’s. Those figs were evidently a mere pretext for + gaining admission to the Boccanera mansion, where some friend—Abbe + Paparelli, no doubt—could alone supply certain positive information + which was needed. But how great was the command which the hot-blooded + priest exercised over himself amidst the riotous impulses of his soul! + </p> + <p> + On either side of the road the Campagna still and ever spread its expanse + of verdure, and Prada, who had become grave and dreamy, gazed before him + without seeing anything. At last, however, he gave expression to his + thoughts. “You know, Abbe, what will be said if the Pope should die this + time. That sudden illness, those colics, those refusals to make any + information public, mean nothing good—Yes, yes, poison, just as for + the others!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre gave a start of stupefaction. The Pope poisoned! “What! Poison? + Again?” he exclaimed as he gazed at his companions with dilated eyes. + Poison at the end of the nineteenth century, as in the days of the + Borgias, as on the stage in a romanticist melodrama! To him the idea + appeared both monstrous and ridiculous. + </p> + <p> + Santobono, whose features had become motionless and impenetrable, made no + reply. But Prada nodded, and the conversation was henceforth confined to + him and the young priest. “Why, yes, poison,” he replied. “The fear of it + has remained very great in Rome. Whenever a death seems inexplicable, + either by reason of its suddenness or the tragic circumstances which + attend it, the unanimous thought is poison. And remark this: in no city, I + believe, are sudden deaths so frequent. The causes I don’t exactly know, + but some doctors put everything down to the fevers. Among the people, + however, the one thought is poison, poison with all its legends, poison + which kills like lightning and leaves no trace, the famous recipe + bequeathed from age to age, through the emperors and the popes, down to + these present times of middle-class democracy.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he ended by smiling, for he was inclined to be somewhat + sceptical on the point, despite the covert terror with which he was + inspired by racial and educational causes. However, he quoted instances. + The Roman matrons had rid themselves of their husbands and lovers by + employing the venom of red toads. Locusta, in a more practical spirit, + sought poison in plants, one of which, probably aconite, she was wont to + boil. Then, long afterwards, came the age of the Borgias, and + subsequently, at Naples, La Toffana sold a famous water, doubtless some + preparation of arsenic, in phials decorated with a representation of St. + Nicholas of Bari. There were also extraordinary stories of pins, a prick + from which killed one like lightning, of cups of wine poisoned by the + infusion of rose petals, of woodcocks cut in half with prepared knives, + which poisoned but one-half of the bird, so that he who partook of that + half was killed. “I myself, in my younger days,” continued Prada, “had a + friend whose bride fell dead in church during the marriage service through + simply inhaling a bouquet of flowers. And so isn’t it possible that the + famous recipe may really have been handed down, and have remained known to + a few adepts?” + </p> + <p> + “But chemistry has made too much progress,” Pierre replied. “If mysterious + poisons were believed in by the ancients and remained undetected in their + time it was because there were no means of analysis. But the drug of the + Borgias would now lead the simpleton who might employ it straight to the + Assizes. Such stories are mere nonsense, and at the present day people + scarcely tolerate them in newspaper serials and shockers.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps so,” resumed the Count with his uneasy smile. “You are right, no + doubt—only go and tell that to your host, for instance, Cardinal + Boccanera, who last summer held in his arms an old and deeply-loved + friend, Monsignor Gallo, who died after a seizure of a couple of hours.” + </p> + <p> + “But apoplexy may kill one in two hours, and aneurism only takes two + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “True, but ask the Cardinal what he thought of his friend’s prolonged + shudders, the leaden hue which overcame his face, the sinking of his eyes, + and the expression of terror which made him quite unrecognisable. The + Cardinal is convinced that Monsignor Gallo was poisoned, because he was + his dearest confidant, the counsellor to whom he always listened, and + whose wise advice was a guarantee of success.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s bewilderment was increasing, and, irritated by the impassibility + of Santobono, he addressed him direct. “It’s idiotic, it’s awful! Does + your reverence also believe in these frightful stories?” + </p> + <p> + But the priest of Frascati gave no sign. His thick, passionate lips + remained closed while his black glowing eyes never ceased to gaze at + Prada. The latter, moreover, was quoting other instances. There was the + case of Monsignor Nazzarelli, who had been found in bed, shrunken and + calcined like carbon. And there was that of Monsignor Brando, struck down + in his sacerdotal vestments at St. Peter’s itself, in the very sacristy, + during vespers! + </p> + <p> + “Ah! <i>Mon Dieu</i>!” sighed Pierre, “you will tell me so much that I + myself shall end by trembling, and sha’n’t dare to eat anything but boiled + eggs as long as I stay in this terrible Rome of yours.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment this whimsical reply enlivened both the Count and Pierre. But + it was quite true that their conversation showed Rome under a terrible + aspect, for it conjured up the Eternal City of Crime, the city of poison + and the knife, where for more than two thousand years, ever since the + raising of the first bit of wall, the lust of power, the frantic hunger + for possession and enjoyment, had armed men’s hands, ensanguined the + pavements, and cast victims into the river and the ground. Assassinations + and poisonings under the emperors, poisonings and assassinations under the + popes, ever did the same torrent of abominations strew that tragic soil + with death amidst the sovereign glory of the sun. + </p> + <p> + “All the same,” said the Count, “those who take precautions are perhaps + not ill advised. It is said that more than one cardinal shudders and + mistrusts people. One whom I know will never eat anything that has not + been bought and prepared by his own cook. And as for the Pope, if he is + anxious—” + </p> + <p> + Pierre again raised a cry of stupefaction. “What, the Pope himself! The + Pope afraid of being poisoned!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear Abbe, people commonly assert it. There are certainly days + when he considers himself more menaced than anybody else. And are you not + aware of the old Roman view that a pope ought never to live till too great + an age, and that when he is so obstinate as not to die at the right time + he ought to be assisted? As soon as a pope begins to fall into second + childhood, and by reason of his senility becomes a source of + embarrassment, and possibly even danger, to the Church, his right place is + heaven. Moreover, matters are managed in a discreet manner; a slight cold + becomes a decent pretext to prevent him from tarrying any longer on the + throne of St. Peter.” + </p> + <p> + Prada then gave some curious details. One prelate, it was said, wishing to + dispel his Holiness’s fears, had devised an elaborate precautionary system + which, among other things, was to comprise a little padlocked vehicle, in + which the food destined for the frugal pontifical table was to be securely + placed before leaving the kitchen, so that it might not be tampered with + on its way to the Pope’s apartments. However, this project had not yet + been carried into effect. + </p> + <p> + “After all,” the Count concluded with a laugh, “every pope has to die some + day, especially when his death is needful for the welfare of the Church. + Isn’t that so, Abbe?” + </p> + <p> + Santobono, whom he addressed, had a moment previously lowered his eyes as + if to contemplate the little basket of figs which he held on his lap with + as much care as if it had been the Blessed Sacrament. On being questioned + in such a direct, sharp fashion he could not do otherwise than look up. + However, he did not depart from his prolonged silence, but limited his + answer to a slow nod. + </p> + <p> + “And it is God alone, and not poison, who causes one to die. Is that not + so, Abbe?” repeated Prada. “It is said that those were the last words of + poor Monsignor Gallo before he expired in the arms of his friend Cardinal + Boccanera.” + </p> + <p> + For the second time Santobono nodded without speaking. And then silence + fell, all three sinking into a dreamy mood. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, without a pause, the carriage rolled on across the immensity of + the Campagna. The road, straight as an arrow, seemed to extend into the + infinite. As the sun descended towards the horizon the play of light and + shade became more marked on the broad undulations of the ground which + stretched away, alternately of a pinky green and a violet grey, till they + reached the distant fringe of the sky. At the roadside on either hand + there were still and ever tall withered thistles and giant fennel with + yellow umbels. Then, after a time, came a team of four oxen, that had been + kept ploughing until late, and stood forth black and huge in the pale + atmosphere and mournful solitude. Farther on some flocks of sheep, whence + the breeze wafted a tallowy odour, set patches of brown amidst the + herbage, which once more was becoming verdant; whilst at intervals a dog + was heard to bark, his voice the only distinct sound amidst the low + quivering of that silent desert where the sovereign peacefulness of death + seemed to reign. But all at once a light melody arose and some larks flew + up, one of them soaring into the limpid golden heavens. And ahead, at the + far extremity of the pure sky, Rome, with her towers and domes, grew + larger and larger, like a city of white marble springing from a mirage + amidst the greenery of some enchanted garden. + </p> + <p> + “Matteo!” Prada called to his coachman, “pull up at the Osteria Romana.” + And to his companions he added: “Pray excuse me, but I want to see if I + can get some new-laid eggs for my father. He is so fond of them.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes afterwards the carriage stopped. At the very edge of the + road stood a primitive sort of inn, bearing the proud and sonorous name of + “Antica Osteria Romana.” It had now become a mere house of call for + carters and chance sportsmen, who ventured to drink a flagon of white wine + whilst eating an omelet and a slice of ham. Occasionally, on Sundays, some + of the humble classes would walk over from Rome and make merry there; but + the week days often went by without a soul entering the place, such was + its isolation amidst the bare Campagna. + </p> + <p> + The Count was already springing from the carriage. “I shall only be a + minute,” said he as he turned away. + </p> + <p> + The <i>osteria</i> was a long, low pile with a ground floor and one upper + storey, the last being reached by an outdoor stairway built of large + blocks of stone which had been scorched by the hot suns. The entire place, + indeed, was corroded, tinged with the hue of old gold. On the ground floor + one found a common room, a cart-house, and a stable with adjoining sheds. + At one side, near a cluster of parasol pines—the only trees that + could grow in that ungrateful soil—there was an arbour of reeds + where five or six rough wooden tables were set out. And, as a background + to this sorry, mournful nook of life, there arose a fragment of an ancient + aqueduct whose arches, half fallen and opening on to space, alone + interrupted the flat line of the horizon. + </p> + <p> + All at once, however, the Count retraced his steps, and, addressing + Santobono, exclaimed: “I say, Abbe, you’ll surely accept a glass of white + wine. I know that you are a bit of a vine grower, and they have a little + white wine here which you ought to make acquaintance with.” + </p> + <p> + Santobono again required no pressing, but quietly alighted. “Oh! I know + it,” said he; “it’s a wine from Marino; it’s grown in a lighter soil than + ours at Frascati.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as he would not relax his hold on his basket of figs, but even now + carried it along with him, the Count lost patience. “Come, you don’t want + that basket,” said he; “leave it in the carriage.” + </p> + <p> + The priest gave no reply, but walked ahead, whilst Pierre also made up his + mind to descend from the carriage in order to see what a suburban <i>osteria</i> + was like. Prada was known at this place, and an old woman, tall, withered, + but looking quite queenly in her wretched garments, had at once presented + herself. On the last occasion when the Count had called she had managed to + find half a dozen eggs. This time she said she would go to see, but could + promise nothing, for the hens laid here and there all over the place, and + she could never tell what eggs there might be. + </p> + <p> + “All right!” Prada answered, “go and look; and meantime we will have a <i>caraffa</i> + of white wine.” + </p> + <p> + The three men entered the common room, which was already quite dark. + Although the hot weather was now over, one heard the buzzing of + innumerable flies immediately one reached the threshold, and a pungent + odour of acidulous wine and rancid oil caught one at the throat. As soon + as their eyes became accustomed to the dimness they were able to + distinguish the spacious, blackened, malodorous chamber, whose only + furniture consisted of some roughly made tables and benches. It seemed to + be quite empty, so complete was the silence, apart from the buzz of the + flies. However, two men were seated there, two wayfarers who remained mute + and motionless before their untouched, brimming glasses. Moreover, on a + low chair near the door, in the little light which penetrated from + without, a thin, sallow girl, the daughter of the house, sat idle, + trembling with fever, her hands close pressed between her knees. + </p> + <p> + Realising that Pierre felt uncomfortable there, the Count proposed that + they should drink their wine outside. “We shall be better out of doors,” + said he, “it’s so very in mild this evening.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, whilst the mother looked for the eggs, and the father mended + a wheel in an adjacent shed, the daughter was obliged to get up shivering + to carry the flagon of wine and the three glasses to the arbour, where she + placed them on one of the tables. And, having pocketed the price of the + wine—threepence—in silence, she went back to her seat with a + sullen look, as if annoyed at having been compelled to make such a long + journey. Meanwhile the three men had sat down, and Prada gaily filled each + of the glasses, although Pierre declared that he was quite unable to drink + wine between his meals. “Pooh, pooh,” said the Count, “you can always + clink glasses with us. And now, Abbe, isn’t this little wine droll? Come, + here’s to the Pope’s better health, since he’s unwell!” + </p> + <p> + Santobono at one gulp emptied his glass and clacked his tongue. With + gentle, paternal care he had deposited his basket on the ground beside + him: and, taking off his hat, he drew a long breath. The evening was + really delightful. A superb sky of a soft golden hue stretched over that + endless sea of the Campagna which was soon to fall asleep with sovereign + quiescence. And the light breeze which went by amidst the deep silence + brought with it an exquisite odour of wild herbs and flowers. + </p> + <p> + “How pleasant it is!” muttered Pierre, affected by the surrounding charm. + “And what a desert for eternal rest, forgetfulness of all the world!” + </p> + <p> + Prada, who had emptied the flagon by filling Santobono’s glass a second + time, made no reply; he was silently amusing himself with an occurrence + which at first he was the only one to observe. However, with a merry + expression of complicity, he gave the young priest a wink, and then they + both watched the dramatic incidents of the affair. Some scraggy fowls were + wandering round them searching the yellow turf for grasshoppers; and one + of these birds, a little shiny black hen with an impudent manner, had + caught sight of the basket of figs and was boldly approaching it. When she + got near, however, she took fright, and retreated somewhat, with neck + stiffened and head turned, so as to cast suspicious glances at the basket + with her round sparkling eye. But at last covetousness gained the victory, + for she could see one of the figs between the leaves, and so she slowly + advanced, lifting her feet very high at each step; and, all at once, + stretching out her neck, she gave the fig a formidable peck, which ripped + it open and made the juice exude. + </p> + <p> + Prada, who felt as happy as a child, was then able to give vent to the + laughter which he had scarcely been able to restrain: “Look out, Abbe,” he + called, “mind your figs!” + </p> + <p> + At that very moment Santobono was finishing his second glass of wine with + his head thrown back and his eyes blissfully raised to heaven. He gave a + start, looked round, and on seeing the hen at once understood the + position. And then came a terrible outburst of anger, with sweeping + gestures and terrible invectives. But the hen, who was again pecking, + would not be denied; she dug her beak into the fig and carried it off, + flapping her wings, so quick and so comical that Prada, and Pierre as + well, laughed till tears came into their eyes, their merriment increasing + at sight of the impotent fury of Santobono, who, for a moment, pursued the + thief, threatening her with his fist. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the Count, “that’s what comes of not leaving the basket in the + carriage. If I hadn’t warned you the hen would have eaten all the figs.” + </p> + <p> + The priest did not reply, but, growling out vague imprecations, placed the + basket on the table, where he raised the leaves and artistically + rearranged the fruit so as to fill up the void. Then, the harm having been + repaired as far as was possible, he at last calmed down. + </p> + <p> + It was now time for them to resume their journey, for the sun was sinking + towards the horizon, and night would soon fall. Thus the Count ended by + getting impatient. “Well, and those eggs?” he called. + </p> + <p> + Then, as the woman did not return, he went to seek her. He entered the + stable, and afterwards the cart-house, but she was neither here nor there. + Next he went towards the rear of the <i>osteria</i> in order to look in + the sheds. But all at once an unexpected spectacle made him stop short. + The little black hen was lying on the ground, dead, killed as by + lightning. She showed no sign of hurt; there was nothing but a little + streamlet of violet blood still trickling from her beak. Prada was at + first merely astonished. He stooped and touched the hen. She was still + warm and soft like a rag. Doubtless some apoplectic stroke had killed her. + But immediately afterwards he became fearfully pale; the truth appeared to + him, and turned him as cold as ice. In a moment he conjured up everything: + Leo XIII attacked by illness, Santobono hurrying to Cardinal Sanguinetti + for tidings, and then starting for Rome to present a basket of figs to + Cardinal Boccanera. And Prada also remembered the conversation in the + carriage: the possibility of the Pope’s demise, the candidates for the + tiara, the legendary stories of poison which still fostered terror in and + around the Vatican; and he once more saw the priest, with his little + basket on his knees, lavishing paternal attention on it, and he saw the + little black hen pecking at the fruit and fleeing with a fig on her beak. + And now that little black hen lay there, suddenly struck down, dead! + </p> + <p> + His conviction was immediate and absolute. But he did not have time to + decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: “Why, + it’s the little hen; what’s the matter with her?” + </p> + <p> + The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the + carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in + order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol + pines. + </p> + <p> + Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with + a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by + a sort of instinct. “But she’s dead,” he said.... “Just fancy, there was a + fight. At the moment when I got here that other hen, which you see yonder, + sprang upon this one to get the fig, which she was still holding, and with + a thrust of the beak split her head open.... The blood’s flowing, as you + can see yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Why did he say these things? He himself was astonished at them whilst he + went on inventing them. Was it then that he wished to remain master of the + situation, keep the abominable secret entirely to himself, in order that + he might afterwards act in accordance with his own desires? Certainly his + feelings partook of shame and embarrassment in presence of that foreigner, + whilst his personal inclination for violence set some admiration amidst + the revolt of his conscience, and a covert desire arose within him to + examine the matter from the standpoint of his interests before he came to + a decision. But, on the other hand, he claimed to be a man of integrity, + and would assuredly not allow people to be poisoned. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, who was compassionately inclined towards all creation, looked at + the hen with the emotion which he always felt at the sudden severance of + life. However, he at once accepted Prada’s story. “Ah! those fowls!” said + he. “They treat one another with an idiotic ferocity which even men can + scarcely equal. I kept fowls at home at one time, and one of the hens no + sooner hurt her leg than all the others, on seeing the blood oozing, would + flock round and peck at the limb till they stripped it to the bone.” + </p> + <p> + Prada, however, did not listen, but at once went off; and it so happened + that the woman was, on her side, looking for him in order to hand him four + eggs which, after a deal of searching, she had discovered in odd corners + about the house. The Count made haste to pay for them, and called to + Pierre, who was lingering behind: “We must look sharp! We sha’n’t reach + Rome now until it is quite dark.” + </p> + <p> + They found Santobono quietly waiting in the carriage, where he had again + installed himself on the bracket with his spine resting against the + box-seat and his long legs drawn back under him, and he again had the + little basket of figs on his knees, and clasped it with his big knotty + hands as though it were something fragile and rare which the slightest + jolting might damage. His cassock showed like a huge blot, and in his + coarse ashen face, that of a peasant yet near to the wild soil and but + slightly polished by a few years of theological studies, his eyes alone + seemed to live, glowing with the dark flame of a devouring passion. On + seeing him seated there in such composure Prada could not restrain a + slight shudder. Then, as soon as the victoria was again rolling along the + road, he exclaimed: “Well, Abbe, that glass of wine will guarantee us + against the malaria. The Pope would soon be cured if he could imitate our + example.” + </p> + <p> + Santobono’s only reply was a growl. He was in no mood for conversation, + but wrapped himself in perfect silence, as in the night which was slowly + falling. And Prada in his turn ceased to speak, and, with his eyes still + fixed upon the other, reflected on the course that he should follow. + </p> + <p> + The road turned, and then the carriage rolled on and on over another + interminable straight highway with white paving, whose brilliancy made the + road look like a ribbon of snow stretching across the Campagna, where + delicate shadows were slowly falling. Gloom gathered in the hollows of the + broad undulations whence a tide of violet hue seemed to spread over the + short herbage until all mingled and the expanse became an indistinct swell + of neutral hue from one to the other horizon. And the solitude was now yet + more complete; a last indolent cart had gone by and a last tinkling of + horses’ bells had subsided in the distance. There was no longer a + passer-by, no longer a beast of the fields to be seen, colour and sound + died away, all forms of life sank into slumber, into the serene stillness + of nihility. Some fragments of an aqueduct were still to be seen at + intervals on the right hand, where they looked like portions of gigantic + millepeds severed by the scythe of time; next, on the left, came another + tower, whose dark and ruined pile barred the sky as with a huge black + stake; and then the remains of another aqueduct spanned the road, assuming + yet greater dimensions against the sunset glow. Ah! that unique hour, the + hour of twilight in the Campagna, when all is blotted out and simplified, + the hour of bare immensity, of the infinite in its simplest expression! + There is nothing, nothing all around you, but the flat line of the horizon + with the one splotch of an isolated tower, and yet that nothing is + instinct with sovereign majesty. + </p> + <p> + However, on the left, towards the sea, the sun was setting, descending in + the limpid sky like a globe of fire of blinding redness. It slowly plunged + beneath the horizon, and the only sign of cloud was some fiery vapour, as + if indeed the distant sea had seethed at contact with that royal and + flaming visit. And directly the sun had disappeared the heavens above it + purpled and became a lake of blood, whilst the Campagna turned to grey. At + the far end of the fading plain there remained only that purple lake whose + brasier slowly died out behind the black arches of the aqueduct, while in + the opposite direction the scattered arches remained bright and rosy + against a pewter-like sky. Then the fiery vapour was dissipated, and the + sunset ended by fading away. One by one the stars came out in the pacified + vault, now of an ashen blue, while the lights of Rome, still far away on + the verge of the horizon, scintillated like the lamps of light-houses. + </p> + <p> + And Prada, amidst the dreamy silence of his companions and the infinite + melancholy of the evening and the inexpressible distress which even he + experienced, continued to ask himself what course he should adopt. Again + and again he mentally repeated that he could not allow people to be + poisoned. The figs were certainly intended for Cardinal Boccanera, and on + the whole it mattered little to him whether there were a cardinal the more + or the fewer in the world. Moreover, it had always seemed to him best to + let Destiny follow its course; and, infidel that he was, he saw no harm in + one priest devouring another. Again, it might be dangerous for him to + intervene in that abominable affair, to mix himself up in the base, + fathomless intrigues of the black world. But on the other hand the + Cardinal was not the only person who lived in the Boccanera mansion, and + might not the figs go to others, might they not be eaten by people to whom + no harm was intended? This idea of a treacherous chance haunted him, and + in spite of every effort the figures of Benedetta and Dario rose up before + him, returned and imposed themselves on him though he again and again + sought to banish them from his mind. What if Benedetta, what if Dario + should partake of that fruit? For Benedetta he felt no fear, for he knew + that she and her aunt ate their meals by themselves, and that their + cuisine and the Cardinal’s had nothing in common. But Dario sat at his + uncle’s table every day, and for a moment Prada, pictured the young Prince + suddenly seized with a spasm, then falling, like poor Monsignor Gallo, + into the Cardinal’s arms with livid face and receding eyes, and dying + within two hours. + </p> + <p> + But no, no! That would be frightful, he could not suffer such an + abomination. And thereupon he made up his mind. He would wait till the + night had completely gathered round and would then simply take the basket + from Santobono’s lap and fling it into some dark hollow without saying a + word. The priest would understand him. The other one, the young Frenchman, + would perhaps not even notice the incident. Besides, that mattered little, + for he would not even attempt to explain his action. And he felt quite + calm again when the idea occurred to him to throw the basket away while + the carriage passed through the Porta Furba, a couple of miles or so + before reaching Rome. That would suit him exactly; in the darkness of the + gateway nothing whatever would be seen. + </p> + <p> + “We stopped too long at that <i>osteria</i>,” he suddenly exclaimed aloud, + turning towards Pierre. “We sha’n’t reach Rome much before six o’clock. + Still you will have time to dress and join your friend.” And then without + awaiting the young man’s reply he said to Santobono: “Your figs will + arrive very late, Abbe.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” answered the priest, “his Eminence receives until eight o’clock. + And, besides, the figs are not for this evening. People don’t eat figs in + the evening. They will be for to-morrow morning.” And thereupon he again + relapsed into silence. + </p> + <p> + “For to-morrow morning—yes, yes, no doubt,” repeated Prada. “And the + Cardinal will be able to thoroughly regale himself if nobody helps him to + eat the fruit.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Pierre, without pausing to reflect, exclaimed: “He will no doubt + eat it by himself, for his nephew, Prince Dario, must have started to-day + for Naples on a little convalescence trip to rid himself of the effects of + the accident which laid him up during the last month.” Then, having got so + far, the young priest remembered to whom he was speaking, and abruptly + stopped short. + </p> + <p> + The Count noticed his embarrassment. “Oh! speak on, my dear Monsieur + Froment,” said he, “you don’t offend me. It’s an old affair now. So that + young man has left, you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, unless he has postponed his departure. However, I don’t expect to + find him at the palazzo when I get there.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment the only sound was that of the continuous rumble of the + wheels. Prada again felt worried, a prey to the discomfort of uncertainty. + Why should he mix himself up in the affair if Dario were really absent? + All the ideas which came to him tired his brain, and he ended by thinking + aloud: “If he has gone away it must be for propriety’s sake, so as to + avoid attending the Buongiovanni reception, for the Congregation of the + Council met this morning to give its decision in the suit which the + Countess has brought against me. Yes, I shall know by and by whether our + marriage is to be dissolved.” + </p> + <p> + It was in a somewhat hoarse voice that he spoke these words, and one could + realise that the old wound was again bleeding within him. Although Lisbeth + had borne him a son, the charge levelled against him in his wife’s + petition for divorce still filled him with blind fury each time that he + thought of it. And all at once he shuddered violently, as if an icy blast + had darted through his frame. Then, turning the conversation, he added: + “It’s not at all warm this evening. This is the dangerous hour of the + Roman climate, the twilight hour when it’s easy to catch a terrible fever + if one isn’t prudent. Here, pull the rug over your legs, wrap it round you + as carefully as you can.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as they drew near the Porta Furba, silence again fell, more + profound, like the slumber which was invincibly spreading over the + Campagna, now steeped in night. And at last, in the bright starlight, + appeared the gate, an arch of the Acqua Felice, under which the road + passed. From a distance, this fragment seemed to bar the way with its mass + of ancient half-fallen walls. But afterwards the gigantic arch where all + was black opened like a gaping porch. And the carriage passed under it in + darkness whilst the wheels rumbled with increased sonority. + </p> + <p> + When the victoria emerged on the other side, Santobono still had the + little basket of figs upon his knees and Prada looked at it, quite + overcome, asking himself what sudden paralysis of the hands had prevented + him from seizing it and throwing it into the darkness. Such had still been + his intention but a few seconds before they passed under the arch. He had + even given the basket a final glance in order that he might the better + realise what movements he should make. What had taken place within him + then? At present he was yielding to increasing irresolution, henceforth + incapable of decisive action, feeling a need of delay in order that he + might, before everything else, fully satisfy himself as to what was likely + to happen. And as Dario had doubtless gone away and the figs would + certainly not be eaten until the following morning, what reason was there + for him to hurry? He would know that evening if the Congregation of the + Council had annulled his marriage, he would know how far the so-called + “Justice of God” was venal and mendacious! Certainly he would suffer + nobody to be poisoned, not even Cardinal Boccanera, though the latter’s + life was of little account to him personally. But had not that little + basket, ever since leaving Frascati, been like Destiny on the march? And + was it not enjoyment, the enjoyment of omnipotence, to be able to say to + himself that he was the master who could stay that basket’s course, or + allow it to go onward and accomplish its deadly purpose? Moreover, he + yielded to the dimmest of mental struggles, ceasing to reason, unable to + raise his hand, and yet convinced that he would drop a warning note into + the letter-box at the palazzo before he went to bed, though at the same + time he felt happy in the thought that if his interest directed otherwise + he would not do so. + </p> + <p> + And the remainder of the journey was accomplished in silent weariness, + amidst the shiver of evening which seemed to have chilled all three men. + In vain did the Count endeavour to escape from the battle of his thoughts, + by reverting to the Buongiovanni reception, and giving particulars of the + splendours which would be witnessed at it: his words fell sparsely in an + embarrassed and absent-minded way. Then he sought to inspirit Pierre by + speaking to him of Cardinal Sanguinetti’s amiable manner and fair words, + but although the young priest was returning home well pleased with his + journey, in the idea that with a little help he might yet triumph, he + scarcely answered the Count, so wrapt he was in his reverie. And + Santobono, on his side, neither spoke nor moved. Black like the night + itself, he seemed to have vanished. However, the lights of Rome were + increasing in number, and houses again appeared on either hand, at first + at long intervals, and then in close succession. They were suburban + houses, and there were yet more fields of reeds, quickset hedges, + olive-trees overtopping long walls, and big gateways with vase-surmounted + pillars; but at last came the city with its rows of small grey houses, its + petty shops and its dingy taverns, whence at times came shouts and rumours + of battle. + </p> + <p> + Prada insisted on setting his companions down in the Via Giulia, at fifty + paces from the palazzo. “It doesn’t inconvenience me at all,” said he to + Pierre. “Besides, with the little time you have before you, it would never + do for you to go on foot.” + </p> + <p> + The Via Giulia was already steeped in slumber, and wore a melancholy + aspect of abandonment in the dreary light of the gas lamps standing on + either hand. And as soon as Santobono had alighted from the carriage, he + took himself off without waiting for Pierre, who, moreover, always went in + by the little door in the side lane. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, Abbe,” exclaimed Prada. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, Count, a thousand thanks,” was Santobono’s response. + </p> + <p> + Then the two others stood watching him as he went towards the Boccanera + mansion, whose old, monumental entrance, full of gloom, was still wide + open. For a moment they saw his tall, rugged figure erect against that + gloom. Then in he plunged, he and his little basket, bearing Destiny. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"></a> + XII. + </h2> + <p> + IT was ten o’clock when Pierre and Narcisse, after dining at the Caffe di + Roma, where they had long lingered chatting, at last walked down the Corso + towards the Palazzo Buongiovanni. They had the greatest difficulty to + reach its entrance, for carriages were coming up in serried files, and the + inquisitive crowd of on-lookers, who pressed even into the roadway, in + spite of the injunctions of the police, was growing so compact that even + the horses could no longer approach. The ten lofty windows on the first + floor of the long monumental facade shone with an intense white radiance, + the radiance of electric lamps, which illumined the street like sunshine, + spreading over the equipages aground in that human sea, whose billows of + eager, excited faces rolled to and fro amidst an extraordinary tumult. + </p> + <p> + And in all this there was not merely the usual curiosity to see uniforms + go by and ladies in rich attire alight from their carriages, for Pierre + soon gathered from what he heard that the crowd had come to witness the + arrival of the King and Queen, who had promised to appear at the ball + given by Prince Buongiovanni, in celebration of the betrothal of his + daughter Celia to Lieutenant Attilio Sacco, the son of one of his + Majesty’s ministers. Moreover, people were enraptured with this marriage, + the happy ending of a love story which had impassioned the whole city: to + begin with, love at first sight, with the suddenness of a lightning-flash, + and then stubborn fidelity triumphing over all obstacles, amidst romantic + circumstances whose story sped from lip to lip, moistening every eye and + stirring every heart. + </p> + <p> + It was this story that Narcisse had related at dessert to Pierre, who + already knew some portion of it. People asserted that if the Prince had + ended by yielding after a final terrible scene, it was only from fear of + seeing Celia elope from the palace with her lover. She did not threaten to + do so, but, amidst her virginal calmness, there was so much contempt for + everything foreign to her love, that her father felt her to be capable of + acting with the greatest folly in all ingenuousness. Only indifference was + manifested by the Prince’s wife, a phlegmatic and still beautiful + Englishwoman, who considered that she had done quite enough for the + household by bringing her husband a dowry of five millions, and bearing + him five children. The Prince, anxious and weak despite his violence, in + which one found a trace of the old Roman blood, already spoilt by mixture + with that of a foreign race, was nowadays ever influenced in his actions + by the fear that his house and fortune—which hitherto had remained + intact amidst the accumulated ruins of the <i>patriziato</i>—might + suddenly collapse. And in finally yielding to Celia, he must have been + guided by the idea of rallying to the new <i>regime</i> through his + daughter, so as to have one foot firmly set at the Quirinal, without + withdrawing the other from the Vatican. It was galling, no doubt; his + pride must have bled at the idea of allying his name with that of such low + folks as the Saccos. But then Sacco was a minister, and had sped so + quickly from success to success that it seemed likely he would rise yet + higher, and, after the portfolio of Agriculture, secure that of Finances, + which he had long coveted. And an alliance with Sacco meant the certain + favour of the King, an assured retreat in that direction should the papacy + some day collapse. Then, too, the Prince had made inquiries respecting the + son, and was somewhat disarmed by the good looks, bravery, and rectitude + of young Attilio, who represented the future, and possibly the glorious + Italy of to-morrow. He was a soldier, and could be helped forward to the + highest rank. And people spitefully added that the last reason which had + influenced the Prince, who was very avaricious, and greatly worried by the + thought that his fortune must be divided among his five children,* was + that an opportunity presented itself for him to bestow a ridiculously + small dowry on Celia. However, having consented to the marriage, he + resolved to give a splendid <i>fete</i>, such as was now seldom witnessed + in Rome, throwing his doors open to all the rival sections of society, + inviting the sovereigns, and setting the palazzo ablaze as in the grand + days of old. In doing this he would necessarily have to expend some of the + money to which he clung, but a boastful spirit incited him to show the + world that he at any rate had not been vanquished by the financial crisis, + and that the Buongiovannis had nothing to hide and nothing to blush for. + To tell the truth, some people asserted that this bravado had not + originated with himself, but had been instilled into him without his + knowledge by the quiet and innocent Celia, who wished to exhibit her + happiness to all applauding Rome. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Italian succession law is similar to the French. Children + cannot be disinherited. All property is divided among them, + and thus the piling up of large hereditary fortunes is + prevented.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + “Dear me!” said Narcisse, whom the throng prevented from advancing. “We + shall never get in. Why, they seem to have invited the whole city.” And + then, as Pierre seemed surprised to see a prelate drive up in his + carriage, the <i>attache</i> added: “Oh! you will elbow more than one of + them upstairs. The cardinals won’t like to come on account of the presence + of the King and Queen, but the prelates are sure to be here. This, you + know, is a neutral drawing-room where the black and the white worlds can + fraternise. And then too, there are so few <i>fetes</i> that people rush + on them.” + </p> + <p> + He went on to explain that there were two grand balls at Court every + winter, but that it was only under exceptional circumstances that the <i>patriziato</i> + gave similar <i>galas</i>. Two or three of the black <i>salons</i> were + opened once in a way towards the close of the Carnival, but little dances + among intimates replaced the pompous entertainments of former times. Some + princesses moreover merely had their day. And as for the few white <i>salons</i> + that existed, these likewise retained the same character of intimacy, more + or less mixed, for no lady had yet become the undisputed queen of the new + society. + </p> + <p> + “Well, here we are at last,” resumed Narcisse as they eventually climbed + the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “Let us keep together,” Pierre somewhat anxiously replied. “My only + acquaintance is with the <i>fiancee</i>, and I want you to introduce me.” + </p> + <p> + However, a considerable effort was needed even to climb the monumental + staircase, so great was the crush of arriving guests. Never, in the old + days of wax candles and oil lamps, had this staircase offered such a blaze + of light. Electric lamps, burning in clusters in superb bronze candelabra + on the landings, steeped everything in a white radiance. The cold stucco + of the walls was hidden by a series of lofty tapestries depicting the + story of Cupid and Psyche, marvels which had remained in the family since + the days of the Renascence. And a thick carpet covered the worn marble + steps, whilst clumps of evergreens and tall spreading palms decorated + every corner. An affluence of new blood warmed the antique mansion that + evening; there was a resurrection of life, so to say, as the women surged + up the staircase, smiling and perfumed, bare-shouldered, and sparkling + with diamonds. + </p> + <p> + At the entrance of the first reception-room Pierre at once perceived + Prince and Princess Buongiovanni, standing side by side and receiving + their guests. The Prince, a tall, slim man with fair complexion and hair + turning grey, had the pale northern eyes of his American mother in an + energetic face such as became a former captain of the popes. The Princess, + with small, delicate, and rounded features, looked barely thirty, though + she had really passed her fortieth year. And still pretty, displaying a + smiling serenity which nothing could disconcert, she purely and simply + basked in self-adoration. Her gown was of pink satin, and a marvellous + parure of large rubies set flamelets about her dainty neck and in her + fine, fair hair. Of her five children, her son, the eldest, was + travelling, and three of the girls, mere children, were still at school, + so that only Celia was present, Celia in a modest gown of white muslin, + fair like her mother, quite bewitching with her large innocent eyes and + her candid lips, and retaining to the very end of her love story the + semblance of a closed lily of impenetrable, virginal mysteriousness. The + Saccos had but just arrived, and Attilio, in his simple lieutenant’s + uniform, had remained near his betrothed, so naively and openly delighted + with his great happiness that his handsome face, with its caressing mouth + and brave eyes, was quite resplendent with youth and strength. Standing + there, near one another, in the triumph of their passion they appeared + like life’s very joy and health, like the personification of hope in the + morrow’s promises; and the entering guests who saw them could not refrain + from smiling and feeling moved, momentarily forgetting their loquacious + and malicious curiosity to give their hearts to those chosen ones of love + who looked so handsome and so enraptured. + </p> + <p> + Narcisse stepped forward in order to present Pierre, but Celia anticipated + him. Going to meet the young priest she led him to her father and mother, + saying: “Monsieur l’Abbe Pierre Froment, a friend of my dear Benedetta.” + Ceremonious salutations followed. Then the young girl, whose graciousness + greatly touched Pierre, said to him: “Benedetta is coming with her aunt + and Dario. She must be very happy this evening! And you will also see how + beautiful she will be.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre and Narcisse next began to congratulate her, but they could not + remain there, the throng was ever jostling them; and the Prince and + Princess, quite lost in the crush, had barely time to answer the many + salutations with amiable, continuous nods. And Celia, after conducting the + two friends to Attilio, was obliged to return to her parents so as to take + her place beside them as the little queen of the <i>fete</i>. + </p> + <p> + Narcisse was already slightly acquainted with Attilio, and so fresh + congratulations ensued. Then the two friends manoeuvred to find a spot + where they might momentarily tarry and contemplate the spectacle which + this first <i>salon</i> presented. It was a vast hall, hung with green + velvet broidered with golden flowers, and contained a very remarkable + collection of weapons and armour, breast-plates, battle-axes, and swords, + almost all of which had belonged to the Buongiovannis of the fifteenth and + sixteenth centuries. And amidst those stern implements of war there was a + lovely sedan-chair of the last century, gilded and decorated with delicate + paintings. It was in this chair that the Prince’s great-grandmother, the + celebrated Bettina, whose beauty was historical, had usually been carried + to mass. On the walls, moreover, there were numerous historical paintings: + battles, peace congresses, and royal receptions in which the Buongiovannis + had taken part, without counting the many family portraits, tall and proud + figures of sea-captains, commanders in the field, great dignitaries of the + Church, prelates and cardinals, amongst whom, in the place of honour, + appeared the family pope, the white-robed Buongiovanni whose accession to + the pontifical throne had enriched a long line of descendants. And it was + among those armours, near that coquettish sedan, and below those antique + portraits, that the Saccos, husband and wife, had in their turn just + halted, at a few steps from the master and mistress of the house, in order + to secure their share of congratulations and bows. + </p> + <p> + “Look over there!” Narcisse whispered to Pierre, “those are the Saccos in + front of us, that dark little fellow and the lady in mauve silk.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre promptly recognised the bright face and pleasant smile of Stefana, + whom he had already met at old Orlando’s. But he was more interested in + her husband, a dark dry man, with big eyes, sallow complexion, prominent + chin, and vulturine nose. Like some gay Neapolitan “Pulcinello,” he was + dancing, shouting, and displaying such infectious good humour that it + spread to all around him. He possessed a wonderful gift of speech, with a + voice that was unrivalled as an instrument of fascination and conquest; + and on seeing how easily he ingratiated himself with the people in that + drawing-room, one could understand his lightning-like successes in the + political world. He had manoeuvered with rare skill in the matter of his + son’s marriage, affecting such exaggerated delicacy of feeling as to set + himself against the lovers, and declare that he would never consent to + their union, as he had no desire to be accused of stealing a dowry and a + title. As a matter of fact, he had only yielded after the Buongiovannis + had given their consent, and even then he had desired to take the opinion + of old Orlando, whose lofty integrity was proverbial. However, he knew + right well that he would secure the old hero’s approval in this particular + affair, for Orlando made no secret of his opinion that the Buongiovannis + ought to be glad to admit his grand-nephew into their family, as that + handsome young fellow, with brave and healthy heart, would help to + regenerate their impoverished blood. And throughout the whole affair, + Sacco had shrewdly availed himself of Orlando’s famous name, for ever + talking of the relationship between them, and displaying filial veneration + for this glorious founder of the country, as if indeed he had no suspicion + that the latter despised and execrated him and mourned his accession to + power in the conviction that he would lead Italy to shame and ruin. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” resumed Narcisse addressing Pierre, “he’s one of those supple, + practical men who care nothing for a smack in the face. It seems that + unscrupulous individuals like himself become necessary when states get + into trouble and have to pass through political, financial, and moral + crises. It is said that Sacco with his imperturbable assurance and + ingenious and resourceful mind has quite won the King’s favour. Just look + at him! Why, with that crowd of courtiers round him, one might think him + the master of this palace!” + </p> + <p> + And indeed the guests, after passing the Prince and Princess with a bow, + at once congregated around Sacco, for he represented power, emoluments, + pensions, and crosses; and if folks still smiled at seeing his dark, + turbulent, and scraggy figure amidst that framework of family portraits + which proclaimed the mighty ancestry of the Buongiovannis, they none the + less worshipped him as the personification of the new power, the + democratic force which was confusedly rising even from the old Roman soil + where the <i>patriziato</i> lay in ruins. + </p> + <p> + “What a crowd!” muttered Pierre. “Who are all these people?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” replied Narcisse, “it is a regular mixture. These people belong + neither to the black nor the white world; they form a grey world as it + were. The evolution was certain; a man like Cardinal Boccanera may retain + an uncompromising attitude, but a whole city, a nation can’t. The Pope + alone will always say no and remain immutable. But everything around him + progresses and undergoes transformation, so that in spite of all + resistance, Rome will become Italian in a few years’ time. Even now, + whenever a prince has two sons only one of them remains on the side of the + Vatican, the other goes over to the Quirinal. People must live, you see; + and the great families threatened with annihilation have not sufficient + heroism to carry obstinacy to the point of suicide. And I have already + told you that we are here on neutral ground, for Prince Buongiovanni was + one of the first to realise the necessity of conciliation. He feels that + his fortune is perishing, he does not care to risk it either in industry + or in speculation, and already sees it portioned out among his five + children, by whose descendants it will be yet further divided; and this is + why he prudently makes advances to the King without, however, breaking + with the Pope. In this <i>salon</i>, therefore, you see a perfect picture + of the <i>debacle</i>, the confusion which reigns in the Prince’s ideas + and opinions.” Narcisse paused, and then began to name some of the persons + who were coming in. “There’s a general,” said he, “who has become very + popular since his last campaign in Africa. There will be a great many + military men here this evening, for all Attilio’s superiors have been + invited, so as to give the young man an <i>entourage</i> of glory. Ah! and + there’s the German ambassador. I fancy that nearly all the Corps + Diplomatique will come on account of their Majesties’ presence. But, by + way of contrast, just look at that stout fellow yonder. He’s a very + influential deputy, a <i>parvenu</i> of the new middle class. Thirty years + ago he was merely one of Prince Albertini’s farmers, one of those <i>mercanti + di campagna</i> who go about the environs of Rome in stout boots and a + soft felt hat. And now look at that prelate coming in—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I know him,” Pierre interrupted. “He’s Monsignor Fornaro.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly, Monsignor Fornaro, a personage of some importance. You told me, + I remember, that he is the reporter of the Congregation in that affair of + your book. A most delightful man! Did you see how he bowed to the + Princess? And what a noble and graceful bearing he has in his little + mantle of violet silk!” + </p> + <p> + Then Narcisse went on enumerating the princes and princesses, the dukes + and duchesses, the politicians and functionaries, the diplomatists and + ministers, and the officers and well-to-do middle-class people, who of + themselves made up a most wonderful medley of guests, to say nothing of + the representatives of the various foreign colonies, English people, + Americans, Germans, Spaniards, and Russians, in a word, all ancient + Europe, and both Americas. And afterwards the young man reverted to the + Saccos, to the little Signora Sacco in particular, in order to tell Pierre + of the heroic efforts which she had made to open a <i>salon</i> for the + purpose of assisting her husband’s ambition. Gentle and modest as she + seemed, she was also very shrewd, endowed with genuine qualities, + Piedmontese patience and strength of resistance, orderly habits and + thriftiness. And thus it was she who re-established the equilibrium in + household affairs which her husband by his exuberance so often disturbed. + He was indeed greatly indebted to her, though nobody suspected it. At the + same time, however, she had so far failed in her attempts to establish a + white <i>salon</i> which should take the lead in influencing opinion. Only + the people of her own set visited her, not a single prince ever came, and + her Monday dances were the same as in a score of other middle-class homes, + having no brilliancy and no importance. In fact, the real white <i>salon</i>, + which should guide men and things and sway all Rome was still in + dreamland. + </p> + <p> + “Just notice her keen smile as she examines everything here,” resumed + Narcisse. “She’s teaching herself and forming plans, I’m sure of it. Now + that she is about to be connected with a princely family she probably + hopes to receive some of the best society.” + </p> + <p> + Large as was the room, the crowd in it had by this time grown so dense + that the two friends were pressed back to a wall, and felt almost stifled. + The <i>attache</i> therefore decided to lead the priest elsewhere, and as + they walked along he gave him some particulars concerning the palace, + which was one of the most sumptuous in Rome, and renowned for the + magnificence of its reception-rooms. Dancing took place in the picture + gallery, a superb apartment more than sixty feet long, with eight windows + overlooking the Corso; while the buffet was installed in the Hall of the + Antiques, a marble hall, which among other precious things contained a + statue of Venus, rivalling the one at the Capitol. Then there was a suite + of marvellous <i>salons</i>, still resplendent with ancient luxury, hung + with the rarest stuffs, and retaining some unique specimens of old-time + furniture, on which covetous antiquaries kept their eyes fixed, whilst + waiting and hoping for the inevitable future ruin. And one of these + apartments, the little Saloon of the Mirrors, was particularly famous. Of + circular shape and Louis XV style, it was surrounded by mirrors in <i>rococo</i> + frames, extremely rich, and most exquisitely carved. + </p> + <p> + “You will see all that by and by,” continued Narcisse. “At present we had + better go in here if we want to breathe a little. It is here that the + arm-chairs from the adjacent gallery have been brought for the + accommodation of the ladies who desire to sit down and be seen and + admired.” + </p> + <p> + The apartment they entered was a spacious one, draped with the most superb + Genoese velvet, that antique <i>jardiniere</i> velvet with pale satin + ground, and flowers once of dazzling brightness, whose greens and blues + and reds had now become exquisitely soft, with the subdued, faded tones of + old floral love-tokens. On the pier tables and in the cabinets all around + were some of the most precious curios in the palace, ivory caskets, gilt + and painted wood carvings, pieces of antique plate—briefly, a + collection of marvels. And several ladies, fleeing the crush, had already + taken refuge on the numerous seats, clustering in little groups, and + laughing and chatting with the few gentlemen who had discovered this + retreat of grace and <i>galanterie</i>. In the bright glow of the lamps + nothing could be more delightful than the sight of all those bare, sheeny + shoulders, and those supple necks, above whose napes were coiled tresses + of fair or raven hair. Bare arms emerged like living flowers of flesh from + amidst the mingling lace and silk of soft-hued bodices. The fans played + slowly, as if to heighten the fires of the precious stones, and at each + beat wafted around an <i>odore di femina</i> blended with a predominating + perfume of violets. + </p> + <p> + “Hallo!” exclaimed Narcisse, “there’s our good friend Monsignor Nani + bowing to the Austrian ambassadress.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as Nani perceived the young priest and his companion he came + towards them, and the trio then withdrew into the embrasure of a window in + order that they might chat for a moment at their ease. The prelate was + smiling like one enchanted with the beauty of the <i>fete</i>, but at the + same time he retained all the serenity of innocence, as if he had not even + noticed the exhibition of bare shoulders by which he was surrounded. “Ah, + my dear son!” he said to Pierre, “I am very pleased to see you! Well, and + what do you think of our Rome when she makes up her mind to give <i>fetes</i>?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, it is superb, Monseigneur.” + </p> + <p> + Then, in an emotional manner, Nani spoke of Celia’s lofty piety; and, in + order to give the Vatican the credit of this sumptuous <i>gala</i>, + affected to regard the Prince and Princess as staunch adherents of the + Church, as if he were altogether unaware that the King and Queen were + presently coming. And afterwards he abruptly exclaimed: “I have been + thinking of you all day, my dear son. Yes, I heard that you had gone to + see his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti. Well, and how did he receive you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! in a most paternal manner,” Pierre replied. “At first he made me + understand the embarrassment in which he was placed by his position as + protector of Lourdes; but just as I was going off he showed himself + charming, and promised me his help with a delicacy which deeply touched + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he indeed, my dear son? But it doesn’t surprise me, his Eminence is + so good-hearted!” + </p> + <p> + “And I must add, Monseigneur, that I came back with a light and hopeful + heart. It now seems to me as if my suit were half gained.” + </p> + <p> + “Naturally, I understand it,” replied Nani, who was still smiling with + that keen, intelligent smile of his, sharpened by a touch of almost + imperceptible irony. And after a short pause he added in a very simple + way: “The misfortune is that on the day before yesterday your book was + condemned by the Congregation of the Index, which was convoked by its + Secretary expressly for that purpose. And the judgment will be laid before + his Holiness, for him to sign it, on the day after to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre looked at the prelate in bewilderment. Had the old mansion fallen + on his head he would not have felt more overcome. What! was it all over? + His journey to Rome, the experiment he had come to attempt there, had + resulted in that defeat, of which he was thus suddenly apprised amidst + that betrothal <i>fete</i>. And he had not even been able to defend + himself, he had sacrificed his time without finding any one to whom he + might speak, before whom he might plead his cause! Anger was rising within + him, and he could not prevent himself from muttering bitterly: “Ah! how I + have been duped! And that Cardinal who said to me only this morning: ‘If + God be with you he will save you in spite of everything.’ Yes, yes, I now + understand him; he was juggling with words, he only desired a disaster in + order that submission might lead me to Heaven! Submit, indeed, ah! I + cannot, I cannot yet! My heart is too full of indignation and grief.” + </p> + <p> + Nani examined and studied him with curiosity. “But my dear son,” he said, + “nothing is final so long as the Holy Father has not signed the judgment. + You have all to-morrow and even the morning of the day after before you. A + miracle is always possible.” Then, lowering his voice and drawing Pierre + on one side whilst Narcisse in an aesthetical spirit examined the ladies, + he added: “Listen, I have a communication to make to you in great secrecy. + Come and join me in the little Saloon of the Mirrors by and by, during the + Cotillon. We shall be able to talk there at our ease.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre nodded, and thereupon the prelate discreetly withdrew and + disappeared in the crowd. However, the young man’s ears were buzzing; he + could no longer hope; what indeed could he accomplish in one day since he + had lost three months without even being able to secure an audience with + the Pope? And his bewilderment increased as he suddenly heard Narcisse + speaking to him of art. “It’s astonishing how the feminine figure has + deteriorated in these dreadful democratic days. It’s all fat and horribly + common. Not one of those women yonder shows the Florentine contour, with + small bosom and slender, elegant neck. Ah! that one yonder isn’t so bad + perhaps, the fair one with her hair coiled up, whom Monsignor Fornaro has + just approached.” + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes indeed Monsignor Fornaro had been fluttering from beauty + to beauty, with an amiable air of conquest. He looked superb that evening + with his lofty decorative figure, blooming cheeks, and victorious + affability. No unpleasant scandal was associated with his name; he was + simply regarded as a prelate of gallant ways who took pleasure in the + society of ladies. And he paused and chatted, and leant over their bare + shoulders with laughing eyes and humid lips as if experiencing a sort of + devout rapture. However, on perceiving Narcisse whom he occasionally met, + he at once came forward and the <i>attache</i> had to bow to him. “You + have been in good health I hope, Monseigneur, since I had the honour of + seeing you at the embassy.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! yes, I am very well, very well indeed. What a delightful <i>fete</i>, + is it not?” + </p> + <p> + Pierre also had bowed. This was the man whose report had brought about the + condemnation of his book; and it was with resentment that he recalled his + caressing air and charming greeting, instinct with such lying promise. + However, the prelate, who was very shrewd, must have guessed that the + young priest was already acquainted with the decision of the Congregation, + and have thought it more dignified to abstain from open recognition; for + on his side he merely nodded and smiled at him. “What a number of people!” + he went on, “and how many charming persons there are! It will soon be + impossible for one to move in this room.” + </p> + <p> + All the seats in fact were now occupied by ladies, and what with the + strong perfume of violets and the exhalations of warm necks and shoulders + the atmosphere was becoming most oppressive. The fans flapped more + briskly, and clear laughter rang out amidst a growing hubbub of + conversation in which the same words constantly recurred. Some news, + doubtless, had just arrived, some rumour was being whispered from group to + group, throwing them all into feverish excitement. As it happened, + Monsignor Fornaro, who was always well informed, desired to be the + proclaimer of this news, which nobody as yet had ventured to announce + aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what is exciting them all?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Is it the Holy Father’s illness?” asked Pierre in his anxiety. “Is he + worse this evening?” + </p> + <p> + The prelate looked at him in astonishment, and then somewhat impatiently + replied: “Oh, no, no. His Holiness is much better, thank Heaven. A person + belonging to the Vatican was telling me just now that he was able to get + up this afternoon and receive his intimates as usual.” + </p> + <p> + “All the same, people have been alarmed,” interrupted Narcisse. “I must + confess that we did not feel easy at the embassy, for a Conclave at the + present time would be a great worry for France. She would exercise no + influence at it. It is a great mistake on the part of our Republican + Government to treat the Holy See as of no importance! However, can one + ever tell whether the Pope is ill or not? I know for a certainty that he + was nearly carried off last winter when nobody breathed a word about any + illness, whereas on the last occasion when the newspapers killed him and + talked about a dreadful attack of bronchitis, I myself saw him quite + strong and in the best of spirits! His reported illnesses are mere matters + of policy, I fancy.” * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * There is much truth in this; but the reader must not imagine + that the Pope is never ill. At his great age, indispositions + are only natural.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + With a hasty gesture, however, Monsignor Fornaro brushed this importunate + subject aside. “No, no,” said he, “people are tranquillised and no longer + talk of it. What excites all those ladies is that the Congregation of the + Council to-day voted the dissolution of the Prada marriage by a great + majority.” + </p> + <p> + Again did Pierre feel moved. However, not having had time to see any + members of the Boccanera family on his return from Frascati he feared that + the news might be false and said so. Thereupon the prelate gave his word + of honour that things were as he stated. “The news is certain,” he + declared. “I had it from a member of the Congregation.” And then, all at + once, he apologised and hurried off: “Excuse me but I see a lady whom I + had not yet caught sight of, and desire to pay my respects to her.” + </p> + <p> + He at once hastened to the lady in question, and, being unable to sit + down, inclined his lofty figure as if to envelop her with his gallant + courtesy; whilst she, young, fresh, and bare-shouldered, laughed with a + pearly laugh as his cape of violet silk lightly brushed her sheeny skin. + </p> + <p> + “You know that person, don’t you?” Narcisse inquired of Pierre. “No! + Really? Why, that is Count Prada’s <i>inamorata</i>, the charming Lisbeth + Kauffmann, by whom he has just had a son. It’s her first appearance in + society since that event. She’s a German, you know, and lost her husband + here. She paints a little; in fact, rather nicely. A great deal is + forgiven to the ladies of the foreign colony, and this one is particularly + popular on account of the very affable manner in which she receives people + at her little palazzo in the Via Principe Amedeo. As you may imagine, the + news of the dissolution of that marriage must amuse her!” + </p> + <p> + She looked really exquisite, that Lisbeth, very fair, rosy, and gay, with + satiny skin, soft blue eyes, and lips wreathed in an amiable smile, which + was renowned for its grace. And that evening, in her gown of white silk + spangled with gold, she showed herself so delighted with life, so securely + happy in the thought that she was free, that she loved and was loved in + return, that the whispered tidings, the malicious remarks exchanged behind + the fans of those around her, seemed to turn to her personal triumph. For + a moment all eyes had sought her, and people talked of the outcome of her + connection with Prada, the man whose manhood the Church solemnly denied by + its decision of that very day! And there came stifled laughter and + whispered jests, whilst she, radiant in her insolent serenity, accepted + with a rapturous air the gallantry of Monsignor Fornaro, who congratulated + her on a painting of the Virgin with the lily, which she had lately sent + to a fine-art show. + </p> + <p> + Ah! that matrimonial nullity suit, which for a year had supplied Rome with + scandal, what a final hubbub it occasioned as the tidings of its + termination burst forth amidst that ball! The black and white worlds had + long chosen it as a battlefield for the exchange of incredible slander, + endless gossip, the most nonsensical tittle-tattle. And now it was over; + the Vatican with imperturbable impudence had pronounced the marriage null + and void on the ground that the husband was no man, and all Rome would + laugh over the affair, with that free scepticism which it displayed as + soon as the pecuniary affairs of the Church came into question. The + incidents of the struggle were already common property: Prada’s feelings + revolting to such a point that he had withdrawn from the contest, the + Boccaneras moving heaven and earth in their feverish anxiety, the money + which they had distributed among the creatures of the various cardinals in + order to gain their influence, and the large sum which they had indirectly + paid for the second and favourable report of Monsignor Palma. People said + that, altogether, more than a hundred thousand francs had been expended, + but this was not thought over-much, as a well-known French countess had + been obliged to disburse nearly ten times that amount to secure the + dissolution of her marriage. But then the Holy Father’s need was so great! + And, moreover, nobody was angered by this venality; it merely gave rise to + malicious witticisms; and the fans continued waving in the increasing + heat, and the ladies quivered with contentment as the whispered + pleasantries took wing and fluttered over their bare shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! how pleased the Contessina must be!” Pierre resumed. “I did not + understand what her little friend, Princess Celia, meant by saying when we + came in that she would be so happy and beautiful this evening. It is + doubtless on that account that she is coming here, after cloistering + herself all the time the affair lasted, as if she were in mourning.” + </p> + <p> + However, Lisbeth’s eyes had chanced to meet those of Narcisse, and as she + smiled at him he was, in his turn, obliged to pay his respects to her, + for, like everybody else of the foreign colony, he knew her through having + visited her studio. He was again returning to Pierre when a fresh outburst + of emotion stirred the diamond aigrettes and the flowers adorning the + ladies’ hair. People turned to see what was the matter, and again did the + hubbub increase. “Ah! it’s Count Prada in person!” murmured Narcisse, with + an admiring glance. “He has a fine bearing, whatever folks may say. Dress + him up in velvet and gold, and what a splendid, unscrupulous, + fifteenth-century adventurer he would make!” + </p> + <p> + Prada entered the room, looking quite gay, in fact, almost triumphant. And + above his large, white shirtfront, edged by the black of his coat, he + really had a commanding, predacious expression, with his frank, stern + eyes, and his energetic features barred by a large black moustache. Never + had a more rapturous smile of sensuality revealed the wolfish teeth of his + voracious mouth. With rapid glances he took stock of the women, dived into + their very souls. Then, on seeing Lisbeth, who looked so pink, and fair, + and girlish, his expression softened, and he frankly went up to her, + without troubling in the slightest degree about the ardent, inquisitive + eyes which were turned upon him. As soon as Monsignor Fornaro had made + room, he stooped and conversed with the young woman in a low tone. And she + no doubt confirmed the news which was circulating, for as he again drew + himself erect, he laughed a somewhat forced laugh, and made an involuntary + gesture. + </p> + <p> + However, he then caught sight of Pierre, and joined him in the embrasure + of the window; and when he had also shaken hands with Narcisse, he said to + the young priest with all his wonted <i>bravura</i>: “You recollect what I + told you as we were coming back from Frascati? Well, it’s done, it seems, + they’ve annulled my marriage. It’s such an impudent, such an imbecile + decision, that I still doubted it a moment ago!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! the news is certain,” Pierre made bold to reply. “It has just been + confirmed to us by Monsignor Fornaro, who had it from a member of the + Congregation. And it is said that the majority was very large.” + </p> + <p> + Prada again shook with laughter. “No, no,” said he, “such a farce is + beyond belief! It’s the finest smack given to justice and common-sense + that I know of. Ah! if the marriage can also be annulled by the civil + courts, and if my friend whom you see yonder be only willing, we shall + amuse ourselves in Rome! Yes, indeed, I’d marry her at Santa Maria + Maggiore with all possible pomp. And there’s a dear little being in the + world who would take part in the <i>fete</i> in his nurse’s arms!” + </p> + <p> + He laughed too loud as he spoke, alluded in too brutal a fashion to his + child, that living proof of his manhood. Was it suffering that made his + lips curve upwards and reveal his white teeth? It could be divined that he + was quivering, fighting against an awakening of covert, tumultuous + passion, which he would not acknowledge even to himself. + </p> + <p> + “And you, my dear Abbe?” he hastily resumed. “Do you know the other + report? Do you know that the Countess is coming here?” It was thus, by + force of habit, that he designated Benedetta, forgetting that she was no + longer his wife. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have just been told so,” Pierre replied; and then he hesitated for + a moment before adding, with a desire to prevent any disagreeable + surprise: “And we shall no doubt see Prince Dario also, for he has not + started for Naples as I told you. Something prevented his departure at the + last moment, I believe. At least so I gathered from a servant.” + </p> + <p> + Prada no longer laughed. His face suddenly became grave, and he contented + himself with murmuring: “Ah! so the cousin is to be of the party. Well, we + shall see them, we shall see them both!” + </p> + <p> + Then, whilst the two friends went on chatting, he became silent, as if + serious considerations impelled him to reflect. And suddenly making a + gesture of apology he withdrew yet farther into the embrasure in which he + stood, pulled a note-book out of his pocket, and tore from it a leaf on + which, without modifying his handwriting otherwise than by slightly + enlarging it, he pencilled these four lines: “A legend avers that the fig + tree of Judas now grows at Frascati, and that its fruit is deadly for him + who may desire to become Pope. Eat not the poisoned figs, nor give them + either to your servants or your fowls.” Then he folded the paper, fastened + it with a postage stamp, and wrote on it the address: “To his most + Reverend and most Illustrious Eminence, Cardinal Boccanera.” And when he + had placed everything in his pocket again, he drew a long breath and once + more called back his laugh. + </p> + <p> + A kind of invincible discomfort, a far-away terror had momentarily frozen + him. Without being guided by any clear train of reasoning, he had felt the + need of protecting himself against any cowardly temptation, any possible + abomination. He could not have told what course of ideas had induced him + to write those four lines without a moment’s delay, on the very spot where + he stood, under penalty of contributing to a great catastrophe. But one + thought was firmly fixed in his brain, that on leaving the ball he would + go to the Via Giulia and throw that note into the letter-box at the + Palazzo Boccanera. And that decided, he was once more easy in mind. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what is the matter with you, my dear Abbe?” he inquired on again + joining in the conversation of the two friends. “You are quite gloomy.” + And on Pierre telling him of the bad news which he had received, the + condemnation of his book, and the single day which remained to him for + action if he did not wish his journey to Rome to result in defeat, he + began to protest as if he himself needed agitation and diversion in order + to continue hopeful and bear the ills of life. “Never mind, never mind, + don’t worry yourself,” said he, “one loses all one’s strength by worrying. + A day is a great deal, one can do ever so many things in a day. An hour, a + minute suffices for Destiny to intervene and turn defeat into victory!” He + grew feverish as he spoke, and all at once added, “Come, let’s go to the + ball-room. It seems that the scene there is something prodigious.” + </p> + <p> + Then he exchanged a last loving glance with Lisbeth whilst Pierre and + Narcisse followed him, the three of them extricating themselves from their + corner with the greatest difficulty, and then wending their way towards + the adjoining gallery through a sea of serried skirts, a billowy expanse + of necks and shoulders whence ascended the passion which makes life, the + odour alike of love and of death. + </p> + <p> + With its eight windows overlooking the Corso, their panes uncurtained and + throwing a blaze of light upon the houses across the road, the picture + gallery, sixty-five feet in length and more than thirty in breadth, spread + out with incomparable splendour. The illumination was dazzling. Clusters + of electric lamps had changed seven pairs of huge marble candelabra into + gigantic <i>torcheres</i>, akin to constellations; and all along the + cornice up above, other lamps set in bright-hued floral glasses formed a + marvellous garland of flaming flowers: tulips, paeonies, and roses. The + antique red velvet worked with gold, which draped the walls, glowed like a + furnace fire. About the doors and windows there were hangings of old lace + broidered with flowers in coloured silk whose hues had the very intensity + of life. But the sight of sights beneath the sumptuous panelled ceiling + adorned with golden roses, the unique spectacle of a richness not to be + equalled, was the collection of masterpieces such as no museum could + excel. There were works of Raffaelle and Titian, Rembrandt and Rubens, + Velasquez and Ribera, famous works which in this unexpected illumination + suddenly showed forth, triumphant with youth regained, as if awakened to + the immortal life of genius. And, as their Majesties would not arrive + before midnight, the ball had just been opened, and flights of soft-hued + gowns were whirling in a waltz past all the pompous throng, the glittering + jewels and decorations, the gold-broidered uniforms and the + pearl-broidered robes, whilst silk and satin and velvet spread and + overflowed upon every side. + </p> + <p> + “It is prodigious, really!” declared Prada with his excited air; “let us + go this way and place ourselves in a window recess again. There is no + better spot for getting a good view without being too much jostled.” + </p> + <p> + They lost Narcisse somehow or other, and on reaching the desired recess + found themselves but two, Pierre and the Count. The orchestra, installed + on a little platform at the far end of the gallery, had just finished the + waltz, and the dancers, with an air of giddy rapture, were slowly walking + through the crowd when a fresh arrival caused every head to turn. Donna + Serafina, arrayed in a robe of purple silk as if she had worn the colours + of her brother the Cardinal, was making a royal entry on the arm of + Consistorial-Advocate Morano. And never before had she laced herself so + tightly, never had her waist looked so slim and girlish; and never had her + stern, wrinkled face, which her white hair scarcely softened, expressed + such stubborn and victorious domination. A discreet murmur of approval ran + round, a murmur of public relief as it were, for all Roman society had + condemned the unworthy conduct of Morano in severing a connection of + thirty years to which the drawing-rooms had grown as accustomed as if it + had been a legal marriage. The rupture had lasted for two months, to the + great scandal of Rome where the cult of long and faithful affections still + abides. And so the reconciliation touched every heart and was regarded as + one of the happiest consequences of the victory which the Boccaneras had + that day gained in the affair of Benedetta’s marriage. Morano repentant + and Donna Serafina reappearing on his arm, nothing could have been more + satisfactory; love had conquered, decorum was preserved and good order + re-established. + </p> + <p> + But there was a deeper sensation as soon as Benedetta and Dario were seen + to enter, side by side, behind the others. This tranquil indifference for + the ordinary forms of propriety, on the very day when the marriage with + Prada had been annulled, this victory of love, confessed and celebrated + before one and all, seemed so charming in its audacity, so full of the + bravery of youth and hope, that the pair were at once forgiven amidst a + murmur of universal admiration. And as in the case of Celia and Attilio, + all hearts flew to them, to their radiant beauty, to the wondrous + happiness that made their faces so resplendent. Dario, still pale after + his long convalescence, somewhat slight and delicate of build, with the + fine clear eyes of a big child, and the dark curly beard of a young god, + bore himself with a light pride, in which all the old princely blood of + the Boccaneras could be traced. And Benedetta, she so white under her + casque of jetty hair, she so calm and so sensible, wore her lovely smile, + that smile so seldom seen on her face but which was irresistibly + fascinating, transfiguring her, imparting the charm of a flower to her + somewhat full mouth, and filling the infinite of her dark and fathomless + eyes with a radiance as of heaven. And in this gay return of youth and + happiness, an exquisite instinct had prompted her to put on a white gown, + a plain girlish gown which symbolised her maidenhood, which told that she + had remained through all a pure untarnished lily for the husband of her + choice. And nothing of her form was to be seen, not a glimpse of bosom or + shoulder. It was as if the impenetrable, redoubtable mystery of love, the + sovereign beauty of woman slumbered there, all powerful, but veiled with + white. Again, not a jewel appeared on her fingers or in her ears. There + was simply a necklace falling about her <i>corsage</i>, but a necklace fit + for royalty, the famous pearl necklace of the Boccaneras, which she had + inherited from her mother, and which was known to all Rome—pearls of + fabulous size cast negligently about her neck, and sufficing, simply as + she was gowned, to make her queen of all. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” murmured Pierre in ecstasy, “how happy and how beautiful she is!” + </p> + <p> + But he at once regretted that he had expressed his thoughts aloud, for + beside him he heard a low plaint, an involuntary growl which reminded him + of the Count’s presence. However, Prada promptly stifled this cry of + returning anguish, and found strength enough to affect a brutish gaiety: + “The devil!” said he, “they have plenty of impudence. I hope we shall see + them married and bedded at once!” Then regretting this coarse jest which + had been prompted by the revolt of passion, he sought to appear + indifferent: “She looks very nice this evening,” he said; “she has the + finest shoulders in the world, you know, and its a real success for her to + hide them and yet appear more beautiful than ever.” + </p> + <p> + He went on speaking, contriving to assume an easy tone, and giving various + little particulars about the Countess as he still obstinately called the + young woman. However, he had drawn rather further into the recess, for + fear, no doubt, that people might remark his pallor, and the painful + twitch which contracted his mouth. He was in no state to fight, to show + himself gay and insolent in presence of the joy which the lovers so openly + and naively expressed. And he was glad of the respite which the arrival of + the King and Queen at this moment offered him. “Ah! here are their + Majesties!” he exclaimed, turning towards the window. “Look at the + scramble in the street!” + </p> + <p> + Although the windows were closed, a tumult could be heard rising from the + footways. And Pierre on looking down saw, by the light of the electric + lamps, a sea of human heads pour over the road and encompass the + carriages. He had several times already seen the King during the latter’s + daily drives to the grounds of the Villa Borghese, whither he came like + any private gentleman—unguarded, unescorted, with merely an + aide-de-camp accompanying him in his victoria. At other times he drove a + light phaeton with only a footman in black livery to attend him. And on + one occasion Pierre had seen him with the Queen, the pair of them seated + side by side like worthy middle-class folks driving abroad for pleasure. + And, as the royal couple went by, the busy people in the streets and the + promenaders in the public gardens contented themselves with wafting them + an affectionate wave of the hand, the most expansive simply approaching to + smile at them, and no one importuning them with acclamations. Pierre, who + harboured the traditional idea of kings closely guarded and passing + processionally with all the accompaniment of military pomp, was therefore + greatly surprised and touched by the amiable <i>bonhomie</i> of this royal + pair, who went wherever they listed in full security amidst the smiling + affection of their people. Everybody, moreover, had told him of the King’s + kindliness and simplicity, his desire for peace, and his passion for + sport, solitude, and the open air, which, amidst the worries of power, + must often have made him dream of a life of freedom far from the imperious + duties of royalty for which he seemed unfitted.* But the Queen was yet + more tenderly loved. So naturally and serenely virtuous that she alone + remained ignorant of the scandals of Rome, she was also a woman of great + culture and great refinement, conversant with every field of literature, + and very happy in being so intelligent, so superior to those around her—a + pre-eminence which she realised and which she was fond of showing, but in + the most natural and most graceful of ways. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * King Humbert inherited these tastes from his father Victor + Emanuel, who was likewise a great sportsman and had a perfect + horror of court life, pageantry, and the exigencies of + politics.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Like Pierre, Prada had remained with his face to the window, and suddenly + pointing to the crowd he said: “Now that they have seen the Queen they + will go to bed well pleased. And there isn’t a single police agent there, + I’m sure. Ah! to be loved, to be loved!” Plainly enough his distress of + spirit was coming back, and so, turning towards the gallery again, he + tried to play the jester. “Attention, my dear Abbe, we mustn’t miss their + Majesties’ entry. That will be the finest part of the <i>fete</i>!” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes went by, and then, in the very midst of a polka, the + orchestra suddenly ceased playing. But a moment afterwards, with all the + blare of its brass instruments, it struck up the Royal March. The dancers + fled in confusion, the centre of the gallery was cleared, and the King and + Queen entered, escorted by the Prince and Princess Buongiovanni, who had + received them at the foot of the staircase. The King was in ordinary + evening dress, while the Queen wore a robe of straw-coloured satin, + covered with superb white lace; and under the diadem of brilliants which + encircled her beautiful fair hair, she looked still young, with a fresh + and rounded face, whose expression was all amiability, gentleness, and + wit. The music was still sounding with the enthusiastic violence of + welcome. Behind her father and mother, Celia appeared amidst the press of + people who were following to see the sight; and then came Attilio, the + Saccos, and various relatives and official personages. And, pending the + termination of the Royal March, only salutations, glances, and smiles were + exchanged amidst the sonorous music and dazzling light; whilst all the + guests crowded around on tip-toe, with outstretched necks and glittering + eyes—a rising tide of heads and shoulders, flashing with the fires + of precious stones. + </p> + <p> + At last the march ended and the presentations began. Their Majesties were + already acquainted with Celia, and congratulated her with quite + affectionate kindliness. However, Sacco, both as minister and father, was + particularly desirous of presenting his son Attilio. He bent his supple + spine, and summoned to his lips the fine words which were appropriate, in + such wise that he contrived to make the young man bow to the King in the + capacity of a lieutenant in his Majesty’s army, whilst his homage as a + handsome young man, so passionately loved by his betrothed was reserved + for Queen Margherita. Again did their Majesties show themselves very + gracious, even towards the Signora Sacco who, ever modest and prudent, had + remained in the background. And then occurred an incident that was + destined to give rise to endless gossip. Catching sight of Benedetta, whom + Count Prada had presented to her after his marriage, the Queen, who + greatly admired her beauty and charm of manner, addressed her a smile in + such wise that the young woman was compelled to approach. A conversation + of some minutes’ duration ensued, and the Contessina was favoured with + some extremely amiable expressions which were perfectly audible to all + around. Most certainly the Queen was ignorant of the event of the day, the + dissolution of Benedetta’s marriage with Prada, and her coming union with + Dario so publicly announced at this <i>gala</i>, which now seemed to have + been given to celebrate a double betrothal. Nevertheless that conversation + caused a deep impression; the guests talked of nothing but the compliments + which Benedetta had received from the most virtuous and intelligent of + queens, and her triumph was increased by it all, she became yet more + beautiful and more victorious amidst the happiness she felt at being at + last able to bestow herself on the spouse of her choice, that happiness + which made her look so radiant. + </p> + <p> + But, on the other hand, the torture which Prada experienced now became + intense. Whilst the sovereigns continued conversing, the Queen with the + ladies who came to pay her their respects, the King with the officers, + diplomatists, and other important personages who approached him, Prada saw + none but Benedetta—Benedetta congratulated, caressed, exalted by + affection and glory. Dario was near her, flushing with pleasure, radiant + like herself. It was for them that this ball had been given, for them that + the lamps shone out, for them that the music played, for them that the + most beautiful women of Rome had bared their bosoms and adorned them with + precious stones. It was for them that their Majesties had entered to the + strains of the Royal March, for them that the <i>fete</i> was becoming + like an apotheosis, for them that a fondly loved queen was smiling, + appearing at that betrothal <i>gala</i> like the good fairy of the nursery + tales, whose coming betokens life-long happiness. And for Prada, this + wondrously brilliant hour when good fortune and joyfulness attained their + apogee, was one of defeat. It was fraught with the victory of that woman + who had refused to be his wife in aught but name, and of that man who now + was about to take her from him: such a public, ostentatious, insulting + victory that it struck him like a buffet in the face. And not merely did + his pride and passion bleed for that: he felt that the triumph of the + Saccos dealt a blow to his fortune. Was it true, then, that the rough + conquerors of the North were bound to deteriorate in the delightful + climate of Rome, was that the reason why he already experienced such a + sensation of weariness and exhaustion? That very morning at Frascati in + connection with that disastrous building enterprise he had realised that + his millions were menaced, albeit he refused to admit that things were + going badly with him, as some people rumoured. And now, that evening, + amidst that <i>fete</i> he beheld the South victorious, Sacco winning the + day like one who feeds at his ease on the warm prey so gluttonously + pounced upon under the flaming sun. + </p> + <p> + And the thought of Sacco being a minister, an intimate of the King, + allying himself by marriage to one of the noblest families of the Roman + aristocracy, and already laying hands on the people and the national funds + with the prospect of some day becoming the master of Rome and Italy—that + thought again was a blow for the vanity of this man of prey, for the ever + voracious appetite of this enjoyer, who felt as if he were being pushed + away from table before the feast was over! All crumbled and escaped him, + Sacco stole his millions, and Benedetta tortured his flesh, stirring up + that awful wound of unsatisfied passion which never would be healed. + </p> + <p> + Again did Pierre hear that dull plaint, that involuntary despairing growl, + which had upset him once before. And he looked at the Count, and asked + him: “Are you suffering?” But on seeing how livid was the face of Prada, + who only retained his calmness by a superhuman effort, he regretted his + indiscreet question, which, moreover, remained unanswered. And then to put + the other more at ease, the young priest went on speaking, venting the + thoughts which the sight before him inspired: “Your father was right,” + said he, “we Frenchmen whose education is so full of the Catholic spirit, + even in these days of universal doubt, we never think of Rome otherwise + than as the old Rome of the popes. We scarcely know, we can scarcely + understand the great changes which, year by year, have brought about the + Italian Rome of the present day. Why, when I arrived here, the King and + his government and the young nation working to make a great capital for + itself, seemed to me of no account whatever! Yes, I dismissed all that, + thought nothing of it, in my dream of resuscitating a Christian and + evangelical Rome, which should assure the happiness of the world.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed as he spoke, pitying his own artlessness, and then pointed + towards the gallery where Prince Buongiovanni was bowing to the King + whilst the Princess listened to the gallant remarks of Sacco: a scene full + of symbolism, the old papal aristocracy struck down, the <i>parvenus</i> + accepted, the black and white worlds so mixed together that one and all + were little else than subjects, on the eve of forming but one united + nation. That conciliation between the Quirinal and the Vatican which in + principle was regarded as impossible, was it not in practice fatal, in + face of the evolution which went on day by day? People must go on living, + loving, and creating life throughout the ages. And the marriage of Attilio + and Celia would be the symbol of the needful union: youth and love + triumphing over ancient hatred, all quarrels forgotten as a handsome lad + goes by, wins a lovely girl, and carries her off in his arms in order that + the world may last. + </p> + <p> + “Look at them!” resumed Pierre, “how handsome and young and gay both the + <i>fiances</i> are, all confidence in the future. Ah! I well understand + that your King should have come here to please his minister and win one of + the old Roman families over to his throne; it is good, brave, and fatherly + policy. But I like to think that he has also realised the touching + significance of that marriage—old Rome, in the person of that + candid, loving child giving herself to young Italy, that upright, + enthusiastic young man who wears his uniform so jauntily. And may their + nuptials be definitive and fruitful; from them and from all the others may + there arise the great nation which, now that I begin to know you, I trust + you will soon become!” + </p> + <p> + Amidst the tottering of his former dream of an evangelical and universal + Rome, Pierre expressed these good wishes for the Eternal City’s future + fortune with such keen and deep emotion that Prada could not help + replying: “I thank you; that wish of yours is in the heart of every good + Italian.” + </p> + <p> + But his voice quavered, for even whilst he was looking at Celia and + Attilio, who stood smiling and talking together, he saw Benedetta and + Dario approach them, wearing the same joyful expression of perfect + happiness. And when the two couples were united, so radiant and so + triumphant, so full of superb and happy life, he no longer had strength to + stay there, see them, and suffer. + </p> + <p> + “I am frightfully thirsty,” he hoarsely exclaimed. “Let’s go to the buffet + to drink something.” And, thereupon, in order to avoid notice, he so + manoeuvred as to glide behind the throng, skirting the windows in the + direction of the entrance to the Hall of the Antiques, which was beyond + the gallery. + </p> + <p> + Whilst Pierre was following him they were parted by an eddy of the crowd, + and the young priest found himself carried towards the two loving couples + who still stood chatting together. And Celia, on recognising him, beckoned + to him in a friendly way. With her passionate cult for beauty, she was + enraptured with the appearance of Benedetta, before whom she joined her + little lily hands as before the image of the Madonna. “Oh! Monsieur + l’Abbe,” said she, “to please me now, do tell her how beautiful she is, + more beautiful than anything on earth, more beautiful than even the sun, + and the moon and stars. If you only knew, my dear, it makes me quiver to + see you so beautiful as that, as beautiful as happiness, as beautiful as + love itself!” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta began to laugh, while the two young men made merry. “But you are + as beautiful as I am, darling,” said the Contessina. “And if we are + beautiful it is because we are happy.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, happy,” Celia gently responded. “Do you remember the evening + when you told me that one didn’t succeed in marrying the Pope and the + King? But Attilio and I are marrying them, and yet we are very happy.” + </p> + <p> + “But we don’t marry them, Dario and I! On the contrary!” said Benedetta + gaily. “No matter; as you answered me that same evening, it is sufficient + that we should love one another, love saves the world.” + </p> + <p> + When Pierre at last succeeded in reaching the door of the Hall of the + Antiques, where the buffet was installed, he found Prada there, + motionless, gazing despite himself on the galling spectacle which he + desired to flee. A power stronger than his will had kept him there, + forcing him to turn round and look, and look again. And thus, with a + bleeding heart, he still lingered and witnessed the resumption of the + dancing, the first figure of a quadrille which the orchestra began to play + with a lively flourish of its brass instruments. Benedetta and Dario, + Celia and Attilio were <i>vis-à-vis</i>. And so charming and delightful + was the sight which the two couples presented dancing in the white blaze, + all youth and joy, that the King and Queen drew near to them and became + interested. And soon bravos of admiration rang out, while from every heart + spread a feeling of infinite tenderness. + </p> + <p> + “I’m dying of thirst, let’s go!” repeated Prada, at last managing to + wrench himself away from the torturing sight. + </p> + <p> + He called for some iced lemonade and drank the glassful at one draught, + gulping it down with the greedy eagerness of a man stricken with fever, + who will never more be able to quench the burning fire within him. + </p> + <p> + The Hall of the Antiques was a spacious room with mosaic pavement, and + decorations of stucco; and a famous collection of vases, bas-reliefs, and + statues, was disposed along its walls. The marbles predominated, but there + were a few bronzes, and among them a dying gladiator of extreme beauty. + The marvel however was the famous statue of Venus, a companion to that of + the Capitol, but with a more elegant and supple figure and with the left + arm falling loosely in a gesture of voluptuous surrender. That evening a + powerful electric reflector threw a dazzling light upon the statue, which, + in its divine and pure nudity, seemed to be endowed with superhuman, + immortal life. Against the end-wall was the buffet, a long table covered + with an embroidered cloth and laden with fruit, pastry, and cold meats. + Sheaves of flowers rose up amidst bottles of champagne, hot punch, and + iced <i>sorbetto</i>, and here and there were marshalled armies of + glasses, tea-cups, and broth-bowls, a perfect wealth of sparkling crystal, + porcelain, and silver. And a happy innovation had been to fill half of the + hall with rows of little tables, at which the guests, in lieu of being + obliged to refresh themselves standing, were able to sit down and order + what they desired as in a cafe. + </p> + <p> + At one of these little tables, Pierre perceived Narcisse seated near a + young woman, whom Prada, on approaching, recognised to be Lisbeth. “You + find me, you see, in delightful company,” gallantly exclaimed the <i>attache</i>. + “As we lost one another, I could think of nothing better than of offering + madame my arm to bring her here.” + </p> + <p> + “It was, in fact, a good idea,” said Lisbeth with her pretty laugh, “for I + was feeling very thirsty.” + </p> + <p> + They had ordered some iced coffee, which they were slowly sipping out of + little silver-gilt spoons. + </p> + <p> + “I have a terrible thirst, too,” declared the Count, “and I can’t quench + it. You will allow us to join you, will you not, my dear sir? Some of that + coffee will perhaps calm me.” And then to Lisbeth he added, “Ah! my dear, + allow me to introduce to you Monsieur l’Abbe Froment, a young French + priest of great distinction.” + </p> + <p> + Then for a long time they all four remained seated at that table, chatting + and making merry over certain of the guests who went by. Prada, however, + in spite of his usual gallantry towards Lisbeth, frequently became + absent-minded; at times he quite forgot her, being again mastered by his + anguish, and, in spite of all his efforts, his eyes ever turned towards + the neighbouring gallery whence the sound of music and dancing reached + him. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what are you thinking of, <i>caro mio</i>?” Lisbeth asked in her + pretty way, on seeing him at one moment so pale and lost. “Are you + indisposed?” + </p> + <p> + He did not reply, however, but suddenly exclaimed, “Ah! look there, that’s + the real pair, there’s real love and happiness for you!” + </p> + <p> + With a jerk of the hand he designated Dario’s mother, the Marchioness + Montefiori and her second husband, Jules Laporte—that ex-sergeant of + the papal Swiss Guard, her junior by fifteen years, whom she had one day + hooked at the Corso with her eyes of fire, which yet had remained superb, + and whom she had afterwards triumphantly transformed into a Marquis + Montefiori in order to have him entirely to herself. Such was her passion + that she never relaxed her hold on him whether at ball or reception, but, + despite all usages, kept him beside her, and even made him escort her to + the buffet, so much did she delight in being able to exhibit him and say + that this handsome man was her own exclusive property. And standing there + side by side, the pair of them began to drink champagne and eat + sandwiches, she yet a marvel of massive beauty although she was over + fifty, and he with long wavy moustaches, and proud bearing, like a + fortunate adventurer whose jovial impudence pleased the ladies. + </p> + <p> + “You know that she had to extricate him from a nasty affair,” resumed the + Count in a lower tone. “Yes, he travelled in relics; he picked up a living + by supplying relics on commission to convents in France and Switzerland; + and he had launched quite a business in false relics with the help of some + Jews here who concocted little ancient reliquaries out of mutton bones, + with everything sealed and signed by the most genuine authorities. The + affair was hushed up, as three prelates were also compromised in it! Ah! + the happy man! Do you see how she devours him with her eyes? And he, + doesn’t he look quite a <i>grand seigneur</i> by the mere way in which he + holds that plate for her whilst she eats the breast of a fowl out of it!” + </p> + <p> + Then, in a rough way and with biting irony, he went on to speak of the <i>amours</i> + of Rome. The Roman women, said he, were ignorant, obstinate, and jealous. + When a woman had managed to win a man, she kept him for ever, he became + her property, and she disposed of him as she pleased. By way of proof, he + cited many interminable <i>liaisons</i>, such as that of Donna Serafina + and Morano which, in time became virtual marriages; and he sneered at such + a lack of fancy, such an excess of fidelity whose only ending, when it did + end, was some very disagreeable unpleasantness. + </p> + <p> + At this, Lisbeth interrupted him. “But what is the matter with you this + evening, my dear?” she asked with a laugh. “What you speak of is on the + contrary very nice and pretty! When a man and a woman love one another + they ought to do so for ever!” + </p> + <p> + She looked delightful as she spoke, with her fine wavy blonde hair and + delicate fair complexion; and Narcisse with a languorous expression in his + half-closed eyes compared her to a Botticelli which he had seen at + Florence. However, the night was now far advanced, and Pierre had once + more sunk into gloomy thoughtfulness when he heard a passing lady remark + that they had already begun to dance the Cotillon in the gallery; and + thereupon he suddenly remembered that Monsignor Nani had given him an + appointment in the little Saloon of the Mirrors. + </p> + <p> + “Are you leaving?” hastily inquired Prada on seeing him rise and bow to + Lisbeth. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, not yet,” Pierre answered. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! all right. Don’t go away without me. I want to walk a little, and + I’ll see you home. It’s agreed, eh? You will find me here.” + </p> + <p> + The young priest had to cross two rooms, one hung with yellow and the + other with blue, before he at last reached the mirrored <i>salon</i>. This + was really an exquisite example of the <i>rococo</i> style, a rotunda as + it were of pale mirrors framed with superb gilded carvings. Even the + ceiling was covered with mirrors disposed slantwise so that on every side + things multiplied, mingled, and appeared under all possible aspects. + Discreetly enough no electric lights had been placed in the room, the only + illumination being that of some pink tapers burning in a pair of + candelabra. The hangings and upholstery were of soft blue silk, and the + impression on entering was very sweet and charming, as if one had found + oneself in the abode of some fairy queen of the rills, a palace of limpid + water, illumined to its farthest depths by clusters of stars. + </p> + <p> + Pierre at once perceived Monsignor Nani, who was sitting on a low couch, + and, as the prelate had hoped, he was quite alone, for the Cotillon had + attracted almost everybody to the picture gallery. And the silence in the + little <i>salon</i> was nearly perfect, for at that distance the blare of + the orchestra subsided into a faint, flute-like murmur. The young priest + at once apologised to the prelate for having kept him waiting. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my dear son,” said Nani, with his inexhaustible amiability. “I + was very comfortable in this retreat—when the press of the crowd + became over-threatening I took refuge here.” He did not speak of the King + and Queen, but he allowed it to be understood that he had politely avoided + their company. If he had come to the <i>fete</i> it was on account of his + sincere affection for Celia and also with a very delicate diplomatic + object, for the Church wished to avoid any appearance of having entirely + broken with the Buongiovanni family, that ancient house which was so + famous in the annals of the papacy. Doubtless the Vatican was unable to + subscribe to this marriage which seemed to unite old Rome with the young + Kingdom of Italy, but on the other hand it did not desire people to think + that it abandoned old and faithful supporters and took no interest in what + befell them. + </p> + <p> + “But come, my dear son,” the prelate resumed, “it is you who are now in + question. I told you that although the Congregation of the Index had + pronounced itself for the condemnation of your book, the sentence would + only be submitted to the Holy Father and signed by him on the day after + to-morrow. So you still have a whole day before you.” + </p> + <p> + At this Pierre could not refrain from a dolorous and vivacious + interruption. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! Monseigneur, what can I do?” said he; “I have thought it all over, + and I see no means, no opportunity of defending myself. How could I even + see his Holiness now that he is so ill?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! ill, ill!” muttered Nani with his shrewd expression. “His Holiness is + ever so much better, for this very day, like every other Wednesday, I had + the honour to be received by him. When his Holiness is a little tired and + people say that he is very ill, he often lets them do so, for it gives him + a rest and enables him to judge certain ambitions and manifestations of + impatience around him.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, was too upset to listen attentively. “No, it’s all over,” + he continued, “I’m in despair. You spoke to me of the possibility of a + miracle, but I am no great believer in miracles. Since I am defeated here + at Rome, I shall go away, I shall return to Paris, and continue the + struggle there. Oh! I cannot resign myself, my hope in salvation by the + practice of love cannot die, and I shall answer my denouncers in a new + book, in which I shall tell in what new soil the new religion will grow + up!” + </p> + <p> + Silence fell. Nani looked at him with his clear eyes in which intelligence + shone distinct and sharp like steel. And amidst the deep calm, the warm + heavy atmosphere of the little <i>salon</i>, whose mirrors were starred + with countless reflections of candles, a more sonorous burst of music was + suddenly wafted from the gallery, a rhythmical waltz melody, which slowly + expanded, then died away. + </p> + <p> + “My dear son,” said Nani, “anger is always harmful. You remember that on + your arrival here I promised that if your own efforts to obtain an + interview with the Holy Father should prove unavailing, I would myself + endeavour to secure an audience for you.” Then, seeing how agitated the + young priest was getting, he went on: “Listen to me and don’t excite + yourself. His Holiness, unfortunately, is not always prudently advised. + Around him are persons whose devotion, however great, is at times + deficient in intelligence. I told you that, and warned you against + inconsiderate applications. And this is why, already three weeks ago, I + myself handed your book to his Holiness in the hope that he would deign to + glance at it. I rightly suspected that it had not been allowed to reach + him. And this is what I am instructed to tell you: his Holiness, who has + had the great kindness to read your book, expressly desires to see you.” + </p> + <p> + A cry of joy and gratitude died away in Pierre’s throat: “Ah! Monseigneur. + Ah! Monseigneur!” + </p> + <p> + But Nani quickly silenced him and glanced around with an expression of + keen anxiety as if he feared that some one might hear them. “Hush! Hush!” + said he, “it is a secret. His Holiness wishes to see you privately, + without taking anybody else into his confidence. Listen attentively. It is + now two o’clock in the morning. Well, this very day, at nine in the + evening precisely, you must present yourself at the Vatican and at every + door ask for Signor Squadra. You will invariably be allowed to pass. + Signor Squadra will be waiting for you upstairs, and will introduce you. + And not a word, mind; not a soul must have the faintest suspicion of these + things.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s happiness and gratitude at last flowed forth. He had caught hold + of the prelate’s soft, plump hands, and stammered, “Ah! Monseigneur, how + can I express my gratitude to you? If you only knew how full my soul was + of night and rebellion since I realised that I had been a mere plaything + in the hands of those powerful cardinals. But you have saved me, and again + I feel sure that I shall win the victory, for I shall at last be able to + fling myself at the feet of his Holiness the father of all truth and all + justice. He can but absolve me, I who love him, I who admire him, I who + have never battled for aught but his own policy and most cherished ideas. + No, no, it is impossible; he will not sign that judgment; he will not + condemn my book!” + </p> + <p> + Releasing his hands, Nani sought to calm him with a fatherly gesture, + whilst retaining a faint smile of contempt for such a useless expenditure + of enthusiasm. At last he succeeded, and begged him to retire. The + orchestra was again playing more loudly in the distance. And when the + young priest at last withdrew, thanking him once more, he said very + simply, “Remember, my dear son, that only obedience is great.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, whose one desire now was to take himself off, found Prada almost + immediately afterwards in the first reception-room. Their Majesties had + just left the ball in grand ceremony, escorted to the threshold by the + Buongiovannis and the Saccos. And before departing the Queen had + maternally kissed Celia, whilst the King shook hands with Attilio—honours + instinct with a charming good nature which made the members of both + families quite radiant. However, a good many of the guests were following + the example of the sovereigns and disappearing in small batches. And the + Count, who seemed strangely nervous, and showed more sternness and + bitterness than ever, was, on his side, also eager to be gone. “Ah! it’s + you at last. I was waiting for you,” he said to Pierre. “Well, let’s get + off at once, eh? Your compatriot Monsieur Narcisse Habert asked me to tell + you not to look for him. The fact is, he has gone to see my friend Lisbeth + to her carriage. I myself want a breath of fresh air, a stroll, and so + I’ll go with you as far as the Via Giulia.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as they took their things from the cloak-room, he could not help + sneering and saying in his brutal way: “I saw your good friends go off, + all four together. It’s lucky that you prefer to go home on foot, for + there was no room for you in the carriage. What superb impudence it was on + the part of that Donna Serafina to drag herself here, at her age, with + that Morano of hers, so as to triumph over the return of the fickle one! + And the two others, the two young ones—ah! I confess that I can + hardly speak calmly of <i>them</i>, for in parading here together as they + did this evening, they have shown an impudence and a cruelty such as is + rarely seen!” Prada’s hands trembled, and he murmured: “A good journey, a + good journey to the young man, since he is going to Naples. Yes, I heard + Celia say that he was starting for Naples this evening at six o’clock. + Well, my wishes go with him; a good journey!” + </p> + <p> + The two men found the change delightful when they at last emerged from the + stifling heat of the reception-rooms into the lovely, cool, and limpid + night. It was a night illumined by a superb full moon, one of those + matchless Roman nights when the city slumbers in Elysian radiance, steeped + in a dream of the Infinite, under the vast vault of heaven. And they took + the most agreeable route, going down the Corso proper and then turning + into the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. + </p> + <p> + Prada had grown somewhat calmer, but remained full of irony. To divert his + mind, no doubt, he talked on in the most voluble manner, reverting to the + women of Rome and to that <i>fete</i> which he had at first found + splendid, but at which he now began to rail. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! of course they have very fine gowns,” said he, speaking of the women; + “but gowns which don’t fit them, gowns which are sent them from Paris, and + which, of course, they can’t try on. It’s just the same with their jewels; + they still have diamonds and pearls, in particular, which are very fine, + but they are so wretchedly, so heavily mounted that they look frightful. + And if you only knew how ignorant and frivolous these women are, despite + all their conceit! Everything is on the surface with them, even religion: + there’s nothing beneath. I looked at them eating at the buffet. Oh! they + at least have fine appetites. This evening some decorum was observed, + there wasn’t too much gorging. But at one of the Court balls you would see + a general pillage, the buffets besieged, and everything swallowed up + amidst a scramble of amazing voracity!” + </p> + <p> + To all this talk Pierre only returned monosyllabic responses. He was + wrapped in overflowing delight at the thought of that audience with the + Pope, which, unable as he was to confide in any one, he strove to arrange + and picture in his own mind, even in its pettiest details. And meantime + the footsteps of the two men rang out on the dry pavement of the clear, + broad, deserted thoroughfare, whose black shadows were sharply outlined by + the moonlight. + </p> + <p> + All at once Prada himself became silent. His loquacious <i>bravura</i> was + exhausted, the frightful struggle going on in his mind wholly possessed + and paralysed him. Twice already he had dipped his hand into his coat + pocket and felt the pencilled note whose four lines he mentally repeated: + “A legend avers that the fig-tree of Judas now grows at Frascati, and that + its fruit is deadly for him who may desire to become pope. Eat not the + poisoned figs, nor give them either to your servants or your fowls.” The + note was there; he could feel it; and if he had desired to accompany + Pierre, it was in order that he might drop it into the letter-box at the + Palazzo Boccanera. And he continued to step out briskly, so that within + another ten minutes that note would surely be in the box, for no power in + the world could prevent it, since such was his express determination. + Never would he commit such a crime as to allow people to be poisoned. + </p> + <p> + But he was suffering such abominable torture. That Benedetta and that + Dario had raised such a tempest of jealous hatred within him! For them he + forgot Lisbeth whom he loved, and even that flesh of his flesh, the child + of whom he was so proud. All sex as he was, eager to conquer and subdue, + he had never cared for facile loves. His passion was to overcome. And now + there was a woman in the world who defied him, a woman forsooth whom he + had bought, whom he had married, who had been handed over to him, but who + would never, never be his. Ah! in the old days, to subdue her, he would if + needful have fired Rome like a Nero; but now he asked himself what he + could possibly do to prevent her from belonging to another. That galling + thought made the blood gush from his gaping wound. How that woman and her + lover must deride him! And to think that they had sought to turn him to + ridicule by a baseless charge, an arrant lie which still and ever made him + smart, all proof of its falsity to the contrary. He, on his side, had + accused them in the past without much belief in what he said, but now the + charges he had imputed to them must come true, for they were free, freed + at all events of the religious bond, and that no doubt was their only + care. And then visions of their happiness passed before his eyes, + infuriating him. Ah! no, ah! no, it was impossible, he would rather + destroy the world! + </p> + <p> + Then, as he and Pierre turned out of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to thread + the old narrow tortuous streets leading to the Via Giulia, he pictured + himself dropping the note into the letter-box at the palazzo. And next he + conjured up what would follow. The note would lie in the letter-box till + morning. At an early hour Don Vigilio, the secretary, who by the + Cardinal’s express orders kept the key of the box, would come down, find + the note, and hand it to his Eminence, who never allowed another to open + any communication addressed to him. And then the figs would be thrown + away, there would be no further possibility of crime, the black world + would in all prudence keep silent. But if the note should not be in the + letter-box, what would happen then? And admitting that supposition he + pictured the figs placed on the table at the one o’clock meal, in their + pretty little leaf-covered basket. Dario would be there as usual, alone + with his uncle, since he was not to leave for Naples till the evening. And + would both the uncle and the nephew eat the figs, or would only one of + them partake of the fruit, and which of them would that be? At this point + Prada’s clearness of vision failed him; again he conjured up Destiny on + the march, that Destiny which he had met on the road from Frascati, going + on towards its unknown goal, athwart all obstacles without possibility of + stoppage. Aye, the little basket of figs went ever on and on to accomplish + its fateful purpose, which no hand in the world had power enough to + prevent. + </p> + <p> + And at last, on either hand of Pierre and Prada, the Via Giulia stretched + away in a long line white with moonlight, and the priest emerged as if + from a dream at sight of the Palazzo Boccanera rising blackly under the + silver sky. Three o’clock struck at a neighbouring church. And he felt + himself quivering slightly as once again he heard near him the dolorous + moan of a lion wounded unto death, that low involuntary growl which the + Count, amidst the frightful struggle of his feelings, had for the third + time allowed to escape him. But immediately afterwards he burst into a + sneering laugh, and pressing the priest’s hands, exclaimed: “No, no, I am + not going farther. If I were seen here at this hour, people would think + that I had fallen in love with my wife again.” + </p> + <p> + And thereupon he lighted a cigar, and retraced his steps in the clear + night, without once looking round. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"></a> + XIII. + </h2> + <p> + WHEN Pierre awoke he was much surprised to hear eleven o’clock striking. + Fatigued as he was by that ball where he had lingered so long, he had + slept like a child in delightful peacefulness, and as soon as he opened + his eyes the radiant sunshine filled him with hope. His first thought was + that he would see the Pope that evening at nine o’clock. Ten more hours to + wait! What would he be able to do with himself during that lovely day, + whose radiant sky seemed to him of such happy augury? He rose and opened + the windows to admit the warm air which, as he had noticed on the day of + his arrival, had a savour of fruit and flowers, a blending, as it were, of + the perfume of rose and orange. Could this possibly be December? What a + delightful land, that the spring should seem to flower on the very + threshold of winter! Then, having dressed, he was leaning out of the + window to glance across the golden Tiber at the evergreen slopes of the + Janiculum, when he espied Benedetta seated in the abandoned garden of the + mansion. And thereupon, unable to keep still, full of a desire for life, + gaiety, and beauty, he went down to join her. + </p> + <p> + With radiant visage and outstretched hands, she at once vented the cry he + had expected: “Ah! my dear Abbe, how happy I am!” + </p> + <p> + They had often spent their mornings in that quiet, forsaken nook; but what + sad mornings those had been, hopeless as they both were! To-day, however, + the weed-grown paths, the box-plants growing in the old basin, the + orange-trees which alone marked the outline of the beds—all seemed + full of charm, instinct with a sweet and dreamy cosiness in which it was + very pleasant to lull one’s joy. And it was so warm, too, beside the big + laurel-bush, in the corner where the streamlet of water ever fell with + flute-like music from the gaping, tragic mask. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” repeated Benedetta, “how happy I am! I was stifling upstairs, and my + heart felt such a need of space, and air, and sunlight, that I came down + here!” + </p> + <p> + She was seated on the fallen column beside the old marble sarcophagus, and + desired the priest to place himself beside her. Never had he seen her + looking so beautiful, with her black hair encompassing her pure face, + which in the sunshine appeared pinky and delicate as a flower. Her large, + fathomless eyes showed in the light like braziers rolling gold, and her + childish mouth, all candour and good sense, laughed the laugh of one who + was at last free to love as her heart listed, without offending either God + or man. And, dreaming aloud, she built up plans for the future. “It’s all + simple enough,” said she; “I have already obtained a separation, and shall + easily get that changed into civil divorce now that the Church has + annulled my marriage. And I shall marry Dario next spring, perhaps sooner, + if the formalities can be hastened. He is going to Naples this evening + about the sale of some property which we still possess there, but which + must now be sold, for all this business has cost us a lot of money. Still, + that doesn’t matter since we now belong to one another. And when he comes + back in a few days, what a happy time we shall have! I could not sleep + when I got back from that splendid ball last night, for my head was so + full of plans—oh! splendid plans, as you shall see, for I mean to + keep you in Rome until our marriage.” + </p> + <p> + Like herself, Pierre began to laugh, so gained upon by this explosion of + youth and happiness that he had to make a great effort to refrain from + speaking of his own delight, his hopefulness at the thought of his coming + interview with the Pope. Of that, however, he had sworn to speak to + nobody. + </p> + <p> + Every now and again, amidst the quivering silence of the sunlit garden, + the cry of a bird persistently rang out; and Benedetta, raising her head + and looking at a cage hanging beside one of the first-floor windows, + jestingly exclaimed: “Yes, yes, Tata, make a good noise, show that you are + pleased, my dear. Everybody in the house must be pleased now.” Then, + turning towards Pierre, she added gaily: “You know Tata, don’t you? What! + No? Why, Tata is my uncle’s parrot. I gave her to him last spring; he’s + very fond of her, and lets her help herself out of his plate. And he + himself attends to her, puts her out and takes her in, and keeps her in + his dining-room, for fear lest she should take cold, as that is the only + room of his which is at all warm.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre in his turn looked up and saw the bird, one of those pretty little + parrots with soft, silky, dull-green plumage. It was hanging by the beak + from a bar of its cage, swinging itself and flapping its wings, all mirth + in the bright sunshine. + </p> + <p> + “Does the bird talk?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “No, she only screams,” replied Benedetta, laughing. “Still my uncle + pretends that he understands her.” And then the young woman abruptly + darted to another subject, as if this mention of her uncle the Cardinal + had made her think of the uncle by marriage whom she had in Paris. “I + suppose you have heard from Viscount de la Choue,” said she. “I had a + letter from him yesterday, in which he said how grieved he was that you + were unable to see the Holy Father, as he had counted on you for the + triumph of his ideas.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre indeed frequently heard from the Viscount, who was greatly + distressed by the importance which his adversary, Baron de Fouras, had + acquired since his success with the International Pilgrimage of the + Peter’s Pence. The old, uncompromising Catholic party would awaken, said + the Viscount, and all the conquests of Neo-Catholicism would be + threatened, if one could not obtain the Holy Father’s formal adhesion to + the proposed system of free guilds, in order to overcome the demand for + closed guilds which was brought forward by the Conservatives. And the + Viscount overwhelmed Pierre with injunctions, and sent him all sorts of + complicated plans in his eagerness to see him received at the Vatican. + “Yes, yes,” muttered the young priest in reply to Benedetta. “I had a + letter on Sunday, and found another waiting for me on my return from + Frascati yesterday. Ah! it would make me very happy to be able to send the + Viscount some good news.” Then again Pierre’s joy overflowed at the + thought that he would that evening see the Pope, and, on opening his + loving heart to the Pontiff, receive the supreme encouragement which would + strengthen him in his mission to work social salvation in the name of the + lowly and the poor. And he could not restrain himself any longer, but let + his secret escape him: “It’s settled, you know,” said he. “My audience is + for this evening.” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta did not understand at first. “What audience?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Monsignor Nani was good enough to tell me at the ball this morning, + that the Holy Father has read my book and desires to see me. I shall be + received this evening at nine o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + At this the Contessina flushed with pleasure, participating in the delight + of the young priest to whom she had grown much attached. And this success + of his, coming in the midst of her own felicity, acquired extraordinary + importance in her eyes as if it were an augury of complete success for one + and all. Superstitious as she was, she raised a cry of rapture and + excitement: “Ah! <i>Dio</i>, that will bring us good luck. How happy I am, + my friend, to see happiness coming to you at the same time as to me! You + cannot think how pleased I am! And all will go well now, it’s certain, for + a house where there is any one whom the Pope welcomes is blessed, the + thunder of Heaven falls on it no more!” + </p> + <p> + She laughed yet more loudly as she spoke, and clapped her hands with such + exuberant gaiety that Pierre became anxious. “Hush! hush!” said he, “it’s + a secret. Pray don’t mention it to any one, either your aunt or even his + Eminence. Monsignor Nani would be much annoyed.” + </p> + <p> + She thereupon promised to say nothing, and in a kindly voice spoke of Nani + as a benefactor, for was she not indebted to him for the dissolution of + her marriage? Then, with a fresh explosion of gaiety, she went on: “But + come, my friend, is not happiness the only good thing? You don’t ask me to + weep over the suffering poor to-day! Ah! the happiness of life, that’s + everything. People don’t suffer or feel cold or hungry when they are + happy.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her in stupefaction at the idea of that strange solution of + the terrible question of human misery. And suddenly he realised that, with + that daughter of the sun who had inherited so many centuries of sovereign + aristocracy, all his endeavours at conversion were vain. He had wished to + bring her to a Christian love for the lowly and the wretched, win her over + to the new, enlightened, and compassionate Italy that he had dreamt of; + but if she had been moved by the sufferings of the multitude at the time + when she herself had suffered, when grievous wounds had made her own heart + bleed, she was no sooner healed than she proclaimed the doctrine of + universal felicity like a true daughter of a clime of burning summers, and + winters as mild as spring. “But everybody is not happy!” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, they are!” she exclaimed. “You don’t know the poor! Give a girl + of the Trastevere the lad she loves, and she becomes as radiant as a + queen, and finds her dry bread quite sweet. The mothers who save a child + from sickness, the men who conquer in a battle, or who win at the lottery, + one and all in fact are like that, people only ask for good fortune and + pleasure. And despite all your striving to be just and to arrive at a more + even distribution of fortune, the only satisfied ones will be those whose + hearts sing—often without their knowing the cause—on a fine + sunny day like this.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre made a gesture of surrender, not wishing to sadden her by again + pleading the cause of all the poor ones who at that very moment were + somewhere agonising with physical or mental pain. But, all at once, + through the luminous mild atmosphere a shadow seemed to fall, tingeing joy + with sadness, the sunshine with despair. And the sight of the old + sarcophagus, with its bacchanal of satyrs and nymphs, brought back the + memory that death lurks even amidst the bliss of passion, the unsatiated + kisses of love. For a moment the clear song of the water sounded in + Pierre’s ears like a long-drawn sob, and all seemed to crumble in the + terrible shadow which had fallen from the invisible. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta, however, caught hold of his hands and roused him once more to + the delight of being there beside her. “Your pupil is rebellious, is she + not, my friend?” said she. “But what would you have? There are ideas which + can’t enter into our heads. No, you will never get those things into the + head of a Roman girl. So be content with loving us as we are, beautiful + with all our strength, as beautiful as we can be.” + </p> + <p> + She herself, in her resplendent happiness, looked at that moment so + beautiful that he trembled as in presence of a divinity whose + all-powerfulness swayed the world. “Yes, yes,” he stammered, “beauty, + beauty, still and ever sovereign. Ah! why can it not suffice to satisfy + the eternal longings of poor suffering men?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind!” she gaily responded. “Do not distress yourself; it is + pleasant to live. And now let us go upstairs, my aunt must be waiting.” + </p> + <p> + The midday meal was served at one o’clock, and on the few occasions when + Pierre did not eat at one or another restaurant a cover was laid for him + at the ladies’ table in the little dining-room of the second floor, + overlooking the courtyard. At the same hour, in the sunlit dining-room of + the first floor, whose windows faced the Tiber, the Cardinal likewise sat + down to table, happy in the society of his nephew Dario, for his + secretary, Don Vigilio, who also was usually present, never opened his + mouth unless to reply to some question. And the two services were quite + distinct, each having its own kitchen and servants, the only thing at all + common to them both being a large room downstairs which served as a pantry + and store-place. + </p> + <p> + Although the second-floor dining-room was so gloomy, saddened by the + greeny half-light of the courtyard, the meal shared that day by the two + ladies and the young priest proved a very gay one. Even Donna Serafina, + usually so rigid, seemed to relax under the influence of great internal + felicity. She was no doubt still enjoying her triumph of the previous + evening, and it was she who first spoke of the ball and sung its praises, + though the presence of the King and Queen had much embarrassed her, said + she. According to her account, she had only avoided presentation by + skilful strategy; however she hoped that her well-known affection for + Celia, whose god-mother she was, would explain her presence in that + neutral mansion where Vatican and Quirinal had met. At the same time she + must have retained certain scruples, for she declared that directly after + dinner she was going to the Vatican to see the Cardinal Secretary, to whom + she desired to speak about an enterprise of which she was lady-patroness. + This visit would compensate for her attendance at the Buongiovanni + entertainment. And on the other hand never had Donna Serafina seemed so + zealous and hopeful of her brother’s speedy accession to the throne of St. + Peter: therein lay a supreme triumph, an elevation of her race, which her + pride deemed both needful and inevitable; and indeed during Leo XIII’s + last indisposition she had actually concerned herself about the trousseau + which would be needed and which would require to be marked with the new + Pontiff’s arms. + </p> + <p> + On her side, Benedetta was all gaiety during the repast, laughing at + everything, and speaking of Celia and Attilio with the passionate + affection of a woman whose own happiness delights in that of her friends. + Then, just as the dessert had been served, she turned to the servant with + an air of surprise: “Well, and the figs, Giacomo?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + Giacomo, slow and sleepy of notion, looked at her without understanding. + However, Victorine was crossing the room, and Benedetta’s next question + was for her: “Why are the figs not served, Victorine?” she inquired. + </p> + <p> + “What figs, Contessina?” + </p> + <p> + “Why the figs I saw in the pantry as I passed through it this morning on + my way to the garden. They were in a little basket and looked superb. I + was even astonished to see that there were still some fresh figs left at + this season. I’m very fond of them, and felt quite pleased at the thought + that I should eat some at dinner.” + </p> + <p> + Victorine began to laugh: “Ah! yes, Contessina, I understand,” she + replied. “They were some figs which that priest of Frascati, whom you know + very well, brought yesterday evening as a present for his Eminence. I was + there, and I heard him repeat three or four times that they were a + present, and were to be put on his Eminence’s table without a leaf being + touched. And so one did as he said.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that’s nice,” retorted Benedetta with comical indignation. “What <i>gourmands</i> + my uncle and Dario are to regale themselves without us! They might have + given us a share!” + </p> + <p> + Donna Serafina thereupon intervened, and asked Victorine: “You are + speaking, are you not, of that priest who used to come to the villa at + Frascati?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, Abbe Santobono his name is, he officiates at the little church + of St. Mary in the Fields. He always asks for Abbe Paparelli when he + calls; I think they were at the seminary together. And it was Abbe + Paparelli who brought him to the pantry with his basket last night. To + tell the truth, the basket was forgotten there in spite of all the + injunctions, so that nobody would have eaten the figs to-day if Abbe + Paparelli hadn’t run down just now and carried them upstairs as piously as + if they were the Blessed Sacrament. It’s true though that his Eminence is + so fond of them.” + </p> + <p> + “My brother won’t do them much honour to-day,” remarked the Princess. “He + is slightly indisposed. He passed a bad night.” The repeated mention of + Abbe Paparelli had made the old lady somewhat thoughtful. She had regarded + the train-bearer with displeasure ever since she had noticed the + extraordinary influence he was gaining over the Cardinal, despite all his + apparent humility and self-effacement. He was but a servant and apparently + a very insignificant one, yet he governed, and she could feel that he + combated her own influence, often undoing things which she had done to + further her brother’s interests. Twice already, moreover, she had + suspected him of having urged the Cardinal to courses which she looked + upon as absolute blunders. But perhaps she was wrong; she did the + train-bearer the justice to admit that he had great merits and displayed + exemplary piety. + </p> + <p> + However, Benedetta went on laughing and jesting, and as Victorine had now + withdrawn, she called the man-servant: “Listen, Giacomo, I have a + commission for you.” Then she broke off to say to her aunt and Pierre: + “Pray let us assert our rights. I can see them at table almost underneath + us. Uncle is taking the leaves off the basket and serving himself with a + smile; then he passes the basket to Dario, who passes it on to Don + Vigilio. And all three of them eat and enjoy the figs. You can see them, + can’t you?” She herself could see them well. And it was her desire to be + near Dario, the constant flight of her thoughts to him that now made her + picture him at table with the others. Her heart was down below, and there + was nothing there that she could not see, and hear, and smell, with such + keenness of the senses did her love endow her. “Giacomo,” she resumed, + “you are to go down and tell his Eminence that we are longing to taste his + figs, and that it will be very kind of him if he will send us such as he + can spare.” + </p> + <p> + Again, however, did Donna Serafina intervene, recalling her wonted + severity of voice: “Giacomo, you will please stay here.” And to her niece + she added: “That’s enough childishness! I dislike such silly freaks.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! aunt,” Benedetta murmured. “But I’m so happy, it’s so long since I + laughed so good-heartedly.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had hitherto remained listening, enlivened by the sight of her + gaiety. But now, as a little chill fell, he raised his voice to say that + on the previous day he himself had been astonished to see the famous + fig-tree of Frascati still bearing fruit so late in the year. This was + doubtless due, however, to the tree’s position and the protection of a + high wall. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! so you saw the tree?” said Benedetta. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and I even travelled with those figs which you would so much like to + taste.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, how was that?” + </p> + <p> + The young man already regretted the reply which had escaped him. However, + having gone so far, he preferred to say everything. “I met somebody at + Frascati who had come there in a carriage and who insisted on driving me + back to Rome,” said he. “On the way we picked up Abbe Santobono, who was + bravely making the journey on foot with his basket in his hand. And + afterwards we stopped at an <i>osteria</i>—” Then he went on to + describe the drive and relate his impressions whilst crossing the Campagna + amidst the falling twilight. But Benedetta gazed at him fixedly, aware as + she was of Prada’s frequent visits to the land and houses which he owned + at Frascati; and suddenly she murmured: “Somebody, somebody, it was the + Count, was it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame, the Count,” Pierre answered. “I saw him again last night; he + was overcome, and really deserves to be pitied.” + </p> + <p> + The two women took no offence at this charitable remark which fell from + the young priest with such deep and natural emotion, full as he was of + overflowing love and compassion for one and all. Donna Serafina remained + motionless as if she had not even heard him, and Benedetta made a gesture + which seemed to imply that she had neither pity nor hatred to express for + a man who had become a perfect stranger to her. However, she no longer + laughed, but, thinking of the little basket which had travelled in Prada’s + carriage, she said: “Ah! I don’t care for those figs at all now, I am even + glad that I haven’t eaten any of them.” + </p> + <p> + Immediately after the coffee Donna Serafina withdrew, saying that she was + at once going to the Vatican; and the others, being left to themselves, + lingered at table, again full of gaiety, and chatting like friends. The + priest, with his feverish impatience, once more referred to the audience + which he was to have that evening. It was now barely two o’clock, and he + had seven more hours to wait. How should he employ that endless afternoon? + Thereupon Benedetta good-naturedly made him a proposal. “I’ll tell you + what,” said she, “as we are all in such good spirits we mustn’t leave one + another. Dario has his victoria, you know. He must have finished lunch by + now, and I’ll ask him to take us for a long drive along the Tiber.” + </p> + <p> + This fine project so delighted her that she began to clap her hands; but + just then Don Vigilio appeared with a scared look on his face. “Isn’t the + Princess here?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “No, my aunt has gone out. What is the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “His Eminence sent me. The Prince has just felt unwell on rising from + table. Oh! it’s nothing—nothing serious, no doubt.” + </p> + <p> + Benedetta raised a cry of surprise rather than anxiety: “What, Dario! + Well, we’ll all go down. Come with me, Monsieur l’Abbe. He mustn’t get ill + if he is to take us for a drive!” Then, meeting Victorine on the stairs, + she bade her follow. “Dario isn’t well,” she said. “You may be wanted.” + </p> + <p> + They all four entered the spacious, antiquated, and simply furnished + bed-room where the young Prince had lately been laid up for a whole month. + It was reached by way of a small <i>salon</i>, and from an adjoining + dressing-room a passage conducted to the Cardinal’s apartments, the + relatively small dining-room, bed-room, and study, which had been devised + by subdividing one of the huge galleries of former days. In addition, the + passage gave access to his Eminence’s private chapel, a bare, uncarpeted, + chairless room, where there was nothing beyond the painted, wooden altar, + and the hard, cold tiles on which to kneel and pray. + </p> + <p> + On entering, Benedetta hastened to the bed where Dario was lying, still + fully dressed. Near him, in fatherly fashion, stood Cardinal Boccanera, + who, amidst his dawning anxiety, retained his proud and lofty bearing—the + calmness of a soul beyond reproach. “Why, what is the matter, Dario <i>mio</i>?” + asked the young woman. + </p> + <p> + He smiled, eager to reassure her. One only noticed that he was very pale, + with a look as of intoxication on his face. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! it’s nothing, mere giddiness,” he replied. “It’s just as if I had + drunk too much. All at once things swam before my eyes, and I thought I + was going to fall. And then I only had time to come and fling myself on + the bed.” + </p> + <p> + Then he drew a long breath, as though talking exhausted him, and the + Cardinal in his turn gave some details. “We had just finished our meal,” + said he, “I was giving Don Vigilio some orders for this afternoon, and was + about to rise when I saw Dario get up and reel. He wouldn’t sit down + again, but came in here, staggering like a somnambulist, and fumbling at + the doors to open them. We followed him without understanding. And I + confess that I don’t yet comprehend it.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the Cardinal punctuated his surprise by waving his arm towards + the rooms, through which a gust of misfortune seemed to have suddenly + swept. All the doors had remained wide open: the dressing-room could be + seen, and then the passage, at the end of which appeared the dining-room, + in a disorderly state, like an apartment suddenly vacated; the table still + laid, the napkins flung here and there, and the chairs pushed back. As + yet, however, there was no alarm. + </p> + <p> + Benedetta made the remark which is usually made in such cases: “I hope you + haven’t eaten anything which has disagreed with you.” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, smiling, again waved his hand as if to attest the frugality + of his table. “Oh!” said he, “there were only some eggs, some lamb + cutlets, and a dish of sorrel—they couldn’t have overloaded his + stomach. I myself only drink water; he takes just a sip of white wine. No, + no, the food has nothing to do with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Besides, in that case his Eminence and I would also have felt + indisposed,” Don Vigilio made bold to remark. + </p> + <p> + Dario, after momentarily closing his eyes, opened them again, and once + more drew a long breath, whilst endeavouring to laugh. “Oh, it will be + nothing;” he said. “I feel more at ease already. I must get up and stir + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” said Benedetta, “this is what I had thought of. You will + take Monsieur l’Abbe Froment and me for a long drive in the Campagna.” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly. It’s a nice idea. Victorine, help me.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst speaking he had raised himself by means of one arm; but, before the + servant could approach, a slight convulsion seized him, and he fell back + again as if overcome by a fainting fit. It was the Cardinal, still + standing by the bedside, who caught him in his arms, whilst the Contessina + this time lost her head: “<i>Dio, Dio</i>! It has come on him again. + Quick, quick, a doctor!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I run for one?” asked Pierre, whom the scene was also beginning to + upset. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, not you; stay with me. Victorine will go at once. She knows the + address. Doctor Giordano, Victorine.” + </p> + <p> + The servant hurried away, and a heavy silence fell on the room where the + anxiety became more pronounced every moment. Benedetta, now quite pale, + had again approached the bed, whilst the Cardinal looked down at Dario, + whom he still held in his arms. And a terrible suspicion, vague, + indeterminate as yet, had just awoke in the old man’s mind: Dario’s face + seemed to him to be ashen, to wear that mask of terrified anguish which he + had already remarked on the countenance of his dearest friend, Monsignor + Gallo, when he had held him in his arms, in like manner, two hours before + his death. There was also the same swoon and the same sensation of + clasping a cold form whose heart ceases to beat. And above everything else + there was in Boccanera’s mind the same growing thought of poison, poison + coming one knew not whence or how, but mysteriously striking down those + around him with the suddenness of lightning. And for a long time he + remained with his head bent over the face of his nephew, that last scion + of his race, seeking, studying, and recognising the signs of the + mysterious, implacable disorder which once already had rent his heart + atwain. + </p> + <p> + But Benedetta addressed him in a low, entreating voice: “You will tire + yourself, uncle. Let me take him a little, I beg you. Have no fear, I’ll + hold him very gently, he will feel that it is I, and perhaps that will + rouse him.” + </p> + <p> + At last the Cardinal raised his head and looked at her, and allowed her to + take his place after kissing her with distracted passion, his eyes the + while full of tears—a sudden burst of emotion in which his great + love for the young woman melted the stern frigidity which he usually + affected. “Ah! my poor child, my poor child!” he stammered, trembling from + head to foot like an oak-tree about to fall. Immediately afterwards, + however, he mastered himself, and whilst Pierre and Don Vigilio, mute and + motionless, regretted that they could be of no help, he walked slowly to + and fro. Soon, moreover, that bed-chamber became too small for all the + thoughts revolving in his mind, and he strayed first into the + dressing-room and then down the passage as far as the dining-room. And + again and again he went to and fro, grave and impassible, his head low, + ever lost in the same gloomy reverie. What were the multitudinous thoughts + stirring in the brain of that believer, that haughty Prince who had given + himself to God and could do naught to stay inevitable Destiny? From time + to time he returned to the bedside, observed the progress of the disorder, + and then started off again at the same slow regular pace, disappearing and + reappearing, carried along as it were by the monotonous alternations of + forces which man cannot control. Possibly he was mistaken, possibly this + was some mere indisposition at which the doctor would smile. One must hope + and wait. And again he went off and again he came back; and amidst the + heavy silence nothing more clearly bespoke the torture of anxious fear + than the rhythmical footsteps of that tall old man who was thus awaiting + Destiny. + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and Victorine came in breathless. “I found the doctor, + here he is,” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + With his little pink face and white curls, his discreet paternal bearing + which gave him the air of an amiable prelate, Doctor Giordano came in + smiling; but on seeing that room and all the anxious people waiting in it, + he turned very grave, at once assuming the expression of profound respect + for all ecclesiastical secrets which he had acquired by long practice + among the clergy. And when he had glanced at the sufferer he let but a low + murmur escape him: “What, again! Is it beginning again!” + </p> + <p> + He was probably alluding to the knife thrust for which he had recently + tended Dario. Who could be thus relentlessly pursuing that poor and + inoffensive young prince? However no one heard the doctor unless it were + Benedetta, and she was so full of feverish impatience, so eager to be + tranquillised, that she did not listen but burst into fresh entreaties: + “Oh! doctor, pray look at him, examine him, tell us that it is nothing. It + can’t be anything serious, since he was so well and gay but a little while + ago. It’s nothing serious, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right no doubt, Contessina, it can be nothing dangerous. We will + see.” + </p> + <p> + However, on turning round, Doctor Giordano perceived the Cardinal, who + with regular, thoughtful footsteps had come back from the dining-room to + place himself at the foot of the bed. And while bowing, the doctor + doubtless detected a gleam of mortal anxiety in the dark eyes fixed upon + his own, for he added nothing but began to examine Dario like a man who + realises that time is precious. And as his examination progressed the + affable optimism which usually appeared upon his countenance gave place to + ashen gravity, a covert terror which made his lips slightly tremble. It + was he who had attended Monsignor Gallo when the latter had been carried + off so mysteriously; it was he who for imperative reasons had then + delivered a certificate stating the cause of death to be infectious fever; + and doubtless he now found the same terrible symptoms as in that case, a + leaden hue overspreading the sufferer’s features, a stupor as of excessive + intoxication; and, old Roman practitioner that he was, accustomed to + sudden deaths, he realised that the <i>malaria</i> which kills was + passing, that <i>malaria</i> which science does not yet fully understand, + which may come from the putrescent exhalations of the Tiber unless it be + but a name for the ancient poison of the legends. + </p> + <p> + As the doctor raised his head his glance again encountered the black eyes + of the Cardinal, which never left him. “Signor Giordano,” said his + Eminence, “you are not over-anxious, I hope? It is only some case of + indigestion, is it not?” + </p> + <p> + The doctor again bowed. By the slight quiver of the Cardinal’s voice he + understood how acute was the anxiety of that powerful man, who once more + was stricken in his dearest affections. + </p> + <p> + “Your Eminence must be right,” he said, “there’s a bad digestion + certainly. Such accidents sometimes become dangerous when fever + supervenes. I need not tell your Eminence how thoroughly you may rely on + my prudence and zeal.” Then he broke off and added in a clear professional + voice: “We must lose no time; the Prince must be undressed. I should + prefer to remain alone with him for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst speaking in this way, however, Doctor Giordano detained Victorine, + who would be able to help him, said he; should he need any further + assistance he would take Giacomo. His evident desire was to get rid of the + members of the family in order that he might have more freedom of action. + And the Cardinal, who understood him, gently led Benedetta into the + dining-room, whither Pierre and Don Vigilio followed. + </p> + <p> + When the doors had been closed, the most mournful and oppressive silence + reigned in that dining-room, which the bright sun of winter filled with + such delightful warmth and radiance. The table was still laid, its cloth + strewn here and there with bread-crumbs; and a coffee cup had remained + half full. In the centre stood the basket of figs, whose covering of + leaves had been removed. However, only two or three of the figs were + missing. And in front of the window was Tata, the female parrot, who had + flown out of her cage and perched herself on her stand, where she + remained, dazzled and enraptured, amidst the dancing dust of a broad + yellow sunray. In her astonishment however, at seeing so many people + enter, she had ceased to scream and smooth her feathers, and had turned + her head the better to examine the newcomers with her round and + scrutinising eye. + </p> + <p> + The minutes went by slowly amidst all the feverish anxiety as to what + might be occurring in the neighbouring room. Don Vigilio had taken a + corner seat in silence, whilst Benedetta and Pierre, who had remained + standing, preserved similar muteness, and immobility. But the Cardinal had + reverted to that instinctive, lulling tramp by which he apparently hoped + to quiet his impatience and arrive the sooner at the explanation for which + he was groping through a tumultuous maze of ideas. And whilst his + rhythmical footsteps resounded with mechanical regularity, dark fury was + taking possession of his mind, exasperation at being unable to understand + the why and wherefore of that sickness. As he passed the table he had + twice glanced at the things lying on it in confusion, as if seeking some + explanation from them. Perhaps the harm had been done by that unfinished + coffee, or by that bread whose crumbs lay here and there, or by those + cutlets, a bone of which remained? Then as for the third time he passed + by, again glancing, his eyes fell upon the basket of figs, and at once he + stopped, as if beneath the shock of a revelation. An idea seized upon him + and mastered him, without any plan, however, occurring to him by which he + might change his sudden suspicion into certainty. For a moment he remained + puzzled with his eyes fixed upon the basket. Then he took a fig and + examined it, but, noticing nothing strange, was about to put it back when + Tata, the parrot, who was very fond of figs, raised a strident cry. And + this was like a ray of light; the means of changing suspicion into + certainty was found. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, with grave air and gloomy visage, the Cardinal carried the fig to + the parrot and gave it to her without hesitation or regret. She was a very + pretty bird, the only being of the lower order of creation to which he had + ever really been attached. Stretching out her supple, delicate form, whose + silken feathers of dull green here and there assumed a pinky tinge in the + sunlight, she took hold of the fig with her claws, then ripped it open + with her beak. But when she had raked it she ate but little, and let all + the rest fall upon the floor. Still grave and impassible, the Cardinal + looked at her and waited. Quite three minutes went by, and then feeling + reassured, he began to scratch the bird’s poll, whilst she, taking + pleasure in the caress, turned her neck and fixed her bright ruby eye upon + her master. But all at once she sank back without even a flap of the + wings, and fell like a bullet. She was dead, killed as by a thunderbolt. + </p> + <p> + Boccanera made but a gesture, raising both hands to heaven as if in horror + at what he now knew. Great God! such a terrible crime, and such a fearful + mistake, such an abominable trick of Destiny! No cry of grief came from + him, but the gloom upon his face grew black and fierce. Yet there was a + cry, a piercing cry from Benedetta, who like Pierre and Don Vigilio had + watched the Cardinal with an astonishment which had changed into terror: + “Poison! poison! Ah! Dario, my heart, my soul!” + </p> + <p> + But the Cardinal violently caught his niece by the wrist, whilst darting a + suspicious glance at the two petty priests, the secretary and the + foreigner, who were present: “Be quiet, be quiet!” said he. + </p> + <p> + She shook herself free, rebelling, frantic with rage and hatred: “Why + should I be quiet!” she cried. “It is Prada’s work, I shall denounce him, + he shall die as well! I tell you it is Prada, I know it, for yesterday + Abbe Froment came back with him from Frascati in his carriage with that + priest Santobono and that basket of figs! Yes, yes, I have witnesses, it + is Prada, Prada!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, you are mad, be quiet!” said the Cardinal, who had again taken + hold of the young woman’s hands and sought to master her with all his + sovereign authority. He, who knew the influence which Cardinal Sanguinetti + exercised over Santobono’s excitable mind, had just understood the whole + affair; no direct complicity but covert propulsion, the animal excited and + then let loose upon the troublesome rival at the moment when the + pontifical throne seemed likely to be vacant. The probability, the + certainty of all this flashed upon Boccanera who, though some points + remained obscure, did not seek to penetrate them. It was not necessary + indeed that he should know every particular: the thing was as he said, + since it was bound to be so. “No, no, it was not Prada,” he exclaimed, + addressing Benedetta. “That man can bear me no personal grudge, and I + alone was aimed at, it was to me that those figs were given. Come, think + it out! Only an unforeseen indisposition prevented me from eating the + greater part of the fruit, for it is known that I am very fond of figs, + and while my poor Dario was tasting them, I jested and told him to leave + the finer ones for me to-morrow. Yes, the abominable blow was meant for + me, and it is on him that it has fallen by the most atrocious of chances, + the most monstrous of the follies of fate. Ah! Lord God, Lord God, have + you then forsaken us!” + </p> + <p> + Tears came into the old man’s eyes, whilst she still quivered and seemed + unconvinced: “But you have no enemies, uncle,” she said. “Why should that + Santobono try to take your life?” + </p> + <p> + For a moment he found no fitting reply. With supreme grandeur he had + already resolved to keep the truth secret. Then a recollection came to + him, and he resigned himself to the telling of a lie: “Santobono’s mind + has always been somewhat unhinged,” said he, “and I know that he has hated + me ever since I refused to help him to get a brother of his, one of our + former gardeners, out of prison. Deadly spite often has no more serious + cause. He must have thought that he had reason to be revenged on me.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Benedetta, exhausted, unable to argue any further, sank upon a + chair with a despairing gesture: “Ah! God, God! I no longer know—and + what matters it now that my Dario is in such danger? There’s only one + thing to be done, he must be saved. How long they are over what they are + doing in that room—why does not Victorine come for us!” + </p> + <p> + The silence again fell, full of terror. Without speaking the Cardinal took + the basket of figs from the table and carried it to a cupboard in which he + locked it. Then he put the key in his pocket. No doubt, when night had + fallen, he himself would throw the proofs of the crime into the Tiber. + However, on coming back from the cupboard he noticed the two priests, who + naturally had watched him; and with mingled grandeur and simplicity he + said to them: “Gentlemen, I need not ask you to be discreet. There are + scandals which we must spare the Church, which is not, cannot be guilty. + To deliver one of ourselves, even when he is a criminal, to the civil + tribunals, often means a blow for the whole Church, for men of evil mind + may lay hold of the affair and seek to impute the responsibility of the + crime even to the Church itself. We therefore have but to commit the + murderer to the hands of God, who will know more surely how to punish him. + Ah! for my part, whether I be struck in my own person or whether the blow + be directed against my family, my dearest affections, I declare in the + name of the Christ who died upon the cross, that I feel neither anger, nor + desire for vengeance, that I efface the murderer’s name from my memory and + bury his abominable act in the eternal silence of the grave.” + </p> + <p> + Tall as he was, he seemed of yet loftier stature whilst with hand upraised + he took that oath to leave his enemies to the justice of God alone; for he + did not refer merely to Santobono, but to Cardinal Sanguinetti, whose evil + influence he had divined. And amidst all the heroism of his pride, he was + rent by tragic dolour at thought of the dark battle which was waged around + the tiara, all the evil hatred and voracious appetite which stirred in the + depths of the gloom. Then, as Pierre and Don Vigilio bowed to him as a + sign that they would preserve silence, he almost choked with invincible + emotion, a sob of loving grief which he strove to keep down rising to his + throat, whilst he stammered: “Ah! my poor child, my poor child, the only + scion of our race, the only love and hope of my heart! Ah! to die, to die + like this!” + </p> + <p> + But Benedetta, again all violence, sprang up: “Die! Who, Dario? I won’t + have it! We’ll nurse him, we’ll go back to him. We will take him in our + arms and save him. Come, uncle, come at once! I won’t, I won’t, I won’t + have him die!” + </p> + <p> + She was going towards the door, and nothing would have prevented her from + re-entering the bed-room, when, as it happened, Victorine appeared with a + wild look on her face, for, despite her wonted serenity, all her courage + was now exhausted. “The doctor begs madame and his Eminence to come at + once, at once,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Stupefied by all these things, Pierre did not follow the others, but + lingered for a moment in the sunlit dining-room with Don Vigilio. What! + poison? Poison as in the time of the Borgias, elegantly hidden away, + served up with luscious fruit by a crafty traitor, whom one dared not even + denounce! And he recalled the conversation on his way back from Frascati, + and his Parisian scepticism with respect to those legendary drugs, which + to his mind had no place save in the fifth acts of melodramas. Yet those + abominable stories were true, those tales of poisoned knives and flowers, + of prelates and even dilatory popes being suppressed by a drop or a grain + of something administered to them in their morning chocolate. That + passionate tragical Santobono was really a poisoner, Pierre could no + longer doubt it, for a lurid light now illumined the whole of the previous + day: there were the words of ambition and menace which had been spoken by + Cardinal Sanguinetti, the eagerness to act in presence of the probable + death of the reigning pope, the suggestion of a crime for the sake of the + Church’s salvation, then that priest with his little basket of figs + encountered on the road, then that basket carried for hours so carefully, + so devoutly, on the priest’s knees, that basket which now haunted Pierre + like a nightmare, and whose colour, and odour, and shape he would ever + recall with a shudder. Aye, poison, poison, there was truth in it; it + existed and still circulated in the depths of the black world, amidst all + the ravenous, rival longings for conquest and sovereignty. + </p> + <p> + And all at once the figure of Prada likewise arose in Pierre’s mind. A + little while previously, when Benedetta had so violently accused the + Count, he, Pierre, had stepped forward to defend him and cry aloud what he + knew, whence the poison had come, and what hand had offered it. But a + sudden thought had made him shiver: though Prada had not devised the + crime, he had allowed it to be perpetrated. Another memory darted keen + like steel through the young priest’s mind—that of the little black + hen lying lifeless beside the shed, amidst the dismal surroundings of the + <i>osteria</i>, with a tiny streamlet of violet blood trickling from her + beak. And here again, Tata, the parrot, lay still soft and warm at the + foot of her stand, with her beak stained by oozing blood. Why had Prada + told that lie about a battle between two fowls? All the dim intricacy of + passion and contention bewildered Pierre, he could not thread his way + through it; nor was he better able to follow the frightful combat which + must have been waged in that man’s mind during the night of the ball. At + the same time he could not again picture him by his side during their + nocturnal walk towards the Boccanera mansion without shuddering, dimly + divining what a frightful decision had been taken before that mansion’s + door. Moreover, whatever the obscurities, whether Prada had expected that + the Cardinal alone would be killed, or had hoped that some chance stroke + of fate might avenge him on others, the terrible fact remained—he + had known, he had been able to stay Destiny on the march, but had allowed + it to go onward and blindly accomplish its work of death. + </p> + <p> + Turning his head Pierre perceived Don Vigilio still seated on the corner + chair whence he had not stirred, and looking so pale and haggard that + perhaps he also had swallowed some of the poison. “Do you feel unwell?” + the young priest asked. + </p> + <p> + At first the secretary could not reply, for terror had gripped him at the + throat. Then in a low voice he said: “No, no, I didn’t eat any. Ah, + Heaven, when I think that I so much wanted to taste them, and that merely + deference kept me back on seeing that his Eminence did not take any!” Don + Vigilio’s whole body shivered at the thought that his humility alone had + saved him; and on his face and his hands there remained the icy chill of + death which had fallen so near and grazed him as it passed. + </p> + <p> + Then twice he heaved a sigh, and with a gesture of affright sought to + brush the horrid thing away while murmuring: “Ah! Paparelli, Paparelli!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, deeply stirred, and knowing what he thought of the train-bearer, + tried to extract some information from him: “What do you mean?” he asked. + “Do you accuse him too? Do you think they urged him on, and that it was + they at bottom?” + </p> + <p> + The word Jesuits was not even spoken, but a big black shadow passed + athwart the gay sunlight of the dining-room, and for a moment seemed to + fill it with darkness. “They! ah yes!” exclaimed Don Vigilio, “they are + everywhere; it is always they! As soon as one weeps, as soon as one dies, + they are mixed up in it. And this is intended for me too; I am quite + surprised that I haven’t been carried off.” Then again he raised a dull + moan of fear, hatred, and anger: “Ah! Paparelli, Paparelli!” And he + refused to reply any further, but darted scared glances at the walls as if + from one or another of them he expected to see the train-bearer emerge, + with his wrinkled flabby face like that of an old maid, his furtive + mouse-like trot, and his mysterious, invading hands which had gone + expressly to bring the forgotten figs from the pantry and deposit them on + the table. + </p> + <p> + At last the two priests decided to return to the bedroom, where perhaps + they might be required; and Pierre on entering was overcome by the + heart-rending scene which the chamber now presented. Doctor Giordano, + suspecting poison, had for half an hour been trying the usual remedies, an + emetic and then magnesia. Just then, too, he had made Victorine whip some + whites of eggs in water. But the disorder was progressing with such + lightning-like rapidity that all succour was becoming futile. Undressed + and lying on his back, his bust propped up by pillows and his arms lying + outstretched over the sheets, Dario looked quite frightful in the sort of + painful intoxication which characterised that redoubtable and mysterious + disorder to which already Monsignor Gallo and others had succumbed. The + young man seemed to be stricken with a sort of dizzy stupor, his eyes + receded farther and farther into the depth of their dark sockets, whilst + his whole face became withered, aged as it were, and covered with an + earthy pallor. A moment previously he had closed his eyes, and the only + sign that he still lived was the heaving of his chest induced by painful + respiration. And leaning over his poor dying face stood Benedetta, sharing + his sufferings, and mastered by such impotent grief that she also was + unrecognisable, so white, so distracted by anguish, that it seemed as if + death were gradually taking her at the same time as it was taking him. + </p> + <p> + In the recess by the window whither Cardinal Boccanera had led Doctor + Giordano, a few words were exchanged in low tones. “He is lost, is he + not?” + </p> + <p> + The doctor made the despairing gesture of one who is vanquished: “Alas! + yes. I must warn your Eminence that in an hour all will be over.” + </p> + <p> + A short interval of silence followed. “And the same malady as Gallo, is it + not?” asked the Cardinal; and as the doctor trembling and averting his + eyes did not answer he added: “At all events of an infectious fever!” + </p> + <p> + Giordano well understood what the Cardinal thus asked of him: silence, the + crime for ever hidden away for the sake of the good renown of his mother, + the Church. And there could be no loftier, no more tragical grandeur than + that of this old man of seventy, still so erect and sovereign, who would + neither suffer a slur to be cast upon his spiritual family, nor consent to + his human family being dragged into the inevitable mire of a sensational + murder trial. No, no, there must be none of that, there must be silence, + the eternal silence in which all becomes forgotten. + </p> + <p> + At last the doctor bowed with his gentle air of discretion. “Evidently, of + an infectious fever as your Eminence so well says,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + Two big tears then again appeared in Boccanera’s eyes. Now that he had + screened the Deity from attack in the person of the Church, his heart as a + man again bled. He begged the doctor to make a supreme effort, to attempt + the impossible; but, pointing to the dying man with trembling hands, + Giordano shook his head. For his own father, his own mother he could have + done nothing. Death was there. So why weary, why torture a dying man, + whose sufferings he would only have increased? And then, as the Cardinal, + finding the end so near at hand, thought of his sister Serafina, and + lamented that she would not be able to kiss her nephew for the last time + if she lingered at the Vatican, the doctor offered to fetch her in his + carriage which was waiting below. It would not take him more than twenty + minutes, said he, and he would be back in time for the end, should he then + be needed. + </p> + <p> + Left to himself in the window recess the Cardinal remained there + motionless for another moment. With eyes blurred by tears, he gazed + towards heaven. And his quivering arms were suddenly raised in a gesture + of ardent entreaty. O God, since the science of man was so limited and + vain, since that doctor had gone off happy to escape the embarrassment of + his impotence, O God, why not a miracle which should proclaim the + splendour of Thy Almighty Power! A miracle, a miracle! that was what the + Cardinal asked from the depths of his believing soul, with the insistence, + the imperious entreaty of a Prince of the Earth, who deemed that he had + rendered considerable services to Heaven by dedicating his whole life to + the Church. And he asked for that miracle in order that his race might be + perpetuated, in order that its last male scion might not thus miserably + perish, but be able to marry that fondly loved cousin, who now stood there + all woe and tears. A miracle, a miracle for the sake of those two dear + children! A miracle which would endow the family with fresh life: a + miracle which would eternise the glorious name of Boccanera by enabling an + innumerable posterity of valiant ones and faithful ones to spring from + that young couple! + </p> + <p> + When the Cardinal returned to the centre of the room he seemed + transfigured. Faith had dried his eyes, his soul had become strong and + submissive, exempt from all human weakness. He had placed himself in the + hands of God, and had resolved that he himself would administer extreme + unction to Dario. With a gesture he summoned Don Vigilio and led him into + the little room which served as a chapel, and the key of which he always + carried. A cupboard had been contrived behind the altar of painted wood, + and the Cardinal went to it to take both stole and surplice. The coffer + containing the Holy Oils was likewise there, a very ancient silver coffer + bearing the Boccanera arms. And on Don Vigilio following the Cardinal back + into the bed-room they in turn pronounced the Latin words: + </p> + <p> + “<i>Pax huic domui</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Et omnibus habitantibus in ea</i>.” * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * “Peace unto this house and unto all who dwell in it.”—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Death was coming so fast and threatening, that all the usual preparations + were perforce dispensed with. Neither the two lighted tapers, nor the + little table covered with white cloth had been provided. And, in the same + way, Don Vigilio the assistant, having failed to bring the Holy Water + basin and sprinkler, the Cardinal, as officiating priest, could merely + make the gesture of blessing the room and the dying man, whilst + pronouncing the words of the ritual: “<i>Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et + mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.</i>”* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * “Sprinkle me, Lord, with hyssop, and purify me; wash me, and + make me whiter than snow.”—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Benedetta on seeing the Cardinal appear carrying the Holy Oils, had with a + long quiver fallen on her knees at the foot of the bed, whilst, somewhat + farther away, Pierre and Victorine likewise knelt, overcome by the + dolorous grandeur of the scene. And the dilated eyes of the Contessina, + whose face was pale as snow, never quitted her Dario, whom she no longer + recognised, so earthy was his face, its skin tanned and wrinkled like that + of an old man. And it was not for their marriage which he so much desired + that their uncle, the all-powerful Prince of the Church, was bringing the + Sacrament, but for the supreme rupture, the end of all pride, Death which + finishes off the haughtiest races, and sweeps them away, even as the wind + sweeps the dust of the roads. + </p> + <p> + It was needful that there should be no delay, so the Cardinal promptly + repeated the Credo in an undertone, “<i>Credo in unum Deum—</i>” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Amen</i>,” responded Don Vigilio, who, after the prayers of the + ritual, stammered the Litanies in order that Heaven might take pity on the + wretched man who was about to appear before God, if God by a prodigy did + not spare him. + </p> + <p> + Then, without taking time to wash his fingers, the Cardinal opened the + case containing the Holy Oils, and limiting himself to one anointment, as + is permissible in pressing cases, he deposited a single drop of the oil on + Dario’s parched mouth which was already withered by death. And in doing so + he repeated the words of the formula, his heart all aglow with faith as he + asked that the divine mercy might efface each and every sin that the young + man had committed by either of his five senses, those five portals by + which everlasting temptation assails the soul. And the Cardinal’s fervour + was also instinct with the hope that if God had smitten the poor sufferer + for his offences, perhaps He would make His indulgence entire and even + restore him to life as soon as He should have forgiven his sins. Life, O + Lord, life in order that the ancient line of the Boccaneras might yet + multiply and continue to serve Thee in battle and at the altar until the + end of time! + </p> + <p> + For a moment the Cardinal remained with quivering hands, gazing at the + mute face, the closed eyes of the dying man, and waiting for the miracle. + But no sign appeared, not the faintest glimmer brightened that haggard + countenance, nor did a sigh of relief come from the withered lips as Don + Vigilio wiped them with a little cotton wool. And the last prayer was + said, and whilst the frightful silence fell once more the Cardinal, + followed by his assistant, returned to the chapel. There they both knelt, + the Cardinal plunging into ardent prayer upon the bare tiles. With his + eyes raised to the brass crucifix upon the altar he saw nothing, heard + nothing, but gave himself wholly to his entreaties, supplicating God to + take him in place of his nephew, if a sacrifice were necessary, and yet + clinging to the hope that so long as Dario retained a breath of life and + he himself thus remained on his knees addressing the Deity, he might + succeed in pacifying the wrath of Heaven. He was both so humble and so + great. Would not accord surely be established between God and a Boccanera? + The old palace might have fallen to the ground, he himself would not even + have felt the toppling of its beams. + </p> + <p> + In the bed-room, however, nothing had yet stirred beneath the weight of + tragic majesty which the ceremony had left there. It was only now that + Dario raised his eyelids, and when on looking at his hands he saw them so + aged and wasted the depths of his eyes kindled with an expression of + immense regretfulness that life should be departing. Doubtless it was at + this moment of lucidity amidst the kind of intoxication with which the + poison overwhelmed him, that he for the first time realised his perilous + condition. Ah! to die, amidst such pain, such physical degradation, what a + revolting horror for that frivolous and egotistical man, that lover of + beauty, joy, and light, who knew not how to suffer! In him ferocious fate + chastised racial degeneracy with too heavy a hand. He became horrified + with himself, seized with childish despair and terror, which lent him + strength enough to sit up and gaze wildly about the room, in order to see + if every one had not abandoned him. And when his eyes lighted on Benedetta + still kneeling at the foot of the bed, a supreme impulse carried him + towards her, he stretched forth both arms as passionately as his strength + allowed and stammered her name: “O Benedetta, Benedetta!” + </p> + <p> + She, motionless in the stupor of her anxiety, had not taken her eyes from + his face. The horrible disorder which was carrying off her lover, seemed + also to possess and annihilate her more and more, even as he himself grew + weaker and weaker. Her features were assuming an immaterial whiteness; and + through the void of her clear eyeballs one began to espy her soul. + However, when she perceived him thus resuscitating and calling her with + arms outstretched, she in her turn arose and standing beside the bed made + answer: “I am coming, my Dario, here I am.” + </p> + <p> + And then Pierre and Victorine, still on their knees, beheld a sublime deed + of such extraordinary grandeur that they remained rooted to the floor, + spell-bound as in the presence of some supra-terrestrial spectacle in + which human beings may not intervene. Benedetta herself spoke and acted + like one freed from all social and conventional ties, already beyond life, + only seeing and addressing beings and things from a great distance, from + the depths of the unknown in which she was about to disappear. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my Dario, so an attempt has been made to part us! It was in order + that I might never belong to you—that we might never be happy, that + your death was resolved upon, and it was known that with your life my own + must cease! And it is that man who is killing you! Yes, he is your + murderer, even if the actual blow has been dealt by another. He is the + first cause—he who stole me from you when I was about to become + yours, he who ravaged our lives, and who breathed around us the hateful + poison which is killing us. Ah! how I hate him, how I hate him; how I + should like to crush him with my hate before I die with you!” + </p> + <p> + She did not raise her voice, but spoke those terrible words in a deep + murmur, simply and passionately. Prada was not even named, and she + scarcely turned towards Pierre—who knelt, paralysed, behind her—to + add with a commanding air: “You will see his father, I charge you to tell + him that I cursed his son! That kind-hearted hero loved me well—I + love him even now, and the words you will carry to him from me will rend + his heart. But I desire that he should know—he must know, for the + sake of truth and justice.” + </p> + <p> + Distracted by terror, sobbing amidst a last convulsion, Dario again + stretched forth his arms, feeling that she was no longer looking at him, + that her clear eyes were no longer fixed upon his own: “Benedetta, + Benedetta!” + </p> + <p> + “I am coming, I am coming, my Dario—I am here!” she responded, + drawing yet nearer to the bedside and almost touching him. “Ah!” she went + on, “that vow which I made to the Madonna to belong to none, not even you, + until God should allow it by the blessing of one of his priests! Ah! I set + a noble, a divine pride in remaining immaculate for him who should be the + one master of my soul and body. And that chastity which I was so proud of, + I defended it against the other as one defends oneself against a wolf, and + I defended it against you with tears for fear of sacrilege. And if you + only knew what terrible struggles I was forced to wage with myself, for I + loved you and longed to be yours, like a woman who accepts the whole of + love, the love that makes wife and mother! Ah! my vow to the Madonna—with + what difficulty did I keep it when the old blood of our race arose in me + like a tempest; and now what a disaster!” She drew yet nearer, and her low + voice became more ardent: “You remember that evening when you came back + with a knife-thrust in your shoulder. I thought you dead, and cried aloud + with rage at the idea of losing you like that. I insulted the Madonna and + regretted that I had not damned myself with you that we might die + together, so tightly clasped that we must needs be buried together also. + And to think that such a terrible warning was of no avail! I was blind and + foolish; and now you are again stricken, again being taken from my love. + Ah! my wretched pride, my idiotic dream!” + </p> + <p> + That which now rang out in her stifled voice was the anger of the + practical woman that she had ever been, all superstition notwithstanding. + Could the Madonna, who was so maternal, desire the woe of lovers? No, + assuredly not. Nor did the angels make the mere absence of a priest a + cause for weeping over the transports of true and mutual love. Was not + such love holy in itself, and did not the angels rather smile upon it and + burst into gladsome song! And ah! how one cheated oneself by not loving to + heart’s content under the sun, when the blood of life coursed through + one’s veins! + </p> + <p> + “Benedetta! Benedetta!” repeated the dying man, full of child-like terror + at thus going off all alone into the depths of the black and everlasting + night. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am, my Dario, I am coming!” + </p> + <p> + Then, as she fancied that the servant, albeit motionless, had stirred, as + if to rise and interfere, she added: “Leave me, leave me, Victorine, + nothing in the world can henceforth prevent it. A moment ago, when I was + on my knees, something roused me and urged me on. I know whither I am + going. And besides, did I not swear on the night of the knife thrust? Did + I not promise to belong to him alone, even in the earth if it were + necessary? I must embrace him, and he will carry me away! We shall be + dead, and we shall be wedded in spite of all, and for ever and for ever!” + </p> + <p> + She stepped back to the dying man, and touched him: “Here I am, my Dario, + here I am!” + </p> + <p> + Then came the apogee. Amidst growing exaltation, buoyed up by a blaze of + love, careless of glances, candid like a lily, she divested herself of her + garments and stood forth so white, that neither marble statue, nor dove, + nor snow itself was ever whiter. “Here I am, my Dario, here I am!” + </p> + <p> + Recoiling almost to the ground as at sight of an apparition, the glorious + flash of a holy vision, Pierre and Victorine gazed at her with dazzled + eyes. The servant had not stirred to prevent this extraordinary action, + seized as she was with that shrinking reverential terror which comes upon + one in presence of the wild, mad deeds of faith and passion. And the + priest, whose limbs were paralysed, felt that something so sublime was + passing that he could only quiver in distraction. And no thought of + impurity came to him on beholding that lily, snowy whiteness. All candour + and all nobility as she was, that virgin shocked him no more than some + sculptured masterpiece of genius. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am, my Dario, here I am.” + </p> + <p> + She had lain herself down beside the spouse whom she had chosen, she had + clasped the dying man whose arms only had enough strength left to fold + themselves around her. Death was stealing him from her, but she would go + with him; and again she murmured: “My Dario, here I am.” + </p> + <p> + And at that moment, against the wall at the head of the bed, Pierre + perceived the escutcheon of the Boccaneras, embroidered in gold and + coloured silks on a groundwork of violet velvet. There was the winged + dragon belching flames, there was the fierce and glowing motto “<i>Bocca + nera, Alma rossa</i>” (black mouth, red soul), the mouth darkened by a + roar, the soul flaming like a brazier of faith and love. And behold! all + that old race of passion and violence with its tragic legends had + reappeared, its blood bubbling up afresh to urge that last and adorable + daughter of the line to those terrifying and prodigious nuptials in death. + And to Pierre that escutcheon recalled another memory, that of the + portrait of Cassia Boccanera the <i>amorosa</i> and avengeress who had + flung herself into the Tiber with her brother Ercole and the corpse of her + lover Flavio. Was there not here even with Benedetta the same despairing + clasp seeking to vanquish death, the same savagery in hurling oneself into + the abyss with the corpse of the one’s only love? Benedetta and Cassia + were as sisters, Cassia, who lived anew in the old painting in the <i>salon</i> + overhead, Benedetta who was here dying of her lover’s death, as though she + were but the other’s spirit. Both had the same delicate childish features, + the same mouth of passion, the same large dreamy eyes set in the same + round, practical, and stubborn head. + </p> + <p> + “My Dario, here I am!” + </p> + <p> + For a second, which seemed an eternity, they clasped one another, she + neither repelled nor terrified by the disorder which made him so + unrecognisable, but displaying a delirious passion, a holy frenzy as if to + pass beyond life, to penetrate with him into the black Unknown. And + beneath the shock of the felicity at last offered to him he expired, with + his arms yet convulsively wound around her as though indeed to carry her + off. Then, whether from grief or from bliss amidst that embrace of death, + there came such a rush of blood to her heart that the organ burst: she + died on her lover’s neck, both tightly and for ever clasped in one + another’s arms. + </p> + <p> + There was a faint sigh. Victorine understood and drew near, while Pierre, + also erect, remained quivering with the tearful admiration of one who has + beheld the sublime. + </p> + <p> + “Look, look!” whispered the servant, “she no longer moves, she no longer + breathes. Ah! my poor child, my poor child, she is dead!” + </p> + <p> + Then the priest murmured: “Oh! God, how beautiful they are.” + </p> + <p> + It was true, never had loftier and more resplendent beauty appeared on the + faces of the dead. Dario’s countenance, so lately aged and earthen, had + assumed the pallor and nobility of marble, its features lengthened and + simplified as by a transport of ineffable joy. Benedetta remained very + grave, her lips curved by ardent determination, whilst her whole face was + expressive of dolorous yet infinite beatitude in a setting of infinite + whiteness. Their hair mingled, and their eyes, which had remained open, + continued gazing as into one another’s souls with eternal, caressing + sweetness. They were for ever linked, soaring into immortality amidst the + enchantment of their union, vanquishers of death, radiant with the + rapturous beauty of love, the conqueror, the immortal. + </p> + <p> + But Victorine’s sobs at last burst forth, mingled with such lamentations + that great confusion followed. Pierre, now quite beside himself, in some + measure failed to understand how it was that the room suddenly became + invaded by terrified people. The Cardinal and Don Vigilio, however, must + have hastened in from the chapel; and at the same moment, no doubt, Doctor + Giordano must have returned with Donna Serafina, for both were now there, + she stupefied by the blows which had thus fallen on the house in her + absence, whilst he, the doctor, displayed the perturbation and + astonishment which comes upon the oldest practitioners when facts seem to + give the lie to their experience. However, he sought an explanation of + Benedetta’s death, and hesitatingly ascribed it to aneurism, or possibly + embolism. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Victorine, like a servant whose grief makes her the equal of her + employers, boldly interrupted him: “Ah! Sir,” said she, “they loved each + other too fondly; did not that suffice for them to die together?” + </p> + <p> + Meantime Donna Serafina, after kissing the poor children on the brow, + desired to close their eyes; but she could not succeed in doing so, for + the lids lifted directly she removed her finger and once more the eyes + began to smile at one another, to exchange in all fixity their loving and + eternal glance. And then as she spoke of parting the bodies, Victorine + again protested: “Oh! madame, oh! madame,” she said, “you would have to + break their arms. Cannot you see that their fingers are almost dug into + one another’s shoulders? No, they can never be parted!” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Cardinal Boccanera intervened. God had not granted the miracle; + and he, His minister, was livid, tearless, and full of icy despair. But he + waved his arm with a sovereign gesture of absolution and sanctification, + as if, Prince of the Church that he was, disposing of the will of Heaven, + he consented that the lovers should appear in that embrace before the + supreme tribunal. In presence of such wondrous love, indeed, profoundly + stirred by the sufferings of their lives and the beauty of their death, he + showed a broad and lofty contempt for mundane proprieties. “Leave them, + leave me, my sister,” said he, “do not disturb their slumber. Let their + eyes remain open since they desire to gaze on one another till the end of + time without ever wearying. And let them sleep in one another’s arms since + in their lives they did not sin, and only locked themselves in that + embrace in order that they might be laid together in the ground.” + </p> + <p> + And then, again becoming a Roman Prince whose proud blood was yet hot with + old-time deeds of battle and passion, he added: “Two Boccaneras may well + sleep like that; all Rome will admire them and weep for them. Leave them, + leave them together, my sister. God knows them and awaits them!” + </p> + <p> + All knelt, and the Cardinal himself repeated the prayers for the dead. + Night was coming, increasing gloom stole into the chamber, where two + burning tapers soon shone out like stars. + </p> + <p> + And then, without knowing how, Pierre again found himself in the little + deserted garden on the bank of the Tiber. Suffocating with fatigue and + grief, he must have come thither for fresh air. Darkness shrouded the + charming nook where the streamlet of water falling from the tragic mask + into the ancient sarcophagus ever sang its shrill and flute-like song; and + the laurel-bush which shaded it, and the bitter box-plants and the + orange-trees skirting the paths now formed but vague masses under the + blue-black sky. Ah! how gay and sweet had that melancholy garden been in + the morning, and what a desolate echo it retained of Benedetta’s winsome + laughter, all that fine delight in coming happiness which now lay prone + upstairs, steeped in the nothingness of things and beings! So dolorous was + the pang which came to Pierre’s heart that he burst into sobs, seated on + the same broken column where she had sat, and encompassed by the same + atmosphere that she had breathed, in which still lingered the perfume of + her presence. + </p> + <p> + But all at once a distant clock struck six, and the young priest started + on remembering that he was to be received by the Pope that very evening at + nine. Yet three more hours! He had not thought of that interview during + the terrifying catastrophe, and it seemed to him now as if months and + months had gone by, as if the appointment were some very old one which a + man is only able to keep after years of absence, when he has grown aged + and had his heart and brain modified by innumerable experiences. However, + he made an effort and rose to his feet. In three hours’ time he would go + to the Vatican and at last he would see the Pope. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_PART5" id="link2H_PART5"></a> + PART V. + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0055" id="link2H_4_0055"></a> + XIV. + </h2> + <p> + THAT evening, when Pierre emerged from the Borgo in front of the Vatican, + a sonorous stroke rang out from the clock amidst the deep silence of the + dark and sleepy district. It was only half-past eight, and being in + advance the young priest resolved to wait some twenty minutes in order to + reach the doors of the papal apartments precisely at nine, the hour fixed + for his audience. + </p> + <p> + This respite brought him some relief amidst the infinite emotion and grief + which gripped his heart. That tragic afternoon which he had spent in the + chamber of death, where Dario and Benedetta now slept the eternal sleep in + one another’s arms, had left him very weary. He was haunted by a wild, + dolorous vision of the two lovers, and involuntary sighs came from his + lips whilst tears continually moistened his eyes. He had been altogether + unable to eat that evening. Ah! how he would have liked to hide himself + and weep at his ease! His heart melted at each fresh thought. The pitiful + death of the lovers intensified the grievous feeling with which his book + was instinct, and impelled him to yet greater compassion, a perfect + anguish of charity for all who suffered in the world. And he was so + distracted by the thought of the many physical and moral sores of Paris + and of Rome, where he had beheld so much unjust and abominable suffering, + that at each step he took he feared lest he should burst into sobs with + arms upstretched towards the blackness of heaven. + </p> + <p> + In the hope of somewhat calming himself he began to walk slowly across the + Piazza of St. Peter’s, now all darkness and solitude. On arriving he had + fancied that he was losing himself in a murky sea, but by degrees his eyes + grew accustomed to the dimness. The vast expanse was only lighted by the + four candelabra at the corners of the obelisk and by infrequent lamps + skirting the buildings which run on either hand towards the Basilica. + Under the colonnade, too, other lamps threw yellow gleams across the + forest of pillars, showing up their stone trunks in fantastic fashion; + while on the piazza only the pale, ghostly obelisk was at all distinctly + visible. Pierre could scarcely perceive the dim, silent facade of St. + Peter’s; whilst of the dome he merely divined a gigantic, bluey roundness + faintly shadowed against the sky. In the obscurity he at first heard the + plashing of the fountains without being at all able to see them, but on + approaching he at last distinguished the slender phantoms of the ever + rising jets which fell again in spray. And above the vast square stretched + the vast and moonless sky of a deep velvety blue, where the stars were + large and radiant like carbuncles; Charles’s Wain, with golden wheels and + golden shaft tilted back as it were, over the roof of the Vatican, and + Orion, bedizened with the three bright stars of his belt, showing + magnificently above Rome, in the direction of the Via Giulia. + </p> + <p> + At last Pierre raised his eyes to the Vatican, but facing the piazza there + was here merely a confused jumble of walls, amidst which only two gleams + of light appeared on the floor of the papal apartments. The Court of San + Damaso was, however, lighted, for the conservatory-like glass-work of two + of its sides sparkled as with the reflection of gas lamps which could not + be seen. For a time there was not a sound or sign of movement, but at last + two persons crossed the expanse of the piazza, and then came a third who + in his turn disappeared, nothing remaining but a rhythmical far-away echo + of steps. The spot was indeed a perfect desert, there were neither + promenaders nor passers-by, nor was there even the shadow of a prowler in + the pillared forest of the colonnade, which was as empty as the wild + primeval forests of the world’s infancy. And what a solemn desert it was, + full of the silence of haughty desolation. Never had so vast and black a + presentment of slumber, so instinct with the sovereign nobility of death, + appeared to Pierre. + </p> + <p> + At ten minutes to nine he at last made up his mind and went towards the + bronze portal. Only one of the folding doors was now open at the end of + the right-hand porticus, where the increasing density of the gloom steeped + everything in night. Pierre remembered the instructions which Monsignor + Nani had given him; at each door that he reached he was to ask for Signor + Squadra without adding a word, and thereupon each door would open and he + would have nothing to do but to let himself be guided on. No one but the + prelate now knew that he was there, since Benedetta, the only being to + whom he had confided the secret, was dead. When he had crossed the + threshold of the bronze doors and found himself in presence of the + motionless, sleeping Swiss Guard, who was on duty there, he simply spoke + the words agreed upon: “Signor Squadra.” And as the Guard did not stir, + did not seek to bar his way, he passed on, turning into the vestibule of + the Scala Pia, the stone stairway which ascends to the Court of San + Damaso. And not a soul was to be seen: there was but the faint sound of + his own light footsteps and the sleepy glow of the gas jets whose light + was softly whitened by globes of frosted glass. Up above, on reaching the + courtyard he found it a solitude, whose slumber seemed sepulchral amidst + the mournful gleams of the gas lamps which cast a pallid reflection on the + lofty glass-work of the facades. And feeling somewhat nervous, affected by + the quiver which pervaded all that void and silence, Pierre hastened on, + turning to the right, towards the low flight of steps which leads to the + staircase of the Pope’s private apartments. + </p> + <p> + Here stood a superb gendarme in full uniform. “Signor Squadra,” said + Pierre, and without a word the gendarme pointed to the stairs. + </p> + <p> + The young man went up. It was a broad stairway, with low steps, balustrade + of white marble, and walls covered with yellowish stucco. The gas, burning + in globes of round glass, seemed to have been already turned down in a + spirit of prudent economy. And in the glimmering light nothing could have + been more mournfully solemn than that cold and pallid staircase. On each + landing there was a Swiss Guard, halbard in hand, and in the heavy slumber + spreading through the palace one only heard the regular monotonous + footsteps of these men, ever marching up and down, in order no doubt that + they might not succumb to the benumbing influence of their surroundings. + </p> + <p> + Amidst the invading dimness and the quivering silence the ascent of the + stairs seemed interminable to Pierre, who by the time he reached the + second-floor landing imagined that he had been climbing for ages. There, + outside the glass door of the Sala Clementina, only the right-hand half of + which was open, a last Swiss Guard stood watching. + </p> + <p> + “Signor Squadra,” Pierre said again, and the Guard drew back to let him + pass. + </p> + <p> + The Sala Clementina, spacious enough by daylight, seemed immense at that + nocturnal hour, in the twilight glimmer of its lamps. All the opulent + decorative-work, sculpture, painting, and gilding became blended, the + walls assuming a tawny vagueness amidst which appeared bright patches like + the sparkle of precious stones. There was not an article of furniture, + nothing but the endless pavement stretching away into the semi-darkness. + At last, however, near a door at the far end Pierre espied some men dozing + on a bench. They were three Swiss Guards. “Signor Squadra,” he said to + them. + </p> + <p> + One of the Guards thereupon slowly rose and left the hall, and Pierre + understood that he was to wait. He did not dare to move, disturbed as he + was by the sound of his own footsteps on the paved floor, so he contented + himself with gazing around and picturing the crowds which at times peopled + that vast apartment, the first of the many papal ante-chambers. But before + long the Guard returned, and behind him, on the threshold of the adjoining + room, appeared a man of forty or thereabouts, who was clad in black from + head to foot and suggested a cross between a butler and a beadle. He had a + good-looking, clean-shaven face, with somewhat pronounced nose and large, + clear, fixed eyes. “Signor Squadra,” said Pierre for the last time. + </p> + <p> + The man bowed as if to say that he was Signor Squadra, and then, with a + fresh reverence, he invited the priest to follow him. Thereupon at a + leisurely step, one behind the other, they began to thread the + interminable suite of waiting-rooms. Pierre, who was acquainted with the + ceremonial, of which he had often spoken with Narcisse, recognised the + different apartments as he passed through them, recalling their names and + purpose, and peopling them in imagination with the various officials of + the papal retinue who have the right to occupy them. These according to + their rank cannot go beyond certain doors, so that the persons who are to + have audience of the Pope are passed on from the servants to the Noble + Guards, from the Noble Guards to the honorary <i>Camerieri</i>, and from + the latter to the <i>Camerieri segreti</i>, until they at last reach the + presence of the Holy Father. At eight o’clock, however, the ante-rooms + empty and become both deserted and dim, only a few lamps being left alight + upon the pier tables standing here and there against the walls. + </p> + <p> + And first Pierre came to the ante-room of the <i>bussolanti</i>, mere + ushers clad in red velvet broidered with the papal arms, who conduct + visitors to the door of the ante-room of honour. At that late hour only + one of them was left there, seated on a bench in such a dark corner that + his purple tunic looked quite black. Then the Hall of the Gendarmes was + crossed, where according to the regulations the secretaries of cardinals + and other high personages await their masters’ return; and this was now + completely empty, void both of the handsome blue uniforms with white + shoulder belts and the cassocks of fine black cloth which mingled in it + during the brilliant reception hours. Empty also was the following room, a + smaller one reserved to the Palatine Guards, who are recruited among the + Roman middle class and wear black tunics with gold epaulets and shakoes + surmounted by red plumes. Then Pierre and his guide turned into another + series of apartments, and again was the first one empty. This was the Hall + of the Arras, a superb waiting-room with lofty painted ceiling and + admirable Gobelins tapestry designed by Audran and representing the + miracles of Jesus. And empty also was the ante-chamber of the Noble Guards + which followed, with its wooden stools, its pier table on the right-hand + surmounted by a large crucifix standing between two lamps, and its large + door opening at the far end into another but smaller room, a sort of + alcove indeed, where there is an altar at which the Holy Father says mass + by himself whilst those privileged to be present remain kneeling on the + marble slabs of the outer apartment which is resplendent with the dazzling + uniforms of the Guards. And empty likewise was the ensuing ante-room of + honour, otherwise the grand throne-room, where the Pope receives two or + three hundred people at a time in public audience. The throne, an + arm-chair of elaborate pattern, gilded, and upholstered with red velvet, + stands under a velvet canopy of the same hue, in front of the windows. + Beside it is the cushion on which the Pope rests his foot in order that it + may be kissed. Then facing one another, right and left of the room, there + are two pier tables, on one of which is a clock and on the other a + crucifix between lofty candelabra with feet of gilded wood. The wall + hangings, of red silk damask with a Louis XIV palm pattern, are topped by + a pompous frieze, framing a ceiling decorated with allegorical figures and + attributes, and it is only just in front of the throne that a Smyrna + carpet covers the magnificent marble pavement. On the days of private + audience, when the Pope remains in the little throne-room or at times in + his bed-chamber, the grand throne-room becomes simply the ante-room of + honour, where high dignitaries of the Church, ambassadors, and great + civilian personages, wait their turns. Two <i>Camerieri</i>, one in violet + coat, the other of the Cape and the Sword, here do duty, receiving from + the <i>bussolanti</i> the persons who are to be honoured with audiences + and conducting them to the door of the next room, the secret or private + ante-chamber, where they hand them over to the <i>Camerieri segreti</i>. + </p> + <p> + Signor Squadra who, walking on with slow and silent steps, had not yet + once turned round, paused for a moment on reaching the door of the <i>anticamera + segreta</i> so as to give Pierre time to breathe and recover himself + somewhat before crossing the threshold of the sanctuary. The <i>Camerieri + segreti</i> alone had the right to occupy that last ante-chamber, and none + but the cardinals might wait there till the Pope should condescend to + receive them. And so when Signor Squadra made up his mind to admit Pierre, + the latter could not restrain a slight nervous shiver as if he were + passing into some redoubtable mysterious sphere beyond the limits of the + lower world. In the daytime a Noble Guard stood on sentry duty before the + door, but the latter was now free of access, and the room within proved as + empty as all the others. It was rather narrow, almost like a passage, with + two windows overlooking the new district of the castle fields and a third + one facing the Piazza of St. Peter’s. Near the last was a door conducting + to the little throne-room, and between this door and the window stood a + small table at which a secretary, now absent, usually sat. And here again, + as in all the other rooms, one found a gilded pier table surmounted by a + crucifix flanked by a pair of lamps. In a corner too there was a large + clock, loudly ticking in its ebony case incrusted with brass-work. Still + there was nothing to awaken curiosity under the panelled and gilded + ceiling unless it were the wall-hangings of red damask, on which yellow + scutcheons displaying the Keys and the Tiara alternated with armorial + lions, each with a paw resting on a globe. + </p> + <p> + Signor Squadra, however, now noticed that Pierre still carried his hat in + his hand, whereas according to etiquette he should have left it in the + hall of the <i>bussolanti</i>, only cardinals being privileged to carry + their hats with them into the Pope’s presence. Accordingly he discreetly + took the young priest’s from him, and deposited it on the pier table to + indicate that it must at least remain there. Then, without a word, by a + simple bow he gave Pierre to understand that he was about to announce him + to his Holiness, and that he must be good enough to wait for a few minutes + in that room. + </p> + <p> + On being left to himself Pierre drew a long breath. He was stifling; his + heart was beating as though it would burst. Nevertheless his mind remained + clear, and in spite of the semi-obscurity he had been able to form some + idea of the famous and magnificent apartments of the Pope, a suite of + splendid <i>salons</i> with tapestried or silken walls, gilded or painted + friezes, and frescoed ceilings. By way of furniture, however, there were + only pier table, stools,* and thrones. And the lamps and the clocks, and + the crucifixes, even the thrones, were all presents brought from the four + quarters of the world in the great fervent days of jubilee. There was no + sign of comfort, everything was pompous, stiff, cold, and inconvenient. + All olden Italy was there, with its perpetual display and lack of + intimate, cosy life. It had been necessary to lay a few carpets over the + superb marble slabs which froze one’s feet; and some <i>caloriferes</i> + had even lately been installed, but it was not thought prudent to light + them lest the variations of temperature should give the Pope a cold. + However, that which more particularly struck Pierre now that he stood + there waiting was the extraordinary silence which prevailed all around, + silence so deep that it seemed as if all the dark quiescence of that huge, + somniferous Vatican were concentrated in that one suite of lifeless, + sumptuous rooms, which the motionless flamelets of the lamps as dimly + illumined. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * M. Zola seems to have fallen into error here. Many of the seats, + which are of peculiar antique design, do, in the lower part, + resemble stools, but they have backs, whereas a stool proper has + none. Briefly, these seats, which are entirely of wood, are not + unlike certain old-fashioned hall chairs.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + All at once the ebony clock struck nine and the young man felt astonished. + What! had only ten minutes elapsed since he had crossed the threshold of + the bronze doors below? He felt as if he had been walking on for days and + days. Then, desiring to overcome the nervous feeling which oppressed him—for + he ever feared lest his enforced calmness should collapse amidst a flood + of tears—he began to walk up and down, passing in front of the + clock, glancing at the crucifix on the pier table, and the globe of the + lamp on which had remained the mark of a servant’s greasy fingers. And the + light was so faint and yellow that he felt inclined to turn the lamp up, + but did not dare. Then he found himself with his brow resting against one + of the panes of the window facing the Piazza of St. Peter’s, and for a + moment he was thunderstruck, for between the imperfectly closed shutters + he could see all Rome, as he had seen it one day from the <i>loggie</i> of + Raffaelle, and as he had pictured Leo XIII contemplating it from the + window of his bed-room. However, it was now Rome by night, Rome spreading + out into the depths of the gloom, as limitless as the starry sky. And in + that sea of black waves one could only with certainty identify the larger + thoroughfares which the white brightness of electric lights turned, as it + were, into Milky Ways. All the rest showed but a swarming of little yellow + sparks, the crumbs, as it were, of a half-extinguished heaven swept down + upon the earth. Occasional constellations of bright stars, tracing + mysterious figures, vainly endeavoured to show forth distinctly, but they + were submerged, blotted out by the general chaos which suggested the dust + of some old planet that had crumbled there, losing its splendour and + reduced to mere phosphorescent sand. And how immense was the blackness + thus sprinkled with light, how huge the mass of obscurity and mystery into + which the Eternal City with its seven and twenty centuries, its ruins, its + monuments, its people, its history seemed to have been merged. You could + no longer tell where it began or where it ended, whether it spread to the + farthest recesses of the gloom, or whether it were so reduced that the sun + on rising would illumine but a little pile of ashes. + </p> + <p> + However, in spite of all Pierre’s efforts, his nervous anguish increased + each moment, even in presence of that ocean of darkness which displayed + such sovereign quiescence. He drew away from the window and quivered from + head to foot on hearing a faint footfall and thinking it was that of + Signor Squadra approaching to fetch him. The sound came from an adjacent + apartment, the little throne-room, whose door, he now perceived, had + remained ajar. And at last, as he heard nothing further, he yielded to his + feverish impatience and peeped into this room which he found to be fairly + spacious, again hung with red damask, and containing a gilded arm-chair, + covered with red velvet under a canopy of the same material. And again + there was the inevitable pier table, with a tall ivory crucifix, a clock, + a pair of lamps, a pair of candelabra, a pair of large vases on pedestals, + and two smaller ones of Sevres manufacture decorated with the Holy + Father’s portrait. At the same time, however, the room displayed rather + more comfort, for a Smyrna carpet covered the whole of the marble floor, + while a few arm-chairs stood against the walls, and an imitation + chimney-piece, draped with damask, served as counterpart to the pier + table. As a rule the Pope, whose bed-chamber communicated with this little + throne-room, received in the latter such persons as he desired to honour. + And Pierre’s shiver became more pronounced at the idea that in all + likelihood he would merely have the throne-room to cross and that Leo XIII + was yonder behind its farther door. Why was he kept waiting, he wondered? + He had been told of mysterious audiences granted at a similar hour to + personages who had been received in similar silent fashion, great + personages whose names were only mentioned in the lowest whispers. With + regard to himself no doubt, it was because he was considered compromising + that there was a desire to receive him in this manner unknown to the + personages of the Court, and so as to speak with him at ease. Then, all at + once, he understood the cause of the noise he had recently heard, for + beside the lamp on the pier table of the little throne-room he saw a kind + of butler’s tray containing some soiled plates, knives, forks, and spoons, + with a bottle and a glass, which had evidently just been removed from a + supper table. And he realised that Signor Squadra, having seen these + things in the Pope’s room, had brought them there, and had then gone in + again, perhaps to tidy up. He knew also of the Pope’s frugality, how he + took his meals all alone at a little round table, everything being brought + to him in that tray, a plate of meat, a plate of vegetables, a little + Bordeaux claret as prescribed by his doctor, and a large allowance of beef + broth of which he was very fond. In the same way as others might offer a + cup of tea, he was wont to offer cups of broth to the old cardinals his + friends and favourites, quite an invigorating little treat which these old + bachelors much enjoyed. And, O ye orgies of Alexander VI, ye banquets and + <i>galas</i> of Julius II and Leo X, only eight <i>lire</i> a day—six + shillings and fourpence—were allowed to defray the cost of Leo + XIII’s table! However, just as that recollection occurred to Pierre, he + again heard a slight noise, this time in his Holiness’s bed-chamber, and + thereupon, terrified by his indiscretion, he hastened to withdraw from the + entrance of the throne-room which, lifeless and quiescent though it was, + seemed in his agitation to flare as with sudden fire. + </p> + <p> + Then, quivering too violently to be able to remain still, he began to walk + up and down the ante-chamber. He remembered that Narcisse had spoken to + him of that Signor Squadra, his Holiness’s cherished valet, whose + importance and influence were so great. He alone, on reception days, was + able to prevail on the Pope to don a clean cassock if the one he was + wearing happened to be soiled by snuff. And though his Holiness stubbornly + shut himself up alone in his bed-room every night from a spirit of + independence, which some called the anxiety of a miser determined to sleep + alone with his treasure, Signor Squadra at all events occupied an + adjoining chamber, and was ever on the watch, ready to respond to the + faintest call. Again, it was he who respectfully intervened whenever his + Holiness sat up too late or worked too long. But on this point it was + difficult to induce the Pope to listen to reason. During his hours of + insomnia he would often rise and send Squadra to fetch a secretary in + order that he might detail some memoranda or sketch out an encyclical + letter. When the drafting of one of the latter impassioned him he would + have spent days and nights over it, just as formerly, when claiming + proficiency in Latin verse, he had often let the dawn surprise him whilst + he was polishing a line. But, indeed, he slept very little, his brain ever + being at work, ever scheming out the realisation of some former ideas. His + memory alone seemed to have slightly weakened during recent times. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, as he slowly paced to and fro, gradually became absorbed in his + thoughts of that lofty and sovereign personality. From the petty details + of the Pope’s daily existence, he passed to his intellectual life, to the + <i>role</i> which he was certainly bent on playing as a great pontiff. And + Pierre asked himself which of his two hundred and fifty-seven + predecessors, the long line of saints and criminals, men of mediocrity and + men of genius, he most desired to resemble. Was it one of the first humble + popes, those who followed on during the first three centuries, mere heads + of burial guilds, fraternal pastors of the Christian community? Was it + Pope Damasus, the first great builder, the man of letters who took delight + in intellectual matters, the ardent believer who is said to have opened + the Catacombs to the piety of the faithful? Was it Leo III, who by + crowning Charlemagne boldly consummated the rupture with the schismatic + East and conveyed the Empire to the West by the all-powerful will of God + and His Church, which thenceforth disposed of the crowns of monarchs? Was + it the terrible Gregory VII, the purifier of the temple, the sovereign of + kings; was it Innocent III or Boniface VIII, those masters of souls, + nations, and thrones, who, armed with the fierce weapon of + excommunication, reigned with such despotism over the terrified middle + ages that Catholicism was never nearer the attainment of its dream of + universal dominion? Was it Urban II or Gregory IX or another of those + popes in whom flared the red Crusading passion which urged the nations on + to the conquest of the unknown and the divine? Was it Alexander III, who + defended the Holy See against the Empire, and at last conquered and set + his foot on the neck of Frederick Barbarossa? Was it, long after the + sorrows of Avignon, Julius II, who wore the cuirass and once more + strengthened the political power of the papacy? Was it Leo X, the pompous, + glorious patron of the Renascence, of a whole great century of art, whose + mind, however, was possessed of so little penetration and foresight that + he looked on Luther as a mere rebellious monk? Was it Pius V, who + personified dark and avenging reaction, the fire of the stakes that + punished the heretic world? Was it some other of the popes who reigned + after the Council of Trent with faith absolute, belief re-established in + its full integrity, the Church saved by pride and the stubborn upholding + of every dogma? Or was it a pope of the decline, such as Benedict XIV, the + man of vast intelligence, the learned theologian who, as his hands were + tied, and he could not dispose of the kingdoms of the world, spent a + worthy life in regulating the affairs of heaven? + </p> + <p> + In this wise, in Pierre’s mind there spread out the whole history of the + popes, the most prodigious of all histories, showing fortune in every + guise, the lowest, the most wretched, as well as the loftiest and most + dazzling; whilst an obstinate determination to live enabled the papacy to + survive everything—conflagrations, massacres, and the downfall of + many nations, for always did it remain militant and erect in the persons + of its popes, that most extraordinary of all lines of absolute, + conquering, and domineering sovereigns, every one of them—even the + puny and humble—masters of the world, every one of them glorious + with the imperishable glory of heaven when they were thus evoked in that + ancient Vatican, where their spirits assuredly awoke at night and prowled + about the endless galleries and spreading halls in that tomb-like silence + whose quiver came no doubt from the light touch of their gliding steps + over the marble slabs. + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre was now thinking that he indeed knew which of the great + popes Leo XIII most desired to resemble. It was first Gregory the Great, + the conqueror and organiser of the early days of Catholic power. He had + come of ancient Roman stock, and in his heart there was a little of the + blood of the emperors. He administered Rome after it had been saved from + the Goths, cultivated the ecclesiastical domains, and divided earthly + wealth into thirds, one for the poor, one for the clergy, and one for the + Church. Then too he was the first to establish the Propaganda, sending his + priests forth to civilise and pacify the nations, and carrying his + conquests so far as to win Great Britain over to the divine law of Christ. + And the second pope whom Leo XIII took as model was one who had arisen + after a long lapse of centuries, Sixtus V, the pope financier and + politician, the vine-dresser’s son, who, when he had donned the tiara, + revealed one of the most extensive and supple minds of a period fertile in + great diplomatists. He heaped up treasure and displayed stern avarice, in + order that he might ever have in his coffers all the money needful for war + or for peace. He spent years and years in negotiations with kings, never + despairing of his own triumph; and never did he display open hostility for + his times, but took them as they were and then sought to modify them in + accordance with the interests of the Holy See, showing himself + conciliatory in all things and with every one, already dreaming of an + European balance of power which he hoped to control. And withal a very + saintly pope, a fervent mystic, yet a pope of the most absolute and + domineering mind blended with a politician ready for whatever courses + might most conduce to the rule of God’s Church on earth. + </p> + <p> + And, after all, Pierre amidst his rising enthusiasm, which despite his + efforts at calmness was sweeping away all prudence and doubt, Pierre asked + himself why he need question the past. Was not Leo XIII the pope whom he + had depicted in his book, the great pontiff, who was desired and expected? + No doubt the portrait which he had sketched was not accurate in every + detail, but surely its main lines must be correct if mankind were to + retain a hope of salvation. Whole pages of that book of his arose before + him, and he again beheld the Leo XIII that he had portrayed, the wise and + conciliatory politician, labouring for the unity of the Church and so + anxious to make it strong and invincible against the day of the inevitable + great struggle. He again beheld him freed from the cares of the temporal + power, elevated, radiant with moral splendour, the only authority left + erect above the nations; he beheld him realising what mortal danger would + be incurred if the solution of the social question were left to the + enemies of Christianity, and therefore resolving to intervene in + contemporary quarrels for the defence of the poor and the lowly, even as + Jesus had intervened once before. And he again beheld him putting himself + on the side of the democracies, accepting the Republic in France, leaving + the dethroned kings in exile, and verifying the prediction which promised + the empire of the world to Rome once more when the papacy should have + unified belief and have placed itself at the head of the people. The times + indeed were near accomplishment, Caesar was struck down, the Pope alone + remained, and would not the people, the great silent multitude, for whom + the two powers had so long contended, give itself to its Father now that + it knew him to be both just and charitable, with heart aglow and hand + outstretched to welcome all the penniless toilers and beggars of the + roads! Given the catastrophe which threatened our rotten modern societies, + the frightful misery which ravaged every city, there was surely no other + solution possible: Leo XIII, the predestined, necessary redeemer, the + pastor sent to save the flock from coming disaster by re-establishing the + true Christian community, the forgotten golden age of primitive + Christianity. The reign of justice would at last begin, all men would be + reconciled, there would be but one nation living in peace and obeying the + equalising law of work, under the high patronage of the Pope, sole bond of + charity and love on earth! + </p> + <p> + And at this thought Pierre was upbuoyed by fiery enthusiasm. At last he + was about to see the Holy Father, empty his heart and open his soul to + him! He had so long and so passionately looked for the advent of that + moment! To secure it he had fought with all his courage through ever + recurring obstacles, and the length and difficulty of the struggle and the + success now at last achieved, increased his feverishness, his desire for + final victory. Yes, yes, he would conquer, he would confound his enemies. + As he had said to Monsignor Fornaro, could the Pope disavow him? Had he + not expressed the Holy Father’s secret ideas? Perhaps he might have done + so somewhat prematurely, but was not that a fault to be forgiven? And then + too, he remembered his declaration to Monsignor Nani, that he himself + would never withdraw and suppress his book, for he neither regretted nor + disowned anything that was in it. At this very moment he again questioned + himself, and felt that all his valour and determination to defend his + book, all his desire to work the triumph of his belief, remained intact. + Yet his mental perturbation was becoming great, he had to seek for ideas, + wondering how he should enter the Pope’s presence, what he should say, + what precise terms he should employ. Something heavy and mysterious which + he could hardly account for seemed to weigh him down. At bottom he was + weary, already exhausted, only held up by his dream, his compassion for + human misery. However, he would enter in all haste, he would fall upon his + knees and speak as he best could, letting his heart flow forth. And + assuredly the Holy Father would smile on him, and dismiss him with a + promise that he would not sign the condemnation of a work in which he had + found the expression of his own most cherished thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Then, again, such an acute sensation as of fainting came over Pierre that + he went up to the window to press his burning brow against the cold glass. + His ears were buzzing, his legs staggering, whilst his brain throbbed + violently. And he was striving to forget his thoughts by gazing upon the + black immensity of Rome, longing to be steeped in night himself, total, + healing night, the night in which one sleeps on for ever, knowing neither + pain nor wretchedness, when all at once he became conscious that somebody + was standing behind him; and thereupon, with a start, he turned round. + </p> + <p> + And there, indeed, stood Signor Squadra in his black livery. Again he made + one of his customary bows to invite the visitor to follow him, and again + he walked on in front, crossing the little throne-room, and slowly opening + the farther door. Then he drew aside, allowed Pierre to enter, and + noiselessly closed the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was in his Holiness’s bed-room. He had feared one of those + overwhelming attacks of emotion which madden or paralyse one. He had been + told of women reaching the Pope’s presence in a fainting condition, + staggering as if intoxicated, while others came with a rush, as though + upheld and borne along by invisible pinions. And suddenly the anguish of + his own spell of waiting, his intense feverishness, ceased in a sort of + astonishment, a reaction which rendered him very calm and so restored his + clearness of vision, that he could see everything. As he entered he + distinctly realised the decisive importance of such an audience, he, a + mere petty priest in presence of the Supreme Pontiff, the Head of the + Church. All his religious and moral life would depend on it; and possibly + it was this sudden thought that thus chilled him on the threshold of the + redoubtable sanctuary, which he had approached with such quivering steps, + and which he would not have thought to enter otherwise than with + distracted heart and loss of senses, unable to do more than stammer the + simple prayers of childhood. + </p> + <p> + Later on, when he sought to classify his recollections he remembered that + his eyes had first lighted on Leo XIII, not, however, to the exclusion of + his surroundings, but in conjunction with them, that spacious room hung + with yellow damask whose alcove, adorned with fluted marble columns, was + so deep that the bed was quite hidden away in it, as well as other + articles of furniture, a couch, a wardrobe, and some trunks, those famous + trunks in which the treasure of the Peter’s Pence was said to be securely + locked. A sort of Louis XIV writing-desk with ornaments of engraved brass + stood face to face with a large gilded and painted Louis XV pier table on + which a lamp was burning beside a lofty crucifix. The room was virtually + bare, only three arm-chairs and four or five other chairs, upholstered in + light silk, being disposed here and there over the well-worn carpet. And + on one of the arm-chairs sat Leo XIII, near a small table on which another + lamp with a shade had been placed. Three newspapers, moreover, lay there, + two of them French and one Italian, and the last was half unfolded as if + the Pope had momentarily turned from it to stir a glass of syrup, standing + beside him, with a long silver-gilt spoon. + </p> + <p> + In the same way as Pierre saw the Pope’s room, he saw his costume, his + cassock of white cloth with white buttons, his white skull-cap, his white + cape and his white sash fringed with gold and broidered at either end with + golden keys. His stockings were white, his slippers were of red velvet, + and these again were broidered with golden keys. What surprised the young + priest, however, was his Holiness’s face and figure, which now seemed so + shrunken that he scarcely recognised them. This was his fourth meeting + with the Pope. He had seen him walking in the Vatican gardens, enthroned + in the Hall of Beatifications, and pontifying at St. Peter’s, and now he + beheld him on that arm-chair, in privacy, and looking so slight and + fragile that he could not restrain a feeling of affectionate anxiety. + Leo’s neck was particularly remarkable, slender beyond belief, suggesting + the neck of some little, aged, white bird. And his face, of the pallor of + alabaster, was characteristically transparent, to such a degree, indeed, + that one could see the lamplight through his large commanding nose, as if + the blood had entirely withdrawn from that organ. A mouth of great length, + with white bloodless lips, streaked the lower part of the papal + countenance, and the eyes alone had remained young and handsome. Superb + eyes they were, brilliant like black diamonds, endowed with sufficient + penetration and strength to lay souls open and force them to confess the + truth aloud. Some scanty white curls emerged from under the white + skull-cap, thus whitely crowning the thin white face, whose ugliness was + softened by all this whiteness, this spiritual whiteness in which Leo + XIII’s flesh seemed as it were but pure lily-white florescence. + </p> + <p> + At the first glance, however, Pierre noticed that if Signor Squadra had + kept him waiting, it had not been in order to compel the Holy Father to + don a clean cassock, for the one he was wearing was badly soiled by snuff. + A number of brown stains had trickled down the front of the garment beside + the buttons, and just like any good <i>bourgeois</i>, his Holiness had a + handkerchief on his knees to wipe himself. Apart from all this he seemed + in good health, having recovered from his recent indisposition as easily + as he usually recovered from such passing illnesses, sober, prudent old + man that he was, quite free from organic disease, and simply declining by + reason of progressive natural exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + Immediately on entering Pierre had felt that the Pope’s sparkling eyes, + those two black diamonds, were fixed upon him. The silence was profound, + and the lamps burned with motionless, pallid flames. He had to approach, + and after making the three genuflections prescribed by etiquette, he + stooped over one of the Pope’s feet resting on a cushion in order to kiss + the red velvet slipper. And on the Pope’s side there was not a word, not a + gesture, not a movement. When the young man drew himself up again he found + the two black diamonds, those two eyes which were all brightness and + intelligence, still riveted on him. + </p> + <p> + But at last Leo XIII, who had been unwilling to spare the young priest the + humble duty of kissing his foot and who now left him standing, began to + speak, whilst still examining him, probing, as it were, his very soul. “My + son,” he said, “you greatly desired to see me, and I consented to afford + you that satisfaction.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke in French, somewhat uncertain French, pronounced after the + Italian fashion, and so slowly did he articulate each sentence that one + could have written it down like so much dictation. And his voice, as + Pierre had previously noticed, was strong and nasal, one of those full + voices which people are surprised to hear coming from debile and + apparently bloodless and breathless frames. + </p> + <p> + In response to the Holy Father’s remark Pierre contented himself with + bowing, knowing that respect required him to wait for a direct answer + before speaking. However, this question promptly came. “You live in + Paris?” asked Leo XIII. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Holy Father.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you attached to one of the great parishes of the city?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Holy Father. I simply officiate at the little church of Neuilly.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes, Neuilly, that is in the direction of the Bois de Boulogne, is it + not? And how old are you, my son?” + </p> + <p> + “Thirty-four, Holy Father.” + </p> + <p> + A short interval followed. Leo XIII had at last lowered his eyes. With + frail, ivory hand he took up the glass beside him, again stirred the syrup + with the long spoon, and then drank a little of it. And all this he did + gently and slowly, with a prudent, judicious air, as was his wont no doubt + in everything. “I have read your book, my son,” he resumed. “Yes, the + greater part of it. As a rule only fragments are submitted to me. But a + person who is interested in you handed me the volume, begging me to glance + through it. And that is how I was able to look into it.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he made a slight gesture in which Pierre fancied he could + detect a protest against the isolation in which he was kept by those + surrounding him, who, as Monsignor Nani had said, maintained a strict + watch in order that nothing they objected to might reach him. And + thereupon the young priest ventured to say: “I thank your Holiness for + having done me so much honour. No greater or more desired happiness could + have befallen me.” He was indeed so happy! On seeing the Pope so calm, so + free from all signs of anger, and on hearing him speak in that way of his + book, like one well acquainted with it, he imagined that his cause was + won. + </p> + <p> + “You are in relations with Monsieur le Vicomte Philibert de la Choue, are + you not, my son?” continued Leo XIII. “I was struck by the resemblance + between some of your ideas and those of that devoted servant of the + Church, who has in other ways given us previous testimony of his good + feelings.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed, Holy Father, Monsieur de la Choue is kind enough to show me + some affection. We have often talked together, so it is not surprising + that I should have given expression to some of his most cherished ideas.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt, no doubt. For instance, there is that question of the + working-class guilds with which he largely occupies himself—with + which, in fact, he occupies himself rather too much. At the time of his + last journey to Rome he spoke to me of it in the most pressing manner. And + in the same way, quite recently, another of your compatriots, one of the + best and worthiest of men, Monsieur le Baron de Fouras, who brought us + that superb pilgrimage of the St. Peter’s Pence Fund, never ceased his + efforts until I consented to receive him, when he spoke to me on the same + subject during nearly an hour. Only it must be said that they do not agree + in the matter, for one begs me to do things which the other will not have + me do on any account.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre realised that the conversation was straying away from his book, but + he remembered having promised the Viscount that if he should see the Pope + he would make an attempt to obtain from him a decisive expression of + opinion on the famous question as to whether the working-class guilds or + corporations should be free or obligatory, open or closed. And the unhappy + Viscount, kept in Paris by the gout, had written the young priest letter + after letter on the subject, whilst his rival the Baron, availing himself + of the opportunity offered by the international pilgrimage, endeavoured to + wring from the Pope an approval of his own views, with which he would have + returned in triumph to France. Pierre conscientiously desired to keep his + promise, and so he answered: “Your Holiness knows better than any of us in + which direction true wisdom lies. Monsieur de Fouras is of opinion that + salvation, the solution of the labour question, lies simply in the + re-establishment of the old free corporations, whilst Monsieur de la Choue + desires the corporations to be obligatory, protected by the state and + governed by new regulations. This last conception is certainly more in + agreement with the social ideas now prevalent in France. Should your + Holiness condescend to express a favourable opinion in that sense, the + young French Catholic party would certainly know how to turn it to good + result, by producing quite a movement of the working classes in favour of + the Church.” + </p> + <p> + In his quiet way Leo XIII responded: “But I cannot. Frenchmen always ask + things of me which I cannot, will not do. What I will allow you to say on + my behalf to Monsieur de la Choue is, that though I cannot content him I + have not contented Monsieur de Fouras. He obtained from me nothing beyond + the expression of my sincere good-will for the French working classes, who + are so dear to me and who can do so much for the restoration of the faith. + You must surely understand, however, that among you Frenchmen there are + questions of detail, of mere organisation, so to say, into which I cannot + possibly enter without imparting to them an importance which they do not + have, and at the same time greatly discontenting some people should I + please others.” + </p> + <p> + As the Pope pronounced these last words he smiled a pale smile, in which + the shrewd, conciliatory politician, who was determined not to allow his + infallibility to be compromised in useless and risky ventures, was fully + revealed. And then he drank a little more syrup and wiped his mouth with + his handkerchief, like a sovereign whose Court day is over and who takes + his ease, having chosen this hour of solitude and silence to chat as long + as he may be so inclined. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, sought to bring him back to the subject of his book. + “Monsieur de la Choue,” said he, “has shown me so much kindness and is so + anxious to know the fate reserved to my book—as if, indeed, it were + his own—that I should have been very happy to convey to him an + expression of your Holiness’s approval.” + </p> + <p> + However, the Pope continued wiping his mouth and did not reply. + </p> + <p> + “I became acquainted with the Viscount,” continued Pierre, “at the + residence of his Eminence Cardinal Bergerot, another great heart whose + ardent charity ought to suffice to restore the faith in France.” + </p> + <p> + This time the effect was immediate. “Ah! yes, Monsieur le Cardinal + Bergerot!” said Leo XIII. “I read that letter of his which is printed at + the beginning of your book. He was very badly inspired in writing it to + you; and you, my son, acted very culpably on the day you published it. I + cannot yet believe that Monsieur le Cardinal Bergerot had read some of + your pages when he sent you an expression of his complete and full + approval. I prefer to charge him with ignorance and thoughtlessness. How + could he approve of your attacks on dogma, your revolutionary theories + which tend to the complete destruction of our holy religion? If it be a + fact that he had read your book, the only excuse he can invoke is sudden + and inexplicable aberration. It is true that a very bad spirit prevails + among a small portion of the French clergy. What are called Gallican ideas + are ever sprouting up like noxious weeds; there is a malcontent Liberalism + rebellious to our authority which continually hungers for free examination + and sentimental adventures.” + </p> + <p> + The Pope grew animated as he spoke. Italian words mingled with his + hesitating French, and every now and again his full nasal voice resounded + with the sonority of a brass instrument. “Monsieur le Cardinal Bergerot,” + he continued, “must be given to understand that we shall crush him on the + day when we see in him nothing but a rebellious son. He owes the example + of obedience; we shall acquaint him with our displeasure, and we hope that + he will submit. Humility and charity are great virtues doubtless, and we + have always taken pleasure in recognising them in him. But they must not + be the refuge of a rebellious heart, for they are as nothing unless + accompanied by obedience—obedience, obedience, the finest adornment + of the great saints!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened thunderstruck, overcome. He forgot himself to think of the + apostle of kindliness and tolerance upon whose head he had drawn this + all-powerful anger. So Don Vigilio had spoken the truth: over and above + his—Pierre’s—head the denunciations of the Bishops of Evreux + and Poitiers were about to fall on the man who opposed their Ultramontane + policy, that worthy and gentle Cardinal Bergerot, whose heart was open to + all the woes of the lowly and the poor. This filled the young priest with + despair; he could accept the denunciation of the Bishop of Tarbes acting + on behalf of the Fathers of the Grotto, for that only fell on himself, as + a reprisal for what he had written about Lourdes; but the underhand + warfare of the others exasperated him, filled him with dolorous + indignation. And from that puny old man before him with the slender, + scraggy neck of an aged bird, he had suddenly seen such a wrathful, + formidable Master arise that he trembled. How could he have allowed + himself to be deceived by appearances on entering? How could he have + imagined that he was simply in presence of a poor old man, worn out by + age, desirous of peace, and ready for every concession? A blast had swept + through that sleepy chamber, and all his doubts and his anguish awoke once + more. Ah! that Pope, how thoroughly he answered to all the accounts that + he, Pierre, had heard but had refused to believe; so many people had told + him in Rome that he would find Leo XIII a man of intellect rather than of + sentiment, a man of the most unbounded pride, who from his very youth had + nourished the supreme ambition, to such a point indeed that he had + promised eventual triumph to his relatives in order that they might make + the necessary sacrifices for him, while since he had occupied the + pontifical throne his one will and determination had been to reign, to + reign in spite of all, to be the sole absolute and omnipotent master of + the world! And now here was reality arising with irresistible force and + confirming everything. And yet Pierre struggled, stubbornly clutching at + his dream once more. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Holy Father,” said he, “I should be grieved indeed if his Eminence + should have a moment’s worry on account of my unfortunate book. If I be + guilty I can answer for my error, but his Eminence only obeyed the + dictates of his heart and can only have transgressed by excess of love for + the disinherited of the world!” + </p> + <p> + Leo XIII made no reply. He had again raised his superb eyes, those eyes of + ardent life, set, as it were, in the motionless countenance of an + alabaster idol; and once more he was fixedly gazing at the young priest. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre, amidst his returning feverishness, seemed to behold him + growing in power and splendour, whilst behind him arose a vision of the + ages, a vision of that long line of popes whom the young priest had + previously evoked, the saintly and the proud ones, the warriors and the + ascetics, the theologians and the diplomatists, those who had worn armour, + those who had conquered by the Cross, those who had disposed of empires as + of mere provinces which God had committed to their charge. And in + particular Pierre beheld the great Gregory, the conqueror and founder, and + Sixtus V, the negotiator and politician, who had first foreseen the + eventual victory of the papacy over all the vanquished monarchies. Ah! + what a throng of magnificent princes, of sovereign masters with powerful + brains and arms, there was behind that pale, motionless, old man! What an + accumulation of inexhaustible determination, stubborn genius, and + boundless domination! The whole history of human ambition, the whole + effort of the ages to subject the nations to the pride of one man, the + greatest force that has ever conquered, exploited, and fashioned mankind + in the name of its happiness! And even now, when territorial sovereignty + had come to an end, how great was the spiritual sovereignty of that pale + and slender old man, in whose presence women fainted, as if overcome by + the divine splendour radiating from his person. Not only did all the + resounding glories, the masterful triumphs of history spread out behind + him, but heaven opened, the very spheres beyond life shone out in their + dazzling mystery. He—the Pope—stood at the portals of heaven, + holding the keys and opening those portals to human souls; all the ancient + symbolism was revived, freed at last from the stains of royalty here + below. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I beg you, Holy Father,” resumed Pierre, “if an example be needed + strike none other than myself. I have come, and am here; decide my fate, + but do not aggravate my punishment by filling me with remorse at having + brought condemnation on the innocent.” + </p> + <p> + Leo XIII still refrained from replying, though he continued to look at the + young priest with burning eyes. And he, Pierre, no longer beheld Leo XIII, + the last of a long line of popes, the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the Successor + of the Prince of the Apostles, the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal + Church, Patriarch of the East, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and + Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Temporal Domains of + the Holy Church; he saw the Leo XIII that he had dreamt of, the awaited + saviour who would dispel the frightful cataclysm in which rotten society + was sinking. He beheld him with his supple, lofty intelligence and + fraternal, conciliatory tactics, avoiding friction and labouring to bring + about unity whilst with his heart overflowing with love he went straight + to the hearts of the multitude, again giving the best of his blood in sign + of the new alliance. He raised him aloft as the sole remaining moral + authority, the sole possible bond of charity and peace—as the + Father, in fact, who alone could stamp out injustice among his children, + destroy misery, and re-establish the liberating Law of Work by bringing + the nations back to the faith of the primitive Church, the gentleness and + the wisdom of the true Christian community. And in the deep silence of + that room the great figure which he thus set up assumed invincible + all-powerfulness, extraordinary majesty. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I beseech you, Holy Father, listen to me,” he said. “Do not even + strike me, strike no one, neither a being nor a thing, anything that can + suffer under the sun. Show kindness and indulgence to all, show all the + kindness and indulgence which the sight of the world’s sufferings must + have set in you!” + </p> + <p> + And then, seeing that Leo XIII still remained silent and still left him + standing there, he sank down upon his knees, as if felled by the growing + emotion which rendered his heart so heavy. And within him there was a sort + of <i>debacle</i>; all his doubts, all his anguish and sadness burst forth + in an irresistible stream. There was the memory of the frightful day that + he had just spent, the tragic death of Dario and Benedetta, which weighed + on him like lead; there were all the sufferings that he had experienced + since his arrival in Rome, the destruction of his illusions, the wounds + dealt to his delicacy, the buffets with which men and things had responded + to his young enthusiasm; and, lying yet more deeply within his heart, + there was the sum total of human wretchedness, the thought of famished + ones howling for food, of mothers whose breasts were drained and who + sobbed whilst kissing their hungry babes, of fathers without work, who + clenched their fists and revolted—indeed, the whole of that hateful + misery which is as old as mankind itself, which has preyed upon mankind + since its earliest hour, and which he now had everywhere found increasing + in horror and havoc, without a gleam of hope that it would ever be healed. + And withal, yet more immense and more incurable, he felt within him a + nameless sorrow to which he could assign no precise cause or name—an + universal, an illimitable sorrow with which he melted despairingly, and + which was perhaps the very sorrow of life. + </p> + <p> + “O Holy Father!” he exclaimed, “I myself have no existence and my book has + no existence. I desired, passionately desired to see your Holiness that I + might explain and defend myself. But I no longer know, I can no longer + recall a single one of the things that I wished to say, I can only weep, + weep the tears which are stifling me. Yes, I am but a poor man, and the + only need I feel is to speak to you of the poor. Oh! the poor ones, oh! + the lowly ones, whom for two years past I have seen in our faubourgs of + Paris, so wretched and so full of pain; the poor little children that I + have picked out of the snow, the poor little angels who had eaten nothing + for two days; the women too, consumed by consumption, without bread or + fire, shivering in filthy hovels; and the men thrown on the street by + slackness of trade, weary of begging for work as one begs for alms, + sinking back into night, drunken with rage and harbouring the sole + avenging thought of setting the whole city afire! And that night too, that + terrible night, when in a room of horror I beheld a mother who had just + killed herself with her five little ones, she lying on a palliasse + suckling her last-born, and two little girls, two pretty little blondes, + sleeping the last sleep beside her, while the two boys had succumbed + farther away, one of them crouching against a wall, and the other lying + upon the floor, distorted as though by a last effort to avoid death!... O + Holy Father! I am but an ambassador, the messenger of those who suffer and + who sob, the humble delegate of the humble ones who die of want beneath + the hateful harshness, the frightful injustice of our present-day social + system! And I bring your Holiness their tears, and I lay their tortures at + your Holiness’s feet, I raise their cry of woe, like a cry from the abyss, + that cry which demands justice unless indeed the very heavens are to fall! + Oh! show your loving kindness, Holy Father, show compassion!” + </p> + <p> + The young man had stretched out his arms and implored Leo XIII with a + gesture as of supreme appeal to the divine compassion. Then he continued: + “And here, Holy Father, in this splendid and eternal Rome, is not the want + and misery as frightful! During the weeks that I have roamed hither and + thither among the dust of famous ruins, I have never ceased to come in + contact with evils which demand cure. Ah! to think of all that is + crumbling, all that is expiring, the agony of so much glory, the fearful + sadness of a world which is dying of exhaustion and hunger! Yonder, under + your Holiness’s windows, have I not seen a district of horrors, a district + of unfinished palaces stricken like rickety children who cannot attain to + full growth, palaces which are already in ruins and have become places of + refuge for all the woeful misery of Rome? And here, as in Paris, what a + suffering multitude, what a shameless exhibition too of the social sore, + the devouring cancer openly tolerated and displayed in utter heedlessness! + There are whole families leading idle and hungry lives in the splendid + sunlight; fathers waiting for work to fall to them from heaven; sons + listlessly spending their days asleep on the dry grass; mothers and + daughters, withered before their time, shuffling about in loquacious + idleness. O Holy Father, already to-morrow at dawn may your Holiness open + that window yonder and with your benediction awaken that great childish + people, which still slumbers in ignorance and poverty! May your Holiness + give it the soul it lacks, a soul with the consciousness of human dignity, + of the necessary law of work, of free and fraternal life regulated by + justice only! Yes, may your Holiness make a people out of that heap of + wretches, whose excuse lies in all their bodily suffering and mental + night, who live like the beasts that go by and die, never knowing nor + understanding, yet ever lashed onward with the whip!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre’s sobs were gradually choking him, and it was only the impulse of + his passion which still enabled him to speak. “And, Holy Father,” he + continued, “is it not to you that I ought to address myself in the name of + all these wretched ones? Are you not the Father, and is it not before the + Father that the messenger of the poor and the lowly should kneel as I am + kneeling now? And is it not to the Father that he should bring the huge + burden of their sorrows and ask for pity and help and justice? Yes, + particularly for justice! And since you are the Father throw the doors + wide open so that all may enter, even the humblest of your children, the + faithful, the chance passers, even the rebellious ones and those who have + gone astray but who will perhaps enter and whom you will save from the + errors of abandonment! Be as the house of refuge on the dangerous road, + the loving greeter of the wayfarer, the lamp of hospitality which ever + burns, and is seen afar off and saves one in the storm! And since, O + Father, you are power be salvation also! You can do all; you have + centuries of domination behind you; you have nowadays risen to a moral + authority which has rendered you the arbiter of the world; you are there + before me like the very majesty of the sun which illumines and fructifies! + Oh! be the star of kindness and charity, be the redeemer; take in hand + once more the purpose of Jesus, which has been perverted by being left in + the hands of the rich and the powerful who have ended by transforming the + work of the Gospel into the most hateful of all monuments of pride and + tyranny! And since the work has been spoilt, take it in hand, begin it + afresh, place yourself on the side of the little ones, the lowly ones, the + poor ones, and bring them back to the peace, the fraternity, and the + justice of the original Christian communion. And say, O Father, that I + have understood you, that I have sincerely expressed in this respect your + most cherished ideas, the sole living desire of your reign! The rest, oh! + the rest, my book, myself, what matter they! I do not defend myself, I + only seek your glory and the happiness of mankind. Say that from the + depths of this Vatican you have heard the rending of our corrupt modern + societies! Say that you have quivered with loving pity, say that you + desire to prevent the awful impending catastrophe by recalling the Gospel + to the hearts of your children who are stricken with madness, and by + bringing them back to the age of simplicity and purity when the first + Christians lived together in innocent brotherhood! Yes, it is for that + reason, is it not, that you have placed yourself, Father, on the side of + the poor, and for that reason I am here and entreat you for pity and + kindness and justice with my whole soul!” + </p> + <p> + Then the young man gave way beneath his emotion, and fell all of a heap + upon the floor amidst a rush of sobs—loud, endless sobs, which + flowed forth in billows, coming as it were not only from himself but from + all the wretched, from the whole world in whose veins sorrow coursed + mingled with the very blood of life. He was there as the ambassador of + suffering, as he had said. And indeed, at the foot of that mute and + motionless pope, he was like the personification of the whole of human + woe. + </p> + <p> + Leo XIII, who was extremely fond of talking and could only listen to + others with an effort, had twice raised one of his pallid hands to + interrupt the young priest. Then, gradually overcome by astonishment, + touched by emotion himself, he had allowed him to continue, to go on to + the end of his outburst. A little blood even had suffused the snowy + whiteness of the Pontiff’s face whilst his eyes shone out yet more + brilliantly. And as soon as he saw the young man speechless at his feet, + shaken by those sobs which seemed to be wrenching away his heart, he + became anxious and leant forward: “Calm yourself, my son, raise yourself,” + he said. + </p> + <p> + But the sobs still continued, still flowed forth, all reason and respect + being swept away amidst that distracted plaint of a wounded soul, that + moan of suffering, dying flesh. + </p> + <p> + “Raise yourself, my son, it is not proper,” repeated Leo XIII. “There, + take that chair.” And with a gesture of authority he at last invited the + young man to sit down. + </p> + <p> + Pierre rose with pain, and at once seated himself in order that he might + not fall. He brushed his hair back from his forehead, and wiped his + scalding tears away with his hands, unable to understand what had just + happened, but striving to regain his self-possession. + </p> + <p> + “You appeal to the Holy Father,” said Leo XIII. “Ah! rest assured that his + heart is full of pity and affection for those who are unfortunate. But + that is not the point, it is our holy religion which is in question. I + have read your book, a bad book, I tell you so at once, the most dangerous + and culpable of books, precisely on account of its qualities, the pages in + which I myself felt interested. Yes, I was often fascinated, I should not + have continued my perusal had I not felt carried away, transported by the + ardent breath of your faith and enthusiasm. The subject ‘New Rome’ is such + a beautiful one and impassions me so much! and certainly there is a book + to be written under that title, but in a very different spirit to yours. + You think that you have understood me, my son, that you have so penetrated + yourself with my writings and actions that you simply express my most + cherished ideas. But no, no, you have not understood me, and that is why I + desired to see you, explain things to you, and convince you.” + </p> + <p> + It was now Pierre who sat listening, mute and motionless. Yet he had only + come thither to defend himself; for three months past he had been + feverishly desiring this interview, preparing his arguments and feeling + confident of victory; and now although he heard his book spoken of as + dangerous and culpable he did not protest, did not reply with any one of + those good reasons which he had deemed so irresistible. But the fact was + that intense weariness had come upon him, the appeal that he had made, the + tears that he had shed had left him utterly exhausted. By and by, however, + he would be brave and would say what he had resolved to say. + </p> + <p> + “People do not understand me, do not understand me!” resumed Leo XIII with + an air of impatient irritation. “It is incredible what trouble I have to + make myself understood, in France especially! Take the temporal power for + instance; how can you have fancied that the Holy See would ever enter into + any compromise on that question? Such language is unworthy of a priest, it + is the chimerical dream of one who is ignorant of the conditions in which + the papacy has hitherto lived and in which it must still live if it does + not desire to disappear. Cannot you see the sophistry of your argument + that the Church becomes the loftier the more it frees itself from the + cares of terrestrial sovereignty? A purely spiritual royalty, a sway of + charity and love, indeed, ‘tis a fine imaginative idea! But who will + ensure us respect? Who will grant us the alms of a stone on which to rest + our head if we are ever driven forth and forced to roam the highways? Who + will guarantee our independence when we are at the mercy of every + state?... No, no! this soil of Rome is ours, we have inherited it from the + long line of our ancestors, and it is the indestructible, eternal soil on + which the Church is built, so that any relinquishment would mean the + downfall of the Holy Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church. And, moreover, + we could not relinquish it; we are bound by our oath to God and man.” + </p> + <p> + He paused for a moment to allow Pierre to answer him. But the latter to + his stupefaction could say nothing, for he perceived that this pope spoke + as he was bound to speak. All the heavy mysterious things which had + weighed the young priest down whilst he was waiting in the ante-room, now + became more and more clearly defined. They were, indeed, the things which + he had seen and learnt since his arrival in Rome, the disillusions, the + rebuffs which he had experienced, all the many points of difference + between existing reality and imagination, whereby his dream of a return to + primitive Christianity was already half shattered. And in particular he + remembered the hour which he had spent on the dome of St. Peter’s, when, + in presence of the old city of glory so stubbornly clinging to its purple, + he had realised that he was an imbecile with his idea of a purely + spiritual pope. He had that day fled from the furious shouts of the + pilgrims acclaiming the Pope-King. He had only accepted the necessity for + money, that last form of servitude still binding the Pope to earth. But + all had crumbled afterwards, when he had beheld the real Rome, the ancient + city of pride and domination where the papacy can never be complete + without the temporal power. Too many bonds, dogma, tradition, environment, + the very soil itself rendered the Church for ever immutable. It was only + in appearances that she could make concessions, and a time would even + arrive when her concessions would cease, in presence of the impossibility + of going any further without committing suicide. If his, Pierre’s, dream + of a New Rome were ever to be realised, it would only be faraway from + ancient Rome. Only in some distant region could the new Christianity + arise, for Catholicism was bound to die on the spot when the last of the + popes, riveted to that land of ruins, should disappear beneath the falling + dome of St. Peter’s, which would fall as surely as the temple of Jupiter + had fallen! And, as for that pope of the present day, though he might have + no kingdom, though age might have made him weak and fragile, though his + bloodless pallor might be that of some ancient idol of wax, he none the + less flared with the red passion for universal sovereignty, he was none + the less the stubborn scion of his ancestry, the Pontifex Maximus, the + Caesar Imperator in whose veins flowed the blood of Augustus, master of + the world. + </p> + <p> + “You must be fully aware,” resumed Leo XIII, “of the ardent desire for + unity which has always possessed us. We were very happy on the day when we + unified the rite, by imposing the Roman rite throughout the whole Catholic + world. This is one of our most cherished victories, for it can do much to + uphold our authority. And I hope that our efforts in the East will end by + bringing our dear brethren of the dissident communions back to us, in the + same way as I do not despair of convincing the Anglican sects, without + speaking of the other so-called Protestant sects who will be compelled to + return to the bosom of the only Church, the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman + Church, when the times predicted by the Christ shall be accomplished. But + a thing which you did not say in your book is that the Church can + relinquish nothing whatever of dogma. On the contrary, you seem to fancy + that an agreement might be effected, concessions made on either side, and + that, my son, is a culpable thought, such language as a priest cannot use + without being guilty of a crime. No, the truth is absolute, not a stone of + the edifice shall be changed. Oh! in matters of form, we will do whatever + may be asked. We are ready to adopt the most conciliatory courses if it be + only a question of turning certain difficulties and weighing expressions + in order to facilitate agreement.. .. Again, there is the part we have + taken in contemporary socialism, and here too it is necessary that we + should be understood. Those whom you have so well called the disinherited + of the world, are certainly the object of our solicitude. If socialism be + simply a desire for justice, and a constant determination to come to the + help of the weak and the suffering, who can claim to give more thought to + the matter and work with more energy than ourselves? Has not the Church + always been the mother of the afflicted, the helper and benefactress of + the poor? We are for all reasonable progress, we admit all new social + forms which will promote peace and fraternity.... Only we can but condemn + that socialism which begins by driving away God as a means of ensuring the + happiness of mankind. Therein lies simple savagery, an abominable relapse + into the primitive state in which there can only be catastrophe, + conflagration, and massacre. And that again is a point on which you have + not laid sufficient stress, for you have not shown in your book that there + can be no progress outside the pale of the Church, that she is really the + only initiatory and guiding power to whom one may surrender oneself + without fear. Indeed, and in this again you have sinned, it seemed to me + as if you set God on one side, as if for you religion lay solely in a + certain bent of the soul, a florescence of love and charity, which + sufficed one to work one’s salvation. But that is execrable heresy. God is + ever present, master of souls and bodies; and religion remains the bond, + the law, the very governing power of mankind, apart from which there can + only be barbarism in this world and damnation in the next. And, once + again, forms are of no importance; it is sufficient that dogma should + remain. Thus our adhesion to the French Republic proves that we in no wise + mean to link the fate of religion to that of any form of government, + however august and ancient the latter may be. Dynasties may have done + their time, but God is eternal. Kings may perish, but God lives! And, + moreover, there is nothing anti-Christian in the republican form of + government; indeed, on the contrary, it would seem like an awakening of + that Christian commonwealth to which you have referred in some really + charming pages. The worst is that liberty at once becomes license, and + that our desire for conciliation is often very badly requited.... But ah! + what a wicked book you have written, my son,—with the best + intentions, I am willing to believe,—and how your silence shows that + you are beginning to recognise the disastrous consequences of your error.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre still remained silent, overcome, feeling as if his arguments would + fall against some deaf, blind, and impenetrable rock, which it was useless + to assail since nothing could enter it. And only one thing now preoccupied + him; he wondered how it was that a man of such intelligence and such + ambition had not formed a more distinct and exact idea of the modern + world. He could divine that the Pope possessed much information and + carried the map of Christendom with many of the needs, deeds, and hopes of + the nations, in his mind amidst his complicated diplomatic enterprises; + but at the same time what gaps there were in his knowledge! The truth, no + doubt, was that his personal acquaintance with the world was confined to + his brief nunciature at Brussels.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * That too, was in 1843-44, and the world is now utterly unlike + what it was then!—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + During his occupation of the see of Perugia, which had followed, he had + only mingled with the dawning life of young Italy. And for eighteen years + now he had been shut up in the Vatican, isolated from the rest of mankind + and communicating with the nations solely through his <i>entourage</i>, + which was often most unintelligent, most mendacious, and most treacherous. + Moreover, he was an Italian priest, a superstitious and despotic High + Pontiff, bound by tradition, subjected to the influences of race + environment, pecuniary considerations, and political necessities, not to + speak of his great pride, the conviction that he ought to be implicitly + obeyed in all things as the one sole legitimate power upon earth. Therein + lay fatal causes of mental deformity, of errors and gaps in his + extraordinary brain, though the latter certainly possessed many admirable + qualities, quickness of comprehension and patient stubbornness of will and + strength to draw conclusions and act. Of all his powers, however, that of + intuition was certainly the most wonderful, for was it not this alone + which, owing to his voluntary imprisonment, enabled him to divine the vast + evolution of humanity at the present day? He was thus keenly conscious of + the dangers surrounding him, of the rising tide of democracy and the + boundless ocean of science which threatened to submerge the little islet + where the dome of St. Peter’s yet triumphed. And the object of all his + policy, of all his labour, was to conquer so that he might reign. If he + desired the unity of the Church it was in order that the latter might + become strong and inexpugnable in the contest which he foresaw. If he + preached conciliation, granting concessions in matters of form, tolerating + audacious actions on the part of American bishops, it was because he + deeply and secretly feared the dislocation of the Church, some sudden + schism which might hasten disaster. And this fear explained his returning + affection for the people, the concern which he displayed respecting + socialism, and the Christian solution which he offered to the woes of + earthly life. As Caesar was stricken low, was not the long contest for + possession of the people over, and would not the people, the great silent + multitude, speak out, and give itself to him, the Pope? He had begun + experiments with France, forsaking the lost cause of the monarchy and + recognising the Republic which he hoped might prove strong and victorious, + for in spite of everything France remained the eldest daughter of the + Church, the only Catholic nation which yet possessed sufficient strength + to restore the temporal power at some propitious moment. And briefly Leo’s + desire was to reign. To reign by the support of France since it seemed + impossible to do so by the support of Germany! To reign by the support of + the people, since the people was now becoming the master, the bestower of + thrones! To reign by means even of an Italian Republic, if only that + Republic could wrest Rome from the House of Savoy and restore her to him, + a federal Republic which would make him President of the United States of + Italy pending the time when he should be President of the United States of + Europe! To reign in spite of everybody and everything, such was his + ambition, to reign over the world, even as Augustus had reigned, Augustus + whose devouring blood alone upheld this expiring old man, yet so + stubbornly clinging to power! + </p> + <p> + “And another crime of yours, my son,” resumed Leo XIII, “is that you have + dared to ask for a new religion. That is impious, blasphemous, + sacrilegious. There is but one religion in the world, our Holy Catholic + Apostolic and Roman Religion, apart from which there can be but darkness + and damnation. I quite understand that what you mean to imply is a return + to early Christianity. But the error of so-called Protestantism, so + culpable and so deplorable in its consequences, never had any other + pretext. As soon as one departs from the strict observance of dogma and + absolute respect for tradition one sinks into the most frightful + precipices.... Ah! schism, schism, my son, is a crime beyond forgiveness, + an assassination of the true God, a device of the loathsome Beast of + Temptation which Hell sends into the world to work the ruin of the + faithful! If your book contained nothing beyond those words ‘a new + religion,’ it would be necessary to destroy and burn it like so much + poison fatal in its effects upon the human soul.” + </p> + <p> + He continued at length on this subject, while Pierre recalled what Don + Vigilio had told him of those all-powerful Jesuits who at the Vatican as + elsewhere remained in the background, secretly but none the less + decisively governing the Church. Was it true then that this pope, whose + opportunist tendencies were so freely displayed, was one of them, a mere + docile instrument in their hands, though he fancied himself penetrated + with the doctrines of St. Thomas Aquinas? In any case, like them he + compounded with the century, made approaches to the world, and was willing + to flatter it in order that he might possess it. Never before had Pierre + so cruelly realised that the Church was now so reduced that she could only + live by dint of concessions and diplomacy. And he could at last distinctly + picture that Roman clergy which at first is so difficult of comprehension + to a French priest, that Government of the Church, represented by the + pope, the cardinals, and the prelates, whom the Deity has appointed to + govern and administer His mundane possessions—mankind and the earth. + They begin by setting that very Deity on one side, in the depths of the + tabernacle, and impose whatever dogmas they please as so many essential + truths. That the Deity exists is evident, since they govern in His name + which is sufficient for everything. And being by virtue of their charge + the masters, if they consent to sign covenants, Concordats, it is only as + matters of form; they do not observe them, and never yield to anything but + force, always reserving the principle of their absolute sovereignty which + must some day finally triumph. Pending that day’s arrival, they act as + diplomatists, slowly carrying on their work of conquest as the Deity’s + functionaries; and religion is but the public homage which they pay to the + Deity, and which they organise with all the pomp and magnificence that is + likely to influence the multitude. Their only object is to enrapture and + conquer mankind in order that the latter may submit to the rule of the + Deity, that is the rule of themselves, since they are the Deity’s visible + representatives, expressly delegated to govern the world. In a word, they + straightway descend from Roman law, they are still but the offspring of + the old pagan soul of Rome, and if they have lasted until now and if they + rely on lasting for ever, until the awaited hour when the empire of the + world shall be restored to them, it is because they are the direct heirs + of the purple-robed Caesars, the uninterrupted and living progeny of the + blood of Augustus. + </p> + <p> + And thereupon Pierre felt ashamed of his tears. Ah! those poor nerves of + his, that outburst of sentiment and enthusiasm to which he had given way! + His very modesty was appalled, for he felt as if he had exhibited his soul + in utter nakedness. And so uselessly too, in that room where nothing + similar had ever been said before, and in presence of that Pontiff-King + who could not understand him. His plan of the popes reigning by means of + the poor and lowly now horrified him. His idea of the papacy going to the + people, at last rid of its former masters, seemed to him a suggestion + worthy of a wolf, for if the papacy should go to the people it would only + be to prey upon it as the others had done. And really he, Pierre, must + have been mad when he had imagined that a Roman prelate, a cardinal, a + pope, was capable of admitting a return to the Christian commonwealth, a + fresh florescence of primitive Christianity to pacify the aged nations + whom hatred consumed. Such a conception indeed was beyond the + comprehension of men who for centuries had regarded themselves as masters + of the world, so heedless and disdainful of the lowly and the suffering, + that they had at last become altogether incapable of either love or + charity.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The reader should bear in mind that these remarks apply to the + Italian cardinals and prelates, whose vanity and egotism are + remarkable.—Trans. +</pre> + <p> + Leo XIII, however, was still holding forth in his full, unwearying voice. + And the young priest heard him saying: “Why did you write that page on + Lourdes which shows such a thoroughly bad spirit? Lourdes, my son, has + rendered great services to religion. To the persons who have come and told + me of the touching miracles which are witnessed at the Grotto almost + daily, I have often expressed my desire to see those miracles confirmed, + proved by the most rigorous scientific tests. And, indeed, according to + what I have read, I do not think that the most evilly disposed minds can + entertain any further doubt on the matter, for the miracles <i>are</i> + proved scientifically in the most irrefutable manner. Science, my son, + must be God’s servant. It can do nothing against Him, it is only by His + grace that it arrives at the truth. All the solutions which people + nowadays pretend to discover and which seemingly destroy dogma will some + day be recognised as false, for God’s truth will remain victorious when + the times shall be accomplished. That is a very simple certainty, known + even to little children, and it would suffice for the peace and salvation + of mankind, if mankind would content itself with it. And be convinced, my + son, that faith and reason are not incompatible. Have we not got St. + Thomas who foresaw everything, explained everything, regulated everything? + Your faith has been shaken by the onslaught of the spirit of examination, + you have known trouble and anguish which Heaven has been pleased to spare + our priests in this land of ancient belief, this city of Rome which the + blood of so many martyrs has sanctified. However, we have no fear of the + spirit of examination, study St. Thomas, read him thoroughly and your + faith will return, definitive and triumphant, firmer than ever.” + </p> + <p> + These remarks caused Pierre as much dismay as if fragments of the + celestial vault were raining on his head. O God of truth, miracles—the + miracles of Lourdes!—proved scientifically, faith in the dogmas + compatible with reason, and the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas sufficient + to instil certainty into the minds of this present generation! How could + one answer that, and indeed why answer it at all? + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yours is a most culpable and dangerous book,” concluded Leo XIII; + “its very title ‘New Rome’ is mendacious and poisonous, and the work is + the more to be condemned as it offers every fascination of style, every + perversion of generous fancy. Briefly it is such a book that a priest, if + he conceived it in an hour of error, can have no other duty than that of + burning it in public with the very hand which traced the pages of error + and scandal.” + </p> + <p> + All at once Pierre rose up erect. He was about to exclaim: “‘Tis true, I + had lost my faith, but I thought I had found it again in the compassion + which the woes of the world set in my heart. You were my last hope, the + awaited saviour. But, behold, that again is a dream, you cannot take the + work of Jesus in hand once more and pacify mankind so as to avert the + frightful fratricidal war which is preparing. You cannot leave your throne + and come along the roads with the poor and the humble to carry out the + supreme work of fraternity. Well, it is all over with you, your Vatican + and your St. Peter’s. All is falling before the onslaught of the rising + multitude and growing science. You no longer exist, there are only ruins + and remnants left here.” + </p> + <p> + However, he did not speak those words. He simply bowed and said: “Holy + Father, I make my submission and reprobate my book.” And as he thus + replied his voice trembled with disgust, and his open hands made a gesture + of surrender as though he were yielding up his soul. The words he had + chosen were precisely those of the required formula: <i>Auctor + laudabiliter se subjecit et opus reprobavit</i>. “The author has laudably + made his submission and reprobated his work.” No error could have been + confessed, no hope could have accomplished self-destruction with loftier + despair, more sovereign grandeur. But what frightful irony: that book + which he had sworn never to withdraw, and for whose triumph he had fought + so passionately, and which he himself now denied and suppressed, not + because he deemed it guilty, but because he had just realised that it was + as futile, as chimerical as a lover’s desire, a poet’s dream. Ah! yes, + since he had been mistaken, since he had merely dreamed, since he had + found there neither the Deity nor the priest that he had desired for the + happiness of mankind, why should he obstinately cling to the illusion of + an awakening which was impossible! ‘Twere better to fling his book on the + ground like a dead leaf, better to deny it, better to cut it away like a + dead limb that could serve no purpose whatever! + </p> + <p> + Somewhat surprised by such a prompt victory Leo XIII raised a slight + exclamation of content. “That is well said, my son, that is well said! You + have spoken the only words that can become a priest.” + </p> + <p> + And in his evident satisfaction, he who left nothing to chance, who + carefully prepared each of his audiences, deciding beforehand what words + he would say, what gestures even he would make, unbent somewhat and + displayed real <i>bonhomie</i>. Unable to understand, mistaking the real + motives of this rebellious priest’s submission, he tasted positive delight + in having so easily reduced him to silence, the more so as report had + stated the young man to be a terrible revolutionary. And thus his Holiness + felt quite proud of such a conversion. “Moreover, my son,” he said, “I did + not expect less of one of your distinguished mind. There can be no loftier + enjoyment than that of owning one’s error, doing penance, and submitting.” + </p> + <p> + He had again taken the glass off the little table beside him and was + stirring the last spoonful of syrup before drinking it. And Pierre was + amazed at again finding him as he had found him at the outset, shrunken, + bereft of sovereign majesty, and simply suggestive of some aged <i>bourgeois</i> + drinking his glass of sugared water before getting into bed. It was as if + after growing and radiating, like a planet ascending to the zenith, he had + again sunk to the level of the soil in all human mediocrity. Again did + Pierre find him puny and fragile, with the slender neck of a little sick + bird, and all those marks of senile ugliness which rendered him so + exacting with regard to his portraits, whether they were oil paintings or + photographs, gold medals, or marble busts, for of one and the other he + would say that the artist must not portray “Papa Pecci” but Leo XIII, the + great Pope, of whom he desired to leave such a lofty image to posterity. + And Pierre, after momentarily ceasing to see them, was again embarrassed + by the handkerchief which lay on the Pope’s lap, and the dirty cassock + soiled by snuff. His only feelings now were affectionate pity for such + white old age, deep admiration for the stubborn power of life which had + found a refuge in those dark black eyes, and respectful deference, such as + became a worker, for that large brain which harboured such vast projects + and overflowed with such innumerable ideas and actions. + </p> + <p> + The audience was over, and the young man bowed low: “I thank your Holiness + for having deigned to give me such a fatherly reception,” he said. + </p> + <p> + However, Leo XIII detained him for a moment longer, speaking to him of + France and expressing his sincere desire to see her prosperous, calm, and + strong for the greater advantage of the Church. And Pierre, during that + last moment, had a singular vision, a strange haunting fancy. As he gazed + at the Holy Father’s ivory brow and thought of his great age and of his + liability to be carried off by the slightest chill, he involuntarily + recalled the scene instinct with a fierce grandeur which is witnessed each + time a pope dies. He recalled Pius IX, Giovanni Mastai, two hours after + death, his face covered by a white linen cloth, while the pontifical + family surrounded him in dismay; and then Cardinal Pecci, the <i>Camerlingo</i>, + approaching the bed, drawing aside the veil and dealing three taps with + his silver hammer on the forehead of the deceased, repeating at each tap + the call, “Giovanni! Giovanni! Giovanni!” And as the corpse made no + response, turning, after an interval of a few seconds, and saying: “The + Pope is dead!” And at the same time, yonder in the Via Giulia Pierre + pictured Cardinal Boccanera, the present <i>Camerlingo</i>, awaiting his + turn with his silver hammer, and he imagined Leo XIII, otherwise Gioachino + Pecci, dead, like his predecessor, his face covered by a white linen cloth + and his corpse surrounded by his prelates in that very room. And he saw + the <i>Camerlingo</i> approach, draw the veil aside and tap the ivory + forehead, each time repeating the call: “Gioachino! Gioachino! Gioachino!” + Then, as the corpse did not answer, he waited for a few seconds and turned + and said “The Pope is dead!” Did Leo XIII remember how he had thrice + tapped the forehead of Pius IX, and did he ever feel on the brow an icy + dread of the silver hammer with which he had armed his own <i>Camerlingo</i>, + the man whom he knew to be his implacable adversary, Cardinal Boccanera? + </p> + <p> + “Go in peace, my son,” at last said his Holiness by way of parting + benediction. “Your transgression will be forgiven you since you have + confessed and testify your horror for it.” + </p> + <p> + With distressful spirit, accepting humiliation as well-deserved + chastisement for his chimerical fancies, Pierre retired, stepping + backwards according to the customary ceremonial. He made three deep bows + and crossed the threshold without turning, followed by the black eyes of + Leo XIII, which never left him. Still he saw the Pope stretch his arm + towards the table to take up the newspaper which he had been reading prior + to the audience, for Leo retained a great fancy for newspapers, and was + very inquisitive as to news, though in the isolation in which he lived he + frequently made mistakes respecting the relative importance of articles. + And once more the chamber sank into deep quietude, whilst the two lamps + continued to diffuse a soft and steady light. + </p> + <p> + In the centre of the <i>anticamera segreta</i> Signor Squadra stood + waiting black and motionless. And on noticing that Pierre in his flurry + forgot to take his hat from the pier table, he himself discreetly fetched + it and handed it to the young priest with a silent bow. Then without any + appearance of haste, he walked ahead to conduct the visitor back to the + Sala Clementina. The endless promenade through the interminable ante-rooms + began once more, and there was still not a soul, not a sound, not a + breath. In each empty room stood the one solitary lamp, burning low amidst + a yet deeper silence than before. The wilderness seemed also to have grown + larger as the night advanced, casting its gloom over the few articles of + furniture scattered under the lofty gilded ceilings, the thrones, the + stools, the pier tables, the crucifixes, and the candelabra which recurred + in each succeeding room. And at last the Sala Clementina which the Swiss + Guards had just quitted was reached again, and Signor Squadra, who + hitherto had not turned his head, thereupon drew aside without word or + gesture, and, saluting Pierre with a last bow, allowed him to pass on. + Then he himself disappeared. + </p> + <p> + And Pierre descended the two flights of the monumental staircase where the + gas jets in their globes of ground glass glimmered like night lights + amidst a wondrously heavy silence now that the footsteps of the sentries + no longer resounded on the landings. And he crossed the Court of St. + Damasus, empty and lifeless in the pale light of the lamps above the + steps, and descended the Scala Pia, that other great stairway as dim, + deserted, and void of life as all the rest, and at last passed beyond the + bronze door which a porter slowly shut behind him. And with what a rumble, + what a fierce roar did the hard metal close upon all that was within; all + the accumulated darkness and silence; the dead, motionless centuries + perpetuated by tradition; the indestructible idols, the dogmas, bound + round for preservation like mummies; every chain which may weigh on one or + hamper one, the whole apparatus of bondage and sovereign domination, with + whose formidable clang all the dark, deserted halls re-echoed. + </p> + <p> + Once more the young man found himself alone on the gloomy expanse of the + Piazza of St. Peter’s. Not a single belated pedestrian was to be seen. + There was only the lofty, livid, ghost-like obelisk, emerging between its + four candelabra, from the mosaic pavement of red and serpentine porphyry. + The facade of the Basilica also showed vaguely, pale as a vision, whilst + from it on either side like a pair of giant arms stretched the quadruple + colonnade, a thicket of stone, steeped in obscurity. The dome was but a + huge roundness scarcely discernible against the moonless sky; and only the + jets of the fountains, which could at last be detected rising like slim + phantoms ever on the move, lent a voice to the silence, the endless murmur + of a plaint of sorrow coming one knew not whence. Ah! how great was the + melancholy grandeur of that slumber, that famous square, the Vatican and + St. Peter’s, thus seen by night when wrapped in silence and darkness! But + suddenly the clock struck ten with so slow and loud a chime that never, so + it seemed, had more solemn and decisive an hour rung out amidst blacker + and more unfathomable gloom. All Pierre’s poor weary frame quivered at the + sound as he stood motionless in the centre of the expanse. What! had he + spent barely three-quarters of an hour, chatting up yonder with that white + old man who had just wrenched all his soul away from him! Yes, it was the + final wrench; his last belief had been torn from his bleeding heart and + brain. The supreme experiment had been made, a world had collapsed within + him. And all at once he thought of Monsignor Nani, and reflected that he + alone had been right. He, Pierre, had been told that in any case he would + end by doing what Monsignor Nani might desire, and he was now stupefied to + find that he had done so. + </p> + <p> + But sudden despair seized upon him, such atrocious distress of spirit + that, from the depths of the abyss of darkness where he stood, he raised + his quivering arms into space and spoke aloud: “No, no, Thou art not here, + O God of life and love, O God of Salvation! But come, appear since Thy + children are perishing because they know neither who Thou art, nor where + to find Thee amidst the Infinite of the worlds!” + </p> + <p> + Above the vast square spread the vast sky of dark-blue velvet, the silent + disturbing Infinite, where the constellations palpitated. Over the roofs + of the Vatican, Charles’s Wain seemed yet more tilted, its golden wheels + straying from the right path, its golden shaft upreared in the air; whilst + yonder, over Rome towards the Via Giulia, Orion was about to disappear and + already showed but one of the three golden stars which bedecked his belt. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"></a> + XV. + </h2> + <p> + IT was nearly daybreak when Pierre fell asleep, exhausted by emotion and + hot with fever. And at nine o’clock, when he had risen and breakfasted, he + at once wished to go down into Cardinal Boccanera’s rooms where the bodies + of Dario and Benedetta had been laid in state in order that the members of + the family, its friends and clients, might bring them their tears and + prayers. + </p> + <p> + Whilst he breakfasted, Victorine who, showing an active bravery amidst her + despair, had not been to bed at all, told him of what had taken place in + the house during the night and early morning. Donna Serafina, prude that + she was, had again made an attempt to have the bodies separated; but this + had proved an impossibility, as <i>rigor mortis</i> had set in, and to + part the lovers it would have been necessary to break their limbs. + Moreover, the Cardinal, who had interposed once before, almost quarrelled + with his sister on the subject, unwilling as he was that any one should + disturb the lovers’ last slumber, their union of eternity. Beneath his + priestly garb there coursed the blood of his race, a pride in the passions + of former times; and he remarked that if the family counted two popes + among its forerunners, it had also been rendered illustrious by great + captains and ardent lovers. Never would he allow any one to touch those + two children, whose dolorous lives had been so pure and whom the grave + alone had united. He was the master in his house, and they should be sewn + together in the same shroud, and nailed together in the same coffin. Then + too the religious service should take place at the neighbouring church of + San Carlo, of which he was Cardinal-priest and where again he was the + master. And if needful he would address himself to the Pope. And such + being his sovereign will, so authoritatively expressed, everybody in the + house had to bow submissively. + </p> + <p> + Donna Serafina at once occupied herself with the laying-out. According to + the Roman custom the servants were present, and Victorine as the oldest + and most appreciated of them, assisted the relatives. All that could be + done in the first instance was to envelop both corpses in Benedetta’s + unbound hair, thick and odorous hair, which spread out into a royal + mantle; and they were then laid together in one shroud of white silk, + fastened about their necks in such wise that they formed but one being in + death. And again the Cardinal imperatively ordered that they should be + brought into his apartments and placed on a state bed in the centre of the + throne-room, so that a supreme homage might be rendered to them as to the + last scions of the name, the two tragic lovers with whom the once + resounding glory of the Boccaneras was about to return to earth. The story + which had been arranged was already circulating through Rome; folks + related how Dario had been carried off in a few hours by infectious fever, + and how Benedetta, maddened by grief, had expired whilst clasping him in + her arms to bid him a last farewell; and there was talk too of the royal + honours which the bodies were to receive, the superb funeral nuptials + which were to be accorded them as they lay clasped on their bed of eternal + rest. All Rome, quite overcome by this tragic story of love and death, + would talk of nothing else for several weeks. + </p> + <p> + Pierre would have started for France that same night, eager as he was to + quit the city of disaster where he had lost the last shreds of his faith, + but he desired to attend the obsequies, and therefore postponed his + departure until the following evening. And thus he would spend one more + day in that old crumbling palace, near the corpse of that unhappy young + woman to whom he had been so much attached and for whom he would try to + find some prayers in the depths of his empty and lacerated heart. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the threshold of the Cardinal’s reception-rooms, he + suddenly remembered his first visit to them. They still presented the same + aspect of ancient princely pomp falling into decay and dust. The doors of + the three large ante-rooms were wide open, and the rooms themselves were + at that early hour still empty. In the first one, the servants’ anteroom, + there was nobody but Giacomo who stood motionless in his black livery in + front of the old red hat hanging under the <i>baldacchino</i> where + spiders spun their webs between the crumbling tassels. In the second room, + which the secretary formerly had occupied, Abbe Paparelli, the + train-bearer, was softly walking up and down whilst waiting for visitors; + and with his conquering humility, his all-powerful obsequiousness, he had + never before so closely resembled an old maid, whitened and wrinkled by + excess of devout observances. Finally, in the third ante-room, the <i>anticamera + nobile</i>, where the red cap lay on a credence facing the large imperious + portrait of the Cardinal in ceremonial costume, there was Don Vigilio who + had left his little work-table to station himself at the door of the + throne-room and there bow to those who crossed the threshold. And on that + gloomy winter morning the rooms appeared more mournful and dilapidated + than ever, the hangings frayed and ragged, the few articles of furniture + covered with dust, the old wood-work crumbling beneath the continuous + onslaught of worms, and the ceilings alone retaining their pompous show of + gilding and painting. + </p> + <p> + However, Pierre, to whom Abbe Paparelli addressed a profound bow, in which + one divined the irony of a sort of dismissal given to one who was + vanquished, felt more impressed by the mournful grandeur which those three + dilapidated rooms presented that day, conducting as they did to the old + throne-room, now a chamber of death, where the two last children of the + house slept their last sleep. What a superb and sorrowful <i>gala</i> of + death! Every door wide open and all the emptiness of those over-spacious + rooms, void of the throngs of ancient days and leading to the supreme + affliction—the end of a race! The Cardinal had shut himself up in + his little work-room where he received the relatives and intimates who + desired to present their condolences to him, whilst Donna Serafina had + chosen an adjoining apartment to await her lady friends who would come in + procession until evening. And Pierre, informed of the ceremonial by + Victorine, had in the first place to enter the throne-room, greeted as he + passed by a deep bow from Don Vigilio who, pale and silent, did not seem + to recognise him. + </p> + <p> + A surprise awaited the young priest. He had expected such a lying-in-state + as is seen in France and elsewhere, all windows closed so as to steep the + room in night, and hundreds of candles burning round a <i>catafalco</i>, + whilst from ceiling to floor the walls were hung with black drapery. He + had been told that the bodies would lie in the throne-room because the + antique chapel on the ground floor of the palazzo had been shut up for + half a century and was in no condition to be used, whilst the Cardinal’s + little private chapel was altogether too small for any such ceremony. And + thus it had been necessary to improvise an altar in the throne-room, an + altar at which masses had been said ever since dawn. Masses and other + religious services were moreover to be celebrated all day long in the + private chapel; and two additional altars had even been set up, one in a + small room adjoining the <i>anticamera nobile</i> and the other in a sort + of alcove communicating with the second anteroom: and in this wise + priests, Franciscans, and members of other Orders bound by the vow of + poverty, would simultaneously and without intermission celebrate the + divine sacrifice on those four altars. The Cardinal, indeed, had desired + that the Divine Blood should flow without pause under his roof for the + redemption of those two dear souls which had flown away together. And thus + in that mourning mansion, through those funeral halls the bells scarcely + stopped tinkling for the elevation of the host, whilst the quivering + murmur of Latin words ever continued, and consecrated wafers were + continually broken and chalices drained, in such wise that the Divine + Presence could not for a moment quit the heavy atmosphere all redolent of + death. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, however, Pierre, to his great astonishment, found the + throne-room much as it had been on the day of his first visit. The + curtains of the four large windows had not even been drawn, and the grey, + cold, subdued light of the gloomy winter morning freely entered. Under the + ceiling of carved and gilded wood-work there were the customary red + wall-hangings of <i>brocatelle</i>, worn away by long usage; and there was + the old throne with the arm-chair turned to the wall, uselessly waiting + for a visit from the Pope which would never more come. The principal + changes in the aspect of the room were that its seats and tables had been + removed, and that, in addition to the improvised altar arranged beside the + throne, it now contained the state bed on which lay the bodies of + Benedetta and Dario, amidst a profusion of flowers. The bed stood in the + centre of the room on a low platform, and at its head were two lighted + candles, one on either side. There was nothing else, nothing but that + wealth of flowers, such a harvest of white roses that one wondered in what + fairy garden they had been culled, sheaves of them on the bed, sheaves of + them toppling from the bed, sheaves of them covering the step of the + platform, and falling from that step on to the magnificent marble paving + of the room. + </p> + <p> + Pierre drew near to the bed, his heart faint with emotion. Those tapers + whose little yellow flamelets scarcely showed in the pale daylight, that + continuous low murmur of the mass being said at the altar, that + penetrating perfume of roses which rendered the atmosphere so heavy, + filled the antiquated, dusty room with a spirit of infinite woe, a + lamentation of boundless mourning. And there was not a gesture, not a word + spoken, save by the priest officiating at the altar, nothing but an + occasional faint sound of stifled sobbing among the few persons present. + Servants of the house constantly relieved one another, four always + standing erect and motionless at the head of the bed, like faithful, + familiar guards. From time to time Consistorial-Advocate Morano who, since + early morning had been attending to everything, crossed the room with a + silent step and the air of a man in a hurry. And at the edge of the + platform all who entered, knelt, prayed, and wept. Pierre perceived three + ladies there, their faces hidden by their handkerchiefs; and there was + also an old priest who trembled with grief and hung his head in such wise + that his face could not be distinguished. However, the young man was most + moved by the sight of a poorly clad girl, whom he took for a servant, and + whom sorrow had utterly prostrated on the marble slabs. + </p> + <p> + Then in his turn he knelt down, and with the professional murmur of the + lips sought to repeat the Latin prayers which, as a priest, he had so + often said at the bedside of the departed. But his growing emotion + confused his memory, and he became wrapt in contemplation of the lovers + whom his eyes were unable to quit. Under the wealth of flowers which + covered them the clasped bodies could scarcely be distinguished, but the + two heads emerged from the silken shroud, and lying there on the same + cushion, with their hair mingling, they were still beautiful, beautiful as + with satisfied passion. Benedetta had kept her divinely gay, loving, and + faithful face for eternity, transported with rapture at having rendered up + her last breath in a kiss of love; whilst Dario retained a more dolorous + expression amidst his final joy. And their eyes were still wide open, + gazing at one another with a persistent and caressing sweetness which + nothing would ever more disturb. + </p> + <p> + Oh! God, was it true that yonder lay that Benedetta whom he, Pierre, had + loved with such pure, brotherly affection? He was stirred to the very + depths of his soul by the recollection of the delightful hours which he + had spent with her. She had been so beautiful, so sensible, yet so full of + passion! And he had indulged in so beautiful a dream, that of animating + with his own liberating fraternal feelings that admirable creature with + soul of fire and indolent air, in whom he had pictured all ancient Rome, + and whom he would have liked to awaken and win over to the Italy of + to-morrow. He had dreamt of enlarging her brain and heart by filling her + with love for the lowly and the poor, with all present-day compassion for + things and beings. How he would now have smiled at such a dream had not + his tears been flowing! Yet how charming she had shown herself in striving + to content him despite the invincible obstacles of race, education, and + environment. She had been a docile pupil, but was incapable of any real + progress. One day she had certainly seemed to draw nearer to him, as + though her own sufferings had opened her soul to every charity; but the + illusion of happiness had come back, and then she had lost all + understanding of the woes of others, and had gone off in the egotism of + her own hope and joy. Did that mean then that this Roman race must finish + in that fashion, beautiful as it still often is, and fondly adored but so + closed to all love for others, to those laws of charity and justice which, + by regulating labour, can henceforth alone save this world of ours? + </p> + <p> + Then there came another great sorrow to Pierre which left him stammering, + unable to speak any precise prayer. He thought of the overwhelming + reassertion of Nature’s powers which had attended the death of those two + poor children. Was it not awful? To have taken that vow to the Virgin, to + have endured torment throughout life, and to end by plunging into death, + on the loved one’s neck, distracted by vain regret and eager for + self-bestowal! The brutal fact of impending separation had sufficed for + Benedetta to realise how she had duped herself, and to revert to the + universal instinct of love. And therein, again once more, was the Church + vanquished; therein again appeared the great god Pan, mating the sexes and + scattering life around! If in the days of the Renascence the Church did + not fall beneath the assault of the Venuses and Hercules then exhumed from + the old soil of Rome, the struggle at all events continued as bitterly as + ever; and at each and every hour new nations, overflowing with sap, + hungering for life, and warring against a religion which was nothing more + than an appetite for death, threatened to sweep away that old Holy + Apostolic Roman and Catholic edifice whose walls were already tottering on + all sides. + </p> + <p> + And at that moment Pierre felt that the death of that adorable Benedetta + was for him the supreme disaster. He was still looking at her and tears + were scorching his eyes. She was carrying off his chimera. This time ‘twas + really the end. Rome the Catholic and the Princely was dead, lying there + like marble on that funeral bed. She had been unable to go to the humble, + the suffering ones of the world, and had just expired amidst the impotent + cry of her egotistical passion when it was too late either to love or to + create. Never more would children be born of her, the old Roman house was + henceforth empty, sterile, beyond possibility of awakening. Pierre whose + soul mourned such a splendid dream, was so grieved at seeing her thus + motionless and frigid, that he felt himself fainting. He feared lest he + might fall upon the step beside the bed, and so struggled to his feet and + drew aside. + </p> + <p> + Then, as he sought refuge in a window recess in order that he might try to + recover self-possession, he was astonished to perceive Victorine seated + there on a bench which the hangings half concealed. She had come thither + by Donna Serafina’s orders, and sat watching her two dear children as she + called them, whilst keeping an eye upon all who came in and went out. And, + on seeing the young priest so pale and nearly swooning, she at once made + room for him to sit down beside her. “Ah!” he murmured after drawing a + long breath, “may they at least have the joy of being together elsewhere, + of living a new life in another world.” + </p> + <p> + Victorine, however, shrugged her shoulders, and in an equally low voice + responded, “Oh! live again, Monsieur l’Abbe, why? When one’s dead the best + is to remain so and to sleep. Those poor children had enough torments on + earth, one mustn’t wish that they should begin again elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + This naive yet deep remark on the part of an ignorant unbelieving woman + sent a shudder through Pierre’s very bones. To think that his own teeth + had chattered with fear at night time at the sudden thought of + annihilation. He deemed her heroic at remaining so undisturbed by any + ideas of eternity and the infinite. And she, as she felt he was quivering, + went on: “What can you suppose there should be after death? We’ve deserved + a right to sleep, and nothing to my thinking can be more desirable and + consoling.” + </p> + <p> + “But those two did not live,” murmured Pierre, “so why not allow oneself + the joy of believing that they now live elsewhere, recompensed for all + their torments?” + </p> + <p> + Victorine, however, again shook her head; “No, no,” she replied. “Ah! I + was quite right in saying that my poor Benedetta did wrong in torturing + herself with all those superstitious ideas of hers when she was really so + fond of her lover. Yes, happiness is rarely found, and how one regrets + having missed it when it’s too late to turn back! That’s the whole story + of those poor little ones. It’s too late for them, they are dead.” Then in + her turn she broke down and began to sob. “Poor little ones! poor little + ones! Look how white they are, and think what they will be when only the + bones of their heads lie side by side on the cushion, and only the bones + of their arms still clasp one another. Ah! may they sleep, may they sleep; + at least they know nothing and feel nothing now.” + </p> + <p> + A long interval of silence followed. Pierre, amidst the quiver of his own + doubts, the anxious desire which in common with most men he felt for a new + life beyond the grave, gazed at this woman who did not find priests to her + fancy, and who retained all her Beauceronne frankness of speech, with the + tranquil, contented air of one who has ever done her duty in her humble + station as a servant, lost though she had been for five and twenty years + in a land of wolves, whose language she had not even been able to learn. + Ah! yes, tortured as the young man was by his doubts, he would have liked + to be as she was, a well-balanced, healthy, ignorant creature who was + quite content with what the world offered, and who, when she had + accomplished her daily task, went fully satisfied to bed, careless as to + whether she might never wake again! + </p> + <p> + However, as Pierre’s eyes once more sought the state bed, he suddenly + recognised the old priest, who was kneeling on the step of the platform, + and whose features he had hitherto been unable to distinguish. “Isn’t that + Abbe Pisoni, the priest of Santa Brigida, where I sometimes said mass?” he + inquired. “The poor old man, how he weeps!” + </p> + <p> + In her quiet yet desolate voice Victorine replied, “He has good reason to + weep. He did a fine thing when he took it into his head to marry my poor + Benedetta to Count Prada. All those abominations would never have happened + if the poor child had been given her Dario at once. But in this idiotic + city they are all mad with their politics; and that old priest, who is + none the less a very worthy man, thought he had accomplished a real + miracle and saved the world by marrying the Pope and the King as he said + with a soft laugh, poor old <i>savant</i> that he is, who for his part has + never been in love with anything but old stones—you know, all that + antiquated rubbish of theirs of a hundred thousand years ago. And now, you + see, he can’t keep from weeping. The other one too came not twenty minutes + ago, Father Lorenza, the Jesuit who became the Contessina’s confessor + after Abbe Pisoni, and who undid what the other had done. Yes, a handsome + man he is, but a fine bungler all the same, a perfect killjoy with all the + crafty hindrances which he brought into that divorce affair. I wish you + had been here to see what a big sign of the cross he made after he had + knelt down. He didn’t cry, he didn’t: he seemed to be saying that as + things had ended so badly it was evident that God had withdrawn from all + share in the business. So much the worse for the dead!” + </p> + <p> + Victorine spoke gently and without a pause, as it relieved her, to empty + her heart after the terrible hours of bustle and suffocation which she had + spent since the previous day. “And that one yonder,” she resumed in a + lower voice, “don’t you recognise her?” + </p> + <p> + She glanced towards the poorly clad girl whom Pierre had taken for a + servant, and whom intensity of grief had prostrated beside the bed. With a + gesture of awful suffering this girl had just thrown back her head, a head + of extraordinary beauty, enveloped by superb black hair. + </p> + <p> + “La Pierina!” said Pierre. “Ah! poor girl.” + </p> + <p> + Victorine made a gesture of compassion and tolerance. + </p> + <p> + “What would you have?” said she, “I let her come up. I don’t know how she + heard of the trouble, but it’s true that she is always prowling round the + house. She sent and asked me to come down to her, and you should have + heard her sob and entreat me to let her see her Prince once more! Well, + she does no harm to anybody there on the floor, looking at them both with + her beautiful loving eyes full of tears. She’s been there for half an hour + already, and I had made up my mind to turn her out if she didn’t behave + properly. But since she’s so quiet and doesn’t even move, she may well + stop and fill her heart with the sight of them for her whole life long.” + </p> + <p> + It was really sublime to see that ignorant, passionate, beautiful Pierina + thus overwhelmed below the nuptial couch on which the lovers slept for all + eternity. She had sunk down on her heels, her arms hanging heavily beside + her, and her hands open. And with raised face, motionless as in an ecstasy + of suffering, she did not take her eyes from that adorable and tragic + pair. Never had human face displayed such beauty, such a dazzling + splendour of suffering and love; never had there been such a portrayal of + ancient Grief, not however cold like marble but quivering with life. What + was she thinking of, what were her sufferings, as she thus fixedly gazed + at her Prince now and for ever locked in her rival’s arms? Was it some + jealousy which could have no end that chilled the blood of her veins? Or + was it mere suffering at having lost him, at realising that she was + looking at him for the last time, without thought of hatred for that other + woman who vainly sought to warm him with her arms as icy cold as his own? + There was still a soft gleam in the poor girl’s blurred eyes, and her lips + were still lips of love though curved in bitterness by grief. She found + the lovers so pure and beautiful as they lay there amidst that profusion + of flowers! And beautiful herself, beautiful like a queen, ignorant of her + own charms, she remained there breathless, a humble servant, a loving + slave as it were, whose heart had been wrenched away and carried off by + her dying master. + </p> + <p> + People were now constantly entering the room, slowly approaching with + mournful faces, then kneeling and praying for a few minutes, and + afterwards retiring with the same mute, desolate mien. A pang came to + Pierre’s heart when he saw Dario’s mother, the ever beautiful Flavia, + enter, accompanied by her husband, the handsome Jules Laporte, that + ex-sergeant of the Swiss Guard whom she had turned into a Marquis + Montefiori. Warned of the tragedy directly it had happened, she had + already come to the mansion on the previous evening; but now she returned + in grand ceremony and full mourning, looking superb in her black garments + which were well suited to her massive, Juno-like style of beauty. When she + had approached the bed with a queenly step, she remained for a moment + standing with two tears at the edges of her eyelids, tears which did not + fall. Then, at the moment of kneeling, she made sure that Jules was beside + her, and glanced at him as if to order him to kneel as well. They both + sank down beside the platform and remained in prayer for the proper + interval, she very dignified in her grief and he even surpassing her, with + the perfect sorrow-stricken bearing of a man who knew how to conduct + himself in every circumstance of life, even the gravest. And afterwards + they rose together, and slowly betook themselves to the entrance of the + private apartments where the Cardinal and Donna Serafina were receiving + their relatives and friends. + </p> + <p> + Five ladies then came in one after the other, while two Capuchins and the + Spanish ambassador to the Holy See went off. And Victorine, who for a few + minutes had remained silent, suddenly resumed. “Ah! there’s the little + Princess, she’s much afflicted too, and, no wonder, she was so fond of our + Benedetta.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre himself had just noticed Celia coming in. She also had attired + herself in full mourning for this abominable visit of farewell. Behind her + was a maid, who carried on either arm a huge sheaf of white roses. + </p> + <p> + “The dear girl!” murmured Victorine, “she wanted her wedding with her + Attilio to take place on the same day as that of the poor lovers who lie + there. And they, alas! have forestalled her, their wedding’s over; there + they sleep in their bridal bed.” + </p> + <p> + Celia had at once crossed herself and knelt down beside the bed, but it + was evident that she was not praying. She was indeed looking at the lovers + with desolate stupefaction at finding them so white and cold with a beauty + as of marble. What! had a few hours sufficed, had life departed, would + those lips never more exchange a kiss! She could again see them at the + ball of that other night, so resplendent and triumphant with their living + love. And a feeling of furious protest rose from her young heart, so open + to life, so eager for joy and sunlight, so angry with the hateful idiocy + of death. And her anger and affright and grief, as she thus found herself + face to face with the annihilation which chills every passion, could be + read on her ingenuous, candid, lily-like face. She herself stood on the + threshold of a life of passion of which she yet knew nothing, and behold! + on that very threshold she encountered the corpses of those dearly loved + ones, the loss of whom racked her soul with grief. + </p> + <p> + She gently closed her eyes and tried to pray, whilst big tears fell from + under her lowered eyelids. Some time went by amidst the quivering silence, + which only the murmur of the mass near by disturbed. At last she rose and + took the sheaves of flowers from her maid; and standing on the platform + she hesitated for a moment, then placed the roses to the right and left of + the cushion on which the lovers’ heads were resting, as if she wished to + crown them with those blossoms, perfume their young brows with that sweet + and powerful aroma. Then, though her hands remained empty she did not + retire, but remained there leaning over the dead ones, trembling and + seeking what she might yet say to them, what she might leave them of + herself for ever more. An inspiration came to her, and she stooped + forward, and with her whole, deep, loving soul set a long, long kiss on + the brow of either spouse. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! the dear girl!” said Victorine, whose tears were again flowing. “You + saw that she kissed them, and nobody had yet thought of that, not even the + poor young Prince’s mother. Ah! the dear little heart, she surely thought + of her Attilio.” + </p> + <p> + However, as Celia turned to descend from the platform she perceived La + Pierina, whose figure was still thrown back in an attitude of mute and + dolorous adoration. And she recognised the girl and melted with pity on + seeing such a fit of sobbing come over her that her whole body, her + goddess-like hips and bosom, shook as with frightful anguish. That agony + of love quite upset the little Princess, and she could be heard murmuring + in a tone of infinite compassion, “Calm yourself, my dear, calm yourself. + Be reasonable, my dear, I beg you.” + </p> + <p> + Then as La Pierina, thunderstruck at thus being pitied and succoured, + began to sob yet more loudly so as to create quite a stir in the room, + Celia raised her and held her up with both arms, for fear lest she should + fall again. And she led her away in a sisterly clasp, like a sister of + affection and despair, lavishing the most gentle, consoling words upon her + as they went. + </p> + <p> + “Follow them, go and see what becomes of them,” Victorine said to Pierre. + “I do not want to stir from here, it quiets me to watch over my two poor + children.” + </p> + <p> + A Capuchin was just beginning a fresh mass at the improvised altar, and + the low Latin psalmody went on again, while in the adjoining ante-chamber, + where another mass was being celebrated, a bell was heard tinkling for the + elevation of the host. The perfume of the flowers was becoming more + violent and oppressive amidst the motionless and mournful atmosphere of + the spacious throne-room. The four servants standing at the head of the + bed, as for a <i>gala</i> reception, did not stir, and the procession of + visitors ever continued, men and women entering in silence, suffocating + there for a moment, and then withdrawing, carrying away with them the + never-to-be-forgotten vision of the two tragic lovers sleeping their + eternal sleep. + </p> + <p> + Pierre joined Celia and La Pierina in the <i>anticamera nobile</i>, where + stood Don Vigilio. The few seats belonging to the throne-room had there + been placed in a corner, and the little Princess had just compelled the + work-girl to sit down in an arm-chair, in order that she might recover + self-possession. Celia was in ecstasy before her, enraptured at finding + her so beautiful, more beautiful than any other, as she said. Then she + spoke of the two dead ones, who also had seemed to her very beautiful, + endowed with an extraordinary beauty, at once superb and sweet; and + despite all her tears, she still remained in a transport of admiration. On + speaking with La Pierina, Pierre learnt that her brother Tito was at the + hospital in great danger from the effects of a terrible knife thrust dealt + him in the side; and since the beginning of the winter, said the girl, the + misery in the district of the castle fields had become frightful. It was a + source of great suffering to every one, and those whom death carried off + had reason to rejoice. + </p> + <p> + Celia, however, with a gesture of invincible hopefulness, brushed all idea + of suffering, even of death, aside. “No, no, we must live,” she said. “And + beauty is sufficient for life. Come, my dear, do not remain here, do not + weep any more; live for the delight of being beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + Then she led La Pierina away, and Pierre remained seated in one of the + arm-chairs, overcome by such sorrow and weariness that he would have liked + to remain there for ever. Don Vigilio was still bowing to each fresh + visitor that arrived. A severe attack of fever had come on him during the + night, and he was shivering from it, with his face very yellow, and his + eyes ablaze and haggard. He constantly glanced at Pierre, as if anxious to + speak to him, but his dread lest he should be seen by Abbe Paparelli, who + stood in the next ante-room, the door of which was wide open, doubtless + restrained him, for he did not cease to watch the train-bearer. At last + the latter was compelled to absent himself for a moment, and the secretary + thereupon approached the young Frenchman. + </p> + <p> + “You saw his Holiness last night,” he said; and as Pierre gazed at him in + stupefaction he added: “Oh! everything gets known, I told you so before. + Well, and you purely and simply withdrew your book, did you not?” The + young priest’s increasing stupor was sufficient answer, and without + leaving him time to reply, Don Vigilio went on: “I suspected it, but I + wished to make certain. Ah! that’s just the way they work! Do you believe + me now, have you realised that they stifle those whom they don’t poison?” + </p> + <p> + He was no doubt referring to the Jesuits. However, after glancing into the + adjoining room to make sure that Abbe Paparelli had not returned thither, + he resumed: “And what has Monsignor Nani just told you?” + </p> + <p> + “But I have not yet seen Monsignor Nani,” was Pierre’s reply. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I thought you had. He passed through before you arrived. If you did + not see him in the throne-room he must have gone to pay his respects to + Donna Serafina and his Eminence. However, he will certainly pass this way + again; you will see him by and by.” Then with the bitterness of one who + was weak, ever terror-smitten and vanquished, Don Vigilio added: “I told + you that you would end by doing what Monsignor Nani desired.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, fancying that he heard the light footfall of Abbe + Paparelli, he hastily returned to his place and bowed to two old ladies + who just then walked in. And Pierre, still seated, overcome, his eyes + wearily closing, at last saw the figure of Nani arise before him in all + its reality so typical of sovereign intelligence and address. He + remembered what Don Vigilio, on the famous night of his revelations, had + told him of this man who was far too shrewd to have labelled himself, so + to say, with an unpopular robe, and who, withal, was a charming prelate + with thorough knowledge of the world, acquired by long experience at + different nunciatures and at the Holy Office, mixed up in everything, + informed with regard to everything, one of the heads, one of the chief + minds in fact of that modern black army, which by dint of Opportunism + hopes to bring this century back to the Church. And all at once, full + enlightenment fell on Pierre, he realised by what supple, clever strategy + that man had led him to the act which he desired of him, the pure and + simple withdrawal of his book, accomplished with every appearance of free + will. First there had been great annoyance on Nani’s part on learning that + the book was being prosecuted, for he feared lest its excitable author + might be prompted to some dangerous revolt; then plans had at once been + formed, information had been collected concerning this young priest who + seemed so capable of schism, he had been urged to come to Rome, invited to + stay in an ancient mansion whose very walls would chill and enlighten him. + And afterwards had come the ever recurring obstacles, the system of + prolonging his sojourn in Rome by preventing him from seeing the Pope, but + promising him the much-desired interview when the proper time should come, + that is after he had been sent hither and thither and brought into + collision with one and all. And finally, when every one and everything had + shaken, wearied, and disgusted him, and he was restored once more to his + old doubts, there had come the audience for which he had undergone all + this preparation, that visit to the Pope which was destined to shatter + whatever remained to him of his dream. Pierre could picture Nani smiling + at him and speaking to him, declaring that the repeated delays were a + favour of Providence, which would enable him to visit Rome, study and + understand things, reflect, and avoid blunders. How delicate and how + profound had been the prelate’s diplomacy in thus crushing his feelings + beneath his reason, appealing to his intelligence to suppress his work + without any scandalous struggle as soon as his knowledge of the real Rome + should have shown him how supremely ridiculous it was to dream of a new + one! + </p> + <p> + At that moment Pierre perceived Nani in person just coming from the + throne-room, and did not feel the irritation and rancour which he had + anticipated. On the contrary he was glad when the prelate, in his turn + seeing him, drew near and held out his hand. Nani, however, did not wear + his wonted smile, but looked very grave, quite grief-stricken. “Ah! my + dear son,” he said, “what a frightful catastrophe! I have just left his + Eminence, he is in tears. It is horrible, horrible!” + </p> + <p> + He seated himself on one of the chairs, inviting the young priest, who had + risen, to do the same; and for a moment he remained silent, weary with + emotion no doubt, and needing a brief rest to free himself of the weight + of thoughts which visibly darkened his usually bright face. Then, with a + gesture, he strove to dismiss that gloom, and recover his amiable + cordiality. “Well, my dear son,” he began, “you saw his Holiness?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Monseigneur, yesterday evening; and I thank you for your great + kindness in satisfying my desire.” + </p> + <p> + Nani looked at him fixedly, and his invincible smile again returned to his + lips. “You thank me.... I can well see that you behaved sensibly and laid + your full submission at his Holiness’s feet. I was certain of it, I did + not expect less of your fine intelligence. But, all the same, you render + me very happy, for I am delighted to find that I was not mistaken + concerning you.” And then, setting aside his reserve, the prelate went on: + “I never discussed things with you. What would have been the good of it, + since facts were there to convince you? And now that you have withdrawn + your book a discussion would be still more futile. However, just reflect + that if it were possible for you to bring the Church back to her early + period, to that Christian community which you have sketched so + delightfully, she could only again follow the same evolutions as those in + which God the first time guided her; so that, at the end of a similar + number of centuries, she would find herself exactly in the position which + she occupies to-day. No, what God has done has been well done, the Church + such as she is must govern the world, such as it is; it is for her alone + to know how she will end by firmly establishing her reign here below. And + this is why your attack upon the temporal power was an unpardonable fault, + a crime even, for by dispossessing the papacy of her domains you hand her + over to the mercy of the nations. Your new religion is but the final + downfall of all religion, moral anarchy, the liberty of schism, in a word, + the destruction of the divine edifice, that ancient Catholicism which has + shown such prodigious wisdom and solidity, which has sufficed for the + salvation of mankind till now, and will alone be able to save it to-morrow + and always.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre felt that Nani was sincere, pious even, and really unshakable in + his faith, loving the Church like a grateful son, and convinced that she + was the only social organisation which could render mankind happy. And if + he were bent on governing the world, it was doubtless for the pleasure of + governing, but also in the conviction that no one could do so better than + himself. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! certainly,” said he, “methods are open to discussion. I desire them + to be as affable and humane as possible, as conciliatory as can be with + this present century, which seems to be escaping us, precisely because + there is a misunderstanding between us. But we shall bring it back, I am + sure of it. And that is why, my dear son, I am so pleased to see you + return to the fold, thinking as we think, and ready to battle on our side, + is that not so?” + </p> + <p> + In Nani’s words the young priest once more found the arguments of Leo + XIII. Desiring to avoid a direct reply, for although he now felt no anger + the wrenching away of his dream had left him a smarting wound, he bowed, + and replied slowly in order to conceal the bitter tremble of his voice: “I + repeat, Monseigneur, that I deeply thank you for having amputated my vain + illusions with the skill of an accomplished surgeon. A little later, when + I shall have ceased to suffer, I shall think of you with eternal + gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + Monsignor Nani still looked at him with a smile. He fully understood that + this young priest would remain on one side, that as an element of strength + he was lost to the Church. What would he do now? Something foolish no + doubt. However, the prelate had to content himself with having helped him + to repair his first folly; he could not foresee the future. And he + gracefully waved his hand as if to say that sufficient unto the day was + the evil thereof. + </p> + <p> + “Will you allow me to conclude, my dear son?” he at last exclaimed. “Be + sensible, your happiness as a priest and a man lies in humility. You will + be terribly unhappy if you use the great intelligence which God has given + you against Him.” + </p> + <p> + Then with another gesture he dismissed this affair, which was all over, + and with which he need busy himself no more. And thereupon the other + affair came back to make him gloomy, that other affair which also was + drawing to a close, but so tragically, with those two poor children + slumbering in the adjoining room. “Ah!” he resumed, “that poor Princess + and that poor Cardinal quite upset my heart! Never did catastrophe fall so + cruelly on a house. No, no, it is indeed too much, misfortune goes too far—it + revolts one’s soul!” + </p> + <p> + Just as he finished a sound of voices came from the second ante-room, and + Pierre was thunderstruck to see Cardinal Sanguinetti go by, escorted with + the greatest obsequiousness by Abbe Paparelli. + </p> + <p> + “If your most Reverend Eminence will have the extreme kindness to follow + me,” the train-bearer was saying, “I will conduct your most Reverend + Eminence myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Sanguinetti, “I arrived yesterday evening from Frascati, + and when I heard the sad news, I at once desired to express my sorrow and + offer consolation.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Eminence will perhaps condescend to remain for a moment near the + bodies. I will afterwards escort your Eminence to the private apartments.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, by all means. I desire every one to know how greatly I participate + in the sorrow which has fallen on this illustrious house.” + </p> + <p> + Then Sanguinetti entered the throne-room, leaving Pierre quite aghast at + his quiet audacity. The young priest certainly did not accuse him of + direct complicity with Santobono, he did not even dare to measure how far + his moral complicity might go. But on seeing him pass by like that, his + brow so lofty, his speech so clear, he had suddenly felt convinced that he + knew the truth. How or through whom, he could not have told; but doubtless + crimes become known in those shady spheres by those whose interest it is + to know of them. And Pierre remained quite chilled by the haughty fashion + in which that man presented himself, perhaps to stifle suspicion and + certainly to accomplish an act of good policy by giving his rival a public + mark of esteem and affection. + </p> + <p> + “The Cardinal! Here!” Pierre murmured despite himself. + </p> + <p> + Nani, who followed the young man’s thoughts in his childish eyes, in which + all could be read, pretended to mistake the sense of his exclamation. + “Yes,” said he, “I learnt that the Cardinal returned to Rome yesterday + evening. He did not wish to remain away any longer; the Holy Father being + so much better that he might perhaps have need of him.” + </p> + <p> + Although these words were spoken with an air of perfect innocence, Pierre + was not for a moment deceived by them. And having in his turn glanced at + the prelate, he was convinced that the latter also knew the truth. Then, + all at once, the whole affair appeared to him in its intricacy, in the + ferocity which fate had imparted to it. Nani, an old intimate of the + Palazzo Boccanera, was not heartless, he had surely loved Benedetta with + affection, charmed by so much grace and beauty. One could thus explain the + victorious manner in which he had at last caused her marriage to be + annulled. But if Don Vigilio were to be believed, that divorce, obtained + by pecuniary outlay, and under pressure of the most notorious influences, + was simply a scandal which he, Nani, had in the first instance spun out, + and then precipitated towards a resounding finish with the sole object of + discrediting the Cardinal and destroying his chances of the tiara on the + eve of the Conclave which everybody thought imminent. It seemed certain, + too, that the Cardinal, uncompromising as he was, could not be the + candidate of Nani, who was so desirous of universal agreement, and so the + latter’s long labour in that house, whilst conducing to the happiness of + the Contessina, had been designed to frustrate Donna Serafina and Cardinal + Pio in their burning ambition, that third triumphant elevation to the + papacy which they sought to secure for their ancient family. However, if + Nani had always desired to baulk this ambition, and had even at one moment + placed his hopes in Sanguinetti and fought for him, he had never imagined + that Boccanera’s foes would go to the point of crime, to such an + abomination as poison which missed its mark and killed the innocent. No, + no, as he himself said, that was too much, and made one’s soul rebel. He + employed more gentle weapons; such brutality filled him with indignation; + and his face, so pinky and carefully tended, still wore the grave + expression of his revolt in presence of the tearful Cardinal and those + poor lovers stricken in his stead. + </p> + <p> + Believing that Sanguinetti was still the prelate’s secret candidate, + Pierre was worried to know how far their moral complicity in this baleful + affair might go. So he resumed the conversation by saying: “It is asserted + that his Holiness is on bad terms with his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti. + Of course the reigning pope cannot look on the future pope with a very + kindly eye.” + </p> + <p> + At this, Nani for a moment became quite gay in all frankness. “Oh,” said + he, “the Cardinal has quarrelled and made things up with the Vatican three + or four times already. And, in any event, the Holy Father has no motive + for posthumous jealousy; he knows very well that he can give his Eminence + a good greeting.” Then, regretting that he had thus expressed a certainty, + he added: “I am joking, his Eminence is altogether worthy of the high + fortune which perhaps awaits him.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre knew what to think however; Sanguinetti was certainly Nani’s + candidate no longer. It was doubtless considered that he had used himself + up too much by his impatient ambition, and was too dangerous by reason of + the equivocal alliances which in his feverishness he had concluded with + every party, even that of patriotic young Italy. And thus the situation + became clearer. Cardinals Sanguinetti and Boccanera devoured and + suppressed one another; the first, ever intriguing, accepting every + compromise, dreaming of winning Rome back by electoral methods; and the + other, erect and motionless in his stern maintenance of the past, + excommunicating the century, and awaiting from God alone the miracle which + would save the Church. And, indeed, why not leave the two theories, thus + placed face to face, to destroy one another, including all the extreme, + disquieting views which they respectively embodied? If Boccanera had + escaped the poison, he had none the less become an impossible candidate, + killed by all the stories which had set Rome buzzing; while if Sanguinetti + could say that he was rid of a rival, he had at the same time dealt a + mortal blow to his own candidature, by displaying such passion for power, + and such unscrupulousness with regard to the methods he employed, as to be + a danger for every one. Monsignor Nani was visibly delighted with this + result; neither candidate was left, it was like the legendary story of the + two wolves who fought and devoured one another so completely that nothing + of either of them was found left, not even their tails! And in the depths + of the prelate’s pale eyes, in the whole of his discreet person, there + remained nothing but redoubtable mystery: the mystery of the yet unknown, + but definitively selected candidate who would be patronised by the + all-powerful army of which he was one of the most skilful leaders. A man + like him always had a solution ready. Who, then, who would be the next + pope? + </p> + <p> + However, he now rose and cordially took leave of the young priest. “I + doubt if I shall see you again, my dear son,” he said; “I wish you a good + journey.” + </p> + <p> + Still he did not go off, but continued to look at Pierre with his + penetrating eyes, and finally made him sit down again and did the same + himself. “I feel sure,” he said, “that you will go to pay your respects to + Cardinal Bergerot as soon as you have returned to France. Kindly tell him + that I respectfully desired to be reminded to him. I knew him a little at + the time when he came here for his hat. He is one of the great luminaries + of the French clergy. Ah! a man of such intelligence would only work for a + good understanding in our holy Church. Unfortunately I fear that race and + environment have instilled prejudices into him, for he does not always + help us.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, who was surprised to hear Nani speak of the Cardinal for the first + time at this moment of farewell, listened with curiosity. Then in all + frankness he replied: “Yes, his Eminence has very decided ideas about our + old Church of France. For instance, he professes perfect horror of the + Jesuits.” + </p> + <p> + With a light exclamation Nani stopped the young man. And he wore the most + sincerely, frankly astonished air that could be imagined. “What! horror of + the Jesuits! In what way can the Jesuits disquiet him? The Jesuits, there + are none, that’s all over! Have you seen any in Rome? Have they troubled + you in any way, those poor Jesuits who haven’t even a stone of their own + left here on which to lay their heads? No, no, that bogey mustn’t be + brought up again, it’s childish.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre in his turn looked at him, marvelling at his perfect ease, his + quiet courage in dealing with this burning subject. He did not avert his + eyes, but displayed an open face like a book of truth. “Ah!” he continued, + “if by Jesuits you mean the sensible priests who, instead of entering into + sterile and dangerous struggles with modern society, seek by human methods + to bring it back to the Church, why, then of course we are all of us more + or less Jesuits, for it would be madness not to take into account the + times in which one lives. And besides, I won’t haggle over words; they are + of no consequence! Jesuits, well, yes, if you like, Jesuits!” He was again + smiling with that shrewd smile of his in which there was so much raillery + and so much intelligence. “Well, when you see Cardinal Bergerot tell him + that it is unreasonable to track the Jesuits and treat them as enemies of + the nation. The contrary is the truth. The Jesuits are for France, because + they are for wealth, strength, and courage. France is the only great + Catholic country which has yet remained erect and sovereign, the only one + on which the papacy can some day lean. Thus the Holy Father, after + momentarily dreaming of obtaining support from victorious Germany, has + allied himself with France, the vanquished, because he has understood that + apart from France there can be no salvation for the Church. And in this he + has only followed the policy of the Jesuits, those frightful Jesuits, whom + your Parisians execrate. And tell Cardinal Bergerot also that it would be + grand of him to work for pacification by making people understand how + wrong it is for your Republic to help the Holy Father so little in his + conciliatory efforts. It pretends to regard him as an element in the + world’s affairs that may be neglected; and that is dangerous, for although + he may seem to have no political means of action he remains an immense + moral force, and can at any moment raise consciences in rebellion and + provoke a religious agitation of the most far-reaching consequences. It is + still he who disposes of the nations, since he disposes of their souls, + and the Republic acts most inconsiderately, from the standpoint of its own + interests, in showing that it no longer even suspects it. And tell the + Cardinal too, that it is really pitiful to see in what a wretched way your + Republic selects its bishops, as though it intentionally desired to weaken + its episcopacy. Leaving out a few fortunate exceptions, your bishops are + men of small brains, and as a result your cardinals, likewise mere + mediocrities, have no influence, play no part here in Rome. Ah! what a + sorry figure you Frenchmen will cut at the next Conclave! And so why do + you show such blind and foolish hatred of those Jesuits, who, politically, + are your friends? Why don’t you employ their intelligent zeal, which is + ready to serve you, so that you may assure yourselves the help of the + next, the coming pope? It is necessary for you that he should be on your + side, that he should continue the work of Leo XIII, which is so badly + judged and so much opposed, but which cares little for the petty results + of to-day, since its purpose lies in the future, in the union of all the + nations under their holy mother the Church. Tell Cardinal Bergerot, tell + him plainly that he ought to be with us, that he ought to work for his + country by working for us. The coming pope, why the whole question lies in + that, and woe to France if in him she does not find a continuator of Leo + XIII!” + </p> + <p> + Nani had again risen, and this time he was going off. Never before had he + unbosomed himself at such length. But most assuredly he had only said what + he desired to say, for a purpose that he alone knew of, and in a firm, + gentle, and deliberate voice by which one could tell that each word had + been weighed and determined beforehand. “Farewell, my dear son,” he said, + “and once again think over all you have seen and heard in Rome. Be as + sensible as you can, and do not spoil your life.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre bowed, and pressed the small, plump, supple hand which the prelate + offered him. “Monseigneur,” he replied, “I again thank you for all your + kindness; you may be sure that I shall forget nothing of my journey.” + </p> + <p> + Then he watched Nani as he went off, with a light and conquering step as + if marching to all the victories of the future. No, no, he, Pierre, would + forget nothing of his journey! He well knew that union of all the nations + under their holy mother the Church, that temporal bondage in which the law + of Christ would become the dictatorship of Augustus, master of the world! + And as for those Jesuits, he had no doubt that they did love France, the + eldest daughter of the Church, and the only daughter that could yet help + her mother to reconquer universal sovereignty, but they loved her even as + the black swarms of locusts love the harvests which they swoop upon and + devour. Infinite sadness had returned to the young man’s heart as he dimly + realised that in that sorely-stricken mansion, in all that mourning and + downfall, it was they, they again, who must have been the artisans of + grief and disaster. + </p> + <p> + As this thought came to him he turned round and perceived Don Vigilio + leaning against the credence in front of the large portrait of the + Cardinal. Holding his hands to his face as if he desired to annihilate + himself, the secretary was shivering in every limb as much with fear as + with fever. At a moment when no fresh visitors were arriving he had + succumbed to an attack of terrified despair. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Mon Dieu</i>! What is the matter with you?” asked Pierre stepping + forward, “are you ill, can I help you?” + </p> + <p> + But Don Vigilio, suffocating and still hiding his face, could only gasp + between his close-pressed hands “Ah! Paparelli, Paparelli!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it? What has he done to you?” asked the other astonished. + </p> + <p> + Then the secretary disclosed his face, and again yielded to his quivering + desire to confide in some one. “Eh? what he has done to me? Can’t you feel + anything, can’t you see anything then? Didn’t you notice the manner in + which he took possession of Cardinal Sanguinetti so as to conduct him to + his Eminence? To impose that suspected, hateful rival on his Eminence at + such a moment as this, what insolent audacity! And a few minutes + previously did you notice with what wicked cunning he bowed out an old + lady, a very old family friend, who only desired to kiss his Eminence’s + hand and show a little real affection which would have made his Eminence + so happy! Ah! I tell you that he’s the master here, he opens or closes the + door as he pleases, and holds us all between his fingers like a pinch of + dust which one throws to the wind!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre became anxious, seeing how yellow and feverish Don Vigilio was: + “Come, come, my dear fellow,” he said, “you are exaggerating!” + </p> + <p> + “Exaggerating? Do you know what happened last night, what I myself + unwillingly witnessed? No, you don’t know it; well, I will tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he related that Donna Serafina, on returning home on the + previous day to face the terrible catastrophe awaiting her, had already + been overcome by the bad news which she had learnt when calling on the + Cardinal Secretary and various prelates of her acquaintance. She had then + acquired a certainty that her brother’s position was becoming extremely + bad, for he had made so many fresh enemies among his colleagues of the + Sacred College, that his election to the pontifical throne, which a year + previously had seemed probable, now appeared an impossibility. Thus, all + at once, the dream of her life collapsed, the ambition which she had so + long nourished lay in dust at her feet. On despairingly seeking the why + and wherefore of this change, she had been told of all sorts of blunders + committed by the Cardinal, acts of rough sternness, unseasonable + manifestations of opinion, inconsiderate words or actions which had + sufficed to wound people, in fact such provoking demeanour that one might + have thought it adopted with the express intention of spoiling everything. + And the worst was that in each of the blunders she had recognised errors + of judgment which she herself had blamed, but which her brother had + obstinately insisted on perpetrating under the unacknowledged influence of + Abbe Paparelli, that humble and insignificant train-bearer, in whom she + detected a baneful and powerful adviser who destroyed her own vigilant and + devoted influence. And so, in spite of the mourning in which the house was + plunged, she did not wish to delay the punishment of the traitor, + particularly as his old friendship with that terrible Santobono, and the + story of that basket of figs which had passed from the hands of the one to + those of the other, chilled her blood with a suspicion which she even + recoiled from elucidating. However, at the first words she spoke, directly + she made a formal request that the traitor should be immediately turned + out of the house, she was confronted by invincible resistance on her + brother’s part. He would not listen to her, but flew into one of those + hurricane-like passions which swept everything away, reproaching her for + laying blame on so modest, pious, and saintly a man, and accusing her of + playing into the hands of his enemies, who, after killing Monsignor Gallo, + were seeking to poison his sole remaining affection for that poor, + insignificant priest. He treated all the stories he was told as abominable + inventions, and swore that he would keep the train-bearer in his service + if only to show his disdain for calumny. And she was thereupon obliged to + hold her peace. + </p> + <p> + However, Don Vigilio’s shuddering fit had again come back; he carried his + hands to his face stammering: “Ah! Paparelli, Paparelli!” And muttered + invectives followed: the train-bearer was an artful hypocrite who feigned + modesty and humility, a vile spy appointed to pry into everything, listen + to everything, and pervert everything that went on in the palace; he was a + loathsome, destructive insect, feeding on the most noble prey, devouring + the lion’s mane, a Jesuit—the Jesuit who is at once lackey and + tyrant, in all his base horror as he accomplishes the work of vermin. + </p> + <p> + “Calm yourself, calm yourself,” repeated Pierre, who whilst allowing for + foolish exaggeration on the secretary’s part could not help shivering at + thought of all the threatening things which he himself could divine astir + in the gloom. + </p> + <p> + However, since Don Vigilio had so narrowly escaped eating those horrible + figs, his fright was such that nothing could calm it. Even when he was + alone at night, in bed, with his door locked and bolted, sudden terror + fell on him and made him hide his head under the sheet and vent stifled + cries as if he thought that men were coming through the wall to strangle + him. In a faint, breathless voice, as if just emerging from a struggle, he + now resumed: “I told you what would happen on the evening when we had a + talk together in your room. Although all the doors were securely shut, I + did wrong to speak of them to you, I did wrong to ease my heart by telling + you all that they were capable of. I was sure they would learn it, and you + see they did learn it, since they tried to kill me.... Why it’s even wrong + of me to tell you this, for it will reach their ears and they won’t miss + me the next time. Ah! it’s all over, I’m as good as dead; this house which + I thought so safe will be my tomb.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre began to feel deep compassion for this ailing man, whose feverish + brain was haunted by nightmares, and whose life was being finally wrecked + by the anguish of persecution mania. “But you must run away in that case!” + he said. “Don’t stop here; come to France.” + </p> + <p> + Don Vigilio looked at him, momentarily calmed by surprise. “Run away, why? + Go to France? Why, they are there! No matter where I might go, they would + be there. They are everywhere, I should always be surrounded by them! No, + no, I prefer to stay here and would rather die at once if his Eminence can + no longer defend me.” With an expression of ardent entreaty in which a + last gleam of hope tried to assert itself, he raised his eyes to the large + painting in which the Cardinal stood forth resplendent in his cassock of + red moire; but his attack came back again and overwhelmed him with + increased intensity of fever. “Leave me, I beg you, leave me,” he gasped. + “Don’t make me talk any more. Ah! Paparelli, Paparelli! If he should come + back and see us and hear me speak.... Oh! I’ll never say anything again. + I’ll tie up my tongue, I’ll cut it off. Leave me, you are killing me, I + tell you, he’ll be coming back and that will mean my death. Go away, oh! + for mercy’s sake, go away!” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Don Vigilio turned towards the wall as if to flatten his face + against it, and immure his lips in tomb-like silence; and Pierre resolved + to leave him to himself, fearing lest he should provoke a yet more serious + attack if he went on endeavouring to succour him. + </p> + <p> + On returning to the throne-room the young priest again found himself + amidst all the frightful mourning. Mass was following mass; without + cessation murmured prayers entreated the divine mercy to receive the two + dear departed souls with loving kindness. And amidst the dying perfume of + the fading roses, in front of the pale stars of the lighted candles, + Pierre thought of that supreme downfall of the Boccaneras. Dario was the + last of the name, and one could well understand that the Cardinal, whose + only sin was family pride, should have loved that one remaining scion by + whom alone the old stock might yet blossom afresh. And indeed, if he and + Donna Serafina had desired the divorce, and then the marriage of the + cousins, it had been less with the view of putting an end to scandal than + with the hope of seeing a new line of Boccaneras spring up. But the lovers + were dead, and the last remains of a long series of dazzling princes of + sword and of gown lay there on that bed, soon to rot in the grave. It was + all over; that old maid and that aged Cardinal could leave no posterity. + They remained face to face like two withered oaks, sole remnants of a + vanished forest, and their fall would soon leave the plain quite clear. + And how terrible the grief of surviving in impotence, what anguish to have + to tell oneself that one is the end of everything, that with oneself all + life, all hope for the morrow will depart! Amidst the murmur of the + prayers, the dying perfume of the roses, the pale gleams of the two + candies, Pierre realised what a downfall was that bereavement, how heavy + was the gravestone which fell for ever on an extinct house, a vanished + world. + </p> + <p> + He well understood that as one of the familiars of the mansion he must pay + his respects to Donna Serafina and the Cardinal, and he at once sought + admission to the neighbouring room where the Princess was receiving her + friends. He found her robed in black, very slim and very erect in her + arm-chair, whence she rose with slow dignity to respond to the bow of each + person that entered. She listened to the condolences but answered never a + word, overcoming her physical pain by rigidity of bearing. Pierre, who had + learnt to know her, could divine, however, by the hollowness of her + cheeks, the emptiness of her eyes, and the bitter twinge of her mouth, how + frightful was the collapse within her. Not only was her race ended, but + her brother would never be pope, never secure the elevation which she had + so long fancied she was winning for him by dint of devotion, dint of + feminine renunciation, giving brain and heart, care and money, foregoing + even wifehood and motherhood, spoiling her whole life, in order to realise + that dream. And amidst all the ruin of hope, it was perhaps the + nonfulfilment of that ambition which most made her heart bleed. She rose + for the young priest, her guest, as she rose for the other persons who + presented themselves; but she contrived to introduce shades of meaning + into the manner in which she quitted her chair, and Pierre fully realised + that he had remained in her eyes a mere petty French priest, an + insignificant domestic of the Divinity who had not known how to acquire + even the title of prelate. When she had again seated herself after + acknowledging his compliment with a slight inclination of the head, he + remained for a moment standing, out of politeness. Not a word, not a sound + disturbed the mournful quiescence of the room, for although there were + four or five lady visitors seated there they remained motionless and + silent as with grief. Pierre was most struck, however, by the sight of + Cardinal Sarno, who was lying back in an arm-chair with his eyes closed. + The poor puny lopsided old man had lingered there forgetfully after + expressing his condolences, and, overcome by the heavy silence and close + atmosphere, had just fallen asleep. And everybody respected his slumber. + Was he dreaming as he dozed of that map of Christendom which he carried + behind his low obtuse-looking brow? Was he continuing in dreamland his + terrible work of conquest, that task of subjecting and governing the earth + which he directed from his dark room at the Propaganda? The ladies glanced + at him affectionately and deferentially; he was gently scolded at times + for over-working himself, the sleepiness which nowadays frequently + overtook him in all sorts of places being attributed to excess of genius + and zeal. And of this all-powerful Eminence Pierre was destined to carry + off only this last impression: an exhausted old man, resting amidst the + emotion of a mourning-gathering, sleeping there like a candid child, + without any one knowing whether this were due to the approach of senile + imbecility, or to the fatigues of a night spent in organising the reign of + God over some distant continent. + </p> + <p> + Two ladies went off and three more arrived. Donna Serafina rose, bowed, + and then reseated herself, reverting to her rigid attitude, her bust + erect, her face stern and full of despair. Cardinal Sarno was still + asleep. Then Pierre felt as if he would stifle, a kind of vertigo came on + him, and his heart beat violently. So he bowed and withdrew: and on + passing through the dining-room on his way to the little study where + Cardinal Boccanera received his visitors, he found himself in the presence + of Paparelli who was jealously guarding the door. When the train-bearer + had sniffed at the young man, he seemed to realise that he could not + refuse him admittance. Moreover, as this intruder was going away the very + next day, defeated and covered with shame, there was nothing to be feared + from him. + </p> + <p> + “You wish to see his Eminence?” said Paparelli. “Good, good. By and by, + wait.” And opining that Pierre was too near the door, he pushed him back + to the other end of the room, for fear no doubt lest he should overhear + anything. “His Eminence is still engaged with his Eminence Cardinal + Sanguinetti. Wait, wait there!” + </p> + <p> + Sanguinetti indeed had made a point of kneeling for a long time in front + of the bodies in the throne-room, and had then spun out his visit to Donna + Serafina in order to mark how largely he shared the family sorrow. And for + more than ten minutes now he had been closeted with Cardinal Boccanera, + nothing but an occasional murmur of their voices being heard through the + closed door. + </p> + <p> + Pierre, however, on finding Paparelli there, was again haunted by all that + Don Vigilio had told him. He looked at the train-bearer, so fat and short, + puffed out with bad fat in his dirty cassock, his face flabby and + wrinkled, and his whole person at forty years of age suggestive of that of + a very old maid: and he felt astonished. How was it that Cardinal + Boccanera, that superb prince who carried his head so high, and who was so + supremely proud of his name, had allowed himself to be captured and swayed + by such a frightful creature reeking of baseness and abomination? Was it + not the man’s very physical degradation and profound humility that had + struck him, disturbed him, and finally fascinated him, as wondrous gifts + conducing to salvation, which he himself lacked? Paparelli’s person and + disposition were like blows dealt to his own handsome presence and his own + pride. He, who could not be so deformed, he who could not vanquish his + passion for glory, must, by an effort of faith, have grown jealous of that + man who was so extremely ugly and so extremely insignificant, he must have + come to admire him as a superior force of penitence and human abasement + which threw the portals of heaven wide open. Who can ever tell what + ascendency is exercised by the monster over the hero; by the + horrid-looking saint covered with vermin over the powerful of this world + in their terror at having to endure everlasting flames in payment of their + terrestrial joys? And ‘twas indeed the lion devoured by the insect, vast + strength and splendour destroyed by the invisible. Ah! to have that fine + soul which was so certain of paradise, which for its welfare was enclosed + in such a disgusting body, to possess the happy humility of that wide + intelligence, that remarkable theologian, who scourged himself with rods + each morning on rising, and was content to be the lowest of servants. + </p> + <p> + Standing there a heap of livid fat, Paparelli on his side watched Pierre + with his little grey eyes blinking amidst the myriad wrinkles of his face. + And the young priest began to feel uneasy, wondering what their Eminences + could be saying to one another, shut up together like that for so long a + time. And what an interview it must be if Boccanera suspected Sanguinetti + of counting Santobono among his clients. What serene audacity it was on + Sanguinetti’s part to have dared to present himself in that house, and + what strength of soul there must be on Boccanera’s part, what empire over + himself, to prevent all scandal by remaining silent and accepting the + visit as a simple mark of esteem and affection! What could they be saying + to one another, however? How interesting it would have been to have seen + them face to face, and have heard them exchange the diplomatic phrases + suited to such an interview, whilst their souls were raging with furious + hatred! + </p> + <p> + All at once the door opened and Cardinal Sanguinetti appeared with calm + face, no ruddier than usual, indeed a trifle paler, and retaining the + fitting measure of sorrow which he had thought it right to assume. His + restless eyes alone revealed his delight at being rid of a difficult task. + And he was going off, all hope, in the conviction that he was the only + eligible candidate to the papacy that remained. + </p> + <p> + Abbe Paparelli had darted forward: “If your Eminence will kindly follow me—I + will escort your Eminence to the door.” Then, turning towards Pierre, he + added: “You may go in now.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre watched them walk away, the one so humble behind the other, who was + so triumphant. Then he entered the little work-room, furnished simply with + a table and three chairs, and in the centre of it he at once perceived + Cardinal Boccanera still standing in the lofty, noble attitude which he + had assumed to take leave of Sanguinetti, his hated rival to the + pontifical throne. And, visibly, Boccanera also believed himself the only + possible pope, the one whom the coming Conclave would elect. + </p> + <p> + However, when the door had been closed, and the Cardinal beheld that young + priest, his guest, who had witnessed the death of those two dear children + lying in the adjoining room, he was again mastered by emotion, an + unexpected attack of weakness in which all his energy collapsed. His human + feelings were taking their revenge now that his rival was no longer there + to see him. He staggered like an old tree smitten with the axe, and sank + upon a chair, stifling with sobs. + </p> + <p> + And as Pierre, according to usage, was about to stoop and kiss his ring, + he raised him and at once made him sit down, stammering in a halting + voice: “No, no, my dear son! Seat yourself there, wait—Excuse me, + leave me to myself for a moment, my heart is bursting.” + </p> + <p> + He sobbed with his hands to his face, unable to master himself, unable to + drive back his grief with those yet vigorous fingers which were pressed to + his cheeks and temples. + </p> + <p> + Tears came into Pierre’s eyes, for he also lived through all that woe + afresh, and was much upset by the weeping of that tall old man, that saint + and prince, usually so haughty, so fully master of himself, but now only a + poor, suffering, agonising man, as weak and as lost as a child. However, + although the young priest was likewise stifling with grief, he desired to + present his condolences, and sought for kindly words by which he might + soothe the other’s despair. “I beg your Eminence to believe in my profound + grief,” he said. “I have been overwhelmed with kindness here, and desired + at once to tell your Eminence how much that irreparable loss—” + </p> + <p> + But with a brave gesture the Cardinal silenced him. “No, no, say nothing, + for mercy’s sake say nothing!” + </p> + <p> + And silence reigned while he continued weeping, shaken by the struggle he + was waging, his efforts to regain sufficient strength to overcome himself. + At last he mastered his quiver and slowly uncovered his face, which had + again become calm, like that of a believer strong in his faith, and + submissive to the will of God. In refusing a miracle, in dealing so hard a + blow to that house, God had doubtless had His reasons, and he, the + Cardinal, one of God’s ministers, one of the high dignitaries of His + terrestrial court, was in duty bound to bow to it. The silence lasted for + another moment, and then, in a voice which he managed to render natural + and cordial, Boccanera said: “You are leaving us, you are going back to + France to-morrow, are you not, my dear son?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I shall have the honour to take leave of your Eminence to-morrow, + again thanking your Eminence for your inexhaustible kindness.” + </p> + <p> + “And you have learnt that the Congregation of the Index has condemned your + book, as was inevitable?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I obtained the signal favour of being received by his Holiness, and + in his presence made my submission and reprobated my book.” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal’s moist eyes again began to sparkle. “Ah! you did that, ah! + you did well, my dear son,” he said. “It was only your strict duty as a + priest, but there are so many nowadays who do not even do their duty! As a + member of the Congregation I kept the promise I gave you to read your + book, particularly the incriminated pages. And if I afterwards remained + neutral, to such a point even as to miss the sitting in which judgment was + pronounced, it was only to please my poor, dear niece, who was so fond of + you, and who pleaded your cause to me.” + </p> + <p> + Tears were coming into his eyes again, and he paused, feeling that he + would once more be overcome if he evoked the memory of that adored and + lamented Benedetta. And so it was with a pugnacious bitterness that he + resumed: “But what an execrable book it was, my dear son, allow me to tell + you so. You told me that you had shown respect for dogma, and I still + wonder what aberration can have come over you that you should have been so + blind to all consciousness of your offences. Respect for dogma—good + Lord! when the entire work is the negation of our holy religion! Did you + not realise that by asking for a new religion you absolutely condemned the + old one, the only true one, the only good one, the only one that can be + eternal? And that sufficed to make your book the most deadly of poisons, + one of those infamous books which in former times were burnt by the + hangman, and which one is nowadays compelled to leave in circulation after + interdicting them and thereby designating them to evil curiosity, which + explains the contagious rottenness of the century. Ah! I well recognised + there some of the ideas of our distinguished and poetical relative, that + dear Viscount Philibert de la Choue. A man of letters, yes! a man of + letters! Literature, mere literature! I beg God to forgive him, for he + most surely does not know what he is doing, or whither he is going with + his elegiac Christianity for talkative working men and young persons of + either sex, to whom scientific notions have given vagueness of soul. And I + only feel angry with his Eminence Cardinal Bergerot, for he at any rate + knows what he does, and does as he pleases. No, say nothing, do not defend + him. He personifies Revolution in the Church, and is against God.” + </p> + <p> + Although Pierre had resolved that he would not reply or argue, he had + allowed a gesture of protest to escape him on hearing this furious attack + upon the man whom he most respected in the whole world. However, he + yielded to Cardinal Boccanera’s injunction and again bowed. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot sufficiently express my horror,” the Cardinal roughly continued; + “yes, my horror for all that hollow dream of a new religion! That appeal + to the most hideous passions which stir up the poor against the rich, by + promising them I know not what division of wealth, what community of + possession which is nowadays impossible! That base flattery shown to the + lower orders to whom equality and justice are promised but never given, + for these can come from God alone, it is only He who can finally make them + reign on the day appointed by His almighty power! And there is even that + interested charity which people abuse of to rail against Heaven itself and + accuse it of iniquity and indifference, that lackadaisical weakening + charity and compassion, unworthy of strong firm hearts, for it is as if + human suffering were not necessary for salvation, as if we did not become + more pure, greater and nearer to the supreme happiness, the more and more + we suffer!” + </p> + <p> + He was growing excited, full of anguish, and superb. It was his + bereavement, his heart wound, which thus exasperated him, the great blow + which had felled him for a moment, but against which he again rose erect, + defying grief, and stubborn in his stoic belief in an omnipotent God, who + was the master of mankind, and reserved felicity to those whom He + selected. Again, however, he made an effort to calm himself, and resumed + in a more gentle voice: “At all events the fold is always open, my dear + son, and here you are back in it since you have repented. You cannot + imagine how happy it makes me.” + </p> + <p> + In his turn Pierre strove to show himself conciliatory in order that he + might not further ulcerate that violent, grief-stricken soul: “Your + Eminence,” said he, “may be sure that I shall endeavour to remember every + one of the kind words which your Eminence has spoken to me, in the same + way as I shall remember the fatherly greeting of his Holiness Leo XIII.” + </p> + <p> + This sentence seemed to throw Boccanera into agitation again. At first + only murmured, restrained words came from him, as if he were struggling + against a desire to question the young priest. “Ah yes! you saw his + Holiness, you spoke to him, and he told you I suppose, as he tells all the + foreigners who go to pay their respects to him, that he desires + conciliation and peace. For my part I now only see him when it is + absolutely necessary; for more than a year I have not been received in + private audience.” + </p> + <p> + This proof of disfavour, of the covert struggle which as in the days of + Pius IX kept the Holy Father and the <i>Camerlingo</i> at variance, filled + the latter with bitterness. He was unable to restrain himself and spoke + out, reflecting no doubt that he had a familiar before him, one whose + discretion was certain, and who moreover was leaving Rome on the morrow. + “One may go a long way,” said he, “with those fine words, peace and + conciliation, which are so often void of real wisdom and courage. The + terrible truth is that Leo XIII’s eighteen years of concessions have + shaken everything in the Church, and should he long continue to reign + Catholicism would topple over and crumble into dust like a building whose + pillars have been undermined.” + </p> + <p> + Interested by this remark, Pierre in his desire for knowledge began to + raise objections. “But hasn’t his Holiness shown himself very prudent?” he + asked; “has he not placed dogma on one side in an impregnable fortress? If + he seems to have made concessions on many points, have they not always + been concessions in mere matters of form?” + </p> + <p> + “Matters of form; ah, yes!” the Cardinal resumed with increasing passion. + “He told you, no doubt, as he tells others, that whilst in substance he + will make no surrender, he will readily yield in matters of form! It’s a + deplorable axiom, an equivocal form of diplomacy even when it isn’t so + much low hypocrisy! My soul revolts at the thought of that Opportunism, + that Jesuitism which makes artifice its weapon, and only serves to cast + doubt among true believers, the confusion of a <i>sauve-qui-peut</i>, + which by and by must lead to inevitable defeat. It is cowardice, the worst + form of cowardice, abandonment of one’s weapons in order that one may + retreat the more speedily, shame of oneself, assumption of a mask in the + hope of deceiving the enemy, penetrating into his camp, and overcoming him + by treachery! No, no, form is everything in a traditional and immutable + religion, which for eighteen hundred years has been, is now, and till the + end of time will be the very law of God!” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal’s feelings so stirred him that he was unable to remain + seated, and began to walk about the little room. And it was the whole + reign, the whole policy of Leo XIII which he discussed and condemned. + “Unity too,” he continued, “that famous unity of the Christian Church + which his Holiness talks of bringing about, and his desire for which + people turn to his great glory, why, it is only the blind ambition of a + conqueror enlarging his empire without asking himself if the new nations + that he subjects may not disorganise, adulterate, and impregnate his old + and hitherto faithful people with every error. What if all the + schismatical nations on returning to the Catholic Church should so + transform it as to kill it and make it a new Church? There is only one + wise course, which is to be what one is, and that firmly. Again, isn’t + there both shame and danger in that pretended alliance with the democracy + which in itself gives the lie to the ancient spirit of the papacy? The + right of kings is divine, and to abandon the monarchical principle is to + set oneself against God, to compound with revolution, and harbour a + monstrous scheme of utilising the madness of men the better to establish + one’s power over them. All republics are forms of anarchy, and there can + be no more criminal act, one which must for ever shake the principle of + authority, order, and religion itself, than that of recognising a republic + as legitimate for the sole purpose of indulging a dream of impossible + conciliation. And observe how this bears on the question of the temporal + power. He continues to claim it, he makes a point of no surrender on that + question of the restoration of Rome; but in reality, has he not made the + loss irreparable, has he not definitively renounced Rome, by admitting + that nations have the right to drive away their kings and live like wild + beasts in the depths of the forest?” + </p> + <p> + All at once the Cardinal stopped short and raised his arms to Heaven in a + burst of holy anger. “Ah! that man, ah! that man who by his vanity and + craving for success will have proved the ruin of the Church, that man who + has never ceased corrupting everything, dissolving everything, crumbling + everything in order to reign over the world which he fancies he will + reconquer by those means, why, Almighty God, why hast Thou not already + called him to Thee?” + </p> + <p> + So sincere was the accent in which that appeal to Death was raised, to + such a point was hatred magnified by a real desire to save the Deity + imperilled here below, that a great shudder swept through Pierre also. He + now understood that Cardinal Boccanera who religiously and passionately + hated Leo XIII; he saw him in the depths of his black palace, waiting and + watching for the Pope’s death, that death which as <i>Camerlingo</i> he + must officially certify. How feverishly he must wait, how impatiently he + must desire the advent of the hour, when with his little silver hammer he + would deal the three symbolic taps on the skull of Leo XIII, while the + latter lay cold and rigid on his bed surrounded by his pontifical Court. + Ah! to strike that wall of the brain, to make sure that nothing more would + answer from within, that nothing beyond night and silence was left there. + And the three calls would ring out: “Gioachino! Gioachino! Gioachino!” + And, the corpse making no answer, the <i>Camerlingo</i> after waiting for + a few seconds would turn and say: “The Pope is dead!” + </p> + <p> + “Conciliation, however, is the weapon of the times,” remarked Pierre, + wishing to bring the Cardinal back to the present, “and it is in order to + make sure of conquering that the Holy Father yields in matters of form.” + </p> + <p> + “He will not conquer, he will be conquered,” cried Boccanera. “Never has + the Church been victorious save in stubbornly clinging to its integrality, + the immutable eternity of its divine essence. And it would for a certainty + fall on the day when it should allow a single stone of its edifice to be + touched. Remember the terrible period through which it passed at the time + of the Council of Trent. The Reformation had just deeply shaken it, laxity + of discipline and morals was everywhere increasing, there was a rising + tide of novelties, ideas suggested by the spirit of evil, unhealthy + projects born of the pride of man, running riot in full license. And at + the Council itself many members were disturbed, poisoned, ready to vote + for the wildest changes, a fresh schism added to all the others. Well, if + Catholicism was saved at that critical period, under the threat of such + great danger, it was because the majority, enlightened by God, maintained + the old edifice intact, it was because with divinely inspired obstinacy it + kept itself within the narrow limits of dogma, it was because it made no + concession, none, whether in substance or in form! Nowadays the situation + is certainly not worse than it was at the time of the Council of Trent. + Let us suppose it to be much the same, and tell me if it is not nobler, + braver, and safer for the Church to show the courage which she showed + before and declare aloud what she is, what she has been, and what she will + be. There is no salvation for her otherwise than in her complete, + indisputable sovereignty; and since she has always conquered by + non-surrender, all attempts to conciliate her with the century are + tantamount to killing her!” + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal had again begun to walk to and fro with thoughtful step. “No, + no,” said he, “no compounding, no surrender, no weakness! Rather the wall + of steel which bars the road, the block of granite which marks the limit + of a world! As I told you, my dear son, on the day of your arrival, to try + to accommodate Catholicism to the new times is to hasten its end, if + really it be threatened, as atheists pretend. And in that way it would die + basely and shamefully instead of dying erect, proud, and dignified in its + old glorious royalty! Ah! to die standing, denying nought of the past, + braving the future and confessing one’s whole faith!” + </p> + <p> + That old man of seventy seemed to grow yet loftier as he spoke, free from + all dread of final annihilation, and making the gesture of a hero who + defies futurity. Faith had given him serenity of peace; he believed, he + knew, he had neither doubt nor fear of the morrow of death. Still his + voice was tinged with haughty sadness as he resumed, “God can do all, even + destroy His own work should it seem evil in His eyes. But though all + should crumble to-morrow, though the Holy Church should disappear among + the ruins, though the most venerated sanctuaries should be crushed by the + falling stars, it would still be necessary for us to bow and adore God, + who after creating the world might thus annihilate it for His own glory. + And I wait, submissive to His will, for nothing happens unless He wills + it. If really the temples be shaken, if Catholicism be fated to fall + to-morrow into dust, I shall be here to act as the minister of death, even + as I have been the minister of life! It is certain, I confess it, that + there are hours when terrible signs appear to me. Perhaps, indeed, the end + of time is nigh, and we shall witness that fall of the old world with + which others threaten us. The worthiest, the loftiest are struck down as + if Heaven erred, and in them punished the crimes of the world. Have I not + myself felt the blast from the abyss into which all must sink, since my + house, for transgressions that I am ignorant of, has been stricken with + that frightful bereavement which precipitates it into the gulf which casts + it back into night everlasting!” + </p> + <p> + He again evoked those two dear dead ones who were always present in his + mind. Sobs were once more rising in his throat, his hands trembled, his + lofty figure quivered with the last revolt of grief. Yes, if God had + stricken him so severely by suppressing his race, if the greatest and most + faithful were thus punished, it must be that the world was definitively + condemned. Did not the end of his house mean the approaching end of all? + And in his sovereign pride as priest and as prince, he found a cry of + supreme resignation, once more raising his hands on high: “Almighty God, + Thy will be done! May all die, all fall, all return to the night of chaos! + I shall remain standing in this ruined palace, waiting to be buried + beneath its fragments. And if Thy will should summon me to bury Thy holy + religion, be without fear, I shall do nothing unworthy to prolong its life + for a few days! I will maintain it erect, like myself, as proud, as + uncompromising as in the days of all its power. I will yield nothing, + whether in discipline, or in rite, or in dogma. And when the day shall + come I will bury it with myself, carrying it whole into the grave rather + than yielding aught of it, encompassing it with my cold arms to restore it + to Thee, even as Thou didst commit it to the keeping of Thy Church. O + mighty God and sovereign Master, dispose of me, make me if such be Thy + good pleasure the pontiff of destruction, the pontiff of the death of the + world.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre, who was thunderstruck, quivered with fear and admiration at the + extraordinary vision this evoked: the last of the popes interring + Catholicism. He understood that Boccanera must at times have made that + dream; he could see him in the Vatican, in St. Peter’s which the + thunderbolts had riven asunder, he could see him erect and alone in the + spacious halls whence his terrified, cowardly pontifical Court had fled. + Clad in his white cassock, thus wearing white mourning for the Church, he + once more descended to the sanctuary, there to wait for heaven to fall on + the evening of Time’s accomplishment and annihilate the earth. Thrice he + raised the large crucifix, overthrown by the supreme convulsions of the + soil. Then, when the final crack rent the steps apart, he caught it in his + arms and was annihilated with it beneath the falling vaults. And nothing + could be more instinct with fierce and kingly grandeur. + </p> + <p> + Voiceless, but without weakness, his lofty stature invincible and erect in + spite of all, Cardinal Boccanera made a gesture dismissing Pierre, who + yielding to his passion for truth and beauty found that he alone was great + and right, and respectfully kissed his hand. + </p> + <p> + It was in the throne-room, with closed doors, at nightfall, after the + visits had ceased, that the two bodies were laid in their coffin. The + religious services had come to an end, and in the close silent atmosphere + there only lingered the dying perfume of the roses and the warm odour of + the candles. As the latter’s pale stars scarcely lighted the spacious + room, some lamps had been brought, and servants held them in their hands + like torches. According to custom, all the servants of the house were + present to bid a last farewell to the departed. + </p> + <p> + There was a little delay. Morano, who had been giving himself no end of + trouble ever since morning, was forced to run off again as the triple + coffin did not arrive. At last it came, some servants brought it up, and + then they were able to begin. The Cardinal and Donna Serafina stood side + by side near the bed. Pierre also was present, as well as Don Vigilio. It + was Victorine who sewed the lovers up in the white silk shroud, which + seemed like a bridal robe, the gay pure robe of their union. Then two + servants came forward and helped Pierre and Don Vigilio to lay the bodies + in the first coffin, of pine wood lined with pink satin. It was scarcely + broader than an ordinary coffin, so young and slim were the lovers and so + tightly were they clasped in their last embrace. When they were stretched + inside they there continued their eternal slumber, their heads half hidden + by their odorous, mingling hair. And when this first coffin had been + placed in the second one, a leaden shell, and the second had been enclosed + in the third, of stout oak, and when the three lids had been soldered and + screwed down, the lovers’ faces could still be seen through the circular + opening, covered with thick glass, which in accordance with the Roman + custom had been left in each of the coffins. And then, for ever parted + from the living, alone together, they still gazed at one another with + their eyes obstinately open, having all eternity before them wherein to + exhaust their infinite love. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"></a> + XVI. + </h2> + <p> + ON the following day, on his return from the funeral Pierre lunched alone + in his room, having decided to take leave of the Cardinal and Donna + Serafina during the afternoon. He was quitting Rome that evening by the + train which started at seventeen minutes past ten. There was nothing to + detain him any longer; there was only one visit which he desired to make, + a visit to old Orlando, with whom he had promised to have a long chat + prior to his departure. And so a little before two o’clock he sent for a + cab which took him to the Via Venti Settembre. A fine rain had fallen all + night, its moisture steeping the city in grey vapour; and though this rain + had now ceased the sky remained very dark, and the huge new mansions of + the Via Venti Settembre were quite livid, interminably mournful with their + balconies ever of the same pattern and their regular and endless rows of + windows. The Ministry of Finances, that colossal pile of masonry and + sculpture, looked in particular like a dead town, a huge bloodless body + whence all life had withdrawn. On the other hand, although all was so + gloomy the rain had made the atmosphere milder, in fact it was almost + warm, damply and feverishly warm. + </p> + <p> + In the hall of Prada’s little palazzo Pierre was surprised to find four or + five gentlemen taking off their overcoats; however he learnt from a + servant that Count Luigi had a meeting that day with some contractors. As + he, Pierre, wished to see the Count’s father he had only to ascend to the + third floor, added the servant. He must knock at the little door on the + right-hand side of the landing there. + </p> + <p> + On the very first landing, however, the priest found himself face to face + with the young Count who was there receiving the contractors, and who on + recognising him became frightfully pale. They had not met since the + tragedy at the Boccanera mansion, and Pierre well realised how greatly his + glance disturbed that man, what a troublesome recollection of moral + complicity it evoked, and what mortal dread lest he should have guessed + the truth. + </p> + <p> + “Have you come to see me, have you something to tell me?” the Count + inquired. + </p> + <p> + “No, I am leaving Rome, I have come to wish your father good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + Prada’s pallor increased at this, and his whole face quivered: “Ah! it is + to see my father. He is not very well, be gentle with him,” he replied, + and as he spoke, his look of anguish clearly proclaimed what he feared + from Pierre, some imprudent word, perhaps even a final mission, the + malediction of that man and woman whom he had killed. And surely if his + father knew, he would die as well. “Ah! how annoying it is,” he resumed, + “I can’t go up with you! There are gentlemen waiting for me. Yes, how + annoyed I am. As soon as possible, however, I will join you, yes, as soon + as possible.” + </p> + <p> + He knew not how to stop the young priest, whom he must evidently allow to + remain with his father, whilst he himself stayed down below, kept there by + his pecuniary worries. But how distressful were the eyes with which he + watched Pierre climb the stairs, how he seemed to supplicate him with his + whole quivering form. His father, good Lord, the only true love, the one + great, pure, faithful passion of his life! + </p> + <p> + “Don’t make him talk too much, brighten him, won’t you?” were his parting + words. + </p> + <p> + Up above it was not Batista, the devoted ex-soldier, who opened the door, + but a very young fellow to whom Pierre did not at first pay any attention. + The little room was bare and light as on previous occasions, and from the + broad curtainless window there was the superb view of Rome, Rome crushed + that day beneath a leaden sky and steeped in shade of infinite + mournfulness. Old Orlando, however, had in no wise changed, but still + displayed the superb head of an old blanched lion, a powerful muzzle and + youthful eyes, which yet sparkled with the passions which had growled in a + soul of fire. Pierre found the stricken hero in the same arm-chair as + previously, near the same table littered with newspapers, and with his + legs buried in the same black wrapper, as if he were there immobilised in + a sheath of stone, to such a point that after months and years one was + sure to perceive him quite unchanged, with living bust, and face glowing + with strength and intelligence. + </p> + <p> + That grey day, however, he seemed gloomy, low in spirits. “Ah! so here you + are, my dear Monsieur Froment,” he exclaimed, “I have been thinking of you + these three days past, living the awful days which you must have lived in + that tragic Palazzo Boccanera. Ah, God! What a frightful bereavement! My + heart is quite overwhelmed, these newspapers have again just upset me with + the fresh details they give!” He pointed as he spoke to the papers + scattered over the table. Then with a gesture he strove to brush aside the + gloomy story, and banish that vision of Benedetta dead, which had been + haunting him. “Well, and yourself?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “I am leaving this evening,” replied Pierre, “but I did not wish to quit + Rome without pressing your brave hands.” + </p> + <p> + “You are leaving? But your book?” + </p> + <p> + “My book—I have been received by the Holy Father, I have made my + submission and reprobated my book.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando looked fixedly at the priest. There was a short interval of + silence, during which their eyes told one another all that they had to + tell respecting the affair. Neither felt the necessity of any longer + explanation. The old man merely spoke these concluding words: “You have + done well, your book was a chimera.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a chimera, a piece of childishness, and I have condemned it myself + in the name of truth and reason.” + </p> + <p> + A smile appeared on the dolorous lips of the impotent hero. “Then you have + seen things, you understand and know them now?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know them; and that is why I did not wish to go off without having + that frank conversation with you which we agreed upon.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando was delighted, but all at once he seemed to remember the young + fellow who had opened the door to Pierre, and who had afterwards modestly + resumed his seat on a chair near the window. This young fellow was a youth + of twenty, still beardless, of a blonde handsomeness such as occasionally + flowers at Naples, with long curly hair, a lily-like complexion, a rosy + mouth, and soft eyes full of a dreamy languor. The old man presented him + in fatherly fashion, Angiolo Mascara his name was, and he was the grandson + of an old comrade in arms, the epic Mascara of the Thousand, who had died + like a hero, his body pierced by a hundred wounds. + </p> + <p> + “I sent for him to scold him,” continued Orlando with a smile. “Do you + know that this fine fellow with his girlish airs goes in for the new + ideas? He is an Anarchist, one of the three or four dozen Anarchists that + we have in Italy. He’s a good little lad at bottom, he has only his mother + left him, and supports her, thanks to the little berth which he holds, but + which he’ll lose one of these fine days if he is not careful. Come, come, + my child, you must promise me to be reasonable.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Angiolo, whose clean but well-worn garments bespoke decent + poverty, made answer in a grave and musical voice: “I am reasonable, it is + the others, all the others who are not. When all men are reasonable and + desire truth and justice, the world will be happy.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! if you fancy that he’ll give way!” cried Orlando. “But, my poor + child, just ask Monsieur l’Abbe if one ever knows where truth and justice + are. Well, well, one must leave you the time to live, and see, and + understand things.” + </p> + <p> + Then, paying no more attention to the young man, he returned to Pierre, + while Angiolo, remaining very quiet in his corner, kept his eyes ardently + fixed on them, and with open, quivering ears lost not a word they said. + </p> + <p> + “I told you, my dear Monsieur Froment,” resumed Orlando, “that your ideas + would change, and that acquaintance with Rome would bring you to accurate + views far more readily than any fine speeches I could make to you. So I + never doubted but what you would of your own free will withdraw your book + as soon as men and things should have enlightened you respecting the + Vatican at the present day. But let us leave the Vatican on one side, + there is nothing to be done but to let it continue falling slowly and + inevitably into ruin. What interests me is our Italian Rome, which you + treated as an element to be neglected, but which you have now seen and + studied, so that we can both speak of it with the necessary knowledge!” + </p> + <p> + He thereupon at once granted a great many things, acknowledged that + blunders had been committed, that the finances were in a deplorable state, + and that there were serious difficulties of all kinds. They, the Italians, + had sinned by excess of legitimate pride, they had proceeded too hastily + with their attempt to improvise a great nation, to change ancient Rome + into a great modern capital as by the mere touch of a wand. And thence had + come that mania for erecting new districts, that mad speculation in land + and shares, which had brought the country within a hair’s breadth of + bankruptcy. + </p> + <p> + At this Pierre gently interrupted him to tell him of the view which he + himself had arrived at after his peregrinations and studies through Rome. + “That fever of the first hour, that financial <i>debacle</i>,” said he, + “is after all nothing. All pecuniary sores can be healed. But the grave + point is that your Italy still remains to be created. There is no + aristocracy left, and as yet there is no people, nothing but a devouring + middle class, dating from yesterday, which preys on the rich harvest of + the future before it is ripe.” + </p> + <p> + Silence fell. Orlando sadly wagged his old leonine head. The cutting + harshness of Pierre’s formula struck him in the heart. “Yes, yes,” he said + at last, “that is so, you have seen things plainly; and why say no when + facts are there, patent to everybody? I myself had already spoken to you + of that middle class which hungers so ravenously for place and office, + distinctions and plumes, and which at the same time is so avaricious, so + suspicious with regard to its money which it invests in banks, never + risking it in agriculture or manufactures or commerce, having indeed the + one desire to enjoy life without doing anything, and so unintelligent that + it cannot see it is killing its country by its loathing for labour, its + contempt for the poor, its one ambition to live in a petty way with the + barren glory of belonging to some official administration. And, as you + say, the aristocracy is dying, discrowned, ruined, sunk into the + degeneracy which overtakes races towards their close, most of its members + reduced to beggary, the others, the few who have clung to their money, + crushed by heavy imposts, possessing nought but dead fortunes which + constant sharing diminishes and which must soon disappear with the princes + themselves. And then there is the people, which has suffered so much and + suffers still, but is so used to suffering that it can seemingly conceive + no idea of emerging from it, blind and deaf as it is, almost regretting + its ancient bondage, and so ignorant, so abominably ignorant, which is the + one cause of its hopeless, morrowless misery, for it has not even the + consolation of understanding that if we have conquered and are trying to + resuscitate Rome and Italy in their ancient glory, it is for itself, the + people, alone. Yes, yes, no aristocracy left, no people as yet, and a + middle class which really alarms one. How can one therefore help yielding + at times to the terrors of the pessimists, who pretend that our + misfortunes are as yet nothing, that we are going forward to yet more + awful catastrophes, as though, indeed, what we now behold were but the + first symptoms of our race’s end, the premonitory signs of final + annihilation!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he raised his long quivering arms towards the window, towards + the light, and Pierre, deeply moved, remembered how Cardinal Boccanera on + the previous day had made a similar gesture of supplicant distress when + appealing to the divine power. And both men, Cardinal and patriot, so + hostile in their beliefs, were instinct with the same fierce and + despairing grandeur. + </p> + <p> + “As I told you, however, on the first day,” continued Orlando, “we only + sought to accomplish logical and inevitable things. As for Rome, with her + past history of splendour and domination which weighs so heavily upon us, + we could not do otherwise than take her for capital, for she alone was the + bond, the living symbol of our unity at the same time as the promise of + eternity, the renewal offered to our great dream of resurrection and + glory.” + </p> + <p> + He went on, recognising the disastrous conditions under which Rome + laboured as a capital. She was a purely decorative city with exhausted + soil, she had remained apart from modern life, she was unhealthy, she + offered no possibility of commerce or industry, she was invincibly preyed + upon by death, standing as she did amidst that sterile desert of the + Campagna. Then he compared her with the other cities which are jealous of + her; first Florence, which, however, has become so indifferent and so + sceptical, impregnated with a happy heedlessness which seems inexplicable + when one remembers the frantic passions, and the torrents of blood rolling + through her history; next Naples, which yet remains content with her + bright sun, and whose childish people enjoy their ignorance and + wretchedness so indolently that one knows not whether one ought to pity + them; next Venice, which has resigned herself to remaining a marvel of + ancient art, which one ought to put under glass so as to preserve her + intact, slumbering amid the sovereign pomp of her annals; next Genoa, + which is absorbed in trade, still active and bustling, one of the last + queens of that Mediterranean, that insignificant lake which was once the + opulent central sea, whose waters carried the wealth of the world; and + then particularly Turin and Milan, those industrial and commercial + centres, which are so full of life and so modernised that tourists disdain + them as not being “Italian” cities, both of them having saved themselves + from ruin by entering into that Western evolution which is preparing the + next century. Ah! that old land of Italy, ought one to leave it all as a + dusty museum for the pleasure of artistic souls, leave it to crumble away, + even as its little towns of Magna Graecia, Umbria, and Tuscany are already + crumbling, like exquisite <i>bibelots</i> which one dares not repair for + fear that one might spoil their character. At all events, there must + either be death, death soon and inevitable, or else the pick of the + demolisher, the tottering walls thrown to the ground, and cities of + labour, science, and health created on all sides; in one word, a new Italy + really rising from the ashes of the old one, and adapted to the new + civilisation into which humanity is entering. + </p> + <p> + “However, why despair?” Orlando continued energetically. “Rome may weigh + heavily on our shoulders, but she is none the less the summit we coveted. + We are here, and we shall stay here awaiting events. Even if the + population does not increase it at least remains stationary at a figure of + some 400,000 souls, and the movement of increase may set in again when the + causes which stopped it shall have ceased. Our blunder was to think that + Rome would become a Paris or Berlin; but, so far, all sorts of social, + historical, even ethnical considerations seem opposed to it; yet who can + tell what may be the surprises of to-morrow? Are we forbidden to hope, to + put faith in the blood which courses in our veins, the blood of the old + conquerors of the world? I, who no longer stir from this room, impotent as + I am, even I at times feel my madness come back, believe in the + invincibility and immortality of Rome, and wait for the two millions of + people who must come to populate those dolorous new districts which you + have seen so empty and already falling into ruins! And certainly they will + come! Why not? You will see, you will see, everything will be populated, + and even more houses will have to be built. Moreover, can you call a + nation poor, when it possesses Lombardy? Is there not also inexhaustible + wealth in our southern provinces? Let peace settle down, let the South and + the North mingle together, and a new generation of workers grow up. Since + we have the soil, such a fertile soil, the great harvest which is awaited + will surely some day sprout and ripen under the burning sun!” + </p> + <p> + Enthusiasm was upbuoying him, all the <i>furia</i> of youth inflamed his + eyes. Pierre smiled, won over; and as soon as he was able to speak, he + said: “The problem must be tackled down below, among the people. You must + make men!” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly!” cried Orlando. “I don’t cease repeating it, one must make + Italy. It is as if a wind from the East had blown the seed of humanity, + the seed which makes vigorous and powerful nations, elsewhere. Our people + is not like yours in France, a reservoir of men and money from which one + can draw as plentifully as one pleases. It is such another inexhaustible + reservoir that I wish to see created among us. And one must begin at the + bottom. There must be schools everywhere, ignorance must be stamped out, + brutishness and idleness must be fought with books, intellectual and moral + instruction must give us the industrious people which we need if we are + not to disappear from among the great nations. And once again for whom, if + not for the democracy of to-morrow, have we worked in taking possession of + Rome? And how easily one can understand that all should collapse here, and + nothing grow up vigorously since such a democracy is absolutely absent. + Yes, yes, the solution of the problem does not lie elsewhere; we must make + a people, make an Italian democracy.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre had grown calm again, feeling somewhat anxious yet not daring to + say that it is by no means easy to modify a nation, that Italy is such as + soil, history, and race have made her, and that to seek to transform her + so radically and all at once might be a dangerous enterprise. Do not + nations like beings have an active youth, a resplendent prime, and a more + or less prolonged old age ending in death? A modern democratic Rome, good + heavens! The modern Romes are named Paris, London, Chicago. So he + contented himself with saying: “But pending this great renovation of the + people, don’t you think that you ought to be prudent? Your finances are in + such a bad condition, you are passing through such great social and + economic difficulties, that you run the risk of the worst catastrophes + before you secure either men or money. Ah! how prudent would that minister + be who should say in your Chamber: ‘Our pride has made a mistake, it was + wrong of us to try to make ourselves a great nation in one day; more time, + labour, and patience are needed; and we consent to remain for the present + a young nation, which will quietly reflect and labour at self-formation, + without, for a long time yet, seeking to play a dominant part. So we + intend to disarm, to strike out the war and naval estimates, all the + estimates intended for display abroad, in order to devote ourselves to our + internal prosperity, and to build up by education, physically and morally, + the great nation which we swear we will be fifty years hence!’ Yes, yes, + strike out all needless expenditure, your salvation lies in that!” + </p> + <p> + But Orlando, while listening, had become gloomy again, and with a vague, + weary gesture he replied in an undertone: “No, no, the minister who should + use such language would be hooted. It would be too hard a confession, such + as one cannot ask a nation to make. Every heart would bound, leap forth at + the idea. And, besides, would not the danger perhaps be even greater if + all that has been done were allowed to crumble? How many wrecked hopes, + how much discarded, useless material there would be! No, we can now only + save ourselves by patience and courage—and forward, ever forward! We + are a very young nation, and in fifty years we desired to effect the unity + which others have required two hundred years to arrive at. Well, we must + pay for our haste, we must wait for the harvest to ripen, and fill our + barns.” Then, with another and more sweeping wave of the arm, he + stubbornly strengthened himself in his hopes. “You know,” said he, “that I + was always against the alliance with Germany. As I predicted, it has + ruined us. We were not big enough to march side by side with such a + wealthy and powerful person, and it is in view of a war, always near at + hand and inevitable, that we now suffer so cruelly from having to support + the budgets of a great nation. Ah! that war which has never come, it is + that which has exhausted the best part of our blood and sap and money + without the slightest profit. To-day we have nothing before us but the + necessity of breaking with our ally, who speculated on our pride, who has + never helped us in any way, who has never given us anything but bad + advice, and treated us otherwise than with suspicion. But it was all + inevitable, and that’s what people won’t admit in France. I can speak + freely of it all, for I am a declared friend of France, and people even + feel some spite against me on that account. However, explain to your + compatriots, that on the morrow of our conquest of Rome, in our frantic + desire to resume our ancient rank, it was absolutely necessary that we + should play our part in Europe and show that we were a power with whom the + others must henceforth count. And hesitation was not allowable, all our + interests impelled us toward Germany, the evidence was so binding as to + impose itself. The stern law of the struggle for life weighs as heavily on + nations as on individuals, and this it is which explains and justifies the + rupture between the two sisters, France and Italy, the forgetting of so + many ties, race, commercial intercourse, and, if you like, services also. + The two sisters, ah! they now pursue each other with so much hatred that + all common sense even seems at an end. My poor old heart bleeds when I + read the articles which your newspapers and ours exchange like poisoned + darts. When will this fratricidal massacre cease, which of the two will + first realise the necessity of peace, the necessity of the alliance of the + Latin races, if they are to remain alive amidst those torrents of other + races which more and more invade the world?” Then gaily, with the <i>bonhomie</i> + of a hero disarmed by old age, and seeking a refuge in his dreams, Orlando + added: “Come, you must promise to help me as soon as you are in Paris. + However small your field of action may be, promise me you will do all you + can to promote peace between France and Italy; there can be no more holy + task. Relate all you have seen here, all you have heard, oh! as frankly as + possible. If we have faults, you certainly have faults as well. And, come, + family quarrels can’t last for ever!” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt,” Pierre answered in some embarrassment. “Unfortunately they are + the most tenacious. In families, when blood becomes exasperated with + blood, hate goes as far as poison and the knife. And pardon becomes + impossible.” + </p> + <p> + He dared not fully express his thoughts. Since he had been in Rome, + listening, and considering things, the quarrel between Italy and France + had resumed itself in his mind in a fine tragic story. Once upon a time + there were two princesses, daughters of a powerful queen, the mistress of + the world. The elder one, who had inherited her mother’s kingdom, was + secretly grieved to see her sister, who had established herself in a + neighbouring land, gradually increase in wealth, strength, and brilliancy, + whilst she herself declined as if weakened by age, dismembered, so + exhausted, and so sore, that she already felt defeated on the day when she + attempted a supreme effort to regain universal power. And so how bitter + were her feelings, how hurt she always felt on seeing her sister recover + from the most frightful shocks, resume her dazzling <i>gala</i>, and + continue to reign over the world by dint of strength and grace and wit. + Never would she forgive it, however well that envied and detested sister + might act towards her. Therein lay an incurable wound, the life of one + poisoned by that of the other, the hatred of old blood for young blood, + which could only be quieted by death. And even if peace, as was possible, + should soon be restored between them in presence of the younger sister’s + evident triumph, the other would always harbour deep within her heart an + endless grief at being the elder yet the vassal. + </p> + <p> + “However, you may rely on me,” Pierre affectionately resumed. “This + quarrel between the two countries is certainly a great source of grief and + a great peril. And assuredly I will only say what I think to be the truth + about you. At the same time I fear that you hardly like the truth, for + temperament and custom have hardly prepared you for it. The poets of every + nation who at various times have written on Rome have intoxicated you with + so much praise that you are scarcely fitted to hear the real truth about + your Rome of to-day. No matter how superb a share of praise one may accord + you, one must all the same look at the reality of things, and this reality + is just what you won’t admit, lovers of the beautiful as you ever are, + susceptible too like women, whom the slightest hint of a wrinkle sends + into despair.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando began to laugh. “Well, certainly, one must always beautify things + a little,” said he. “Why speak of ugly faces at all? We in our theatres + only care for pretty music, pretty dancing, pretty pieces which please + one. As for the rest, whatever is disagreeable let us hide it, for mercy’s + sake!” + </p> + <p> + “On the other hand,” the priest continued, “I will cheerfully confess the + great error of my book. The Italian Rome which I neglected and sacrificed + to papal Rome not only exists but is already so powerful and triumphant + that it is surely the other one which is bound to disappear in course of + time. However much the Pope may strive to remain immutable within his + Vatican, a steady evolution goes on around him, and the black world, by + mingling with the white, has already become a grey world. I never realised + that more acutely than at the <i>fete</i> given by Prince Buongiovanni for + the betrothal of his daughter to your grand-nephew. I came away quite + enchanted, won over to the cause of your resurrection.” + </p> + <p> + The old man’s eyes sparkled. “Ah! you were present?” said he, “and you + witnessed a never-to-be-forgotten scene, did you not, and you no longer + doubt our vitality, our growth into a great people when the difficulties + of to-day are overcome? What does a quarter of a century, what does even a + century matter! Italy will again rise to her old glory, as soon as the + great people of to-morrow shall have sprung from the soil. And if I detest + that man Sacco it is because to my mind he is the incarnation of all the + enjoyers and intriguers whose appetite for the spoils of our conquest has + retarded everything. But I live again in my dear grand-nephew Attilio, who + represents the future, the generation of brave and worthy men who will + purify and educate the country. Ah! may some of the great ones of + to-morrow spring from him and that adorable little Princess Celia, whom my + niece Stefana, a sensible woman at bottom, brought to see me the other + day. If you had seen that child fling her arms about me, call me endearing + names, and tell me that I should be godfather to her first son, so that he + might bear my name and once again save Italy! Yes, yes, may peace be + concluded around that coming cradle; may the union of those dear children + be the indissoluble marriage of Rome and the whole nation, and may all be + repaired, and all blossom anew in their love!” + </p> + <p> + Tears came to his eyes, and Pierre, touched by his inextinguishable + patriotism, sought to please him. “I myself,” said he, “expressed to your + son much the same wish on the evening of the betrothal <i>fete</i>, when I + told him I trusted that their nuptials might be definitive and fruitful, + and that from them and all the others there might arise the great nation + which, now that I begin to know you, I hope you will soon become!” + </p> + <p> + “You said that!” exclaimed Orlando. “Well, I forgive your book, for you + have understood at last; and new Rome, there she is, the Rome which is + ours, which we wish to make worthy of her glorious past, and for the third + time the queen of the world.” + </p> + <p> + With one of those broad gestures into which he put all his remaining life, + he pointed to the curtainless window where Rome spread out in solemn + majesty from one horizon to the other. But, suddenly he turned his head + and in a fit of paternal indignation began to apostrophise young Angiolo + Mascara. “You young rascal!” said he, “it’s our Rome which you dream of + destroying with your bombs, which you talk of razing like a rotten, + tottering house, so as to rid the world of it for ever!” + </p> + <p> + Angiolo had hitherto remained silent, passionately listening to the + others. His pretty, girlish, beardless face reflected the slightest + emotion in sudden flashes; and his big blue eyes also had glowed on + hearing what had been said of the people, the new people which it was + necessary to create. “Yes!” he slowly replied in his pure and musical + voice, “we mean to raze it and not leave a stone of it, but raze it in + order to build it up again.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando interrupted him with a soft, bantering laugh: “Oh! you would build + it up again; that’s fortunate!” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I would build it up again,” the young man replied, in the trembling voice + of an inspired prophet. “I would build it up again oh, so vast, so + beautiful, and so noble! Will not the universal democracy of to-morrow, + humanity when it is at last freed, need an unique city, which shall be the + ark of alliance, the very centre of the world? And is not Rome designated, + Rome which the prophecies have marked as eternal and immortal, where the + destinies of the nations are to be accomplished? But in order that it may + become the final definitive sanctuary, the capital of the destroyed + kingdoms, where the wise men of all countries shall meet once every year, + one must first of all purify it by fire, leave nothing of its old stains + remaining. Then, when the sun shall have absorbed all the pestilence of + the old soil, we will rebuild the city ten times more beautiful and ten + times larger than it has ever been. And what a city of truth and justice + it will at last be, the Rome that has been announced and awaited for three + thousand years, all in gold and all in marble, filling the Campagna from + the sea to the Sabine and the Alban mountains, and so prosperous and so + sensible that its twenty millions of inhabitants after regulating the law + of labour will live with the unique joy of being. Yes, yes, Rome the + Mother, Rome the Queen, alone on the face of the earth and for all + eternity!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre listened to him, aghast. What! did the blood of Augustus go to such + a point as this? The popes had not become masters of Rome without feeling + impelled to rebuild it in their passion to rule over the world; young + Italy, likewise yielding to the hereditary madness of universal + domination, had in its turn sought to make the city larger than any other, + erecting whole districts for people who had never come, and now even the + Anarchists were possessed by the same stubborn dream of the race, a dream + beyond all measure this time, a fourth and monstrous Rome, whose suburbs + would invade continents in order that liberated humanity, united in one + family, might find sufficient lodging! This was the climax. Never could + more extravagant proof be given of the blood of pride and sovereignty + which had scorched the veins of that race ever since Augustus had + bequeathed it the inheritance of his absolute empire, with the furious + instinct that the world legally belonged to it, and that its mission was + to conquer it again. This idea had intoxicated all the children of that + historic soil, impelling all of them to make their city The City, the one + which had reigned and which would reign again in splendour when the days + predicted by the oracles should arrive. And Pierre remembered the four + fatidical letters, the S.P.Q.R. of old and glorious Rome, which like an + order of final triumph given to Destiny he had everywhere found in + present-day Rome, on all the walls, on all the insignia, even on the + municipal dust-carts! And he understood the prodigious vanity of these + people, haunted by the glory of their ancestors, spellbound by the past of + their city, declaring that she contains everything, that they themselves + cannot know her thoroughly, that she is the sphinx who will some day + explain the riddle of the universe, that she is so great and noble that + all within her acquires increase of greatness and nobility, in such wise + that they demand for her the idolatrous respect of the entire world, so + vivacious in their minds is the illusive legend which clings to her, so + incapable are they of realising that what was once great may be so no + longer. + </p> + <p> + “But I know your fourth Rome,” resumed Orlando, again enlivened. “It’s the + Rome of the people, the capital of the Universal Republic, which Mazzini + dreamt of. Only he left the pope in it. Do you know, my lad, that if we + old Republicans rallied to the monarchy, it was because we feared that in + the event of revolution the country might fall into the hands of dangerous + madmen such as those who have upset your brain? Yes, that was why we + resigned ourselves to our monarchy, which is not much different from a + parliamentary republic. And now, goodbye and be sensible, remember that + your poor mother would die of it if any misfortune should befall you. + Come, let me embrace you all the same.” + </p> + <p> + On receiving the hero’s affectionate kiss Angiolo coloured like a girl. + Then he went off with his gentle, dreamy air, never adding a word but + politely inclining his head to the priest. Silence continued till + Orlando’s eyes encountered the newspapers scattered on the table, when he + once more spoke of the terrible bereavement of the Boccaneras. He had + loved Benedetta like a dear daughter during the sad days when she had + dwelt near him; and finding the newspaper accounts of her death somewhat + singular, worried in fact by the obscure points which he could divine in + the tragedy, he was asking Pierre for particulars, when his son Luigi + suddenly entered the room, breathless from having climbed the stairs so + quickly and with his face full of anxious fear. He had just dismissed his + contractors with impatient roughness, giving no thought to his serious + financial position, the jeopardy in which his fortune was now placed, so + anxious was he to be up above beside his father. And when he was there his + first uneasy glance was for the old man, to make sure whether the priest + by some imprudent word had not dealt him his death blow. + </p> + <p> + He shuddered on noticing how Orlando quivered, moved to tears by the + terrible affair of which he was speaking; and for a moment he thought he + had arrived too late, that the harm was done. “Good heavens, father!” he + exclaimed, “what is the matter with you, why are you crying?” And as he + spoke he knelt at the old man’s feet, taking hold of his hands and giving + him such a passionate, loving glance that he seemed to be offering all the + blood of his heart to spare him the slightest grief. + </p> + <p> + “It is about the death of that poor woman,” Orlando sadly answered. “I was + telling Monsieur Froment how it grieved me, and I added that I could not + yet understand it all. The papers talk of a sudden death which is always + so extraordinary.” + </p> + <p> + The young Count rose again looking very pale. The priest had not yet + spoken. But what a frightful moment was this! What if he should reply, + what if he should speak out? + </p> + <p> + “You were present, were you not?” continued the old man addressing Pierre. + “You saw everything. Tell me then how the thing happened.” + </p> + <p> + Luigi Prada looked at Pierre. Their eyes met fixedly, plunging into one + another’s souls. All began afresh in their minds, Destiny on the march, + Santobono encountered with his little basket, the drive across the + melancholy Campagna, the conversation about poison while the little basket + was gently rocked on the priest’s knees; then, in particular, the sleepy + <i>osteria</i>, and the little black hen, so suddenly killed, lying on the + ground with a tiny streamlet of violet blood trickling from her beak. And + next there was that splendid ball at the Buongiovanni mansion, with all + its <i>odore di femina</i> and its triumph of love: and finally, before + the Palazzo Boccanera, so black under the silvery moon, there was the man + who lighted a cigar and went off without once turning his head, allowing + dim Destiny to accomplish its work of death. Both of them, Pierre and + Prada, knew that story and lived it over again, having no need to recall + it aloud in order to make certain that they had fully penetrated one + another’s soul. + </p> + <p> + Pierre did not immediately answer the old man. “Oh!” he murmured at last, + “there were frightful things, yes, frightful things.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt—that is what I suspected,” resumed Orlando. “You can tell + us all. In presence of death my son has freely forgiven.” + </p> + <p> + The young Count’s gaze again sought that of Pierre with such weight, such + ardent entreaty that the priest felt deeply stirred. He had just + remembered that man’s anguish during the ball, the atrocious torture of + jealousy which he had undergone before allowing Destiny to avenge him. And + he pictured also what must have been his feelings after the terrible + outcome of it all: at first stupefaction at Destiny’s harshness, at this + full vengeance which he had never desired so ferocious; then icy calmness + like that of the cool gambler who awaits events, reading the newspapers, + and feeling no other remorse than that of the general whose victory has + cost him too many men. He must have immediately realised that the Cardinal + would stifle the affair for the sake of the Church’s honour; and only + retained one weight on his heart, regret possibly for that woman whom he + had never won, with perhaps a last horrible jealousy which he did not + confess to himself but from which he would always suffer, jealousy at + knowing that she lay in another’s arms in the grave, for all eternity. But + behold, after that victorious effort to remain calm, after that cold and + remorseless waiting, Punishment arose, the fear that Destiny, travelling + on with its poisoned figs, might have not yet ceased its march, and might + by a rebound strike down his own father. Yet another thunderbolt, yet + another victim, the most unexpected, the being he most adored! At that + thought all his strength of resistance had in one moment collapsed, and he + was there, in terror of Destiny, more at a loss, more trembling than a + child. + </p> + <p> + “The newspapers, however,” slowly said Pierre as if he were seeking his + words, “the newspapers must have told you that the Prince succumbed first, + and that the Contessina died of grief whilst embracing him for the last + time.... As for the cause of death, <i>mon Dieu</i>, you know that doctors + themselves in sudden cases scarcely dare to pronounce an exact opinion—” + </p> + <p> + He stopped short, for within him he had suddenly heard the voice of + Benedetta giving him just before she died that terrible order: “You, who + will see his father, I charge you to tell him that I cursed his son. I + wish that he should know, it is necessary that he should know, for the + sake of truth and justice.” And was he, oh! Lord, about to obey that + order, was it one of those divine commands which must be executed even if + the result be a torrent of blood and tears? For a few seconds Pierre + suffered from a heart-rending combat within him, hesitating between the + act of truth and justice which the dead woman had called for and his own + personal desire for forgiveness, and the horror he would feel should he + kill that poor old man by fulfilling his implacable mission which could + benefit nobody. And certainly the other one, the son, must have understood + what a supreme struggle was going on in the priest’s mind, a struggle + which would decide his own father’s fate, for his glance became yet more + suppliant than ever. + </p> + <p> + “One first thought that it was merely indigestion,” continued Pierre, “but + the Prince became so much worse, that one was alarmed, and the doctor was + sent for—” + </p> + <p> + Ah! Prada’s eyes, they had become so despairing, so full of the most + touching and weightiest things, that the priest could read in them all the + decisive reasons which were about to stay his tongue. No, no, he would not + strike an innocent old man, he had promised nothing, and to obey the last + expression of the dead woman’s hatred would have seemed to him like + charging her memory with a crime. The young Count, too, during those few + minutes of anguish, had suffered a whole life of such abominable torture, + that after all some little justice was done. + </p> + <p> + “And then,” Pierre concluded, “when the doctor arrived he at once + recognised that it was a case of infectious fever. There can be no doubt + of it. This morning I attended the funeral, it was very splendid and very + touching.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando did not insist, but contented himself with saying that he also had + felt much emotion all the morning on thinking of that funeral. Then, as he + turned to set the papers on the table in order with his trembling hands, + his son, icy cold with perspiration, staggering and clinging to the back + of a chair in order that he might not fall, again gave Pierre a long + glance, but a very soft one, full of distracted gratitude. + </p> + <p> + “I am leaving this evening,” resumed Pierre, who felt exhausted and wished + to break off the conversation, “and I must now bid you farewell. Have you + any commission to give me for Paris?” + </p> + <p> + “No, none,” replied Orlando; and then, with sudden recollection, he added, + “Yes, I have, though! You remember that book written by my old comrade in + arms, Theophile Morin, one of Garibaldi’s Thousand, that manual for the + bachelor’s degree which he desired to see translated and adopted here. + Well, I am pleased to say that I have a promise that it shall be used in + our schools, but on condition that he makes some alterations in it. Luigi, + give me the book, it is there on that shelf.” + </p> + <p> + Then, when his son had handed him the volume, he showed Pierre some notes + which he had pencilled on the margins, and explained to him the + modifications which were desired in the general scheme of the work. “Will + you be kind enough,” he continued, “to take this copy to Morin himself? + His address is written inside the cover. If you can do so you will spare + me the trouble of writing him a very long letter; in ten minutes you can + explain matters to him more clearly and completely than I could do in ten + pages.... And you must embrace Morin for me, and tell him that I still + love him, oh! with all my heart of the bygone days, when I could still use + my legs and we two fought like devils side by side under a hail of + bullets.” + </p> + <p> + A short silence followed, that pause, that embarrassment tinged with + emotion which precedes the moment of farewell. “Come, good-bye,” said + Orlando, “embrace me for him and for yourself, embrace me affectionately + like that lad did just now. I am so old and so near my end, my dear + Monsieur Froment, that you will allow me to call you my child and to kiss + you like a grandfather, wishing you all courage and peace, and that faith + in life which alone helps one to live.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was so touched that tears rose to his eyes, and when with all his + soul he kissed the stricken hero on either cheek, he felt that he likewise + was weeping. With a hand yet as vigorous as a vice, Orlando detained him + for a moment beside his arm-chair, whilst with his other hand waving in a + supreme gesture, he for the last time showed him Rome, so immense and + mournful under the ashen sky. And his voice came low, quivering and + suppliant. “For mercy’s sake swear to me that you will love her all the + same, in spite of all, for she is the cradle, the mother! Love her for all + that she no longer is, love her for all that she desires to be! Do not say + that her end has come, love her, love her so that she may live again, that + she may live for ever!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre again embraced him, unable to find any other response, upset as he + was by all the passion displayed by that old warrior, who spoke of his + city as a man of thirty might speak of the woman he adores. And he found + him so handsome and so lofty with his old blanched, leonine mane and his + stubborn belief in approaching resurrection, that once more the other old + Roman, Cardinal Boccanera, arose before him, equally stubborn in his faith + and relinquishing nought of his dream, even though he might be crushed on + the spot by the fall of the heavens. These twain ever stood face to face, + at either end of their city, alone rearing their lofty figures above the + horizon, whilst awaiting the future. + </p> + <p> + Then, when Pierre had bowed to Count Luigi, and found himself outside + again in the Via Venti Settembre he was all eagerness to get back to the + Boccanera mansion so as to pack up his things and depart. His farewell + visits were made, and he now only had to take leave of Donna Serafina and + the Cardinal, and to thank them for all their kind hospitality. For him + alone did their doors open, for they had shut themselves up on returning + from the funeral, resolved to see nobody. At twilight, therefore, Pierre + had no one but Victorine to keep him company in the vast, black mansion, + for when he expressed a desire to take supper with Don Vigilio she told + him that the latter had also shut himself in his room. Desirous as he was + of at least shaking hands with the secretary for the last time, Pierre + went to knock at the door, which was so near his own, but could obtain no + reply, and divined that the poor fellow, overcome by a fresh attack of + fever and suspicion, desired not to see him again, in terror at the idea + that he might compromise himself yet more than he had done already. + Thereupon, it was settled that as the train only started at seventeen + minutes past ten Victorine should serve Pierre his supper on the little + table in his sitting-room at eight o’clock. She brought him a lamp and + spoke of putting his linen in order, but he absolutely declined her help, + and she had to leave him to pack up quietly by himself. + </p> + <p> + He had purchased a little box, since his valise could not possibly hold + all the linen and winter clothing which had been sent to him from Paris as + his stay in Rome became more and more protracted. However, the packing was + soon accomplished; the wardrobe was emptied, the drawers were visited, the + box and valise filled and securely locked by seven o’clock. An hour + remained to him before supper and he sat there resting, when his eyes + whilst travelling round the walls to make sure that he had forgotten + nothing, encountered that old painting by some unknown master, which had + so often filled him with emotion. The lamplight now shone full upon it; + and this time again as he gazed at it he felt a blow in the heart, a blow + which was all the deeper, as now, at his parting hour, he found a symbol + of his defeat at Rome in that dolent, tragic, half-naked woman, draped in + a shred of linen, and weeping between her clasped hands whilst seated on + the threshold of the palace whence she had been driven. Did not that + rejected one, that stubborn victim of love, who sobbed so bitterly, and of + whom one knew nothing, neither what her face was like, nor whence she had + come, nor what her fault had been—did she not personify all man’s + useless efforts to force the doors of truth, and all the frightful + abandonment into which he falls as soon as he collides with the wall which + shuts the unknown off from him? For a long while did Pierre look at her, + again worried at being obliged to depart without having seen her face + behind her streaming golden hair, that face of dolorous beauty which he + pictured radiant with youth and delicious in its mystery. And as he gazed + he was just fancying that he could see it, that it was becoming his at + last, when there was a knock at the door and Narcisse Habert entered. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was surprised to see the young <i>attache</i>, for three days + previously he had started for Florence, impelled thither by one of the + sudden whims of his artistic fancy. However, he at once apologised for his + unceremonious intrusion. “Ah! there is your luggage!” he said; “I heard + that you were going away this evening, and I was unwilling to let you + leave Rome without coming to shake hands with you. But what frightful + things have happened since we met! I only returned this afternoon, so that + I could not attend the funeral. However, you may well imagine how + thunderstruck I was by the news of those frightful deaths.” + </p> + <p> + Then, suspecting some unacknowledged tragedy, like a man well acquainted + with the legendary dark side of Rome, he put some questions to Pierre but + did not insist on them, being at bottom far too prudent to burden himself + uselessly with redoubtable secrets. And after Pierre had given him such + particulars as he thought fit, the conversation changed and they spoke at + length of Italy, Rome, Naples, and Florence. “Ah! Florence, Florence!” + Narcisse repeated languorously. He had lighted a cigarette and his words + fell more slowly, as he glanced round the room. “You were very well lodged + here,” he said, “it is very quiet. I had never come up to this floor + before.” + </p> + <p> + His eyes continued wandering over the walls until they were at last + arrested by the old painting which the lamp illumined, and thereupon he + remained for a moment blinking as if surprised. And all at once he rose + and approached the picture. “Dear me, dear me,” said he, “but that’s very + good, that’s very fine.” + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t it?” rejoined Pierre. “I know nothing about painting but I was + stirred by that picture on the very day of my arrival, and over and over + again it has kept me here with my heart beating and full of indescribable + feelings.” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse no longer spoke but examined the painting with the care of a + connoisseur, an expert, whose keen glance decides the question of + authenticity, and appraises commercial value. And the most extraordinary + delight appeared upon the young man’s fair, rapturous face, whilst his + fingers began to quiver. “But it’s a Botticelli, it’s a Botticelli! There + can be no doubt about it,” he exclaimed. “Just look at the hands, and look + at the folds of the drapery! And the colour of the hair, and the + technique, the flow of the whole composition. A Botticelli, ah! <i>mon + Dieu</i>, a Botticelli.” + </p> + <p> + He became quite faint, overflowing with increasing admiration as he + penetrated more and more deeply into the subject, at once so simple and so + poignant. Was it not acutely modern? The artist had foreseen our + pain-fraught century, our anxiety in presence of the invisible, our + distress at being unable to cross the portal of mystery which was for ever + closed. And what an eternal symbol of the world’s wretchedness was that + woman, whose face one could not see, and who sobbed so distractedly + without it being possible for one to wipe away her tears. Yes, a + Botticelli, unknown, uncatalogued, what a discovery! Then he paused to + inquire of Pierre: “Did you know it was a Botticelli?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no! I spoke to Don Vigilio about it one day, but he seemed to think it + of no account. And Victorine, when I spoke to her, replied that all those + old things only served to harbour dust.” + </p> + <p> + Narcisse protested, quite stupefied: “What! they have a Botticelli here + and don’t know it! Ah! how well I recognise in that the Roman princes who, + unless their masterpieces have been labelled, are for the most part + utterly at sea among them! No doubt this one has suffered a little, but a + simple cleaning would make a marvel, a famous picture of it, for which a + museum would at least give—” + </p> + <p> + He abruptly stopped, completing his sentence with a wave of the hand and + not mentioning the figure which was on his lips. And then, as Victorine + came in followed by Giacomo to lay the little table for Pierre’s supper, + he turned his back upon the Botticelli and said no more about it. The + young priest’s attention was aroused, however, and he could well divine + what was passing in the other’s mind. Under that make-believe Florentine, + all angelicalness, there was an experienced business man, who well knew + how to look after his pecuniary interests and was even reported to be + somewhat avaricious. Pierre, who was aware of it, could not help smiling + therefore when he saw him take his stand before another picture—a + frightful Virgin, badly copied from some eighteenth-century canvas—and + exclaim: “Dear me! that’s not at all bad! I’ve a friend, I remember, who + asked me to buy him some old paintings. I say, Victorine, now that Donna + Serafina and the Cardinal are left alone do you think they would like to + rid themselves of a few valueless pictures?” + </p> + <p> + The servant raised her arms as if to say that if it depended on her, + everything might be carried away. Then she replied: “Not to a dealer, sir, + on account of the nasty rumours which would at once spread about, but I’m + sure they would be happy to please a friend. The house costs a lot to keep + up, and money would be welcome.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre then vainly endeavoured to persuade Narcisse to stay and sup with + him, but the young man gave his word of honour that he was expected + elsewhere and was even late. And thereupon he ran off, after pressing the + priest’s hands and affectionately wishing him a good journey. + </p> + <p> + Eight o’clock was striking, and Pierre seated himself at the little table, + Victorine remaining to serve him after dismissing Giacomo, who had brought + the supper things upstairs in a basket. “The people here make me wild,” + said the worthy woman after the other had gone, “they are so slow. And + besides, it’s a pleasure for me to serve you your last meal, Monsieur + l’Abbe. I’ve had a little French dinner cooked for you, a <i>sole au + gratin</i> and a roast fowl.” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was touched by this attention, and pleased to have the company of a + compatriot whilst he partook of his final meal amidst the deep silence of + the old, black, deserted mansion. The buxom figure of Victorine was still + instinct with mourning, with grief for the loss of her dear Contessina, + but her daily toil was already setting her erect again, restoring her + quick activity; and she spoke almost cheerfully whilst passing plates and + dishes to Pierre. “And to think Monsieur l’Abbe,” said she, “that you’ll + be in Paris on the morning of the day after to-morrow! As for me, you + know, it seems as if I only left Auneau yesterday. Ah! what fine soil + there is there; rich soil yellow like gold, not like their poor stuff here + which smells of sulphur! And the pretty fresh willows beside our stream, + too, and the little wood so full of moss! They’ve no moss here, their + trees look like tin under that stupid sun of theirs which burns up the + grass. <i>Mon Dieu</i>! in the early times I would have given I don’t know + what for a good fall of rain to soak me and wash away all the dust. Ah! I + shall never get used to their awful Rome. What a country and what people!” + </p> + <p> + Pierre was quite enlivened by her stubborn fidelity to her own nook, which + after five and twenty years of absence still left her horrified with that + city of crude light and black vegetation, true daughter as she was of a + smiling and temperate clime which of a morning was steeped in rosy mist. + “But now that your young mistress is dead,” said he, “what keeps you here? + Why don’t you take the train with me?” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him in surprise: “Go off with you, go back to Auneau! Oh! + it’s impossible, Monsieur l’Abbe. It would be too ungrateful to begin + with, for Donna Serafina is accustomed to me, and it would be bad on my + part to forsake her and his Eminence now that they are in trouble. And + besides, what could I do elsewhere? No, my little hole is here now.” + </p> + <p> + “So you will never see Auneau again?” + </p> + <p> + “No, never, that’s certain.” + </p> + <p> + “And you don’t mind being buried here, in their ground which smells of + sulphur?” + </p> + <p> + She burst into a frank laugh. “Oh!” she said, “I don’t mind where I am + when I’m dead. One sleeps well everywhere. And it’s funny that you should + be so anxious as to what there may be when one’s dead. There’s nothing, + I’m sure. That’s what tranquillises me, to feel that it will be all over + and that I shall have a rest. The good God owes us that after we’ve worked + so hard. You know that I’m not devout, oh! dear no. Still that doesn’t + prevent me from behaving properly, and, true as I stand here, I’ve never + had a lover. It seems foolish to say such a thing at my age, still I say + it because it’s the sober truth.” + </p> + <p> + She continued laughing like the worthy woman she was, having no belief in + priests and yet without a sin upon her conscience. And Pierre once more + marvelled at the simple courage and great practical common sense of this + laborious and devoted creature, who for him personified the whole + unbelieving lowly class of France, those who no longer believe and will + believe never more. Ah! to be as she was, to do one’s work and lie down + for the eternal sleep without any revolt of pride, satisfied with the one + joy of having accomplished one’s share of toil! + </p> + <p> + When Pierre had finished his supper Victorine summoned Giacomo to clear + the things away. And as it was only half-past eight she advised the priest + to spend another quiet hour in his room. Why go and catch a chill by + waiting at the station? She could send for a cab at half-past nine, and as + soon as it arrived she would send word to him and have his luggage carried + down. He might be easy as to that, and need trouble himself about nothing. + </p> + <p> + When she had gone off Pierre soon sank into a deep reverie. It seemed to + him, indeed, as if he had already quitted Rome, as if the city were far + away and he could look back on it, and his experiences within it. His + book, “New Rome,” arose in his mind; and he remembered his first morning + on the Janiculum, his view of Rome from the terrace of San Pietro in + Montorio, a Rome such as he had dreamt of, so young and ethereal under the + pure sky. It was then that he had asked himself the decisive question: + Could Catholicism be renewed? Could it revert to the spirit of primitive + Christianity, become the religion of the democracy, the faith which the + distracted modern world, in danger of death, awaits in order that it may + be pacified and live? His heart had then beaten with hope and enthusiasm. + After his disaster at Lourdes from which he had scarcely recovered, he had + come to attempt another and supreme experiment by asking Rome what her + reply to his question would be. And now the experiment had failed, he knew + what answer Rome had returned him through her ruins, her monuments, her + very soil, her people, her prelates, her cardinals, her pope! No, + Catholicism could not be renewed: no, it could not revert to the spirit of + primitive Christianity; no, it could not become the religion of the + democracy, the new faith which might save the old toppling societies in + danger of death. Though it seemed to be of democratic origin, it was + henceforth riveted to that Roman soil, it remained kingly in spite of + everything, forced to cling to the principle of temporal power under + penalty of suicide, bound by tradition, enchained by dogma, its evolutions + mere simulations whilst in reality it was reduced to such immobility that, + behind the bronze doors of the Vatican, the papacy was the prisoner, the + ghost of eighteen centuries of atavism, indulging the ceaseless dream of + universal dominion. There, where with priestly faith exalted by love of + the suffering and the poor, he had come to seek life and a resurrection of + the Christian communion, he had found death, the dust of a destroyed world + in which nothing more could germinate, an exhausted soil whence now there + could never grow aught but that despotic papacy, the master of bodies as + it was of souls. To his distracted cry asking for a new religion, Rome had + been content to reply by condemning his book as a work tainted with + heresy, and he himself had withdrawn it amidst the bitter grief of his + disillusions. He had seen, he had understood, and all had collapsed. And + it was himself, his soul and his brain, which lay among the ruins. + </p> + <p> + Pierre was stifling. He rose, threw the window overlooking the Tiber wide + open, and leant out. The rain had begun to fall again at the approach of + evening, but now it had once more ceased. The atmosphere was very mild, + moist, even oppressive. The moon must have arisen in the ashen grey sky, + for her presence could be divined behind the clouds which she illumined + with a vague, yellow, mournful light. And under that slumberous glimmer + the vast horizon showed blackly and phantom-like: the Janiculum in front + with the close-packed houses of the Trastevere; the river flowing away + yonder on the left towards the dim height of the Palatine; whilst on the + right the dome of St. Peter’s showed forth, round and domineering in the + pale atmosphere. Pierre could not see the Quirinal but divined it to be + behind him, and could picture its long facade shutting off part of the + sky. And what a collapsing Rome, half-devoured by the gloom, was this, so + different from the Rome all youth and dreamland which he had beheld and + passionately loved on the day of his arrival! He remembered the three + symbolic summits which had then summed up for him the whole long history + of Rome, the ancient, the papal, and the Italian city. But if the Palatine + had remained the same discrowned mount on which there only rose the + phantom of the ancestor, Augustus, emperor and pontiff, master of the + world, he now pictured St. Peter’s and the Quirinal as strangely altered. + To that royal palace which he had so neglected, and which had seemed to + him like a flat, low barrack, to that new Government which had brought him + the impression of some attempt at sacrilegious modernity, he now accorded + the large, increasing space that they occupied in the panorama, the whole + of which they would apparently soon fill; whilst, on the contrary, St. + Peter’s, that dome which he had found so triumphal, all azure, reigning + over the city like a gigantic and unshakable monarch, at present seemed to + him full of cracks and already shrinking, as if it were one of those huge + old piles, which, through the secret, unsuspected decay of their timbers, + at times fall to the ground in one mass. + </p> + <p> + A murmur, a growling plaint rose from the swollen Tiber, and Pierre + shivered at the icy abysmal breath which swept past his face. And his + thoughts of the three summits and their symbolic triangle aroused within + him the memory of the sufferings of the great silent multitude of poor and + lowly for whom pope and king had so long disputed. It all dated from long + ago, from the day when, in dividing the inheritance of Augustus, the + emperor had been obliged to content himself with men’s bodies, leaving + their souls to the pope, whose one idea had henceforth been to gain the + temporal power of which God, in his person, was despoiled. All the middle + ages had been disturbed and ensanguined by the quarrel, till at last the + silent multitude weary of vexations and misery spoke out; threw off the + papal yoke at the Reformation, and later on began to overthrow its kings. + And then, as Pierre had written in his book, a new fortune had been + offered to the pope, that of reverting to the ancient dream, by + dissociating himself from the fallen thrones and placing himself on the + side of the wretched in the hope that this time he would conquer the + people, win it entirely for himself. Was it not prodigious to see that + man, Leo XIII, despoiled of his kingdom and allowing himself to be called + a socialist, assembling under his banner the great flock of the + disinherited, and marching against the kings at the head of that fourth + estate to whom the coming century will belong? The eternal struggle for + possession of the people continued as bitterly as ever even in Rome + itself, where pope and king, who could see each other from their windows, + contended together like falcon and hawk for the little birds of the woods. + And in this for Pierre lay the reason why Catholicism was fatally + condemned; for it was of monarchical essence to such a point that the + Apostolic and Roman papacy could not renounce the temporal power under + penalty of becoming something else and disappearing. In vain did it feign + a return to the people, in vain did it seek to appear all soul; there was + no room in the midst of the world’s democracies for any such total and + universal sovereignty as that which it claimed to hold from God. Pierre + ever beheld the Imperator sprouting up afresh in the Pontifex Maximus, and + it was this in particular which had killed his dream, destroyed his book, + heaped up all those ruins before which he remained distracted without + either strength or courage. + </p> + <p> + The sight of that ashen Rome, whose edifices faded away into the night, at + last brought him such a heart-pang that he came back into the room and + fell on a chair near his luggage. Never before had he experienced such + distress of spirit, it seemed like the death of his soul. After his + disaster at Lourdes he had not come to Rome in search of the candid and + complete faith of a little child, but the superior faith of an + intellectual being, rising above rites and symbols, and seeking to ensure + the greatest possible happiness of mankind based on its need of certainty. + And if this collapsed, if Catholicism could not be rejuvenated and become + the religion and moral law of the new generations, if the Pope at Rome and + with Rome could not be the Father, the arch of alliance, the spiritual + leader whom all hearkened to and obeyed, why then, in Pierre’s eyes, the + last hope was wrecked, the supreme rending which must plunge present-day + society into the abyss was near at hand. That scaffolding of Catholic + socialism which had seemed to him so happily devised for the consolidation + of the old Church, now appeared to him lying on the ground; and he judged + it severely as a mere passing expedient which might perhaps for some years + prop up the ruined edifice, but which was simply based on an intentional + misunderstanding, on a skilful lie, on politics and diplomacy. No, no, + that the people should once again, as so many times before, be duped and + gained over, caressed in order that it might be enthralled—this was + repugnant to one’s reason, and the whole system appeared degenerate, + dangerous, temporary, calculated to end in the worst catastrophes. So this + then was the finish, nothing remained erect and stable, the old world was + about to disappear amidst the frightful sanguinary crisis whose approach + was announced by such indisputable signs. And he, before that chaos near + at hand, had no soul left him, having once more lost his faith in that + decisive experiment which, he had felt beforehand, would either strengthen + him or strike him down for ever. The thunderbolt had fallen, and now, O + God, what should he do? + </p> + <p> + To shake off his anguish he began to walk across the room. Aye, what + should he do now that he was all doubt again, all dolorous negation, and + that his cassock weighed more heavily than it had ever weighed upon his + shoulders? He remembered having told Monsignor Nani that he would never + submit, would never be able to resign himself and kill his hope in + salvation by love, but would rather reply by a fresh book, in which he + would say in what new soil the new religion would spring up. Yes, a + flaming book against Rome, in which he would set down all he had seen, a + book which would depict the real Rome, the Rome which knows neither + charity nor love, and is dying in the pride of its purple! He had spoken + of returning to Paris, leaving the Church and going to the point of + schism. Well, his luggage now lay there packed, he was going off and he + would write that book, he would be the great schismatic who was awaited! + Did not everything foretell approaching schism amidst that great movement + of men’s minds, weary of old mummified dogmas and yet hungering for the + divine? Even Leo XIII must be conscious of it, for his whole policy, his + whole effort towards Christian unity, his assumed affection for the + democracy had no other object than that of grouping the whole family + around the papacy, and consolidating it so as to render the Pope + invincible in the approaching struggle. But the times had come, + Catholicism would soon find that it could grant no more political + concessions without perishing, that at Rome it was reduced to the + immobility of an ancient hieratic idol, and that only in the lands of + propaganda, where it was fighting against other religions, could further + evolution take place. It was, indeed, for this reason that Rome was + condemned, the more so as the abolition of the temporal power, by + accustoming men’s minds to the idea of a purely spiritual papacy, seemed + likely to conduce to the rise of some anti-pope, far away, whilst the + successor of St. Peter was compelled to cling stubbornly to his Apostolic + and Roman fiction. A bishop, a priest would arise—where, who could + tell? Perhaps yonder in that free America, where there are priests whom + the struggle for life has turned into convinced socialists, into ardent + democrats, who are ready to go forward with the coming century. And whilst + Rome remains unable to relinquish aught of her past, aught of her + mysteries and dogmas, that priest will relinquish all of those things + which fall from one in dust. Ah! to be that priest, to be that great + reformer, that saviour of modern society, what a vast dream, what a part, + akin to that of a Messiah summoned by the nations in distress. For a + moment Pierre was transported as by a breeze of hope and triumph. If that + great change did not come in France, in Paris, it would come elsewhere, + yonder across the ocean, or farther yet, wherever there might be a + sufficiently fruitful soil for the new seed to spring from it in + overflowing harvests. A new religion! a new religion! even as he had cried + on returning from Lourdes, a religion which in particular should not be an + appetite for death, a religion which should at last realise here below + that Kingdom of God referred to in the Gospel, and which should equitably + divide terrestrial wealth, and with the law of labour ensure the rule of + truth and justice. + </p> + <p> + In the fever of this fresh dream Pierre already saw the pages of his new + book flaring before him when his eyes fell on an object lying upon a + chair, which at first surprised him. This also was a book, that work of + Theophile Morin’s which Orlando had commissioned him to hand to its + author, and he felt annoyed with himself at having left it there, for he + might have forgotten it altogether. Before putting it into his valise he + retained it for a moment in his hand turning its pages over, his ideas + changing as by a sudden mental revolution. The work was, however, a very + modest one, one of those manuals for the bachelor’s degree containing + little beyond the first elements of the sciences; still all the sciences + were represented in it, and it gave a fair summary of the present state of + human knowledge. And it was indeed Science which thus burst upon Pierre’s + reverie with the energy of sovereign power. Not only was Catholicism swept + away from his mind, but all his religious conceptions, every hypothesis of + the divine tottered and fell. Only that little school book, nothing but + the universal desire for knowledge, that education which ever extends and + penetrates the whole people, and behold the mysteries became absurdities, + the dogmas crumbled, and nothing of ancient faith was left. A nation + nourished upon Science, no longer believing in mysteries and dogmas, in a + compensatory system of reward and punishment, is a nation whose faith is + for ever dead: and without faith Catholicism cannot be. Therein is the + blade of the knife, the knife which falls and severs. If one century, if + two centuries be needed, Science will take them. She alone is eternal. It + is pure <i>naivete</i> to say that reason is not contrary to faith. The + truth is, that now already in order to save mere fragments of the sacred + writings, it has been necessary to accommodate them to the new + certainties, by taking refuge in the assertion that they are simply + symbolical! And what an extraordinary attitude is that of the Catholic + Church, expressly forbidding all those who may discover a truth contrary + to the sacred writings to pronounce upon it in definitive fashion, and + ordering them to await events in the conviction that this truth will some + day be proved an error! Only the Pope, says the Church, is infallible; + Science is fallible, her constant groping is exploited against her, and + divines remain on the watch striving to make it appear that her + discoveries of to-day are in contradiction with her discoveries of + yesterday. What do her sacrilegious assertions, what do her certainties + rending dogma asunder, matter to a Catholic since it is certain that at + the end of time, she, Science, will again join Faith, and become the + latter’s very humble slave! Voluntary blindness and impudent denial of + things as evident as the sunlight, can no further go. But all the same the + insignificant little book, the manual of truth travels on continuing its + work, destroying error and building up the new world, even as the + infinitesimal agents of life built up our present continents. + </p> + <p> + In the sudden great enlightenment which had come on him Pierre at last + felt himself upon firm ground. Has Science ever retreated? It is + Catholicism which has always retreated before her, and will always be + forced to retreat. Never does Science stop, step by step she wrests truth + from error, and to say that she is bankrupt because she cannot explain the + world in one word and at one effort, is pure and simple nonsense. If she + leaves, and no doubt will always leave a smaller and smaller domain to + mystery, and if supposition may always strive to explain that mystery, it + is none the less certain that she ruins, and with each successive hour + will add to the ruin of the ancient hypotheses, those which crumble away + before the acquired truths. And Catholicism is in the position of those + ancient hypotheses, and will be in it yet more thoroughly to-morrow. Like + all religions it is, at the bottom, but an explanation of the world, a + superior social and political code, intended to bring about the greatest + possible sum of peace and happiness on earth. This code which embraces the + universality of things thenceforth becomes human, and mortal like + everything that is human. One cannot put it on one side and say that it + exists on one side by itself, whilst Science does the same on the other. + Science is total and has already shown Catholicism that such is the case, + and will show it again and again by compelling it to repair the breaches + incessantly effected in its ramparts till the day of victory shall come + with the final assault of resplendent truth. Frankly, it makes one laugh + to hear people assign a <i>role</i> to Science, forbid her to enter such + and such a domain, predict to her that she shall go no further, and + declare that at this end of the century she is already so weary that she + abdicates! Oh! you little men of shallow or distorted brains, you + politicians planning expedients, you dogmatics at bay, you authoritarians + so obstinately clinging to the ancient dreams, Science will pass on, and + sweep you all away like withered leaves! + </p> + <p> + Pierre continued glancing through the humble little book, listening to all + it told him of sovereign Science. She cannot become bankrupt, for she does + not promise the absolute, she is simply the progressive conquest of truth. + Never has she pretended that she could give the whole truth at one effort, + that sort of edifice being precisely the work of metaphysics, of + revelation, of faith. The <i>role</i> of Science, on the contrary, is only + to destroy error as she gradually advances and increases enlightenment. + And thus, far from becoming bankrupt, in her march which nothing stops, + she remains the only possible truth for well-balanced and healthy minds. + As for those whom she does not satisfy, who crave for immediate and + universal knowledge, they have the resource of seeking refuge in no matter + what religious hypothesis, provided, if they wish to appear in the right, + that they build their fancy upon acquired certainties. Everything which is + raised on proven error falls. However, although religious feeling persists + among mankind, although the need of religion may be eternal, it by no + means follows that Catholicism is eternal, for it is, after all, but one + form of religion, which other forms preceded and which others will follow. + Religions may disappear, but religious feeling will create new ones even + with the help of Science. Pierre thought of that alleged repulse of + Science by the present-day awakening of mysticism, the causes of which he + had indicated in his book: the discredit into which the idea of liberty + has fallen among the people, duped in the last social reorganisation, and + the uneasiness of the <i>elite</i>, in despair at the void in which their + liberated minds and enlarged intelligences have left them. It is the + anguish of the Unknown springing up again; but it is also only a natural + and momentary reaction after so much labour, on finding that Science does + not yet calm our thirst for justice, our desire for security, or our + ancient idea of an eternal after-life of enjoyment. In order, however, + that Catholicism might be born anew, as some seem to think it will be, the + social soil would have to change, and it cannot change; it no longer + possesses the sap needful for the renewal of a decaying formula which + schools and laboratories destroy more and more each day. The ground is + other than it once was, a different oak must spring from it. May Science + therefore have her religion, for such a religion will soon be the only one + possible for the coming democracies, for the nations, whose knowledge ever + increases whilst their Catholic faith is already nought but dust. + </p> + <p> + And all at once, by way of conclusion, Pierre bethought himself of the + idiocy of the Congregation of the Index. It had condemned his book, and + would surely condemn the other one that he had thought of, should he ever + write it. A fine piece of work truly! To fall tooth and nail on the poor + books of an enthusiastic dreamer, in which chimera contended with chimera! + Yet the Congregation was so foolish as not to interdict that little book + which he held in his hands, that humble book which alone was to be feared, + which was the ever triumphant enemy that would surely overthrow the + Church. Modest it was in its cheap “get up” as a school manual, but that + did not matter: danger began with the very alphabet, increased as + knowledge was acquired, and burst forth with those <i>resumes</i> of the + physical, chemical, and natural sciences which bring the very Creation, as + described by Holy Writ, into question. However, the Index dared not + attempt to suppress those humble volumes, those terrible soldiers of + truth, those destroyers of faith. What was the use, then, of all the money + which Leo XIII drew from his hidden treasure of the Peter’s Pence to + subvention Catholic schools, with the thought of forming the believing + generations which the papacy needed to enable it to conquer? What was the + use of that precious money if it was only to serve for the purchase of + similar insignificant yet formidable volumes, which could never be + sufficiently “cooked” and expurgated, but would always contain too much + Science, that growing Science which one day would blow up both Vatican and + St. Peter’s? Ah! that idiotic and impotent Index, what wretchedness and + what derision! + </p> + <p> + Then, when Pierre had placed Theophile Morin’s book in his valise, he once + more returned to the window, and while leaning out, beheld an + extraordinary vision. Under the cloudy, coppery sky, in the mild and + mournful night, patches of wavy mist had risen, hiding many of the + house-roofs with trailing shreds which looked like shrouds. Entire + edifices had disappeared, and he imagined that the times were at last + accomplished, and that truth had at last destroyed St. Peter’s dome. In a + hundred or a thousand years, it would be like that, fallen, obliterated + from the black sky. One day, already, he had felt it tottering and + cracking beneath him, and had foreseen that this temple of Catholicism + would fall even as Jove’s temple had fallen on the Capitol. And it was + over now, the dome had strewn the ground with fragments, and all that + remained standing, in addition to a portion of the apse, where five + columns of the central nave, still upholding a shred of entablature, and + four cyclopean buttress-piers on which the dome had rested—piers + which still arose, isolated and superb, looking indestructible among all + the surrounding downfall. But a denser mist flowed past, another thousand + years no doubt went by, and then nothing whatever remained. The apse, the + last pillars, the giant piers themselves were felled! The wind had swept + away their dust, and it would have been necessary to search the soil + beneath the brambles and the nettles to find a few fragments of broken + statues, marbles with mutilated inscriptions, on the sense of which + learned men were unable to agree. And, as formerly, on the Capitol, among + the buried remnants of Jupiter’s temple, goats strayed and climbed through + the solitude, browsing upon the bushes, amidst the deep silence of the + oppressive summer sunlight, which only the buzzing flies disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Then, only then, did Pierre feel the supreme collapse within him. It was + really all over, Science was victorious, nothing of the old world + remained. What use would it be then to become the great schismatic, the + reformer who was awaited? Would it not simply mean the building up of a + new dream? Only the eternal struggle of Science against the Unknown, the + searching, pursuing inquiry which incessantly moderated man’s thirst for + the divine, now seemed to him of import, leaving him waiting to know if + she would ever triumph so completely as to suffice mankind, by satisfying + all its wants. And in the disaster which had overcome his apostolic + enthusiasm, in presence of all those ruins, having lost his faith, and + even his hope of utilising old Catholicism for social and moral salvation, + there only remained reason that held him up. She had at one moment given + way. If he had dreamt that book, and had just passed through that terrible + crisis, it was because sentiment had once again overcome reason within + him. It was his mother, so to say, who had wept in his heart, who had + filled him with an irresistible desire to relieve the wretched and prevent + the massacres which seemed near at hand; and his passion for charity had + thus swept aside the scruples of his intelligence. But it was his father’s + voice that he now heard, lofty and bitter reason which, though it had + fled, at present came back in all sovereignty. As he had done already + after Lourdes, he protested against the glorification of the absurd and + the downfall of common sense. Reason alone enabled him to walk erect and + firm among the remnants of the old beliefs, even amidst the obscurities + and failures of Science. Ah! Reason, it was through her alone that he + suffered, through her alone that he could content himself, and he swore + that he would now always seek to satisfy her, even if in doing so he + should lose his happiness. + </p> + <p> + At that moment it would have been vain for him to ask what he ought to do. + Everything remained in suspense, the world stretched before him still + littered with the ruins of the past, of which, to-morrow, it would perhaps + be rid. Yonder, in that dolorous faubourg of Paris, he would find good + Abbe Rose, who but a few days previously had written begging him to return + and tend, love, and save his poor, since Rome, so dazzling from afar, was + dead to charity. And around the good and peaceful old priest he would find + the ever growing flock of wretched ones; the little fledglings who had + fallen from their nests, and whom he found pale with hunger and shivering + with cold; the households of abominable misery in which the father drank + and the mother became a prostitute, while the sons and the daughters sank + into vice and crime; the dwellings, too, through which famine swept, where + all was filth and shameful promiscuity, where there was neither furniture + nor linen, nothing but purely animal life. And then there would also come + the cold blasts of winter, the disasters of slack times, the hurricanes of + consumption carrying off the weak, whilst the strong clenched their fists + and dreamt of vengeance. One evening, too, perhaps, he might again enter + some room of horror and find that another mother had killed herself and + her five little ones, her last-born in her arms clinging to her drained + breast, and the others scattered over the bare tiles, at last contented, + feeling hunger no more, now that they were dead! But no, no, such awful + things were no longer possible: such black misery conducting to suicide in + the heart of that great city of Paris, which is brimful of wealth, + intoxicated with enjoyment, and flings millions out of window for mere + pleasure! The very foundations of the social edifice were rotten; all + would soon collapse amidst mire and blood. Never before had Pierre so + acutely realised the derisive futility of Charity. And all at once he + became conscious that the long-awaited word, the word which was at last + springing from the great silent multitude, the crushed and gagged people + was <i>Justice</i>! Aye, Justice not Charity! Charity had only served to + perpetuate misery, Justice perhaps would cure it. It was for Justice that + the wretched hungered; an act of Justice alone could sweep away the olden + world so that the new one might be reared. After all, the great silent + multitude would belong neither to Vatican nor to Quirinal, neither to pope + nor to king. If it had covertly growled through the ages in its long, + sometimes mysterious, and sometimes open contest; if it had struggled + betwixt pontiff and emperor who each had wished to retain it for himself + alone, it had only done so in order that it might free itself, proclaim + its resolve to belong to none on the day when it should cry Justice! Would + to-morrow then at last prove that day of Justice and Truth? For his part, + Pierre amidst his anguish—having on one hand that need of the divine + which tortures man, and on the other sovereignty of reason which enables + man to remain erect—was only sure of one thing, that he would keep + his vows, continue a priest, watching over the belief of others though he + could not himself believe, and would thus chastely and honestly follow his + profession, amidst haughty sadness at having been unable to renounce his + intelligence in the same way as he had renounced his flesh and his dream + of saving the nations. And again, as after Lourdes, he would wait. + </p> + <p> + So deeply was he plunged in reflection at that window, face to face with + the mist which seemed to be destroying the dark edifices of Rome, that he + did not hear himself called. At last, however, he felt a tap on the + shoulder: “Monsieur l’Abbe!” And then as he turned he saw Victorine, who + said to him: “It is half-past nine; the cab is there. Giacomo has already + taken your luggage down. You must come away, Monsieur l’Abbe.” + </p> + <p> + Then seeing him blink, still dazed as it were, she smiled and added: “You + were bidding Rome goodbye. What a frightful sky there is.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, frightful,” was his reply. + </p> + <p> + Then they descended the stairs. He had handed her a hundred-franc note to + be shared between herself and the other servants. And she apologised for + going down before him with the lamp, explaining that the old palace was so + dark that evening one could scarcely see. + </p> + <p> + Ah! that departure, that last descent through the black and empty mansion, + it quite upset Pierre’s heart. He gave his room that glance of farewell + which always saddened him, even when he was leaving a spot where he had + suffered. Then, on passing Don Vigilio’s chamber, whence there only came a + quivering silence, he pictured the secretary with his head buried in his + pillows, holding his breath for fear lest he should speak and attract + vengeance. But it was in particular on the second and first floor + landings, on passing the closed doors of Donna Serafina and the Cardinal, + that Pierre quivered with apprehension at hearing nothing but the silence + of the grave. And as he followed Victorine, who, lamp in hand, was still + descending, he thought of the brother and sister who were left alone in + the ruined palace, last relics of a world which had half passed away. All + hope of life had departed with Benedetta and Dario, no resurrection could + come from that old maid and that priest who was bound to chastity. Ah! + those interminable and lugubrious passages, that frigid and gigantic + staircase which seemed to descend into nihility, those huge halls with + cracking walls where all was wretchedness and abandonment! And that inner + court, looking like a cemetery with its weeds and its damp porticus, where + remnants of Apollos and Venuses were rotting! And the little deserted + garden, fragrant with ripe oranges, whither nobody now would ever stray, + where none would ever meet that adorable Contessina under the laurels near + the sarcophagus! All was now annihilated in abominable mourning, in a + death-like silence, amidst which the two last Boccaneras must wait, in + savage grandeur, till their palace should fall about their heads. Pierre + could only just detect a faint sound, the gnawing of a mouse perhaps, + unless it were caused by Abbe Paparelli attacking the walls of some + out-of-the-way rooms, preying on the old edifice down below, so as to + hasten its fall. + </p> + <p> + The cab stood at the door, already laden with the luggage, the box beside + the driver, the valise on the seat; and the priest at once got in. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! You have plenty of time,” said Victorine, who had remained on the + foot-pavement. “Nothing has been forgotten. I’m glad to see you go off + comfortably.” + </p> + <p> + And indeed at that last moment Pierre was comforted by the presence of + that worthy woman, his compatriot, who had greeted him on his arrival and + now attended his departure. “I won’t say ‘till we meet again,’ Monsieur + l’Abbe,” she exclaimed, “for I don’t fancy that you’ll soon be back in + this horrid city. Good-bye, Monsieur l’Abbe.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, Victorine, and thank you with all my heart.” + </p> + <p> + The cab was already going off at a fast trot, turning into the narrow + sinuous street which leads to the Corso Vittoria Emanuele. It was not + raining and so the hood had not been raised, but although the damp + atmosphere was comparatively mild, Pierre at once felt a chill. However, + he was unwilling to stop the driver, a silent fellow whose only desire + seemingly was to get rid of his fare as soon as possible. When the cab + came out into the Corso Vittoria Emanuele, the young man was astonished to + find it already quite deserted, the houses shut, the footways bare, and + the electric lamps burning all alone in melancholy solitude. In truth, + however, the temperature was far from warm and the fog seemed to be + increasing, hiding the house-fronts more and more. When Pierre passed the + Cancelleria, that stern colossal pile seemed to him to be receding, fading + away; and farther on, upon the right, at the end of the Via di Ara Coeli, + starred by a few smoky gas lamps, the Capitol had quite vanished in the + gloom. Then the thoroughfare narrowed, and the cab went on between the + dark heavy masses of the Gesu and the Altieri palace; and there in that + contracted passage, where even on fine sunny days one found all the + dampness of old times, the quivering priest yielded to a fresh train of + thought. It was an idea which had sometimes made him feel anxious, the + idea that mankind, starting from over yonder in Asia, had always marched + onward with the sun. An east wind had always carried the human seed for + future harvest towards the west. And for a long while now the cradle of + humanity had been stricken with destruction and death, as if indeed the + nations could only advance by stages, leaving exhausted soil, ruined + cities, and degenerate populations behind, as they marched from orient to + occident, towards their unknown goal. Nineveh and Babylon on the banks of + the Euphrates, Thebes and Memphis on the banks of the Nile, had been + reduced to dust, sinking from old age and weariness into a deadly numbness + beyond possibility of awakening. Then decrepitude had spread to the shores + of the great Mediterranean lake, burying both Tyre and Sidon with dust, + and afterwards striking Carthage with senility whilst it yet seemed in + full splendour. In this wise as mankind marched on, carried by the hidden + forces of civilisation from east to west, it marked each day’s journey + with ruins; and how frightful was the sterility nowadays displayed by the + cradle of History, that Asia and that Egypt, which had once more lapsed + into childhood, immobilised in ignorance and degeneracy amidst the ruins + of ancient cities that once had been queens of the world! + </p> + <p> + It was thus Pierre reflected as the cab rolled on. Still he was not + unconscious of his surroundings. As he passed the Palazzo di Venezia it + seemed to him to be crumbling beneath some assault of the invisible, for + the mist had already swept away its battlements, and the lofty, bare, + fearsome walls looked as if they were staggering from the onslaught of the + growing darkness. And after passing the deep gap of the Corso, which was + also deserted amidst the pallid radiance of its electric lights, the + Palazzo Torlonia appeared on the right-hand, with one wing ripped open by + the picks of demolishers, whilst on the left, farther up, the Palazzo + Colonna showed its long, mournful facade and closed windows, as if, now + that it was deserted by its masters and void of its ancient pomp, it + awaited the demolishers in its turn. + </p> + <p> + Then, as the cab at a slower pace began to climb the ascent of the Via + Nazionale, Pierre’s reverie continued. Was not Rome also stricken, had not + the hour come for her to disappear amidst that destruction which the + nations on the march invariably left behind them? Greece, Athens, and + Sparta slumbered beneath their glorious memories, and were of no account + in the world of to-day. Moreover, the growing paralysis had already + invaded the lower portion of the Italic peninsula; and after Naples + certainly came the turn of Rome. She was on the very margin of the death + spot which ever extends over the old continent, that margin where agony + begins, where the impoverished soil will no longer nourish and support + cities, where men themselves seem stricken with old age as soon as they + are born. For two centuries Rome had been declining, withdrawing little by + little from modern life, having neither manufactures nor trade, and being + incapable even of science, literature, or art. And in Pierre’s thoughts it + was no longer St. Peter’s only that fell, but all Rome—basilicas, + palaces, and entire districts—which collapsed amidst a supreme + rending, and covered the seven hills with a chaos of ruins. Like Nineveh + and Babylon, and like Thebes and Memphis, Rome became but a plain, bossy + with remnants, amidst which one vainly sought to identify the sites of + ancient edifices, whilst its sole denizens were coiling serpents and bands + of rats. + </p> + <p> + The cab turned, and on the right, in a huge gap of darkness Pierre + recognised Trajan’s column, but it was no longer gilded by the sun as when + he had first seen it; it now rose up blackly like the dead trunk of a + giant tree whose branches have fallen from old age. And farther on, when + he raised his eyes while crossing the little triangular piazza, and + perceived a real tree against the leaden sky, that parasol pine of the + Villa Aldobrandini which rises there like a symbol of Rome’s grace and + pride, it seemed to him but a smear, a little cloud of soot ascending from + the downfall of the whole city. + </p> + <p> + With the anxious, fraternal turn of his feelings, fear was coming over him + as he reached the end of his tragic dream. When the numbness which spreads + across the aged world should have passed Rome, when Lombardy should have + yielded to it, and Genoa, Turin, and Milan should have fallen asleep as + Venice has fallen already, then would come the turn of France. The Alps + would be crossed, Marseilles, like Tyre and Sidon, would see its port + choked up by sand, Lyons would sink into desolation and slumber, and at + last Paris, invaded by the invincible torpor, and transformed into a + sterile waste of stones bristling with nettles, would join Rome and + Nineveh and Babylon in death, whilst the nations continued their march + from orient to occident following the sun. A great cry sped through the + gloom, the death cry of the Latin races! History, which seemed to have + been born in the basin of the Mediterranean, was being transported + elsewhere, and the ocean had now become the centre of the world. How many + hours of the human day had gone by? Had mankind, starting from its cradle + over yonder at daybreak, strewing its road with ruins from stage to stage, + now accomplished one-half of its day and reached the dazzling hour of + noon? If so, then the other half of the day allotted to it was beginning, + the new world was following the old one, the new world of those American + cities where democracy was forming and the religion of to-morrow was + sprouting, those sovereign queens of the coming century, with yonder, + across another ocean, on the other side of the globe, that motionless Far + East, mysterious China and Japan, and all the threatening swarm of the + yellow races. + </p> + <p> + However, while the cab climbed higher and higher up the Via Nazionale, + Pierre felt his nightmare dissipating. There was here a lighter + atmosphere, and he came back into a renewal of hope and courage. Yet the + Banca d’Italia, with its brand-new ugliness, its chalky hugeness, looked + to him like a phantom in a shroud; whilst above a dim expanse of gardens + the Quirinal formed but a black streak barring the heavens. However, the + street ever ascended and broadened, and on the summit of the Viminal, on + the Piazza delle Terme, when he passed the ruins of Diocletian’s baths, he + could breathe as his lungs listed. No, no, the human day could not finish, + it was eternal, and the stages of civilisation would follow and follow + without end! What mattered that eastern wind which carried the nations + towards the west, as if borne on by the power of the sun! If necessary, + they would return across the other side of the globe, they would again and + again make the circuit of the earth, until the day should come when they + could establish themselves in peace, truth, and justice. After the next + civilisation on the shores of the Atlantic, which would become the world’s + centre, skirted by queenly cities, there would spring up yet another + civilisation, having the Pacific for its centre, with seaport capitals + that could not be yet foreseen, whose germs yet slumbered on unknown + shores. And in like way there would be still other civilisations and still + others! And at that last moment, the inspiriting thought came to Pierre + that the great movement of the nations was the instinct, the need which + impelled them to return to unity. Originating in one sole family, + afterwards parted and dispersed in tribes, thrown into collision by + fratricidal hatred, their tendency was none the less to become one sole + family again. The provinces united in nations, the nations would unite in + races, and the races would end by uniting in one immortal mankind—mankind + at last without frontiers, or possibility of wars, mankind living by just + labour amidst an universal commonwealth. Was not this indeed the + evolution, the object of the labour progressing everywhere, the finish + reserved to History? Might Italy then become a strong and healthy nation, + might concord be established between her and France, and might that + fraternity of the Latin races become the beginning of universal + fraternity! Ah! that one fatherland, the whole earth pacified and happy, + in how many centuries would that come—and what a dream! + </p> + <p> + Then, on reaching the station the scramble prevented Pierre from thinking + any further. He had to take his ticket and register his luggage, and + afterwards he at once climbed into the train. At dawn on the next day but + one, he would be back in Paris. + </p> + <p> + END + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROME ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ +concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, +and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following +the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use +of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for +copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very +easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation +of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project +Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may +do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected +by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark +license, especially commercial redistribution. +</div> + +<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> +<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full +Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at +www.gutenberg.org/license. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or +destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your +possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a +Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound +by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person +or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this +agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ +electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the +Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection +of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual +works in the collection are in the public domain in the United +States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the +United States and you are located in the United States, we do not +claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, +displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as +all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope +that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting +free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ +works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the +Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily +comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the +same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when +you share it without charge with others. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are +in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, +check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this +agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, +distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any +other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no +representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any +country other than the United States. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other +immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear +prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work +on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, +performed, viewed, copied or distributed: +</div> + +<blockquote> + <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> + This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most + other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions + whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms + of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online + at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you + are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws + of the country where you are located before using this eBook. + </div> +</blockquote> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is +derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not +contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the +copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in +the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are +redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply +either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or +obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ +trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any +additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms +will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works +posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the +beginning of this work. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg™ License. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including +any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access +to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format +other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official +version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website +(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense +to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means +of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain +Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the +full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +provided that: +</div> + +<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed + to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has + agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project + Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid + within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are + legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty + payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project + Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in + Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg + Literary Archive Foundation.” + </div> + + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ + License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all + copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue + all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ + works. + </div> + + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of + any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of + receipt of the work. + </div> + + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. + </div> +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project +Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than +are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing +from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of +the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set +forth in Section 3 below. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project +Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ +electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may +contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate +or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or +other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or +cannot be read by your equipment. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium +with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you +with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in +lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person +or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second +opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If +the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing +without further opportunities to fix the problem. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO +OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of +damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement +violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the +agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or +limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or +unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the +remaining provisions. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in +accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the +production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ +electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, +including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of +the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this +or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or +additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any +Defect you cause. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of +computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It +exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations +from people in all walks of life. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future +generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see +Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by +U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, +Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up +to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website +and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread +public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND +DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state +visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To +donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project +Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be +freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and +distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of +volunteer support. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in +the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not +necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper +edition. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Most people start at our website which has the main PG search +facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +</div> + +</div> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/8726-h/images/cover.jpg b/8726-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..62843b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/8726-h/images/cover.jpg |
