e Tuscan custom
is to stick to the matter in hand. Grassini votes for petitions and
Galli against them. What do you think, Dr. Riccardo?"

"I see no harm in petitions, and if Grassini gets one up I'll sign it
with all the pleasure in life. But I don't think mere petitioning and
nothing else will accomplish much. Why can't we have both petitions and
pamphlets?"

"Simply because the pamphlets will put the government into a state of
mind in which it won't grant the petitions," said Grassini.

"It won't do that anyhow." The Neapolitan rose and came across to the
table. "Gentlemen, you're on the wrong tack. Conciliating the government
will do no good. What we must do is to rouse the people."

"That's easier said than done; how are you going to start?"

"Fancy asking Galli that! Of course he'd start by knocking the censor on
the head."

"No, indeed, I shouldn't," said Galli stoutly. "You always think if
a man comes from down south he must believe in no argument but cold
steel."

"Well, what do you propose, then? Sh! Attention, gentlemen! Galli has a
proposal to make."

The whole company, which had broken up into little knots of twos and
threes, carrying on separate discussions, collected round the table to
listen. Galli raised his hands in expostulation.

"No, gentlemen, it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion.
It appears to me that there is a great practical danger in all this
rejoicing over the new Pope. People seem to think that, because he has
struck out a new line and granted this amnesty, we have only to throw
ourselves--all of us, the whole of Italy--into his arms and he will
carry us to the promised land. Now, I am second to no one in admiration
of the Pope's behaviour; the amnesty was a splendid action."

"I am sure His Holiness ought to feel flattered----" Grassini began
contemptuously.

"There, Grassini, do let the man speak!" Riccardo interrupted in his
turn. "It's a most extraordinary thing that you two never can keep from
sparring like a cat and dog. Get on, Galli!"

"What I wanted to say is this," continued the Neapolitan. "The Holy
Father, undoubtedly, is acting with the best intentions; but how far he
will succeed in carrying his reforms is another question. Just now it's
smooth enough and, of course, the reactionists all over Italy will lie
quiet for a month or two till the excitement about the amnesty blows
over; but they are not likely to let the power be taken out of their
hands wi