decide
in."

"Are you free next Saturday evening?"

"Let me see--to-day is Thursday; yes."

"Then come here. I will think the matter over and give you a final
answer."

*****

On the following Sunday Gemma sent in to the committee of the Florentine
branch of the Mazzinian party a statement that she wished to undertake a
special work of a political nature, which would for a few months prevent
her from performing the functions for which she had up till now been
responsible to the party.

Some surprise was felt at this announcement, but the committee raised no
objection; she had been known in the party for several years as a person
whose judgment might be trusted; and the members agreed that if Signora
Bolla took an unexpected step, she probably had good reasons for it.

To Martini she said frankly that she had undertaken to help the Gadfly
with some "frontier work." She had stipulated for the right to tell her
old friend this much, in order that there might be no misunderstanding
or painful sense of doubt and mystery between them. It seemed to her
that she owed him this proof of confidence. He made no comment when she
told him; but she saw, without knowing why, that the news had wounded
him deeply.

They were sitting on the terrace of her lodging, looking out over the
red roofs to Fiesole. After a long silence, Martini rose and began
tramping up and down with his hands in his pockets, whistling to
himself--a sure sign with him of mental agitation. She sat looking at
him for a little while.

"Cesare, you are worried about this affair," she said at last. "I am
very sorry you feel so despondent over it; but I could decide only as
seemed right to me."

"It is not the affair," he answered, sullenly; "I know nothing about
it, and it probably is all right, once you have consented to go into it.
It's the MAN I distrust."

"I think you misunderstand him; I did till I got to know him better. He
is far from perfect, but there is much more good in him than you think."

"Very likely." For a moment he tramped to and fro in silence, then
suddenly stopped beside her.

"Gemma, give it up! Give it up before it is too late! Don't let that man
drag you into things you will repent afterwards."

"Cesare," she said gently, "you are not thinking what you are saying.
No one is dragging me into anything. I have made this decision of my
own will, after thinking the matter well over alone. You have a personal
dislike to Rivar