t I think Protestants are generally
intolerant when they talk about priests."

"I dare say. Anyhow, we have so often quarreled over this subject
that it is not worth while to begin again. What did you think of the
lecture?"

"I liked it very much--especially the last part. I was glad he spoke so
strongly about the need of living the Republic, not dreaming of it. It
is as Christ said: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.'"

"It was just that part that I didn't like. He talked so much of the
wonderful things we ought to think and feel and be, but he never told us
practically what we ought to do."

"When the time of crisis comes there will be plenty for us to do; but we
must be patient; these great changes are not made in a day."

"The longer a thing is to take doing, the more reason to begin at once.
You talk about being fit for freedom--did you ever know anyone so fit
for it as your mother? Wasn't she the most perfectly angelic woman you
ever saw? And what use was all her goodness? She was a slave till the
day she died--bullied and worried and insulted by your brother James and
his wife. It would have been much better for her if she had not been so
sweet and patient; they would never have treated her so. That's just the
way with Italy; it's not patience that's wanted--it's for somebody to
get up and defend themselves------"

"Jim, dear, if anger and passion could have saved Italy she would have
been free long ago; it is not hatred that she needs, it is love."

As he said the word a sudden flush went up to his forehead and died out
again. Gemma did not see it; she was looking straight before her with
knitted brows and set mouth.

"You think I am wrong, Arthur," she said after a pause; "but I am right,
and you will grow to see it some day. This is the house. Will you come
in?"

"No; it's late. Good-night, dear!"

He was standing on the doorstep, clasping her hand in both of his.

"For God and the people----"

Slowly and gravely she completed the unfinished motto:

"Now and forever."

Then she pulled away her hand and ran into the house. When the door had
closed behind her he stooped and picked up the spray of cypress which
had fallen from her breast.

CHAPTER IV.

ARTHUR went back to his lodgings feeling as though he had wings. He was
absolutely, cloudlessly happy. At the meeting there had been hints of
preparations for armed insurrection; and now Gemma was a comrade, and he
loved her. They could