"Such a scene as we have witnessed to-day," he wrote, "like all such
scenes throughout the world, whether in Germany, Russia, and England, or
in China, Persia, and the darkest regions of Africa, is but proof of the
melancholy fact that while man, as the individual, has been nineteen
hundred years converted to Christianity, man, as the nation, remains to
this day for the most part utterly pagan."
The assistant editor, who had glanced over the pages of manuscript as
Rossi threw them aside, looked up at last and said:
"Are you sure, sir, that you wish to print this article?"
"Quite sure."
The man made a shrug of his shoulders, and took the copy upstairs.
The short day had closed in when Rossi was returning home. Screamers in
the streets were crying early editions of the evening papers, and the
cafés in the Corso were full of officers and civilians, sipping vermouth
and reading glowing accounts of the King's enthusiastic reception.
Pitiful! Most pitiful! And the man who dared to tell the truth must be
prepared for any consequences.
David Rossi told himself that he was prepared. Henceforth he would
devote himself to the people, without a thought of what might happen.
Nothing should come between him and his work--nothing whatever--not
even ... but, no, he could not think of it!
VI
Two letters were awaiting David Rossi in his rooms at home.
One was a circular from the President of the Chamber of Deputies
summoning Parliament for the day after to-morrow to elect officials and
reply to the speech of the King.
The other was from Roma, and the address was in a large, hurried hand.
David Rossi broke the seal with nervous fingers.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,--I know! I know! I know now what the obstacle is.
B. gave me the hint of it on one of the days of last week, when I
was so anxious to see you and you did not come. It is your
unflinching devotion to your mission and to your public duties.
You are one of those who think that when a man has dedicated his
life to work for the world, he should give up everything
else--father, mother, wife, child--and live like a priest, who puts
away home, and love, and kindred, that others may have them more
abundantly. I can understand that, and see a sort of nobility in
it too, especially in days when the career of a statesman is only
a path to vainglory of every kind. It is great, it is glorious, it
thrills me to think of it.