"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.




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