"Bruno," said Rossi, lying with his head on his arm, "understand me once
for all. Donna Roma may have used my head as a study for Judas--I cannot
deny that since you say it is so--but if she had used it as a study for
Satan, I would believe in her the same as ever."
"You would?"
"Yes, by God! So now, like a good fellow, go away and leave her alone."
The streets were more than usually full of people when Rossi set out for
the reception. Thick groups were standing about the hoardings, reading a
yellow placard, which was still wet with the paste of the bill-sticker.
It was a proclamation, signed by the Minister of the Interior, and it
ran: "ROMANS,--It having come to the knowledge of the Government that a
set of misguided men, the enemies of the throne and of society,
known to be in league with the republican, atheist, and anarchist
associations of foreign countries, are inciting the people to
resist the just laws made by their duly elected Parliament, and
sanctioned by their King, thus trying to lead them into outbreaks
that would be unworthy of a cultivated and generous race, and
would disgrace us in the view of other nations--the Government
hereby give notice that they will not allow the laws to be
insulted with impunity, and therefore they warn the public against
the holding of all such mass meetings in public buildings,
squares, and streets, as may lead to the possibility of serious
disturbances."
XIII
The little Piazza of Trinità de' Monti was full of carriages, and Roma's
rooms were thronged. David Rossi entered with the calmness of a man who
is accustomed to personal observation, but Roma met him with an almost
extravagant salutation.
"Ah, you have come at last," she said in a voice that was intended to be
heard by all. And then, in a low tone, she added, "Stay near me, and
don't go until I say you may."
Her face had the expression that had puzzled him the day before, but
with the flushed cheeks, the firm mouth and the shining eyes, there was
now a strange look of excitement, almost of hysteria.
The company was divided into four main groups. The first of them
consisted of Roma's aunt, powdered and perfumed, propped up with
cushions on an invalid chair, and receiving the guests by the door, with
the Baron Bonelli, silent and dignified, but smiling his icy smile, by
her side. A second group consisted of Don Camillo and some ladies of
fashion, who stood by the window and made little half-smothered trills
of laughter. The third group included Lena and Olga, the journalists,
with Madame Sella, the modiste; and the fourth group was made up of the
English and American Ambassadors, Count Mario, and some other
diplomatists.