"So does everybody. At least, everybody wants to photograph in colours: so they paint on the backs of the films; and they play the fool with triply-coloured negatives. Only one man in the world knows that the colour already is there--already is there, my boy--stored in the black white grey negative; and that the black white grey ordinary negative will give up its imprisoned colours to him who has the key.--Well now: take the second envelope. The key's there; and it's yours. (Don't stare like that!) There are three other things as well, which may be useful. (Don't say a word!) Read all those papers until you understand them. They're quite simple. Then practise. When you can do the trick, you will want a little help to do it greatly, to make it useful. (Get off the floor!) Then take the third envelope to Plowden--it's mentioned in the first,--and he will give you two thousand sterling. (Don't touch that foot!) That will be enough if you are industrious. Now you are trusted, Iulo mio. Be good always; and be kind to everybody. No don't move. We are going into the gardens with Flavio. You stay here till you feel better.--Ptlee-bl ptlee-bl ptlee-bl," Hadrian mewed to His delighted and excited and persequent cat. CHAPTER XXIII It was the festival of St. George, Protector of the Ninefold Kingdom. Hadrian noted with pleasure that it was what the Italians call one of His 'fortunate days.' His head was clear, His limbs were supple, His body lithe: He felt young, exuberant, potent. His soul seemed balanced, elevated. His whole poise was one of gentle incisive simplicity. He had that upright rather dominant gait, by no means arrogant, which marks the happy able man. The Sacred College came early in the morning, directly after His mass, to congratulate Him on the anniversary of His pontificature; and Ragna took occasion to whisper that the Northern Emperor left Palazzo Caffarelli for the Quirinale at dawn. Everyone knew what that meant. When, later, Hadrian descended in state to the Sala Regia, He was on the alert. The introducer-of-sovereigns announced,--the Ninefold King,--the President of the United States of America,--the Northern Emperor,--the Japanese Emperor,--and a posse of subsidiary kings, princes, and sovereign-dukes, who came with the world's congratulations. The pontifical paraphernalia lay on the high red throne: but Hadrian stood at its foot to receive His guests. His garb was white, absolutely simple and fresh; and His pose was apostolic, frank and genial. These enormous potentates towered above Him in the splendour of their grandeur; and, as Cardinal Carvale, the fantastic dreamer, said to Cardinal Van Kristen, they radiated from Him as from a source of light.