“That’s what I expected to find—that the caprice was over. She has passed through so many madnesses.” “Give her time—give her time,” replied Madame Grandoni. “Time to drag my name into an assize-court? Those people are robbers, incendiaries, murderers!” “You can say nothing to me about them that I haven’t said to her.” “And how does she defend herself?” “Defend herself? Did you ever hear Christina do that?” the old woman asked. “The only thing she says to me is: ‘Don’t be afraid; I promise you by all that’s sacred you personally shan’t suffer.’ She speaks as if she had it all in her hands. That’s very well. No doubt I’m a selfish old pig, but after all one has a heart for others.” “And so have I, I think I may pretend,” said the Prince. “You tell me to give her time, and it’s certain she’ll take it whether I give it or no. But I can at least stop giving her money. By heaven it’s my duty as an honest man.” “She tells me that as it is you don’t give her much.” “Much, dear lady? It depends on what you call so. It’s enough to make all these scoundrels flock round her.” “They’re not all scoundrels any more than she’s all one. That’s the tiresome part of it!” she wearily sighed. “But this fellow, the chemist—to-night—what do you call _him_?” “She has spoken to me of him as a fine young man.” “But she thinks it fine to blow us all up,” the Prince returned. “Doesn’t _he_ take her money?” “I don’t know what he takes. But there are some things—heaven forbid one should forget them! The misery of London’s fearful.” “_Che vuole?_ There’s misery everywhere,” our personage opined. “It’s the will of God. _Ci vuol pazienza!_ And in this country does no one give alms?” “Every one, I believe. But it appears that that’s not enough.” He said nothing for a moment; this statement of Madame Grandoni’s seemed to present difficulties. The solution, however, soon suggested itself; it was expressed in the inquiry: “What will you have in a country that hasn’t the true faith?” “Ah the true faith’s a great thing, but there’s suffering even in countries that have it.” “_Evidentemente._ But it helps suffering to be borne and, later, makes it up; whereas here——!” said the visitor with a sad if inconclusive smile. “If I may speak of myself it’s to me, in my circumstances, a support.” “That’s good,” she returned a little curtly. He stood before her, resting his eyes for a moment on the floor. “And the famous Cholto—Godfrey Gerald—does he come no more?” “I haven’t seen him for months. I know nothing about him.” “He doesn’t like the chemists and the bookbinders, eh?” asked the Prince. “Ah it was he who first brought them—to gratify your wife.” “If they’ve turned him out then that’s very well. Now if only some one could turn _them_ out!” “_Aspetta, aspetta!_” said the old woman.