"You are an admirer of nobility, and a devotee of aristocracy," added Andrea Barrofaldi, in pursuit of the subject then in hand; "if the truth were known, a scion of some Noble house yourself, Signor?" "I?--Peste!--I hate an aristocrat, Signor Vice-governatore, as I do the devil!" This was said just after the freest draught the stranger had taken, and with an unguarded warmth that he himself immediately regretted. "This is extraordinary, in an Inglese! Ah--I see how it is--you are in the _opposizione_, and find it necessary to say this. It is most extraordinary, good Vito Viti, that these Inglese are divided into two political _castes_, that contradict each other in everything. If one maintains that an object is white, the other side swears it is black; and so _vice versâ_. Both parties profess to love their country better than anything else; but the one that is out of power abuses even power itself, until it falls into its own hands." "This is so much like Giorgio Grondi's course toward me, Signore, that I could almost swear he was one of these very opposizione! I never approve of a thing that he does not condemn, or condemn that he does not approve. Do you confess this much, Signor Capitano?" "Il vice-governatore knows us better than we know ourselves, I fear. There is too much truth in his account of our politics; but, Signori," rising from his chair, "I now crave your permission to look at your town, and to return to my vessel. The darkness has come, and discipline must be observed." As Andrea Barrofaldi had pretty well exhausted his stores of knowledge, no opposition was made; and, returning his thanks, the stranger took his departure, leaving the two functionaries to discuss his appearance and character over the remainder of the flask. CHAPTER III. "There's Jonathan, that lucky lad, Who knows it from the root, sir;-- He sucks in all that's to be had, And always trades for boot, sir." 14,763D VERSE OF YANKEE DOODLE. Il Capitano Smeet' was not sorry to get out of the government house--palazzo, as some of the simple people of Elba called the unambitious dwelling. He had been well badgered by the persevering erudition of the vice-governatore; and, stored as he was with nautical anecdotes and a tolerable personal acquaintance with sundry seaports, for any expected occasion of this sort, he had never anticipated a conversation which would aspire as high as the institutions, religion, and laws of his adopted country. Had the worthy Andrea heard the numberless maledictions that the stranger muttered between his teeth, as he left the house, it would have shocked all his sensibilities, if it did not revive his suspicions.