Amaldi here interrupted quietly.
"Then, my dear Barti," he said, "I have only to thank you for all your trouble. I don't see that we need discuss the matter any further...."
"Pazienza.... Pazienza!..." murmured Barti. "On the contrary ... there are many things to consider...."
"I don't see...." Amaldi began rather vehemently.
"Prego ... but I see.... You must allow me," returned the other. "This is painful, I know ... for me as well as for you...." he added, with some feeling.
Amaldi said in a different tone, but without looking at him:
"Yes. I know it is. Forgive me. Go on."
Barti then said that it might be possible for the citizenship to be obtained without the disclosure of its object, though this would be extraordinarily difficult.
"In fact," he wound up, "I am afraid that in your case it would be practically impossible. The head of a noble Italian family does not apply for Swiss citizenship without some very unusual object, and in my opinion the authorities would be sure to demand for what object the Marchese Amaldi wished to become a Swiss."
Amaldi got to his feet this time.