The prince made an impatient deprecatory gesture with his hand. “Do you know,” said he, “that the International Agricultural Institute in Rome, the foundation of which was a great glory for King Victor Emanuel III, because it is intended for the service and advantage of all men, owes its origin to an American? The man’s name was Lubin. He made a trip to Europe on purpose to bring this idea of his to the sovereigns; with your king, whose mind is open to grand new ideas, he found appreciation and support.”
“I am glad Your Royal Highness has so good an opinion of my sovereign. I hope also that Italy under his scepter will continue to accumulate stores of glory. My country faces great tasks....”
“Undoubtedly,” interrupted Victor Adolph; “for example, the amelioration of poverty in Sicily, the drainage of all malaria-producing swamps, the diminution of the illiterate ... oh, great tasks are to be performed everywhere, not in Italy alone....”
“In America as well?” asked Rinotti ironically.
“Certainly, in America as well; and possibly the example will be given us from there.”
The prince stood up. Rinotti understood this to be a hint that the interview was at an end: he also arose and took a ceremonious farewell. The general accompanied him to the door and then returned to the prince.
“Desires to thank you again for your gracious reception.”
“The man is antipathetic to me,” replied the prince.
“He is false. Intriguer. Mind full of mischief. That is evident. Intends to play our ally nasty tricks; only waiting till he becomes Prime Minister. Then things will explode! Boundless ambition. Believes that with the Italian airships—and it is true they are swift—they can annihilate Austria’s fleet. But we are all ready for him.”
“You are always imagining wars and rumors of wars, my dear Orell, like the Old Men’s chorus in ‘Faust.’ But if that worthy statesman should really have such notions up his sleeve, he would run counter to his king’s desire for peace. And, moreover, the Italian people have some sense.”