(Click-click-click) "There, Holiness, we come to the ground of high politics." (Click-click-click-click) "One must walk very warily."
"Yes," Hadrian mewed: "until Italy and Germany have made up their minds."
The ambassador bowed.
"Please leave the bagatelle-balls, Excellency; and accept Our thanks for your very agreeable conversation," said the Pope.
In giving an account of this interview to the king, the ambassador concluded "and, Sire, His Holiness spoke like an Englishman."
"Oh did He," said Victor Emanuel. "In what way?"
"Majesty, he was profound and limpid, He was large and particular, He was bold and careful."
"Basta! Go again as often as you please; and let me hear more of this Englishman."
"With the favour of Your Majesty."