"I do what I must, princess. It may seem impressive to others, but to me it's more as if I had been forced into each action by circumstances, regardless of my intentions."
"A fatalistic doctrine, Martinus. I could almost believe that you're a pagan. Not that I'd mind."
Padway laughed. "Hardly. I understand that you can still find pagans if you hunt around the Italian hills."
"No doubt. I should like to visit some of the little villages some day. With a good guide, of course."
"I ought to be a pretty good guide, after the amount of running around I've done in the last couple of months."
"Would you take me? Be careful; I'll hold you to it, you know."
"That doesn't worry me any, princess. But it would have to be some day. At the present rate, God knows when I'll get time for anything but war and politics, neither of which is my proper trade."
"What is, then?"
"I was a gatherer of facts; a kind of historian of periods that had no history. I suppose you could call me a historical philosopher."
"You're a fascinating person, Martinus. I can see why they call you Mysterious. But if you don't like war and politics, why do you engage in them?"