'I suppose you would send him home?'
The Ambassador nodded.
'Tenants, turnips, and Petty Sessions! Persian's pleasanter—but those would serve.'
He paused a moment, then said seriously, under the cover of a loud buzz of talk, 'He's wasting his time, dear lady—there's no doubt of that.'
Lucy still looked down, but her attitude changed imperceptibly. 'The subject interests her!' thought the old man. 'It's a thousand pities,' he resumed, with the caution, masked by the ease, of the diplomat, 'he came out here in a fit of pique. He saw false—and as far as I can hear, the book's a mistake. Yet it was not a bad subject. Italy is just now an object lesson and a warning. But our friend there could not have taken it more perversely. He has chosen to attack not the violence of the Church—but the weakness of the State. And meanwhile—if I may be allowed to say so—his own position is something of an offence. Religion is too big a pawn for any man's personal game. Don't you agree? Often I feel inclined to apply to him the saying about Benjamin Constant and liberty—"Grand homme devant la religion—s'il y croyait!" I compare with him a poor old persecuted priest I know—Manisty knows too.—Ah! well, I hear the book is very brilliant—and venomous to a degree. It will be read of course. He has the power to be read. But it is a blunder—if not a crime. And meanwhile he is throwing away all his chances. I knew his father. I don't like to see him beating the air. If you have any influence with him'—the old man smiled—'send him home! Or Mrs. Burgoyne there. He used to listen to her.'
A great pang gripped Lucy's heart.
'I should think he always took his own way,' she said, with difficulty.
'Mr. Neal sometimes advises him.'
The Ambassador's shrewd glance rested upon her for a moment. Then without another word he turned away. 'Reggie!' he said, addressing young Brooklyn, 'you seem to be ill-treating Madame Variani. Must I interpose?'
Reggie and his companion, who were in a full tide of 'chaff' and laughter, turned towards him.
'Sir,' said Brooklyn, 'Madame Variani is attacking my best friend.'