"And upon what?" asked the abbé, sharply.
"Upon—well, upon whether her excellency is prepared to stand firm, and to take the possible consequences of her refusal. After all, she has the force of the law on her side—"
"And the force of public opinion on the other side," interrupted the abbé.
The mayor of Montefiano shrugged his shoulders. "Caro signore," he observed, "the sight of a few bayonets soon changes public opinion. I believe that the peasants will very quickly turn round and disown their own supporters, if they once realize that her excellency will not give way to their demands. In any case, you can rely upon my doing my duty in safeguarding the public order in this commune. Her excellency has only to request the aid of the authorities in the event of the contadini proceeding to any excesses, and a telegram to the military authorities at Civitacastellana will do the rest. In the space of three or four hours troops could be on the spot."
"Ah!" repeated the Abbé Roux, thoughtfully; "in the space of three or four hours, you say?"
"Sicuro! perhaps less. In my opinion there would be nothing to fear. The sight of the soldiers would soon reduce the peasants to reason."
The abbé looked at him quickly. "The princess has already decided to refuse to receive this deputation," he said. "She has written a very abrupt refusal. I have persuaded her to delay its despatch for a few hours. It appears, however, that there is no reason why it should not be sent to-morrow."
"It will increase the ill-feeling, no doubt," said the sindaco—"very seriously increase it, I fear. Still, if her excellency has the courage to stand firm, there can be but one issue. In the end the contadini will have to give way, and then they will infallibly turn against those who have encouraged them to create disturbances. It is always like that."
The Abbé Roux did not reply for a moment or two. Then he said, suddenly: "There is one thing I do not quite understand, Signor Ricci. Why does this deputation insist upon seeing Donna Bianca Acorari? The people must surely know that Donna Bianca, being a minor, has no voice in matters connected with the administration of her property. This insistence on speaking with her is scarcely respectful to the princess, who alone has any authority in the matter. As you were to be a member of the deputation, no doubt you can explain the meaning of this request to interview Donna Bianca?"
The sindaco hesitated. Then, having made up his mind to lie, he lied soundly but plausibly, as only an Italian official of the bureaucracy can lie.