The other one, the young Frenchman, would perhaps not even notice the incident.

Besides, that mattered little, for he would not even attempt to explain his action.

And he felt quite calm again when the idea occurred to him to throw the basket away while the carriage passed through the Porta Furba, a couple of miles or so before reaching Rome.

That would suit him exactly; in the darkness of the gateway nothing whatever would be seen.
"We stopped too long at that _osteria_," he suddenly exclaimed aloud, turning towards Pierre.

"We sha'n't reach Rome much before six o'clock.
Still you will have time to dress and join your friend." And then without awaiting the young man's reply he said to Santobono: "Your figs will arrive very late, Abbe." "Oh!" answered the priest, "his Eminence receives until eight o'clock.
And, besides, the figs are not for this evening.