The evolution was certain; a man like Cardinal Boccanera may retain an uncompromising attitude, but a whole city, a nation can't.

The Pope alone will always say no and remain immutable.

But everything around him progresses and undergoes transformation, so that in spite of all resistance, Rome will become Italian in a few years' time.

Even now, whenever a prince has two sons only one of them remains on the side of the Vatican, the other goes over to the Quirinal.

People must live, you see; and the great families threatened with annihilation have not sufficient heroism to carry obstinacy to the point of suicide.