You had better prepare an answer, for you can hardly inform Donna Tullia and her set that I have been calling them a parcel of--weak and ill-advised people.

They might take offence--they might even call me by bad names,--fancy how very terribly that would afflict me! Good night, Giovanni--my greetings to your father." The Cardinal nodded, but did not offer his hand.

He knew that Giovanni hated to kiss his ring, and he had too much tact to press the ceremonial etiquette upon any one whom he desired to influence.

But he nodded graciously, and receiving his cloak from the gentleman who accompanied him and who had waited at a respectful distance, the statesman passed out of the great doorway, where the double line of torch-bearers stood ready to accompany him down the grand staircase to his carriage, in accordance with the custom of those days..