I pay for the work I want done, and, in return for my liberality, I am treated with the most infamous indifference on all sides.

A stranger in the country, and badly acquainted with the language, I can do nothing to help myself.

The authorities, both at Rome and in this place, pretend to assist me, pretend to search and inquire as I would have them search and inquire, and do nothing more.

I am insulted, laughed at, almost to my face." "Do you not think it possible--mind, I have no wish to excuse the misconduct of the authorities, and do not share in any such opinion myself--but do you not think it likely that the police may doubt whether you are in earnest ?" "Not in earnest!" he cried, starting up and confronting me fiercely, with wild eyes and quickened breath.

"Not in earnest! _You_ think I'm not in earnest too.