"Anything in my power--"

"To present me to the Holy Father as one who desires to become his
faithful subject. Could you do so, do you think, without any great
inconvenience?"

"Eh! I shall be delighted! Magari!" answered the prince, heartily.
"To tell the truth, I was afraid you meant to keep your Italian
convictions, and that, in Rome, would be against you, especially
in these stormy days. But if you will join us heart and soul you
will be received with open arms. I shall take great pleasure in
seeing you make the acquaintance of my son and his wife. Come and
dine this evening."

"Thank you," said the Marchese. "I will not fail."

After a few more words San Giacinto took his leave, and the prince
could not but admire the way in which this man, who had been
brought up among peasants, or at best among the small farmers of
an outlying district, assumed at once an air of perfect equality
while allowing just so much of respect to appear in his manner as
might properly be shown by a younger member to the head of a great
house. When he was gone Saracinesca rang the bell.

"Pasquale," he said, addressing the old butler who answered the
summons, "that gentleman who is just gone is my cousin, Don
Giovanni Saracinesca, who is called Marchese di San Giacinto. He
will dine here this evening. You will call him Eccellenza, and
treat him as a member of the family. Go and ask the princess if
she will receive me."