Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/339

 ‘It was thought necessary thus to mark the adherence of the Church to the new régime in the education of girls.’

‘Very necessary,’ assented Madame Pisa-Vitri, with emphasis.

‘But you, madame, what a change in your attitude too!’ observed Lesbia. ‘Your impending ordination as a priestess, must have been a bitter leek for the papacy to eat.’

‘Well for them they had no bitterer,’ returned the Italian, with some sternness. ‘But let us not revive animosities: all that is past and gone. Moreover, they write to me that I am become very popular among the clergy at home and the seminarists, who are doing their two years’ military service in the uniform which I had the honour to design for them. It seems that they parade the streets shouting ‘''Evviva Beatrice! Beatrice ed il dietro di San Pietro!''’ And they have no idea of allowing the institution to drop. ‘They like it; the military duties are light, and it is two years’ refreshing holiday from the dull clerical career. And they make all the better clergy for having been men of the world for a space.’

‘What a droll creature you are, my dear countess! Excuse me, I can’t help laughing,’ said Lesbia, drawing her chair to the side of the other, and taking one of her hands, which was yielded readily enough.

‘Well, you in your way, my Lesbia—permit me to call you so—and I in mine, I think we have done our serious part,’ said Beatrice.

‘When will the return to Rome take place?’ Lesbia asked, after a pause.

‘As soon as this great ceremony is over, or rather after the Octave of the Immaculate Conception and the Definition,’ answered her friend. ‘You must bring the uncle of whom you say so much to visit me at this hotel; and afterwards I hope you will both be my guests in Rome. I will