The Gadfly | Page 7

that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.'"
Montanelli leaned his arm against a branch, and shaded his eyes with
one hand.
"Sit down a moment, my son," he said at last.
Arthur sat down, and the Padre took both his hands in a strong and
steady clasp.
"I cannot argue with you to-night," he said; "this has come upon me so
suddenly--I had not thought--I must have time to think it over. Later on
we will talk more definitely. But, for just now, I want you to remember
one thing. If you get into trouble over this, if you--die, you will break
my heart."
"Padre----"
"No; let me finish what I have to say. I told you once that I have no one
in the world but you. I think you do not fully understand what that
means. It is difficult when one is so young; at your age I should not
have understood. Arthur, you are as my--as my--own son to me. Do
you see? You are the light of my eyes and the desire of my heart. I
would die to keep you from making a false step and ruining your life.

But there is nothing I can do. I don't ask you to make any promises to
me; I only ask you to remember this, and to be careful. Think well
before you take an irrevocable step, for my sake, if not for the sake of
your mother in heaven."
"I will think--and--Padre, pray for me, and for Italy."
He knelt down in silence, and in silence Montanelli laid his hand on the
bent head. A moment later Arthur rose, kissed the hand, and went
softly away across the dewy grass. Montanelli sat alone under the
magnolia tree, looking straight before him into the blackness.
"It is the vengeance of God that has fallen upon me," he thought, "as it
fell upon David. I, that have defiled His sanctuary, and taken the Body
of the Lord into polluted hands,--He has been very patient with me, and
now it is come. 'For thou didst it secretly, but I will do this thing before
all Israel, and before the sun; THE CHILD THAT IS BORN UNTO
THEE SHALL SURELY DIE.'"

CHAPTER II
.
MR. JAMES BURTON did not at all like the idea of his young
step-brother "careering about Switzerland" with Montanelli. But
positively to forbid a harmless botanizing tour with an elderly professor
of theology would seem to Arthur, who knew nothing of the reason for
the prohibition, absurdly tyrannical. He would immediately attribute it
to religious or racial prejudice; and the Burtons prided themselves on
their enlightened tolerance. The whole family had been staunch
Protestants and Conservatives ever since Burton & Sons, ship-owners,
of London and Leghorn, had first set up in business, more than a
century back. But they held that English gentlemen must deal fairly,
even with Papists; and when the head of the house, finding it dull to
remain a widower, had married the pretty Catholic governess of his
younger children, the two elder sons, James and Thomas, much as they
resented the presence of a step-mother hardly older than themselves,
had submitted with sulky resignation to the will of Providence. Since
the father's death the eldest brother's marriage had further complicated
an already difficult position; but both brothers had honestly tried to
protect Gladys, as long as she lived, from Julia's merciless tongue, and

to do their duty, as they understood it, by Arthur. They did not even
pretend to like the lad, and their generosity towards him showed itself
chiefly in providing him with lavish supplies of pocket money and
allowing him to go his own way.
In answer to his letter, accordingly, Arthur received a cheque to cover
his expenses and a cold permission to do as he pleased about his
holidays. He expended half his spare cash on botanical books and
pressing-cases, and started off with the Padre for his first Alpine
ramble.
Montanelli was in lighter spirits than Arthur had seen him in for a long
while. After the first shock of the conversation in the garden he had
gradually recovered his mental balance, and now looked upon the case
more calmly. Arthur was very young and inexperienced; his decision
could hardly be, as yet, irrevocable. Surely there was still time to win
him back by gentle persuasion and reasoning from the dangerous path
upon which he had barely entered.
They had intended to stay a few days at Geneva; but at the first sight of
the glaring white streets and dusty, tourist-crammed promenades, a
little frown appeared on Arthur's face. Montanelli watched him with
quiet amusement.
"You don't like it, carino?"
"I hardly know. It's so different from what I expected. Yes, the lake is
beautiful,