The Turquoise Cup, and, The Desert | Page 7

days, Signore."
"Yes, your eminence," said Testolini, "but it will be in the afternoon."
"In ten days," said the cardinal, very quietly.
"Yes, your eminence," said Testolini.
"He looks like Napoleon," whispered the head clerk to his neighbor.
The cardinal went limping down the shop. He had almost reached the
door when he stopped and spoke to a little man who stood behind the
show-case in which are the enamels.
"Ah, Signore!" he exclaimed, "how come on the wife and baby? I
meant to see them this afternoon, but I was diverted. I wish you to
continue the same diet for them--take this"--and he fumbled in his
pocket, but drew a blank.
"Signor Testolini," he said to the master at his heels, "I find I have no
money. Kindly loan me fifty lire. Here," he said to the little man, and
he slipped the money into his hand, "plenty of milk for the child;" and
he went out of the shop.
"That was not like Napoleon," said the head clerk; and then he added,

"Occasionally one meets with a priest who rises superior to his
profession."
The little man behind the enamel counter said nothing, but he drew his
hand across his eyes.

III
The following day was a busy one for the cardinal. While Pietro was
shaving him he parcelled out the hours.
"What time is it, Pietro?" he asked.
"Three minutes past seven, your eminence."
"Good," said the cardinal; "at half-past I make my mass; at eight, I take
my coffee; from eight to ten, my poor--by the way, Pietro, is there any
money in the house?"
"Yes, your eminence," said Pietro; "there are eight hundred lire in your
desk."
"Take fifty of them to Signor Testolini, in the Piazza, with my thanks,"
said the cardinal, "and put the rest in my purse. Where was I, Pietro?"
"Your eminence had reached ten o'clock," replied Pietro.
"From ten to eleven," continued the cardinal, "audience for the laity;
from eleven to half-past, audience for the clergy; half-past eleven, my
egg and a salad. Keep all who look hungry, Pietro, and ask them to take
_déjeuner_ with me; at twelve, see the architect who is restoring the
altar-rail at St. Margaret's; take time to write to the Superior at St.
Lazzaro in reference to the proof-sheets of the 'Life of Eusebius'; from
one to three, my poor--we must get some more money, Pietro; from
three to four--"
"There, your eminence!" exclaimed Pietro, "I have cut you."
"Yes," said the cardinal; "I was about to mention it. Where was I?"
"Your eminence was at four o'clock," replied Pietro.
"Four o'clock already!" exclaimed the cardinal, "and nothing done;
from four to half-past four, interview with the treasurer of the diocese.
That's a bad half-hour, Pietro. At half-past four I wish the barca to be at
the landing. Have the men wear their least shabby liveries. I am to visit
the English yacht that lies over by St. Giorgio. You must dress me in
my best to-day."
"Alas, your eminence," said Pietro, "your best cassock is two years
old."

"How old is the one I wore yesterday?" asked the cardinal.
"Four years at least," said Pietro. "You have your ceremonial dress, but
nothing better for the street."
"I caught a glimpse of myself in one of Testolini's mirrors yesterday,"
said the cardinal, "and I thought I looked rather well."
"Your eminence," said Pietro, "you saw your face and not your coat."
"Pietro," said the cardinal, rising, "you should have turned your hand to
diplomacy; you would have gone far."
At half-past four o'clock the cardinal's barca drew up to the molo. The
oarsmen were dressed in black, save that their sashes and stockings
were scarlet. The bowman landed. It was as though a footman came off
the box of a brougham and waited on the curb. While the figures on the
clock-tower were still striking the half-hour, the cardinal came limping
across the Piazza. The gondoliers at the molo took off their hats and
drew up in two lines. The cardinal passed between them, looking each
man in the face. He beckoned to one, who left the ranks and came up to
him, awkward and sheepish.
"Emilio," said the cardinal, "I have arranged your matter. You are to
pay four lire a week, and are to keep out of the wine-shops. Mind, now,
no drinking." To another he said, "I have looked into your case, Marco.
You are perfectly right. I have employed counsel for you. Attend to
your business and forget your trouble. It is my trouble, now." To a man
to whom he beckoned next he spoke differently. "How dare you send
me such a petition?" he exclaimed. "It was false from beginning to end.
You never served in the legion. The woman