Nevertheless, the intention is good.

You can try it, and if you fall ill I will see that you have no difficulty in returning to your artist life." "I do not mean to give it up," replied Gouache, in a tone of conviction.
"And as for my health, I am as strong as any one." "Perhaps," said the Cardinal, doubtfully.

"And when are you going to join the corps ?" "In about an hour," said Gouache, quietly.
And he kept his word.

But he had told no one, save the Cardinal, of his intention; and for a day or two, though he passed many acquaintances in the street, no one recognised Anastase Gouache in the handsome young soldier with his grey Turco uniform, a red sash round his slender waist, and a small _kepi_ set jauntily upon one side.
It was one of the phenomena of those times.

Foreigners swarmed in Rome, and many of them joined the cosmopolitan corps--gentlemen, noblemen, artists, men of the learned professions, adventurers, duellists driven from their country in a temporary exile, enthusiasts, strolling Irishmen, men of all sorts and conditions.