The little nest of talkers at Gouache's studio in the Via San Basilio was soon discovered, and proved to be harmless enough.

Del Ferice was then allowed to go on his way unobserved.

But the half-dozen words in which Saracinesca had described Ugo's scheme for hindering Giovanni's marriage had set the Cardinal thinking, and the Cardinal seldom wasted time in thinking in vain.

His interview with Saracinesca ended very soon, and the Prince and the statesman entered the crowded drawing-room and mixed in the throng.

It was long before they met again in private.
The Cardinal on the following day gave orders that Del Ferice's letters were to be stopped--by no means an uncommon proceeding in those times, nor so rare in our own day as is supposed.