CHAPTER VIII.
AN UNWELCOME VISITOR.
One day, when Blanka announced her intention of visiting the Colosseum for the purpose of sketching it, Gabriel Zimandy declared that he could not be one of the party, and the two ladies must get along without his escort.

He said he was going to the Lateran, in his client's interest, and added that he had just received unwelcome news from Manasseh.
"Then you have told him what brought us to Rome," said the princess.
"Are you angry with me for doing so ?" asked the advocate.
"No, no; you were quite right.

What word does he send you ?" "I'll read you what he says--if I can; he writes an abominable hand.
'While you are seeing the sights of Rome with the ladies,' he begins, 'important events are taking place elsewhere.

General Durando has had a taste of the Austrians at Ferrara, and found them hard nuts to crack.

In his wrath he now proclaims a crusade against them, fastens red crosses on his soldiers' breasts, and is pushing forward to cross the Po.