CHAPTER XXVII. THE WITHDRAWAL
After the affair at the Baths of Caracalla, the position of Attilio andhis companions became very much compromised. The traitor had, indeed,paid for his infamy with his life; but | though the Government'smercenaries had had the worst of it, the police were now on the alert,and, if not quite certain, could make a shrewd guess as to who were theleaders of the conspiracy.
If, however, the friends of liberty from outside had been as ready asthe Romans, the conspirators might yet have had it all their own wayon the 15th of February, or, indeed, at any other time. But the"Moderates," always indissolubly bound to the chariots of selfishness,would not hear the words "To arms!" They preferred waiting, at whatevercost, until the manna of freedom fell from heaven into their mouths, orthe foreigner should come to their relief, and set their country free.
What cared they for national dignity, or the contemptuous smile of allother European nations at the open buying and selling of provinces!They were thinking first of gain and remunerative employment, and wereconsequently deaf to all generous propositions likely to set in risktheir Eldorado of profits, though they would, if successful, procurenational unity and prosperity by energetic action.
This middle-class cowardice is the cause of Italy's degradation at thepresent day, and were it not for that, the kissing of the slipper wouldbe an infamy of the past. It is the reason, too, why Italy's soil isso often vainly wet with the blood of her nobler, braver sons; and whythose who escape the sword wander in forests to avoid the vengeance ofthose robed hyenas; and why the poor remain in abject misery.
Such was the condition of Rome at the beginning of the year 1867. Shemight have been happy, regenerated, and powerful, crowned with gloriousliberty and independence, had not the foreigner come to the aid ofthe falsely-called "father of his people." Now she grovels in bondage,loaded with French chains.
One evening, early in March, Attilio, Muzio, and Silvio met at Manlio'shouse to discuss their future movements. They had remained in Rome inthe hope of achieving something, but the labyrinth was far too intricateto allow our youthful and inexperienced heroes to extricate themselves,and the Three Hundred to extricate themselves and their countrymen fromit.
"There is no use," spoke Attilio, bitterly, "in dedicating one's life tothe good of one's country in these days, when the 'Moderates,' check allour efforts, and basely reconcile themselves with the enemies of Italy._Ohime!_ How can Romans ever do so! How can they ever live in harmonywith those who have sold them and theirs so many times! who haveprecipitated us from the first rank among the nations to the lowest! whohave corrupted and polluted our city! who have tortured our fathers andviolated our virgins!"
In his wrath Attilio's voice had risen until he literally shouted.
Silvio, more composed, said, "Speak lower, brother, thou knowest how weare pursued; perchance there may even now be some accursed spy near.Be patient, and for the present let us leave Regola in charge of ouraffairs, and quit the city. In the country we have true and courageousfriends. Let us leave Rome until she is tired of being the laughingstock of these leeches, who live by imposture and tyranny. Let us go.Our generous countrymen will call us brigands, adventurers, as they didthe Thousand during the glorious expedition of Marsala, which astonishedthe world. What matters it to us? Now, as then, we will work and watchfor the liberty of this our unhappy country. When she is willing toemancipate herself, we will fly to her rescue."