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Of course, one must pray before dying; every Christian does that. There are even special prayers for a departing soul. He went into the alcove and knelt down before the crucifix. "Almighty and merciful God—-" he began aloud; and with that broke off and said no more. Indeed, the world was grown so dull that there was nothing left to pray for–or against. And then, what did Christ know about a trouble of this kind–Christ, who had never suffered it? He had only been betrayed, like Bolla; He had never been tricked into betraying.

The whole company, which had broken up into little knots of twos and threes, carrying on separate discussions, collected round the table to listen. Galli raised his hands in expostulation. "No, gentlemen, it is not a proposal; it is merely a suggestion. It appears to me that there is a great practical danger in all this rejoicing over the new Pope. People seem to think that, because he has struck out a new line and granted this amnesty, we have only to throw ourselves–all of us, the whole of Italy–into his arms and he will carry us to the promised land.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Arthur succeeded in keeping back a few coins. " "I’ve brought it. " The sailor handed him a pitcher, some hard biscuit, and a piece of salt pork. "Now mind, you must hide in this empty barrel, here, when the customs officers come to examine to-morrow morning. Keep as still as a mouse till we’re right out at sea. I’ll let you know when to come out. And won’t you just catch it when the captain sees you–that’s all! Got the drink safe? " The hatchway closed, and Arthur, setting the precious "drink" in a safe place, climbed on to an oil barrel to eat his pork and biscuit.