III
The Palazzo Braschi is a triangular palace, whereof one front faces to
the Piazza Navona and the two other fronts to side streets. It is the
official palace of the Minister of the Interior, usually the President
of the Council and Prime Minister of Italy.
Roma arrived at eleven o'clock, and was taken to the Minister's room
immediately, by way of an outer chamber, in which colleagues and
secretaries were waiting their turn for an interview. The Baron was
seated at a table covered with books and papers. There was a fur rug
across his knees, and at his right hand lay a small ivory-handled
revolver. He rose as Roma entered, and received her with his great but
glacial politeness.
"How prompt! And how sweet you look to-day, my child! On a cheerless
morning like this you bring the sun itself into a poor Minister's gloomy
cabinet. Sit down."
"You wished to see me?" said Roma.
The Baron rested his elbow on the table, leaned his head on his hand,
looked at her with his never-varying smile, and said:
"I hear you are to be congratulated, my dear."
She changed colour slightly.
"Are you surprised that I know?" he asked.
"Why should I be surprised?" she answered. "You know everything.
Besides, this is published at the Capitol, and therefore common
knowledge."
His smiling face remained perfectly impassive.
"Now I understand what you meant on Sunday. It is a fact that a wife
cannot be called as a witness against her husband."
She knew he was watching her face as if looking into the inmost recesses
of her soul.
"But isn't it a little courageous of you to think of marriage?"
"Why courageous?" she asked, but her eyes fell and the colour mounted to
her cheek.
"Why courageous?" he repeated.
He allowed a short time to elapse, and then he said in a a low tone,
"Considering the past, and all that has happened...."
Her eyelids trembled and she rose to her feet.
"If this is all you wish to say to me...."
"No, no! Sit down, my child. I sent for you in order to show you that
the marriage you contemplate may be difficult, perhaps impossible."
"I am of age--there can be no impediment."
"There may be the greatest of all impediments, my dear."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean ... But wait! You are not in a hurry? A number of gentlemen are
waiting to see me, and if you will permit me to ring for my
secretary.... Don't move. Colleagues merely! They will not object to
your presence. My ward, you know--almost a member of my own household.
Ah, here is the secretary. Who now?"