"Called in haste, not only to organise our Italian people for the
new crusade, but to compose by a general principle the many groups
of Frenchmen who, under different names, have the same
aspirations--Marxists, Possibilists, Boulangists, Guesdists, and
Central Revolutionists, with their varying propaganda, co-operative,
trade-unionist, anti-semite, national, and I know not what--I had
almost despaired of any union of interests so pitifully subdivided
when the news of Bruno's death came like a trumpet-blast, and the
walls of the social Jericho fell before it. Everybody feels that
the moment of action has arrived, and what I thought would be an
Italian movement is likely to become an international one. A great
outrage on the spirit of Justice breaks down all barriers of race
and nationality.
"God guide us now. What did our Master say? 'The dagger of the
conspirator is never so terrible as when sharpened on the
tombstone of a martyr.' With all the heat of my own blood I
tremble when I think what may be the effect of these tyrannies. Of
course the ruling classes at home will wash their hands of this
affair. When a Minister wants to play Macbeth he has no lack of
grooms to dabble with Duncan's blood. But the people will make no
nice distinctions. I wouldn't give two straws for the life of the
King when this crime has touched the conscience of the people. He
didn't do it? No, he does nothing, but he stands for all.
Anarchists did not invent regicide. It has been used in all ages
by people who think the spirit of Justice violated. And the names
of some who practised it are written on marble monuments in
letters of gold."
Roma began to tremble. Had the Pope been right after all? Was it really
revolution and regicide which Rossi contemplated?
"Dearest, don't think that because I am so moved by all this that
other and dearer things are not with me always. Never a day or an
hour passes but my heart speaks to you as if you could answer. I
have been anxious at not hearing from you for ten days, although I
left my Paris address in London for your letters to be sent on.
Sometimes I think my enemies may be tormenting you, and then I
blame myself for not bringing you with me, in spite of every
disadvantage. Sometimes I think you may be ill, and then I have an
impulse to take the first train and fly back to Rome. I know I
cannot be with you always, but this absence is cruel. Happily it
will soon be over, and we shall see an end of all sadness. Don't
suffer for me. Don't let my cares distress you. Whatever happens,
nothing can divide us, because love has united our hearts for
ever.