The attempt in which they had
been engaged would, however, even in time of declared war, have
been regarded as a crime against the law of nations.
Rome was immediately declared under a state of siege, and patrols
of troops began to parade the streets, sending all stragglers whom
they met to their homes, on the admirable principle that it is the
duty of every man who finds himself in a riotous crowd to leave it
instantly unless he can do something towards restoring order.
Persons who found themselves in other people's houses, however,
had some difficulty in at once returning to their own, and as it
has been seen that the disturbance began precisely at the time
selected by society for holding its confabulations, there were
many who found themselves in that awkward situation.
As the sounds in the street subsided, the excitement in the
drawing-room at the Palazzo Saracinesca diminished likewise.
Several of those present announced their intention of departing at
once, but to this the old prince made serious objections. The city
was not safe, he said. Carriages might be stopped at any moment,
and even if that did not occur, all sorts of accidents might arise
from the horses shying at the noises, or running over people in
the crowds.
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