But to be no Don and to
receive coin for one's labour was a far more insurmountable
barrier against intermarriage with the patriarchs than hereditary
madness, toothless old age, leprosy, or lack of money.
Gouache had acquired enough knowledge of Roman life to understand
this, and nothing short of physical exhaustion would have
prevented his spending his leisure in considering the means of
overcoming such stupendous difficulties. When he awoke his
situation presented itself clearly enough to his mind, however,
and occupied his thoughts throughout the remainder of the day.
Owing to the insurrection his departure was delayed for twenty-
four hours, and his duty was likely to keep him busily engaged
during the short time that remained to him. The city was in a
state of siege and there would be a perpetual service of patrols,
sentries and general maintenance of order. The performance of
labours almost mechanical left him plenty of time for reflection,
though he found it hard to spare a moment in which to see any of
his friends.
He was very anxious to meet the Princess Sant' Ilario, whose
conduct on the previous night had seriously alarmed him. It was to
her that he looked for assistance in his troubles and the
consciousness that she was angry with him was a chief source of
distress.
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