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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1893 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. AN EVENING AT THE PREFECT'S.--CAPTAIN GEORGE. THE "Voce Romana" seemed to take warning, for after the publication of Mr. Randal's letter, the serpent ceased to hiss; but this little passage at arms, and above all, the facts that had caused it, formed the chief topic of conversation for several days. They were discussing the affair one evening over their ices, at the house of the prefect, the Hon. Signor Vitellio Consalvi; and as Dr. Julius Bollmann, recently presented by the German ambassador, was among the invited guests assembled in the drawing-room, there is every reason to suppose that the subject had not come up entirely by chance. "There was considerable truth in that article in the 'Voce Romana,'" remarked M. Bollmann, with the thoroughly impartial air of a philosopher who has not the slightest personal interest in the matter,--" there was considerable truth in that article. It was written, too, with great moderation, and the sentiments and style would indicate that the writer was the possessor of no little talent. It is characterized, too, by a spirit of patriotism which is convincing proof of the writer's sincerity. His reasoning is perfectly logical; and if it is really true that a foreign professor occupies a chair in one of your most prominent institutions of learning, the matter should certainly be investigated." "It is true," exclaimed young Amilcare Consalvi, who would have been much better occupied at that hour in bed, or in studying his lessons for the next day. "The foreigner's name is M. Randal. He is a Frenchman, and a professor in the lyceum I attend." "A Frenchman!" said Dr. Bollmann, bringing his gold spectacles to bear upon the young man. "A Frenchman! You have a French professor!" he continued in a tone of sorrowful ast...