Villa Alberti, [Siena]:
Tuesday [September-October, 1859].

Ever dearest Isa,--Yes, I am delighted.

Evviva il nostro re! It isn't a very distinct acceptance, however, but
as distinct as could be expected reasonably.[68] Under conditions, of
course.

On Friday morning before noon up to our door came Mr. Russell's
carriage. He had closed with Robert's proposition at once, and we made
room for him without much difficulty, and were very glad to see him. I
didn't go in to dinner, and he and Robert went to the Storys in the
evening--so that it wasn't too much for me--and then I really like
him--he is refined and amiable, and acute and liberal (as an Englishman
can be), full of 'traditions' or prejudices, to use the right word. To
my surprise he _knew_ scarcely anything; and, as I modestly observed to
Robert, 'didn't understand the Italian question half as well as I
understand it.' Of course there was a quantity of gossip in the
anti-Napoleon sense; how the Emperor told the King of the peace over the
soup, twirling his moustache; and how the King swore like a trooper at
the Emperor in consequence; and how the Emperor took it all very
well--didn't mind at all and how, and how--things which are manifestly
impossible and which Robert tells me I ought not to repeat, in order not
to multiply such vain tales. There is Metternich the younger (ambassador
in Paris), a personal friend of Odo Russell's, in whose bosom Louis
Napoleon seems to pour the confidences of his heart about that '_coquin
de Cavour_ who led him into the Italian war,' &c., &c., but it simply
proves to you and me how an Austrian can lie, which we could guess
before.

My _facts_ are these: First, Ferdinando IV.[69] has an ambassador in
Rome, who has been received officially by the Pope (!!) ('The coolest
thing that ever was'), and is paid out of the private purse of the Royal
Highness. There is another ambassador at Naples, and another at
Vienna--on the same terms; so let no one talk of 'Decheance.'

Then let me tell you what Mr. Russell said to me. 'Napoleon,' said he,
'has been too _fin_ for the English Government. He made us acknowledge
the Tuscan vote. Now he has strictly forbidden Piedmont to accept, and
Piedmont must therefore refuse. The consequences of which will be that
there must be another vote in Tuscany, by which Prince Napoleon will be
elected; and we, having acknowledged the first vote, must acknowledge
the second.'

Of course I protested; disbelieved in the forbidding, and believed in
the accepting. He 'hoped it might be so'--in the civil way with which
people put away preposterous opinions--and left us on Saturday night at
ten, just too late to hear of the 'fait accompli.'

Out of all _that_, I rescue my fact that _Napoleon made the English
Government acknowledge the Tuscan vote_.

Don't let Kate put any of this into American papers, because Mr. Russell
was our guest, observe, and spoke trustingly to us. He had just arrived
from England, and went on to Rome without further delay.

The word _Venice_ makes my heart beat. Has Guiducci any grounds for hope
about Venice? If Austria could be _bought_ off at any price! Something
has evidently been promised at Villafranca on the subject of Venice; and
evidently the late strengthening of the hands of Piedmont will render
the Austrian occupation on any terms more and more difficult and
precarious.

I should agree with you on Prince Napoleon, if it were not that I want
the Emperor's disinterestedness to remain in its high place. We can't
spare great men and great deeds out of the honour of the world. There
are so few.

For the rest, the Prince would have been a popular and natural choice at
one time, and as far as central Italy was concerned. Also he is very
liberal in opinion, and full of ideas, I have been told.

But the fusion is a wiser step _now,_ and altogether--even if we could
spare the Emperor's fame. Do you remember the obloquy he suffered for
Neufchatel? and how it came out that, if he pressed his conditions, it
was simply because he meant to fight for the independence of the State?
and how at last the Swiss delegates went to Paris to offer their
gratitude for the deliverance he had attained for the people? His
loyalty will come out clean before the eyes of his enemies now as then.
We agree absolutely. And Robert does not dissent, I think. Facts begin
to be conclusive to him.

You are an angel, dearest Isa, with the tact of a woman of the world.
This in reference to the note you sent me, and your answer. You could
not have done better--not at all.

Our kind love to Kate--and mind you give our regards to Dr. Gresonowsky.
Also to Mr. Jarves--poor Mr. Jarves--how sorry I am about the pictures!

Robert will write another time, he says, 'with kindest love.'