1744-1746
How we met old friends and an older enemy in Rome with whom I was forced to subscribe¹ to a Truce², having passed my word to the Duke of York; how it came that I resigned from the Company of St. James.

Through General MacDonnell's kindness I was allowed to spend a few days in Rome as being on his staff, and at my first freedom took my way to the street of the Quattro Fontane and my old College.
What a welcome I received! Good Father Urbani held me in his arms as if I bad been his own son, and would not hear of my sleeping outside the College, although 'twas a downright breach³ of their rules; and the old porter, of whom I once stood in such awe⁴, waited up for me, no matter what the hour for returning might be, and nodded and winked⁵ knowingly, as if he too had once been young. Not that I would insinuate⁶ there was anything of levity⁷ in my conduct, for I have always had a too just regard for my position as a gentleman and an officer to indulge in anything unbecoming, more especially where I was so carefully observed.
Angus I found the same as ever, quiet and contented⁸ with his lot, as seemed most of the others, though I could see my appearance caused something of a ruffle⁹ among them. I seemed to have grown so many years older, and was surprised to find how small and almost mean many of the old surroundings looked; even the Fathers did not appear as formidable as before. All, that is, save dear old Father Urbani, of whom I never stood in awe, and who had only grown older and more frail¹⁰; to him I told all that was in my heart, not even hiding my first fright from him, which I would not have then confessed to any other living man.

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