_704,371 copies of English editions sold to date._
This is by much the most popular of Hall Caine's novels thus far,
more than a million copies of it having been sold in English editions
only. It is intended to show that the morality which is required of
individual men should govern nations also. The chief scene is Rome,
and the Pope (a reverent portrait resembling Pius IX) is one of the
leading characters. The story, which was first published in 1901,
anticipated the Socialistic and Communistic movement which is now
rife, not only in Italy, but throughout Europe. A socialist leader
of high character and capacity, David Rossi, makes an effort to carry
into effect the teachings of Mazzini, which he understands to be
according to the precepts of the Lord's Prayer. At the crisis of his
endeavor he is betrayed into the hands of the authorities by the
woman he loves, who is moved solely by the desire to save his life.
The perils of the communistic and anti-military movement as well as
its spiritual ideals form the background of the story, but its main
theme is love--the upraising of a woman's character under the
influence of a pure affection. The love story is the strongest
element in this greatly popular book.
_The Methodist Times_ says: "It is an enthralling, delicious, and
most pathetic love story."