Perhaps, owing to some scruples of delicacy, I have not insisted enough on Garibaldi's attitude to you … My greatest fault in his eyes is just that of calling myself your friend. Indeed, some people have advised me to feign other sentiments in order to obtain the General's good opinion … If, therefore, you and your friends think you can win what I have not been able to win, you are quite wrong [pencil mark]. Putting aside my modesty in the interests of the public weal, I tell you that outsiders would lack all my personal relations and knowledge of people and customs here, and also, I may say, that popularity which makes me (excuse the arrogance) a power with whom Garibaldi himself has to count [pencil mark]. And do not think I say this out of personal ambition. You must know me well enough now not to harbour any suspicion of that.