Introduction
Basically there was only one problem, and they were completely agreed about it: to restore the authority of the State … They were ready to make every concession for this, although in different degrees. Colombi talked in a lukewarm fashion of reforms. Tempesti, when it was his turn, wholeheartedly professed a reverence for the religious beliefs of his colleague. The crisis [of government] might prove useful, a good step along the road to normality. It didn’t matter, although it was obvious, that to each this meant something different. The expression was the same and all that really mattered was that it should seem identical....