'They describe you as a viper,'

'They describe you as a viper,'I said to Mt. Visconti.
'They?'
'Well, in fact, it was not the detectives. it was the Chief of Police in Rome.'
'A Fascist,' Mr Visconti said.
'Ah, a collaborator then.'
'The war was over.'
.A collaborator nonetheless. One collaborates always with the victorious side. One supports the losing.' It sounded again like a quotation from Machievali.
We were drinking champagne together in the garden, for the house at the moment was impossible. Men were carrying furniture. Other men were up ladders. Electricians were repairing lights and hanging chandeliers. My aunt was very much in charge.
'I preferred flight to anew form of collaboration,' Mr Visconti said. 'One can never tell who will win in the end. Collaboration is always a temporary measure. It's not that I care much for security, but I like to survive.
From the book 'Travels with my aunt' by Graham Greene.