"I might add to his portrait. That blue and white scarf is tied
beautifully; and his profile would be splendid in a medallion. I believe
from his nose he may be English, after all," she added with a dreamy air
assumed to add to her brother's impatience.

"Which doesn't help the matter materially, that I can see!" exclaimed the
young man. "With a full beard he'd probably look like a Sicilian bandit.
If I thought he was really pursuing you in this darkly mysterious way I
should certainly give him a piece of my American mind. You might suppose
that a girl would be safe traveling with her brother."

"It isn't your fault, Dick," laughed the girl. "You know our parents dear
were with us when we first began to notice him--that was in Rome. And now
that we are alone he continues to follow our trail just the same. It's
really diverting; and if you were a good brother you'd find out all about
him, and we might even do stunts together--the three of us, with you as
the watchful chaperon. You forget how I have worked for you, Dick. I
took great chances in forcing an acquaintance with those frosty English
people at Florence just because you were crazy about the scrawny blonde
who wore the frightful hats. I wash my hands of you hereafter. Your taste
in girls is horrible."

"Your mind has been affected by reading these fake-kingdom romances,
where a ridiculous prince gives up home and mother and his country to
marry the usual beautiful American girl who travels about having silly
adventures. I belong to the Know-nothing Party--America for Americans and
only white men on guard!"

"Yes, Richard! Your sentiments are worthy, but they'd have more weight if