will be glad to know that there is somebody who esteems you for having
the courage to resist them. Come!" said she, rising to her feet, "don't
let us talk again of such horrid things, they make my head ache, and
besides it's very late. You are not angry with me, are you? Let us say
good-night in the English fashion," and she held out her hand.

Orso pressed it, looking grave and deeply moved.

"Mademoiselle," he said, "do you know that there are moments when the
instincts of my country wake up within me. Sometimes, when I think of
my poor father, horrible thoughts assail me. Thanks to you, I am rid of
them forever. Thank you! thank you!"

He would have continued, but Miss Lydia dropped a teaspoon, and the
noise woke up the colonel.

"Della Rebbia, we'll start at five o'clock to-morrow morning. Be
punctual!"

"Yes, colonel."



CHAPTER V

The next day, a short time before the sportsmen came back, Miss Nevil,
returning with her maid from a walk along the seashore, was just about
to enter the inn, when she noticed a young woman, dressed in black,
riding into the town on a small but strong horse. She was followed by a
sort of peasant, also on horseback, who wore a brown cloth jacket cut at