"I am sincerely sorry--" began the prince, but his visitor
interrupted him.

"The children are well. They are in Aquila for the present. I have
come to establish myself in Rome, and my first visit is naturally
to yourself, since I have the advantage of being your cousin."

"Naturally," ejaculated Saracinesca, though his face expressed
considerable surprise.

"Do not imagine that I am going to impose myself upon you as a
poor relation," continued the other with a faint smile. "Fortune
has been kind to me since we met, perhaps as a compensation for
the loss I suffered in the death of my poor wife. I have a
sufficient independence and can hold my own."

"I never supposed--"

"You might naturally have supposed that I had come to solicit your
favour, though it is not the case. When we parted I was an
innkeeper in Aquila. I have no cause to be ashamed of my past
profession. I only wish to let you know that it is altogether
past, and that I intend to resume the position which my great-
grandfather foolishly forfeited. As you are the present head of
the family I judged that it was my duty to inform you of the fact
immediately."

"By all means. I imagined this must be the case from your card.
You are entirely in your rights, and I shall take great pleasure