a bench of Lords Justices, or of Bishops, if you prefer it. This was
none other than Dr. Porfirio's wife, as he then and there declared by
grunts. "Mia moglie--a servirla," he was understood to say; and pushed
his way into his house without ceremony, while Mr. Strelley, with much,
kissed the hand of his hostess. The salute, received with composure, was
rendered with a blush; for this, to be truthful, was the very first hand
ever saluted by the young gentleman. The fact says much for his
inexperience and right instinct at once.

Quite at her ease, as if she were the mistress of a well-kissed hand,
was Signora Aurelia Lanfranchi, for that was her name, and had been so
for rather more than two years--quite at her ease and most anxious to
put Strelley there. Relieving him of his cloak and hat, of his sword,
pistols and other travelling gear, in spite of all protestations on his
part, she talked freely and on end about anything and nothing in a soft
voice which rose and died down like a summer wind, and betrayed in its
muffled tones--as if it came to him through silk--that she was not of
the north, but of some mellower, more sun-ripened land. She was in fact
of Siena, a Gualandi by birth, and extremely proud of it. Strelley was
so informed before he had been four-and-twenty hours in her company. But
now, having spoiled him of his defences, she invited him into the
salone, wooed him thither, indeed, with that sidelong head and sort of
sleek smile with which you coax a cat to come to your knee. Mr. Francis
would have followed her singing to the bonfire on such terms.

At the table, which was liberal, was the learned doctor seated already,
napkin to chin. Mr. Strelley was shown his place, and expected to take
it while the fair housewife waited upon the two; and when he seemed
timid, she raised a wail of pretty protest and dragged him by the arm
towards the chair. It was absurd, it was preposterous, he was robbing