"Don't play the goose Philip. I really want to talk to you seriously."

"I don't believe you can. Try if you like. have nothing to do."

"You see Philip," Cheepyre began slowly and with some solemnity, "lying in bed all day I have had nothing to do but think, and I think I've been making a fool of myself."

You think that, do you?" said Philip.

"And I've been thinking about that Italian woman," continued the boy with an ingenuous blush, "and the truth is, I couldn't stand seeing her again.'

"Well," said Lamond, "I daresay she will survive that deprivation."

Cheepyre laughed a little, and then looking down and playing with the tassel of his dressing-gown he said, "And I've been thinking of somebody else - in fact of Cynthia. Do you know her? Of course you must have seen Cynthia - Miss Deane?"

Philip standing behind his friend did not move, until surprised at his silence Cheepyre turned himself half round in his chair and looked up with a slight effort.

"Yes," said Philip deliberately, "I know the Deanes."

A more sensitive, youth might have detected a strange tone in Lamond's voice, an echo of past passion; but Freddie, who was intent on unburdening himself, went on heedlessly: "I was sent out here to make up to Cynthia. I always liked her awfully, and I didn't mind pleasing my mother, but somehow when I got here and felt that I ought to begin the business, I couldn't stand it. That's human nature you know." There was a fine air of wisdom about the boy which made his new friend burst into an unnatural fit of laughter.

"When you have quite done," said Freddie; and he presently resumed his confessions. "I've been tremendously weak, and when I'm weak I'm sentimental. If I shut my eyes, I keep on seeing that island and Cynthia going about so cool and calm and sweet. Do you know, I think I'm hit.”

"Indeed," said Philip, and then after a moment's pause, "Why do you tell this to me? Can I help

you?"

"Yes," said Freddie, "I want you to take me to the island. I'm quite strong enough now for the journey; and I shall get well there I know; and I can be looking about me, seeing how the land lies you know." The boy accompanied his last remark with a knowing look which spoke of returning health.

"And she?" asked Philip" Miss Deane? Will she be glad to receive you?"

"I think so," said Lord Cheepyre slowly and with a face full of innocent self-satisfaction.

Lamond turned sharply away and went towards the door, but as he reached it he turned with a face very grave and kind. "I can't take you myself," he said, “for I must get to work again, but I will send for Stephen; he will take you."

He stepped out without waiting for thanks and left Freddie to his simple day-dreams and unthinking contemplation of the brown bare-legged fishermen, who were wading not far off and stooping to the clear cool water. Philip passed away into the meadow, where the shadows of the tall cypresses lay long and black towards the East. "A pretty pair!" he muttered to himself, and the words were buzzing in his ears as he walked, and his footsteps beat them on the ground. "A pretty pair, a pretty pair!" He saw the sweet lawn by the tree which he loved so well, and the boy and girl lovers wandering, and the boy had the air of a hero and the girl was proud to support his steps. He saw the approving looks of the elders; and a cry broke from him at last, "Good God! It is such a capital arrangement from every point of view;" and so he

burst out laughing to the surprise of two silent brethren. They gazed at him with the calm eyes of cattle, mildly wondering, for they had heard somewhere that it took a great deal to make an Englishman laugh.

191

CHAPTER XVI.

"I am Sir Oracle."

ALL Venice was full of the duel. Here indeed was something to talk about. A young English milordo had risked his life, and about a woman! But then as everybody knows these English will risk their lives for anything, for nothing. What would you have? They are mad, all mad-mad as Florentines. One might know well enough that the Capitano Giulio was a Florentine; for "the saints be praised," said fat Beppo, "Venetians do not fight except about a bargain, and that is an important matter. Well, let the Captain get back to Florence, and be thankful for his whole skin."

But," Angeluccio answered, "he has gone to Africa, which they say is a long long way offfarther than Florence," and he raised his eyebrows and extended his arms to signify immensity.