legislation. It
is not alone that I want not to think of the cash; but I want to have
no anxieties about the road we go, where we halt, and when we move on. I
want, for once in my life, to indulge the glorious enjoyment of perfect
indolence--such another chance will scarcely offer itself."

"Be it so. Whenever you like to rebel, I shall be just as ready to
abdicate. I'll go to my room now and study the map, and by the time you
have finished your evening's stroll on the bridge, I shall have made the
plan of our future wanderings."

"Agreed!" said Calvert. "I'm off to search for some of those cheap
cigars you spoke of."

"Stay; you forget that you have not got any money. Here are six silver
groschen; take two dozen, and see that they don't give you any of those
vile Swiss ones in the number."

He took the coin with becoming gravity, and set out on his errand.

CHAPTER III. FELLOW-TRAVELLERS' LIFE

PARTLY to suit Calvert's passion for fishing, partly to meet his own
love of a quiet, unbroken, easy existence, Loyd decided for a ramble
through the lakes of Northern Italy; and, in about ten days after the
compact had been sealed, they found themselves at the little inn of the
Trota, on the Lago d'Orta. The inn, which is little more than a cottage,
is beautifully situated on a slender promontory that runs into the lake,
and is itself almost hidden by the foliage of orange and oleander trees
that cover it. It was very hard to believe it to be an inn with its
trellised vine-walk, its little arched boat-house, and a small shrine
beside the lake, where on certain saints' days, a priest said a mass,
and blessed the fish and those that caught them. It was still harder,
too, to credit the fact when one discovered his daily expenses to be all
comprised within the limits of a few francs, and this with the services
of the host, Signor Onofrio, for boatman.

To Loyd it was a perfect paradise. The glorious mountain range, all
rugged and snow-capped--the deep-bosomed chestnut-woods--the mirror-like
lake--the soft and balmy air, rich in orange odours--the earth teeming
with violets--all united to gratify the senses, and wrap the mind in a
dreamy ecstasy and enjoyment. It was equally a spot to relax in or
to work, and although now more disposed for the former, he planned in
himself to come back here, at some future day, and labour with all the
zest that a strong resolve to succeed inspires.

What law would he not read? What ma