r the doves. I am staying
with my nurse, my mother's maid, in the Canipo Santa Maria Formosa,
near our beloved Santa Barbara. Very quietly I have guaranteed the
credit of my unfortunate companions, and they believe that
Venetians are very generous people. Generous! Think of it! Come to
Venice, dear; it is all nonsense that you must return to America.
Perhaps you will wonder how I dared appear on the stage in Italy. A
black wig and a theatrical make-up; these were sufficient. A duke
sent me an invitation to take supper with him, as if I were a
ballerina! I sent one of the American chorus girls, a little minx
for mischief. She ate his supper, and then ran away. I understand
that he was furious. Only a few months more, Nell, and then I may
come and go as I please. Come to Venice. Capricciosa.

Hillard did not stir. Another labyrinth to this mystery! Capricciosa;
Kitty Killigrew's unknown prima donna; and all he had to do was to take
the morning train for Venice, and twenty-four hours later he would be
prowling through the Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Though his mind was busy
with a hundred thoughts, his head was still bent and his eyes riveted
upon the page.

Mrs. Sandford observed him curiously, even sadly. Why couldn't his fancy
have been charmed by an every-day, sensible girl, and not by this
whimsical, extraordinary woman who fooled diplomats, flaunted dukes, and
kept a king at arm's length as a pastime? And yet--!

"Capricciosa," he mused aloud. "That is not her name."

"And I shall not tell it you."

"But her given name? Just a straw; something to hold on; I'm a drowning
man." Hillard's pleadings would have melted a heart of stone.

"It is Hilda."

"That is German."

"She prefers it to Sonia."

"Sonia Hilda; it begins well. May I keep this letter?"

"Certainly not. With that _cara mia_? Give it to me."

He did so. "Shall I seek her?"

"This is my advice: don't think of her after to-night. If you ever see
or recognize her, avoid her. It may sound theatrical, but she is the
innocent cause of two deaths. These men sought her openly, too."

"What has she done?"

"She made a great, though common, mistake."

"Political?"

Her lips closed firmly, but a smile lurked in the corners.

He sighed.

"Don't be foolish. I am sorry I let you see the letter. I forgot that
she told me her hiding-place."

"Her hiding-place?"

"Mr. Hillard, she is as fa