"Is it true, Kitty?"

"Yes, ma'am," Kitty answered, with a stage courtesy. "I have promised to
marry him, for there seemed no other way of getting rid of him."

Hillard forced a smile. "It's a shame to change such a pretty name as
yours, Miss Killigrew."

"I realize that," replied Kitty with affected sadness.

"Go to!" laughed the happy groom-elect. "Merrihew and Killigrew; there's
not enough difference to matter. And this very night I shall cable to
America."

"Cable to America?" echoed a tri-chorus.

"Yes; to have a parson in the custom-shed when we land. I know Kitty,
and I am not going to take any chances."

This caused real laughter. La Signorina relighted the tea-lamp, and
presently they were all talking together, jesting and offering
suggestions. No matter how great the ache in the heart may be, there is
always some temporary surcease. Hillard was a man.

They laughed quietly as they saw O'Mally gravely conducting his charge
to the gates. He returned with Smith. Both were solemn-visaged.

"Well, noble concierge?" inquired La Signorina. "Why, you look as if you
were the bearer of ill-tidings."

"Perhaps I am," said O'Mally. He tossed his cap on the stones and sat
down with Smith on the iron bench. "No, no tea, thank you. What I need
is a glass, a whole glass, of good Irish whisky. This thing has been on
my mind since noon, but I concluded to wait rather than spoil the whole
day. I should have known nothing about it if it hadn't been for old
Pietro."

"What has happened?" asked Merrihew.

"Enough," said O'Mally laconically. He directed his next words to La
Signorina. "You are sure of this friend of yours, the princess?"

"Certainly," answered La Signorina, her astonishment increasing.

"She gave you the right authority?"

"Absolutely," more and more astonished.

"Agreed that we could remain here as long as we pleased?"

"Yes, yes!" impatiently.

"Well, before I swing the thunder, let me tell you something," said
O'Mally. "I was in Florence a few days ago. I made some inquiries."

"About my friend the princess?"

"Yes. It was impertinent, I know. I interviewed four or five hotel
concierges. Only one of them ever heard of the name; and then it was an
old prince, not a woman. This concierge directed me to another, but as
he spoke only Italian, we could not make things fit. But when I
mentioned the princess' name, he shrugged and laughed, as if something
highly amusing had hit him."

"Go on,