you think he would refuse to meet Pracontal?"

"That is a mere chance. There are days he would not listen to such
a proposal, and there are times he would accept it heartily; but the
suggestion must not come from me. With all his love for me, he rather
thinks that I secretly disapprove of what he has done, and would reverse
it if I knew how."

"What if I were to hint at it? He already said he wished to see him.
This might be mere curiosity, however. What if I were to say, 'Why not
meet Pracontal? Why not see what manner of man he is? There is nothing
more true than the saying that half the dislikes people conceive
against each other would give way if they would condescend to become
acquainted.'"

"As I have just said, it is a mere chance whether he would consent, and
then--"

"Oh, I know! It would be also a chance what might come of it."

Just as she said this, the young men entered the room, with smiling
faces, and apparently in high good-humor.

"Do you know the plan we 've just struck out?" cried Bramleigh. "George
is to come and live at Cattaro. I 'm to make him consular chaplain."

"But is there such an appointment?" asked Julia, eagerly.

"Heaven knows; but if there is not, there ought to be."

"And the salary, Mr. Bramleigh. Who pays it? What is it?"

"There again I am at fault; but her Majesty could never intend we should
live like heathens," said Augustus, "and we shall arrange it somehow."

"Oh, if it were not for 'somehow,'" said Julia, "we poor people
would be worse off in life than we are; but there are so many what the
watchmakers call escapements in existence, the machinery manages to
survive scores of accidents."

"At all events we shall be all together," said Augustus, "and we shall
show a stouter front to fortune than if we were to confront her singly."

"I think it a delightful plan," said Julia. "What says Nelly?"

"I think," said Nelly, gravely, "that it is more than kind in you to
follow us into our banishment."

"Then let us set off at once," said Augustus, "for I own to you I wish
to be out of men's sight, out of ear-shot of their comments, while this
suit is going on. It is the publicity that I dread far more than even
the issue. Once that we reach this wild barbarism we are going to, you
will see I will bear myself with better spirits and better temper."

"And will you not see Monsieur Pracontal before you go?" asked Julia.

"Not if I can avoid it; unless, indeed, you all thi