d up, and the shareholders have signed a consent.
Their first dividend of fourpence will be paid in January, future
payment will be announced by notice. Tell L'Estrange, however, not to
'come in,' but to wait.

"If I can be of service in any way, make use of me, and if I cannot,
don't forget me, but think of me as, what I once overheard L'Estrange's
sister call me,--a well-meaning snob, and very faithfully yours,

"T. Cutbill."

CHAPTER LII. ISCHIA.

The sun had just sunk below the horizon, and a blaze of blended crimson
and gold spread over the Bay of Naples, coloring the rocky island of
Ischia till it glowed like a carbuncle. Gradually, however, the rich
warm tints began to fade away from the base of the mountains, and a cold
blue color stole slowly up their sides, peak after peak surrendering
their gorgeous panoply, till at length the whole island assumed a tinge
blue as the sea it stood in.

But for the memory of the former glory it would have been difficult to
imagine a more beautiful picture. Every cliff and jutting promontory
tufted with wild olives and myrtle was reflected in the waveless sea
below; and feathery palm-trees and broad-leaved figs trembled in the
water, as that gentle wash eddied softly round the rocks, or played on
the golden shore.

It was essentially the hour of peace and repose. Along the shores of
the bay, in every little village, the angelus was ringing, and kneeling
groups were bowed in prayer; and even here, on this rocky islet, where
crime and wretchedness were sent to expiate by years of misery their
sins against their fellow-men, the poor galley-slaves caught one instant
of kindred with the world, and were suffered to taste in peace the
beauty of the hour. There they were in little knots and groups--some
lying listlessly in the deep grass; some gathered on a little rocky
point, watching the fish as they darted to and fro in the limpid water,
and doubtless envying their glorious freedom: and others, again, seated
under some spreading tree, and seeming, at least, to feel the calm
influence of the hour.

The soldiers who formed their guard had piled their arms, leaving here
and there merely a sentinel, and had gone down amongst the rocks, to
search for limpets, or those rugged "ricci di mare" which humble palates
accept as delicacies. A few, too, dashed in for a swim, and their joyous
voices and merry laughter were heard amid the plash of the water they
disported in.

In a