, the mystery deepened.

Chapter XVII.

Robert Sumner is Imprudent.

_Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well--
When our deep plots do pall; and that should teach us,
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will._

--SHAKESPEARE.

[Illustration: CAMPO SANTO, BOLOGNA.]

Early one morning very soon after the return to Rome, Bettina, with a
troubled face, knocked at Mrs. Douglas's door.

"Barbara is ill," said she. "I knew in the night that she was very
restless, but not until just now did I see that she is really ill."

"What seems to be the matter?"

"I think she must be very feverish."

"Feverish?" repeated Mrs. Douglas, with a startled look, as she hastily
prepared to accompany Betty back to her room. In a few minutes she
sought her brother, her face full of anxiety.

"Robert, I fear Barbara has the fever. Her temperature must be high; her
face is greatly flushed, and her eyes dull, and she says her whole body
is full of pain."

"We must take her away at once out of the atmosphere of Rome,"
exclaimed Mr. Sumner, with decision.

"But she feels so wretchedly ill."

"Never mind that. If she can only endure the fatigue for a few hours, we
may save her weeks of suffering and possible danger," and his voice
faltered.

"Remember, sister," he continued, "that I am at home here in this
climate, and trust me. Or, better still, I will at once consult Dr.
Yonge, and I know you will trust him. And, sister, get everything ready
so that we--Barbara, you, and I--may take the very first train for
Orvieto. That will take her in two hours into a high and pure
atmosphere. The others can follow as soon as possible."

Quickly the plans were made. Malcom, Margery, and Bettina were to be
left to complete the packing of trunks. Dr. Yonge agreed fully with Mr.
Sumner, and on the nine o'clock train northward Mrs. Douglas, Barbara,
and Mr. Sumner left Rome.

Miss Sherman, quite upset by the rapid movement of affairs, decided to
remain a little longer in Rome with friends whom she had met there, and
join the others later in Venice.

It was a severe trial to poor Bettina to see her darling sister thus
almost literally borne away from her. But she tried to put faith in Mr.
Sumner's assurances, and bravely resisted the anxious longing to go with
her. She immediately gave herself up to the work of finishing the
packing of their own trunks and of helping Margery all she could