artments."

Upon this she sent down an invitation to the Baron to come up, and the
ladies retreated to their rooms.

The Baron entered, and, as usual, offered to shake hands--an offer
which, as usual, Lady Dalrymple did not accept. He then looked
earnestly all round the room, and gave a sigh. He evidently had
expected to see Minnie, and was disappointed. Lady Dalrymple marked
the glance, and the expression which followed.

"Well, ma'am," said he, as he seated himself near to Lady Dalrymple,
"I said that the business I wanted to speak about was important, and
that it was a matter of life and death. I assure you that it is. But
before I tell it I want to say something about the row in Rome. I have
reason to understand that I caused a little annoyance to you all. If I
did, I'm sure I didn't intend it. I'm sorry. There! Let's say no more
about it. 'Tain't often that I say I'm sorry, but I say so now.
Conditionally, though--that is, if I really _did_ annoy any body."

"Well, Sir?"

"Well, ma'am--about the business I came for. You have made a sudden
decision to take this journey. I want to know, ma'am, if you made any
inquiries about this road before starting?"

"This road? No, certainly not."

"I thought so," said the Baron. "Well, ma'am, I've reason to believe
that it's somewhat unsafe."

"Unsafe?"

"Yes; particularly for ladies."

"And why?"

"Why, ma'am, the country is in a disordered state, and near the
boundary line it swarms with brigands. They call themselves
Garibaldians, but between you and me, ma'am, they're neither more nor
less than robbers. You see, along the boundary it is convenient for
them to dodge to one side or the other, and where the road runs there
are often crowds of them. Now our papal government means well, but it
ain't got power to keep down these brigands. It would like to, but it
can't. You see, the scum of all Italy gather along the borders,
because they know we _are_ weak; and so there it is."

"And you think there is danger on this road?" said Lady Dalrymple,
looking keenly at him.

"I do, ma'am."

"Pray have you heard of any recent acts of violence along the road?"

"No, ma'am."

"Then what reason have you for supposing that there is any particular
danger now?"

"A friend of mine told me so, ma'am."

"But do not people use the road? Are not carriages constantly passing
and repassing? Is it likely that if it were unsafe there would be no
acts of violence? Yet you say t