here have been none."

"Not of late, ma'am."

"But it is of late, and of the present time, that we are speaking."

"I can only say, ma'am, that the road is considered very dangerous."

"Who considers it so?"

"If you had made inquiries at Rome, ma'am, you would have found this
out, and never would have thought of this road."

"And you advise us not to travel it?"

"I do, ma'am."

"What would you advise us to do?"

"I would advise you, ma'am, most earnestly, to turn and go back to
Rome, and leave by another route."

Lady Dalrymple looked at him, and a slight smile quivered on her lips.

"I see, ma'am, that for some reason or other you doubt my word. Would
you put confidence in it if another person were to confirm what I have
said?"

"That depends entirely upon who the other person may be."

"The person I mean is Lord Hawbury."

"Lord Hawbury? Indeed!" said Lady Dalrymple, in some surprise. "But
he's in Rome."

"No, ma'am, he's not. He's here--in this hotel."

"In this hotel? Here?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm sure I should like to see him very much, and hear what he says
about it."

"I'll go and get him, then," said the Baron, and, rising briskly, he
left the room.

In a short time he returned with Hawbury. Lady Dalrymple expressed
surprise to see him, and Hawbury explained that he was traveling with
a friend. Lady Dalrymple, of course, thought this a fresh proof of his
infatuation about Minnie, and wondered how he could be a friend to a
man whom she considered as Minnie's persecutor and tormentor.

The Baron at once proceeded to explain how the matter stood, and to
ask Hawbury's opinion.

"Yes," said Lady Dalrymple, "I should really like to know what you
think about it."

"Well, really," said Hawbury, "I have no acquaintance with the thing,
you know. Never been on this road in my life. But, at the same time, I
can assure you that this gentleman is a particular friend of mine, and
one of the best fellows I know. I'd stake my life on his perfect truth
and honor. If he says any thing, you may believe it because he says
it. If he says there are brigands on the road, they must be there."

"Oh, of course," said Lady Dalrymple. "You are right to believe your
friend, and I should trust his word also. But do you not see that
perhaps he may believe what he says, and yet be mistaken?"

At this the Baron's face fell. Lord Hawbury's warm commendation of him
had excited his hopes, but now Lady Dalrymple's a