l dissa road many time. No dangaire--alla safe."

Another smile from Lady Dalrymple.

The Count Girasole looked at Hawbury and then at the Baron, with a
slight dash of mockery in his face.

"As for dangaire," he said--"pouf! dere is none. See, I go alone--no
arms, not a knife--an' yet gold in my porte-monnaie."

And he drew forth his porte-monnaie, and opened it so as to exhibit
its contents.

A little further conversation followed. Girasole evidently was
perfectly familiar with the road. The idea of brigands appeared to
strike him as some exquisite piece of pleasantry. He looked as though
it was only his respect for the company which prevented him from
laughing outright. They had taken the trouble to summon him for that!
And, besides, as the Count suggested, even if a brigand did appear,
there would be always travelers within hearing.

Both Hawbury and the Baron felt humiliated, especially the latter; and
Girasole certainly had the best of it on that occasion, whatever his
lot had been at other times.

The Count withdrew. The Baron followed, in company with Hawbury. He
was deeply dejected. First of all, he had hoped to see Minnie. Then he
hoped to frighten the party back. As to the brigands, he was in most
serious earnest. All that he said he believed. He could not understand
the driver and Count Girasole. The former he might consider a
scoundrel; but why should Girasole mislead? And yet he believed that
he was right. As for Hawbury, he didn't believe much in the brigands,
but he did believe in his friend, and he didn't think much of
Girasole. He was sorry for his friend, yet didn't know whether he
wanted the party to turn back or not. His one trouble was Dacres, who
now was watching the Italian like a blood-hound, who had seen him, no
doubt, go up to the ladies, and, of course, would suppose that Mrs.
Willoughby had sent for him.

As for the ladies, their excitement was great. The doors were thin,
and they had heard every word of the conversation. With Mrs.
Willoughby there was but one opinion as to the Baron's motive: she
thought he had come to get a peep at Minnie, and also to frighten them
back to Rome by silly stories. His signal failure afforded her great
triumph. Minnie, as usual, sympathized with him, but said nothing. As
for Ethel, the sudden arrival of Lord Hawbury was overwhelming, and
brought a return of all her former excitement. The sound of his voice
again vibrated through her, and at first the