de his men stand back. They obeyed
sullenly.

Girasole removed the gag.

Then he stood and looked at Hawbury. Hawbury sat and returned his look
with his usual nonchalance, regarding the Italian with a cold, steady
stare, which produced upon the latter its usual maddening effect.

"Milor will be ver glad to hear," said he, with a mocking smile, "dat
de mees will be take good care to. Milor was attentif to de mees; but
de mees haf been fiancee to me, an' so I take dis occazione to mak her
mine. I sall love her, an' se sall love me. I haf save her life, an'
se haf been fiancee to me since den."

Now Girasole had chosen to say this to Hawbury from the conviction
that Hawbury was Minnie's lover, and that the statement of this would
inflict a pang upon the heart of his supposed rival which would
destroy his coolness. Thus he chose rather to strike at Hawbury's
jealousy than at his fear or at his pride.

But he was disappointed. Hawbury heard his statement with utter
indifference.

"Well," said he, "all I can say is that it seems to me to be a
devilish odd way of going to work about it."

"Aha!" said Girasole, fiercely. "You sall see. Se sall be mine. Aha!"

Hawbury made no reply, and Girasole, after a gesture of impatience,
walked off, baffled.

In a few minutes two men came up to Hawbury, and led him away to the
woods on the left.

[Illustration: "THEY SAW A RUINED HOUSE."]

CHAPTER XXIV.

AMONG THE BRIGANDS.

Girasole now returned to the ladies. They were in the same position in
which he had left them. Mrs. Willoughby with Minnie, and Ethel, with
the maids, attending to Lady Dalrymple.

"Miladi," said Girasole, "I beg your attenzion. I haf had de honore to
inform you dat dis mees is my fiancee. Se haf give me her heart an'
her hand; se love me, an' I love her. I was prevent from to see her,
an' I haf to take her in dis mannaire. I feel sad at de pain I haf
give you, an' assuir you dat it was inevitabile. You sall not be
troubled more. You are free. Mees," he continued, taking Minnie's
hand, "you haf promis me dis fair han', an' you are mine. You come to
one who loves you bettaire dan life, an' who you love. You owe youair
life to me. I sall make it so happy as nevair was."

"I'm sure _I_ don't want to be happy," said Minnie. "I don't _want_ to
leave darling Kitty--and it's a shame--and you'll make me _hate_ you
if you do so."

"Miladi," said Girasole to Mrs. Willoughby, "de mees says se not wan