sa, saluting him
respectfully, departed, making his way down through the terraces of
fruit-trees under the clear twilight skies.

Calabressa walked back to Naples, and to the hotel indicated, which was
near the Castello dell' Ovo. No sooner had the hotel porter opened for
him the big swinging doors than he recollected that he did not know for
whom he ought to ask; but at this moment Natalie came along the
corridor, dressed and ready to go out.

"My little daughter!" he exclaimed, taking her by both hands, "did not
I say you would soon find me when there was need?"

"Will you come up-stairs and see my mother, Signor Calabressa?" said
she. "You know why she and I are together now?--my grandfather is dead."

"Yes, I will go and see your mother," said he, after a second: she did
not notice the strange expression of his face during that brief
hesitation.

There was a small sitting-room between the two bedrooms; Natalie
conducted him into it, and went into the adjoining chamber for her
mother. A minute after these two friends and companions of former days
met. They held each other's hand in silence for a brief time.

"My hair was not so gray when you last saw me," the worn-faced woman
said, at length, with a smile.

Calabressa could not speak at all.

"Mother," the girl said, to break in on this painful embarrassment, "you
have not seen Signor Calabressa for so long a time. Will he not stay and
dine with us? the _table-d'hote_, is at half-past six."

"Not the _table-d'hote_, my little daughter," Calabressa said. "But if
one were permitted to remain here, for example--"

"Oh yes, certainly."

"There are many things I wish to speak about; and so little time.
To-morrow morning I start for England."

"For England?"

"Most certainly, little daughter. And you have a message, perhaps, for
me to carry? Oh, you may let it be cheerful," he said, with his usual
gay optimism. "I tell you--I myself, and I do not boast--let it be
cheerful! What did I say to you? You are in trouble; I said to you,
count upon having friends!"

Calabressa did stay; and they had a kind of meal in this room; and there
was a great deal to talk over between the two old friends. But on all
matters referring to the moment he preserved a resolute silence. He was
not going to talk at the very outset. He was going to England--that was
all.

But as he was bidding good-bye to Natalie, he drew her a step or two
into the passage.

"Little child," sai