they
would have to be purchased outright, as the renting of five machines
would put his credit to too severe a test. Accordingly Bertier
telegraphed a wholesale order, which taxed the resources of the
manufacturers and caused much complaint from some customers whose work
was unaccountably delayed. The arrangement made by the courier was that
they were to be taken back at a greatly reduced price at the end of six
weeks. The machines were shipped at once, five to Milan, and one to the
address of the mysterious marquise in Florence.

It was with a sharp regret that Monty broke into the idyl of the villa,
for the witchery of the place had got into his blood. But a stern sense
of duty, combined with the fact that the Paris chauffeurs and machines
were due in Milan on Monday, made him ruthless. He was astonished that
his orders to decamp were so meekly obeyed, forgetting that his
solicitous guests did not know that worse extravagance lay beyond. He
took them to Milan by train and lodged them with some splendor at the
Hotel Cavour. Here he found that the fame of the princely profligate
had preceded him, and his portly host was all deference and attention.
All regret, too, for monsieur was just too late to hear the wonderful
company of artists who had been singing at La Scala. The season was but
just ended. Here was an opportunity missed indeed, and Brewster's
vexation brought out an ironical comment to Bertier. It rankled, but it
had its effect. The courier proved equal to the emergency. Discovering
that the manager of the company and the principal artists were still in
Milan, he suggested to Brewster that a special performance would be
very difficult to secure, but might still be possible. His chief caught
at the idea and authorized him to make every arrangement, reserving the
entire house for his own party.

"But the place will look bare," protested the courier, aghast.

"Fill it with flowers, cover it with tapestries," commanded Brewster.
"I put the affair in your hands, and I trust you to carry it through in
the right way. Show them how it ought to be done."

Bertier's heart swelled within him at the thought of so glorious an
opportunity. His fame, he felt, was already established in Italy. It
became a matter of pride to do the thing handsomely, and the necessary
business arrangements called out all his unused resources of delicacy
and diplomacy. When it came to the decoration of the opera house, he
called upon Petting