her father exceedingly.

He came at last; and Dolly to her great relief thought he looked well;
though certainly not glad to be in Venice.

"How's your mother?" he asked her when they were alone.

"I think she will be well now, father; now that you have come. And I
have so wanted you!"

"I have no doubt she could have got along just as well without me till
she went to Sorrento, if she had only thought so."

"I don't think she could. And _I_ could not, father. I do not like to
be left so much to Mr. St. Leger's care."

"He likes it. How has he behaved?"

"He has behaved very well."

"Then what's the matter?"

"I don't want him to think he has a right to take care of us."

"He has the right, if I give it to him. And you know you mean to give
him the right, Dolly, in permanence. What's the use of fighting shy
about it? Oh, girls, girls! You must have your way, I suppose. Well,
now I'm here to look after you."

And the business of sight-seeing was carried on from that time with
unabating activity. They went everywhere, and still Mr. Copley found
new things for them to see. Mrs. Copley took him into the curiosity
shops, but as surely he took her out of them, with not much done in the
way of purchases. Dolly enjoyed everything during the first week or
two. She would have enjoyed it hugely, only that the lurking care about
her father was always present to her mind. She was not at rest. Mr.
Copley seemed well and cheery; active and hearty as usual; yet Dolly
detected something hollow in the cheer and something forced in the
activity. She thought him restless and uneasy, in spite of all the
gaiety.

One day after an excursion of some length the party had turned into a
restaurant to refresh themselves. Chocolate and coffee had been
brought; and then Mr. Copley exclaimed, "Hang it! this won't do. Have
you drunk nothing but slops all this while, Lawrence?" And he ordered
the waiter to bring a flask of Greek wine. Dolly's heart leaped to her
mouth.

"Oh no, father!" she said pleadingly, laying her hand on his.

"Oh no, what, my child?"

"No wine, please, father!" There was more intensity in Dolly's accents
than perhaps anybody knew but Mr. Copley; he had the key; and the low
quaver in Dolly's voice did not escape him. He answered without letting
himself meet her eyes.

"Why not? Hasn't Lawrence given you any _vino dolce_ since you have
been in foreign parts? One can get good wine in Venice; and pure."

"If one