you are not in the museum alone?"

Dolly presented Mr. Babbage.

"And how is your mother?" Mrs. Thayer went on. "Better! I am so glad. I
thought she would be better in Italy. And what have you done with your
handsome _cavaliero servente_--Mr. St. Leger?"

"I left him at home with a magazine, in which I _think_ there was a
story," said Dolly.

"Impossible! his gallantry allowed you to come alone?"

"Not his gallantry, but perhaps his sense of weakness," Dolly answered.

"Of weakness, my dear? Is he a weak young man? He does not look it."

"Very good muscular power, I daresay; but when we talk of power of
will, you know 'weakness' is relative. I forbade him, and he did not
dare to come."

"You forbade him! and he obeyed? But, Christina, I do not think you
have Mr. Shubrick in such training as that. Would he obey, if you gave
him orders?"

"Probably the relations are different," said Dolly, obliging herself to
keep a grave face. "I am in a happy independence of Mr. St. Leger which
allows me to command him."

"Independence!" said Mrs. Thayer, with an air half curious, half
confounded, which was a severe trial to Dolly's risible muscles. "I
know young ladies are very independent in these days--I don't know
whether it is a change for the better or not--but I do not think
Christina would boast of her independence of _her_ knight-errant."

"No," said Dolly. "The cases are different--as I said. Mr. St. Leger
does not stand in that particular relation to me."

"Doesn't he? But, my dear, I hope you haven't quarrelled?"

"Not at all," said Dolly. "We do not like each other well enough to
quarrel."

"But he struck me as a most delightful young man."

"I believe he generally makes that impression."

"I used to know his father," said Mrs. Thayer. "He was a sad flirt. I
know, you see, my dear, because I was one myself. I am glad Christina
does not take after me. But I used to think it was great fun. Is Mr.
St. Leger anything of a flirt?"

"I have had no opportunity of knowing, ma'am," said Dolly gravely.

"Well, you will bring him to see us? You are all coming to make us a
visit at our villa, at Sorrento; and Mr. Shubrick is coming; Christina
wants to show him to you; you know a girl is always proud of her
conquests; and then we will go everywhere and make you see everything.
You have just no notion how delightful it is at Sorrento in the spring
and summer. It's Paradise!"

"But you are coming first to spend Ch