d, and rows of
donkeys, with smart trappings and saddle-bags, were tied to posts. On
the sand were numbers of animals for sale--oxen, cows, calves, goats,
kids, great black hogs covered with bristles like wild boars, and tiny
pigs which, when bought, were popped into bags with their heads and the
two front feet peeping out. The noise was indescribable. Cattle lowed,
pigs squealed and grunted, men shouted, children cried, and musicians
sang and rattled tambourines. Beggars of all descriptions, the blind,
the halt, and the maimed were there, clamoring for alms, and calling
attention to their deficiencies, often thrusting a withered hand or the
stump of an arm under the very noses of strangers, to demand sympathy
and money from them.

Lilias and Dulcie began to understand why Signora Greville had not
allowed the younger children to come to the fair. They were almost
frightened by the dirt and impudence of the beggars, and each clung to
the arm of a masculine protector to pilot her through the crowd. They
were, indeed, glad to move away from the rather rough element on the
beach, and turn back through the town, where the peasants were now
taking lunch of maccaroni and omelettes at tables spread in the streets.
They bought a few curiosities and souvenirs at the stalls, stopped to
listen to a band of musicians, then turned up the hill-side again, and
made their way back to Montalesso, leaving Targia Vecchia to continue
its merry-making.

"I should think the fair must be a wonderful sight at night!" said
Everard that afternoon at the Casa Bianca.

"Rather," agreed Ernesto. "The people will be dancing down the streets
by torch light and singing at the pitch of their voices."

"I'd give anything to see it!"

"I shouldn't go, my boy, if I were you," put in Mr. Greville quietly.
"You'd find it a rowdy place, and not at all to your liking. The wine
shops will have been very busy all day."

"And the people aren't over gentle with strangers when their blood's
up," added Vittore. "They've no use for a nice young Englishman down in
Targia Vecchia! Best stay safe at home."

Vittore, who had waited till his uncle was out of earshot, spoke
tauntingly. Everard colored crimson.

"I'm not afraid of a few Sicilian peasants!" he remarked.

Vittore's sneer had aroused his opposition, and made him determined to
go, more particularly as Carmel had expressed great regret at not having
bought a certain necklace which she had seen on a st