she would simply go into the room, and take a seat by the
bedside, and talk to him just as if they had met by accident in the
Piazza Cavour. For he had got it into his head now that they were in
Naples again.

"Oh, yes, it is all right, Leo," she would say, putting her cool hand on
his burning one, "they will all be in time, the whole party; when we get
down to the _Risposta_, they will all be there; and perhaps Sabetta will
bring her zither in its case. Then there will be the long sail across
the blue water, and Capri coming nearer and nearer; then the landing and
the donkeys and the steep climb up and up. Where shall we go, Leo?--to
the Hotel Pagano or the Tiberio? The Pagano?--very well, for there is
the long balcony shaded from the sun, and after luncheon we shall have
chairs taken out--yes, and you can smoke there--and you will laugh to
see Andrea go to the front of the railings and sing, '_Al ben de tuoi
qual vittima,_' with his arms stretched out like a windmill, and Carmela
very angry with him that he is so ridiculous. But then no one
hears--what matter?--no one except those perhaps in the small
garden-house for the billiard. Will there be moonlight to-night before
we get back? To-morrow Pandiani will grumble. Well, let him grumble; I
am not afraid of him--no!"

So she would carelessly talk him back into quietude again; and then she
would stealthily withdraw from the room, and perhaps go to the piano and
begin to play some Neapolitan air--but so softly that the notes must
have come to him like music in a dream.

Lord Rockminster called that afternoon and was shown up-stairs.

"I am going down to Scotland to-night," said he to Maurice, "and I have
just got a telegram from Miss Cunyngham--you may have heard of her from
Mr. Moore?"

"Oh, yes," Mangan said.

"She wishes me to bring her the latest news."

Well, he was told what there was to tell--which was not much, amid all
this dire uncertainty. He looked perplexed.

"I should like to have taken Miss Cunyngham some more reassuring
message," he said, thoughtfully. "I suppose there is nothing either she
or I could do?" And then he drew Maurice aside and spoke in an
undertone. "Except perhaps this. I have heard that Moore has been
playing a little high of late--and has burned his fingers. I hope you
won't let his mind be harassed by money matters. If a temporary loan
will serve, and for a considerable amount if necessary, I will rely on
your writing to me;