. 'When is Miss Agnes Lockwood expected to be in
Venice?' she asked.

It was not easy to throw Francis off his balance, but that
extraordinary question did it. 'How the devil did you know that Miss
Lockwood was coming to Venice?' he exclaimed.

She laughed--a bitter mocking laugh. 'Say, I guessed it!'

Something in her tone, or perhaps something in the audacious defiance
of her eyes as they rested on him, roused the quick temper that was in
Francis Warwick. 'Lady Montbarry--!' he began.

'Stop there!' she interposed. 'Your brother Stephen's wife calls
herself Lady Montbarry now. I share my title with no woman. Call me
by my name before I committed the fatal mistake of marrying your
brother. Address me, if you please, as Countess Narona.'

'Countess Narona,' Francis resumed, 'if your object in claiming my
acquaintance is to mystify me, you have come to the wrong man. Speak
plainly, or permit me to wish you good evening.'

'If your object is to keep Miss Lockwood's arrival in Venice a secret,'
she retorted, 'speak plainly, Mr. Westwick, on your side, and say so.'

Her intention was evidently to irritate him; and she succeeded.
'Nonsense!' he broke out petulantly. 'My brother's travelling
arrangements are secrets to nobody. He brings Miss Lockwood here, with
Lady Montbarry and the children. As you seem so well informed, perhaps
you know why she is coming to Venice?'

The Countess had suddenly become grave and thoughtful. She made no
reply. The two strangely associated companions, having reached one
extremity of the square, were now standing before the church of St.
Mark. The moonlight was bright enough to show the architecture of the
grand cathedral in its wonderful variety of detail. Even the pigeons
of St. Mark were visible, in dark closely packed rows, roosting in the
archways of the great entrance doors.

'I never saw the old church look so beautiful by moonlight,' the
Countess said quietly; speaking, not to Francis, but to herself.
'Good-bye, St. Mark's by moonlight! I shall not see you again.'

She turned away from the church, and saw Francis listening to her with
wondering looks. 'No,' she resumed, placidly picking up the lost
thread of the conversation, 'I don't know why Miss Lockwood is coming
here, I only know that we are to meet in Venice.'

'By previous appointment?'

'By Destiny,' she answered, with her head on her breast, and her eyes
on the ground. Francis burst out laughing. 'Or, if you like i