he verge, as some think, of a revolution, has time and
to spare for its social delinquencies; but Maitland has so engrossed my
thoughts that he has filled my letter; and yet I have not told you one
tithe of what I have heard about him from his friend Caffarelli.
Indeed, in his estimation, M. has no equal living; he is not alone the
cleverest, boldest, and most accomplished of men, but the truest and the
best-hearted. I sat late into the night last night listening to traits
of his generosity,--the poor people he had helped, the deserving
creatures he had succored, and the earnest way he had pressed claims on
the Ministry for wretched families who had been friendless without him.
I was dying to ask other questions about him, but I did not venture, and
yet the man puzzles me more than ever. Once, indeed, Caffarelli seemed
on the verge of telling me something. I had asked what Maitland meant
by saying that he should probably soon quit Italy? 'Ah,' replied
Caffarelli, laughing, 'then he has told you of that mad scheme of his;
but of all things in the world, why go into the service of a Bey of
Tunis?' 'A Bey of Tunis!' cried I, in such evident astonishment as
showed I had heard of the project for the first time. 'Of course it was
but a jest,' said Caffarelli, catching himself up quickly. 'The present
Bey and Maitland lived together in Paris in their early days; and I
have seen scores of letters entreating Maitland to come to Tunis,
and offering him the command of a division, the place of a
Minister,--anything, in fact, that might be supposed to tempt him. You
may imagine yourself how likely it is that a man with all Europe at his
feet would consent to finish his life in an African banishment.'

"If I could only have one week more here, I feel certain that Caffarelli
would tell me everything that I want to learn, but I must up and away.
My servant is already hurrying down my baggage, and I have not more time
than to send my loves to you all.

"Yours always,

"Mark Lyle.

"P. S. Caff is just the fellow to be made very useful, and likes it;
so don't scruple to write to him as fully as you please. He has already
told me of a first-rate chief-servant, a Maestro di Casa, for you; and,
in fact, only commission him, and he'll improvise you a full household
ready for your arrival. _Addio!_"

CHAPTER XLIII. THE MAJOR AT BADEN

"You will please to write your name there, sir," said a clerk from
behind a wooden railing to a fie