,
never transgressing the limits of a freedom so handsomely accorded him.

While the hours rolled over thus delightfully, a messenger returned
to say that he had been at each of the great hotels, but could find no
trace of Colonel Chamberlayne, nor of the missing bags.

"Send Moorcap," said the minister. Moorcap was away two hours, and came
back with the same story.

"I suspect how it is," said Tony. "Chamberlayne has been obliged to
start suddenly, and has carried off my bags with his own; but when he
discovers his mistake, he 'll drop them at Naples."

Sir Joseph smiled,--perhaps he did not think the explanation very
satisfactory; and perhaps,--who knows?--but he thought that the loss of
a despatch-bag was not amongst the heaviest of human calamities. "At all
events," he said, "we'll give you an early dinner, Butler, and you
can start by the late train to Genoa, and catch the morning steamer to
Naples."

Tony asked no better; and I am afraid to have to confess that he engaged
at a game of "pool" with all the zest of one who carried no weighty care
on his breast.

When the time for leave-taking came, Sir Joseph shook his hand with
cordial warmth, telling him to be sure to dine with him as he came
through Turin. "Hang up your hat here, Butler; and if I should be from
home, tell them that you are come to dinner."

Very simple words these. They cost little to him who spoke them, but
what a joy and happiness to poor Tony! Oh, ye gentlemen of high place
and station, if you but knew how your slightest words of kindness--your
two or three syllables of encouragement--give warmth and glow and vigor
to many a poor wayfarer on life's high-road, imparting a sense not alone
of hope, but of self-esteem, to a nature too distrustful of itself,
mayhap you might be less chary of that which, costing you so little,
is wealth unspeakable to him it is bestowed upon. Tony went on his way
rejoicing; he left that threshold, as many others had left it, thinking
far better of the world and its people, and without knowing it, very
proud of the notice of one whose favor he felt to be fame. "Ah," thought
he, "if Alice had but heard how that great man spoke to me,--if Alice
only saw how familiarly he treated me,--it might show her, perhaps, that
others at least can see in me some qualities not altogether hopeless."

If, now and then, some thought of that "unlucky bag"--so he called it to
himself--would invade, he dismissed it speedily, with