the assurance that
it had already safely reached its destination, and that the Colonel
and Skeffy had doubtless indulged in many a hearty laugh over his
embarrassment at its loss. "If they knew but all," muttered he; "I take
it very coolly. I 'm not breaking my heart over the disaster." And so
far he was right,--not, however, from the philosophical indifference
that he imagined, but simply because he never believed in the calamity,
nor had realized it to himself.

When he landed at Naples, he drove off at once to the lodgings of his
friend Darner, which, though at a considerable height from the ground,
in a house of the St. Lucia Quarter, he found were dignified with the
title of British Legation; a written notice on the door informed all
the readers that "H. R. M.'s Charge d'Affaires transacted business from
twelve to four every day." It was two o'clock when Tony arrived, and,
notwithstanding the aforesaid announcement, he had to ring three times
before the door was opened. At length a sleepy-looking valet appeared to
say that "His Excellency"--he styled him so--was in his bath, and could
not be seen in less than an hour. Tony sent in his name, and speedily
received for answer that he would find a letter addressed to him in the
rack over the chimney, and Mr. Darner would be dressed and with him by
the time he had read it.

Poor Tony's eyes swam with tears as he saw his mother's handwriting, and
he tore open the sheet with hot impatience. It was very short, as were
all her letters, and so we give it entire:--

"My own darling Tony,--Your beautiful present reached me yesterday,
and what shall I say to my poor reckless boy for such an act of
extravagance? Surely, Tony, it was made for a queen, and not for a poor
widow that sits the day long mending her stockings at the window. But
ain't I proud of it, and of him that sent it! Heaven knows what it has
cost you, my dear boy, for even the carriage here from London, by the
Royal Parcel Company, Limited, came to thirty-two and fourpence.
Why they call themselves 'Limited' after that, is clean beyond my
comprehension. [If Tony smiled here, it was with a hot and flushed
cheek, for he had forgotten to prepay the whole carriage, and he was
vexed at his thoughtlessness.]

"As to my wearing it going to meeting, as you say, it's quite
impossible. The thought of its getting wet would be a snare to take my
mind off the blessed words of the minister; and I 'm not sure, my
dear Ton