uld say you did more, Alice,--that you gave him
encouragement."

"What an odious word you have impressed into your service! but I deny
it; nor was he one to want it. Your adventurer never does."

"Adventurer!"

"I mean it in its least offensive sense; but, really, I see no reason
why this man's name is to persecute me. I left Ireland half to avoid it.
I certainly need not encounter it here."

"And if you meet him?"

"I shall not meet him. I don't intend to go out so long as we are here,
and I trust I can refuse to receive him when at home."

"I had almost said, Poor fellow!"

"Say it, by all means; compassionate--console him, too, if Skeff has no
objection."

"Oh, Alice!"

"Your own fault, Bella, if I say provoking things. No, mamma," added
she, to some remark from within; "our secrets, as you call them, cannot
be overheard; for, first of all, we are talking English; and secondly,
there is no person whatever in the street."

Lady Lyle now made her appearance on the balcony, and soon afterwards
they all re-entered the room. Maitland sat hours long on the stone
bench, watching with intense eagerness as a shadow would pass or repass
behind the curtains, and there he remained till all the lights were out
in the hotel and the whole house sunk in silence.

CHAPTER LIII. UNPLEASANT RECKONINGS

There were few busier diplomatists in Europe during these eventful days
of Naples than Skeffington Darner; and if England had not her share of
influence, it was no fault of his. He sent off special messengers every
day. He wrote to F. O. in a cipher, of which it was said no one had the
key; and he telegraphed in mystical language to the Admiral at Malta,
which went far to persuade the gallant seaman that his correspondent was
a maniac. He besieged the Court and the ministerial offices, and went
home to receive deputations from the wildest leaders of the extreme
democracy. He was determined, as he said, to "know the truth," and he
surrounded himself for that purpose with a mass of inextricable perfidy
and falsehood; and yet, with all these occupations, he passed his entire
mornings with the Lyles, and dined with them every day.

It was a great pleasure, as Sir Arthur said, to be "behind the scenes;"
and really the phrase did not ill represent their position, for they
knew as much of what was going on upon the stage as people usually do
who have only an occasional glimpse, and that from a wrong point of
view. Sir Arthu