came forth in his true character, the great
political genius of Europe! Bella believed it all; not that she was
deficient in common sense, or wanting in discernment; but she liked
him,--there was the secret. She had made her investment in a certain
stock, and would persist in regarding it as a most profitable venture;
and thus would they pass their mornings,--a strange way to make love,
perhaps; but that passion, etherealize it how you may, trades on some
one form or other of selfishness; and all these endearments were blended
with the thought of how happy they should be when they were great
people.

Skeffy would bring with him, besides, a whole bagful of papers,
despatches, and "private and confidentials," and such-like, and make
Bella copy out pages for him of that dreary trash, which, like a bad
tapestry, has served no other purpose than to employ the small mind that
devised it. And he would sit there, with his eyes closed, and dictate
to her endless "brief glances" at the present aspect of the Italian
question, till the poor girl was half worn out between the importance of
her task and its weariness.

"What's that you are poring over, Bella?" he asked, as she read over a
somewhat lengthy letter.

"It is the complaint of an Englishman at being detained by the
authorities, first at Palermo and again here: he was a mere traveller,
he asserts, and not in any way engaged in political schemes. He says
that this is his fourth appeal to you without an answer, and he declares
that if this be not replied to, he will address the Chief Secretary at
home."

"Tell the fellow that a Darner is inaccessible to a menace; tell him
that his stupid letter would be promptly referred back to me; and say
that, so far as this peninsula is concerned, I am F. O., and to be
propitiated by humility, and not outraged by a threat."

"But if it be really true--if the poor fellow should be imprisoned for
nothing, Skeff?"

"If so, I shall liberate him;" and as he spoke, he arose and walked the
room with a haughty stride and a head erect "Write--

"'Sir,--I am directed by H. M.'s Charge d'Affaires'--or rather say, 'The
undersigned has to acknowledge the receipt of'--what's his name?"

"Samuel M'Gruder."

"What a name!--'of Samuel M'Gruder's letter; and although he takes
exception to the passages marked A and B, and requires explanation
of the paragraph C, beginning at the words "nor can I," and ending at
"British subject"'--You 'll have