the heart will cling fondly to that which has chastened its emotions and
elevated its hopes. And then, Tony thought, they might obtain that long
stretch of land that lay along the shore, with the little nook where
the boats lay at anchor, and where he would have his yacht. "I suppose,"
said he, "Sir Arthur Lyle would have no objection to my being so near a
neighbor?"

"Of course not; but we can soon settle that point, for they are all
here."

"Here?"

"At Naples, I mean."

"How was it that you never told me that?" he asked sharply.

Skeff fidgeted--bit his cigar--threw it away; and with more confusion
than became so distinguished a diplomatist, stammered out, "I have had
so much to tell you--such lots of news;" and then with an altered voice
he added, "Besides, old fellow, the doctor warned me not to say anything
that might agitate you; and I thought--that is, I used to think--there
was something in that quarter, eh?"

Tony grew pale, but made no answer.

"I know she likes you, Tony," said Skeff, taking his hand and pressing
it. "Bella, who is engaged to me--I forget if I told you that--"

"No, you never told me!"

"Well, Bella and I are to be married immediately,--that is, as soon as
I can get back to England. I have asked for leave already; they 've
refused me twice. It 's all very fine saying to me that I ought to know
that in the present difficulties of Italy no man could replace me at
this Court. My answer to that is: Skeff Darner has other stuff in him as
well as ambition. He has a heart just as much as a head. Nor am I to go
on passing my life saving this dynasty. The Bourbons are not so much to
me as my own happiness, eh?"

"I suppose not," said Tony, dryly.

"You 'd have done the same, would n't you?"

"I can't tell. I cannot even imagine myself filling any station of
responsibility or importance."

"My reply was brief: Leave for six months' time, to recruit an
over-taxed frame and over-wrought intellect; time also for them to look
out what to offer me, for I 'll not go to Mexico, nor to Rio; neither
will I take Washington, nor any of the Northern Courts. Dearest Bella
must have climate, and I myself must have congenial society; and so I
said, not in such terms, but in meaning, Skeff Darner is only yours at
_his_ price. Let them refuse me,--let me see them even hesitate, and I
give my word of honor, I'm capable of abandoning public life altogether,
and retiring into my woods at Tilney, leaving