the slightest degree by any distrust
whatever.

"After all," thought the Russian, "how can I hope to stimulate a man who
is not excited by his own increase of fortune? Talk of Turkish fatalism,
these fellows would shame the Moslem."

"Do you mean to prolong your stay at Florence, my Lord?" asked the
Prince, as they arose from the table.

"I scarcely know. What do you say, Baynton?"

"A week or so, I fancy," muttered the other.

"And then on to Rome, perhaps?"

The two Englishmen looked at each other with an air of as much confusion
as if subjected to a searching examination in science.

"Well, I shouldn't wonder," said Selby, at last, with a sigh.

"Yes, it may come to that," said Baynton, like a man who had just
overcome a difficulty.

"You 'll be in time for the Holy Week and all the ceremonies," said the
Prince.

"Mind that, Baynton," said his Lordship, who wasn't going to carry what
he felt to be another man's load; and Baynton nodded acquiescence.

"And after that comes the season for Naples,--you have a month or six
weeks, perhaps, of such weather as nothing in all Europe can vie with."

"You hear, Baynton!" said Selby.

"I've booked it," muttered the other; and so they took leave of their
entertainer, and set out towards Florence. Neither you nor I, dear
reader, will gain anything by keeping them company, for they say
scarcely a word by the way. They stop at intervals, and cast their eyes
over the glorious landscape at their feet. Their glances are thrown over
the fairest scene of the fairest of all lands; and whether they turn
towards the snow-capt Apennines, by Vall'ombrosa, or trace the sunny
vineyards along the Val' d' Arno, they behold a picture such as no
canvas ever imitated; still, they are mute and uncommunicative. Whatever
of pleasure their thoughts suggest, each keeps for himself. Objects of
wonder, strange sights and new, may present themselves, but they are
not to be startled out of national dignity by so ignoble a sentiment as
surprise. And so they jog onward,--doubtless richer in reflection than
eloquent in communion; and so we leave them.

Let us not be deemed unjust or ungenerous if we assert that we have met
many such as these. They are not individuals,--they are a class; and,
strange enough too, a class which almost invariably pertains to a high
and distinguished rank in society. It would be presumptuous to ascribe
such demeanor to insensibility. There is enough in their gener