and Letitia to think that I was just making catspaws of you both,
and forcing you without knowing, to help me unearth him in his lair.
Still, as he _is_ here--"

"Perhaps he isn't," suggested the Grand Duchess. "I don't see that you
have much ground for fancying so."

"Oh, _ground_!" echoed Virginia, scornfully. "It's instinct that I go
upon, not ground. That woman's face when she saw foreign tourists at
her door, out of season, when she had a right to think she was safe
from invasion. Her stammering about the best rooms being taken; her
wish to get rid of us; her distress that she couldn't possibly do so,
without making matters worse. The way she talks of her 'four
gentlemen.' Her horror at my _lese majeste_. Her confusion about the
portraits; her wish to impress it upon us that _Unser Leo_ is quite
changed. Instinct ought to be ashamed if it couldn't play detective as
far as that. But--of course we may not see him. If she can help it, we
won't. He won't like being run to earth by tourists, when he is
amusing himself; and perhaps the trusty landlady will send the
intelligent young guide whom I refused, to warn him, so that if he
chooses he can keep out of the way."

"I almost hope she may send," said the Grand Duchess. "I don't think
Providence wills a meeting here. You have brought no pretty dresses. I
_should_ like him to see you first when you look your best, since, to
your mind, so much depends upon his feelings in this matter."

"Our first meeting is--on the knees of the gods," murmured Virginia.

And then Frau Yorvan came into the room with a souffle.

CHAPTER III

A CHAMOIS HUNTER

"This is perfectly appalling!" groaned the unfortunate lady who
passed, for this adventure, under the name of Miss Manchester.

"Perfectly glorious!" amended her companion.

The elder lady pressed Baedeker to her bosom, and sat down, with some
abruptness. "I shall have to stop here," she panted, "all the rest of
my life, and have my meals and my night things sent up. I'm very
sorry. But I'm certain I shall never be able to go back."

"Don't be absurd, my poor dear; we're absolutely safe," said Virginia.
"I may be a selfish wretch, but I wouldn't for the world have brought
you into danger. You needn't go down yet. Let's explore a little
further. It's easier than turning back. Surely you can go on. Baedeker
says you can. In ten minutes you'll be at the top of the _col_."

"You may as well tell me that I'll be in m