to-morrow, remember, whether Jerry Junior
turns up or not. I'll write a note and invite him too--Gustavo can give
it to him when he comes, and you needn't bother any more about him.'

They found Gustavo hovering omnivorously in the courtyard, hungering for
news; Constance summoned him to her side.

'Gustavo, I am going to send you a note to-night for Mr. Jerymn Hilliard.
You will see that it gets to him as soon as he arrives?'

'Meestair Jayreem Ailyar?' Gustavo stared.

'Yes, the brother of the signorina who came to-day. He is expected
to-morrow or perhaps the day after.'

'_Scusi_, signorina. You--you acquaint wif him?'

'Yes, certainly. I have known him for six years. Don't forget to deliver
the note; it's important.'

They raised their parasols and departed, while Gustavo stood in the
gateway bowing. The motion was purely mechanical; his thoughts were
labouring elsewhere.

CHAPTER XIV

Constance occupied herself upon their return to Villa Rosa in writing the
letter to Jerry Junior. It had occurred to her that this was an excellent
chance to punish him, and it was the working philosophy of her life that
a man should always be punished when opportunity presented. Tony had been
entirely too unconcerned during the past few days; he needed a lesson.
She spent three-quarters of an hour in composing her letter, and tore up
two false starts before she was satisfied. It did not contain the
slightest hint that she knew the truth, and--considered in this light--it
was likely to have a chastening effect. The letter ran--

'VILLA ROSA, VALEDOLMO,
'LAGO DI GARDA.

'DEAR JERRY JUNIOR: I hope you don't mind being called "Jerry
Junior," but "Mr. Hilliard" sounds so absurdly formal, when I have
known your sister so long and so well. We are spending the summer
here in Valedolmo, and Mrs. Eustace and Nannie have promised to
stop with us for a few days, provided you can be persuaded to pause
in your mad rush through Europe. Now please take pity on us--guests
are such unusual luxuries, and as for _men_! Besides a passing
tourist or so, we have had nothing but Italian officers. You can
climb mountains with my father--Nan says you are a climber--and we
can supply mountains enough to keep you occupied for a month.

'My father would write himself, only that he is climbing th