nsible English. He's engaged for
to-morrow, but after that I dare say he'll be free. Gustavo can tell you
about him.'

She nodded and smiled and turned down the arbour.

The young man stood where she left him, with folded arms, watching her
pink gown as it receded down the long sun-flecked alley hung with purple
and green. He waited until it had been swallowed up in the yellow
doorway; then he fetched a deep breath and strolled to the water-wall.
After a few moments' prophetic contemplation of the mountain across the
lake, he threw back his head with a quick amused laugh, and got out a
cigarette and lighted it.

CHAPTER IX

As Constance emerged at the other end of the arbour, Gustavo, who had
been nodding on the bench beside the door, sprang to his feet,
consternation in his attitude.

'Signorina!' he stammered. 'You come from ze garden?'

She nodded in her usual off-hand manner and handed him the basket.

'Eggs, Gustavo--two dozen if you can spare them. I am sorry always to be
wanting so many, but'--she sighed--'eggs are so breakable!'

Gustavo rolled his eyes to heaven in silent thanksgiving. She had not, it
was evident, run across the American, and the cat was still safely in the
bag; but how much longer it could be kept there the saints alone knew. He
was feeling--very properly--guilty in regard to this latest escapade; but
what can a defenceless waiter do in the hands of an impetuous young
American whose pockets are stuffed with silver lire and five-franc notes?

'Two dozen? Certainly, signorina. _Subitissimo_!' He took the basket and
hurried to the kitchen.

Constance occupied the interval with the polyglot parrot of the
courtyard. The parrot, since she had last conversed with him, had
acquired several new expressions in the English tongue. As Gustavo
reappeared with the eggs, she confronted him sternly.

'Have you been teaching this bird English? I am surprised!'

'No, signorina. It was--it was----' Gustavo mopped his brow. 'He jus'
pick it up.'

'I'm sorry that the Hotel du Lac has _guests_ that use such language;
it's very shocking.'

'_Si_, signorina.'

'By the way, Gustavo, how does it happen that that young American man
who left last week is still here?'

Gustavo nearly dropped the eggs.

'I just saw him in the garden with a book--I am sure it was the same
young man. What is he doing all this time in Valedolmo?'

Gustavo's eyes roved wildly until they lighted on the tennis-cour