fire. By Jove! the sacrifice of a few chairs
and window-curtains would be a cheap alternative," said George Onslow.

"Why not essay a compromise, my Lady?" interposed a young German
secretary of legation; "a mixed garrison, like that of Rastadt?"

"Lady Hester's troops to mount guard alternately with the Rickettses'.
Downright treason, base treason!" exclaimed another.

"What would you think of a special mission, my Lady?" simpered Jekyl.
"It would at least serve to enlighten us as to the views of the enemy.
The discussion of the past often throws much light on the future."

"Jekyl wants to earn a decoration," said another, laughing. "He intends
to be the envoy himself."

"I'll wager that I know Midchekoff's policy," said a young Sicilian,
who always spoke with a frank fearlessness that is most rare with other
Italians.

"Well, let us hear it," said the Prince, gravely.

"You would counsel the national expedient of retiring before the enemy,
and making the country too cold to hold them?"

"How absurd!" said Lady Hester, half angrily; "give up one's house to
a set of people who have had the impertinence to intrude themselves
unasked?"

"And yet Giasconi is right," said the Prince. "It is the best suggestion
we have heard yet. Hostilities imply, to a certain extent, equality;
negotiation is an acknowledgment of acquaintanceship; a dignified
retreat, however, avoids either difficulty."

"In that case, let 's starve them out," said George. "Suffer no
supplies to be thrown into the place, and exact the most humble terms of
submission."

"Then, where to go? that 's another question," said Lady Hester.

"His Eminence expects to see you in Rome," whispered the Abbe, who had
waited for an opportunity for the suggestion. "I believe he relies on a
promise."

"Very true; but not just yet. Besides, the season is almost over," said
Lady Hester, with a slight degree of confusion.

"Don't be frightened, Abbe," whispered Jekyl in D'Esmonde's ear. "Her
Ladyship is assuredly 'going to Rome' later on."

The priest smiled, with an expression that told how fully he
comprehended the phrase.

"There 's a little villa of mine, on the Lake of Como, very much at your
service," said Midchekoff, with the easy indifference of one suggesting
something perfectly indifferent to him.

"Do you mean La Rocca, Prince?" added the Sicilian.

"Yes. They tell me it is prettily situated, but I 've never seen it.
The Empress passed a few