“We’ll see about that,” said I savagely.

“Another revolution, Jack?” asked the signorina.

“You needn’t laugh at me,” I said sulkily.

“Poor boy!  What are we idyllic lovers to do?”

“I don’t believe you’re a bit in earnest.”

“Yes, I am, Jack—­now.”  Then she went on, with a sort of playful pity, “Look at my savage, jealous, broken-hearted Jack.”

I caught her in my arms and kissed her, whispering hotly: 

“You will be true to me, sweet?”

“Let me go,” she said.  Then, leaning over me as I flung myself back in a chair, “It’s pleasant while it lasts; try not to be broken-hearted if it doesn’t last.”

“If you love me, why don’t you come with me out of this sink of iniquity?”

“Run away with you?” she asked, with open amazement.  “Do you think that we’re the sort of people, for a romantic elopement?  I am very earthy.  And so are you, Jack, dear—­nice earth, but earth, Jack.”

There was a good deal of truth in this remark.  We were not an ideal pair for love in a cottage.

“Yes,” I said.  “I’ve got no money.”

“I’ve got a little money, but not much.  I’ve been paying debts,” she added proudly.

“I haven’t been even doing that.  And I’m not quite equal to purloining that three hundred thousand dollars.”

“We must wait, Jack.  But this I will promise.  I’ll never marry the colonel.  If it comes to that or running away, we’ll run away.”

“And Whittingham?”

The signorina for once looked grave.

“You know him,” she said.  “Think what he made you do! and you’re not a weak man, or I shouldn’t be fond of you.  Jack, you must keep him away from me.”

She was quite agitated; and it was one more tribute to the President’s powers that he should exert so strange an influence over such a nature.  I was burning to ask her more about herself and the President, but I could not while she was distressed.  And when I had comforted her, she resolutely declined to return to the subject.

“No, go away now,” she said.  “Think how we are to checkmate our two Presidents.  And, Jack! whatever happens, I got you back the money.  I’ve done you some good.  So be kind to me.  I’m not very much afraid of your heart breaking.  In fact, Jack, we are neither of us good young people.  No, no; be quiet and go away.  You have plenty of useful things to occupy your time.”

At last I accepted my dismissal and walked off, my happiness considerably damped by the awkward predicament in which we stood.  Clearly McGregor meant business; and at this moment McGregor was all-powerful.  If he kept the reins, I should lose my love.  If the President came back, a worse fate still threatened.  Supposing it were possible to carry off the signorina, which I doubted very much, where were we to go to!  And would she come?

On the whole, I did not think she would come.