Of course I assented.  Indeed, it was true enough as long as the President was not on the spot; but I thought privately that the colonel did not allow enough for his rival’s personal influence and prestige, if he once got face to face with the troops.

“Yes,” the colonel went on, “I’ll do that; and what’s more, I’ll put the people in good humor by sending down orders for free drink in the Piazza to-night.”

“Delightfully old-fashioned and baronial,” I remarked, “I think it’s a good idea.  Have a bonfire, and make it complete.  I don’t suppose Whittingham dreams of any attempt, but it will make the riot even more plausible.”

“At any rate, they’ll all be too drunk to make trouble,” said he.

“Well, that’s about all, isn’t it?” said I.  “I shall be off.  I’ve got to write to my directors and ask instructions for the investment of the money.”

“You’ll live to be hanged, Martin,” said the colonel, with evident admiration.

“Not by you, eh, colonel?  Whatever might have happened if I’d been obstinate!  Hope I shall survive to dance at your wedding, anyhow.  Less than a week now!”

“Yes,” said he, “it’s Sunday (though, by Jove!  I’d forgotten it), and next Saturday’s the day!”

He really looked quite the happy bridegroom as he said this, and I left him to contemplate his bliss.

“I would bet ten to one that day never comes,” I thought, as I walked away.  “Even if I don’t win, I’ll back the President to be back before that.”

The colonel’s greed had triumphed over his wits, and he had fallen into my snare with greater readiness than I could have hoped.  The question remained, What would the president do when he got the signorina’s letter?  It may conduce to a better understanding of the position if I tell what that letter was.  She gave it me to read over, after we had compiled it together, and I still have my copy.  It ran as follows: 

“I can hardly hope you will trust me again, but if I betrayed you, you drove me to it.  I have given them your money; it is in the bank now.  M. refuses to give it up, and the C. means to take it to-night.  He will have only a few men, the rest not near.  He will be at the bank at two, with about twenty men.  Take your own measures.  All here favor you.  He threatens me violence unless I marry him at once.  He watches The Songstress, but if you can leave her at anchor and land in a boat there will be no suspicion.  I swear this is true; do not punish me more by disbelieving me.  I make no protest.  But if you come back to me I will give you, in return for pardon, anything you ask!

“CHRISTINA.

“P.S.—–­M. and the C. are on bad terms, and M. will not be active against you.”