“In any case, you will be ready to embark quickly, Captain.  Perhaps you may be advised with only a couple of hours’ notice.”

Talking it over with Freya at night, Ulysses was astonished at the promptness with which the doctor had found a boat, the discretion with which she had had it loaded,—­with all the details of this business that had been developing so easily and mysteriously right in the very mouth of a great harbor without any one’s taking any notice of it.

His companion affirmed proudly that Germany well understood how to conduct such affairs.  It was not the doctor only who was working such miracles.  All the German merchants of Naples and Sicily had been giving aid....  And convinced that the captain might be sent for at any moment, she arranged his baggage, packing the little suit-case that always accompanied him on short trips.

The next day at twilight the count came in search of him.  All was ready; the boat was awaiting its captain.

The doctor bade Ulysses farewell with a certain solemnity.  They were in the salon, and in a low voice she gave an order to Freya, who went out, returning immediately with a tall, thin bottle.  It was mellow Rhine wine, the gift of a merchant of Naples, that the doctor was saving for an extraordinary occasion.  She filled four glasses, and, raising hers, looked around her uncertainly.

“Where is the North?...”

The count pointed it out silently.  Then the lady continued raising her glass, with solemn slowness, as though offering a religious libation to the mysterious power hidden in the North, far, far away.  Kaledine imitated her with the same fervid manner.

Ulysses was going to raise the glass to his lips, wishing to hide a ripple of laughter provoked by the imposing lady’s gravity.

“Do like the others,” murmured Freya in his ear.

And the two quietly drank to his health with their eyes turned toward the North.

“Good luck to you, Captain!” said the doctor.  “You will return promptly and with all happiness, since you are working for such a just cause.  We shall never forget your services.”

Freya wished to accompany him, even to the boat.  The count began a protest, but stopped on seeing the good-natured gesture of the sentimental lady.

“They love each other so much!...  Something must be conceded to love....”

The three went down the sloping streets of Chiaja to the shore of S. Lucia.  In spite of his preoccupation, Ferragut could not but look attentively at the count’s appearance.  He was now dressed in blue, with a yachts-man’s black cap, as though prepared to take part in a regatta.  He had undoubtedly adopted this attire in order to make the farewell more solemn.

In the gardens of the Villa Nazionale Kaledine stopped, giving an order to Freya.  He could not permit her to go any further.  She would attract attention in the little harbor dell’ Ovo frequented only by fishermen.  As the tone of his order was sharp and imperious, she obeyed without protest, as though accustomed to such superiority.