‘Oh! my lord, you have such a way,’ said Mistress Pauncefort, retreating with a slow step that still lingered for a remark.

‘Pauncefort, is that an Italian cap?’ said Lord Cadurcis; ’you know, Pauncefort, you were always famous for your caps.’

Mistress Pauncefort disappeared in a fluster of delight.

And now they had indeed departed.  There was a pause of complete silence after they had disappeared, the slight and not painful reaction after the mirthful excitement of the last few hours.  At length Herbert, dropping, as was his evening custom, a few drops of orange-flower into a tumbler of water, said, ’Annabel, my love, I am rather surprised that neither you nor Venetia should have mentioned to me that you knew, and knew so intimately, a man like Lord Cadurcis.’

Lady Annabel appeared a little confused; she looked even at Venetia, but Venetia’s eyes were on the ground.  At length she said, ’In truth, Marmion, since we met we have thought only of you.’

‘Cadurcis Abbey, papa, is close to Cherbury,’ said Venetia.

‘Cherbury!’ said Herbert, with a faint blush.  ’I have never seen it, and now I shall never see it.  No matter, my country is your mother and yourself.  Some find a home in their country, I find a country in my home.  Well,’ he added, in a gayer tone, ’it has gratified me much to meet Lord Cadurcis.  We were happy before, but now we are even gay.  I like to see you smile, Annabel, and hear Venetia laugh.  I feel, myself, quite an unusual hilarity.  Cadurcis!  It is very strange how often I have mused over that name.  A year ago it was one of my few wishes to know him; my wishes, then, dear Annabel, were not very ambitious.  They did not mount so high as you have since permitted them.  And now I do know him, and under what circumstances!  Is not life strange?  But is it not happy?  I feel it so.  Good night, sweet wife; my darling daughter, a happy, happy night!’ He embraced them ere they retired; and opening a volume composed his mind after the novel excitement of the evening.

CHAPTER IV.

Cadurcis left the brig early in the morning alone, and strolled towards the villa.  He met Herbert half-way to Spezzia, who turned back with him towards home.  They sat down on a crag opposite the sea; there was a light breeze, the fishing boats wore out, and the view was as animated as the fresh air was cheering.

‘There they go,’ said Cadurcis, smiling, ’catching John Dory, as you and I try to catch John Bull.  Now if these people could understand what two great men were watching them, how they would stare!  But they don’t care a sprat for us, not they!  They are not part of the world the three or four thousand civilised savages for whom we sweat our brains, and whose fetid breath perfumed with musk is fame.  Pah!’

Herbert smiled.  ‘I have not cared much myself for this same world.’