Now Girasole had chosen to say this to Hawbury from the conviction that Hawbury was Minnie’s lover, and that the statement of this would inflict a pang upon the heart of his supposed rival which would destroy his coolness.  Thus he chose rather to strike at Hawbury’s jealousy than at his fear or at his pride.

But he was disappointed.  Hawbury heard his statement with utter indifference.

“Well,” said he, “all I can say is that it seems to me to be a devilish odd way of going to work about it.”

“Aha!” said Girasole, fiercely.  “You sall see.  Se sall be mine.  Aha!”

Hawbury made no reply, and Girasole, after a gesture of impatience, walked off, baffled.

In a few minutes two men came up to Hawbury, and led him away to the woods on the left.

[Illustration:  “THEY SAW A RUINED HOUSE.”]

CHAPTER XXIV.

AMONG THE BRIGANDS.

Girasole now returned to the ladies.  They were in the same position in which he had left them.  Mrs. Willoughby with Minnie, and Ethel, with the maids, attending to Lady Dalrymple.

“Miladi,” said Girasole, “I beg your attenzion.  I haf had de honore to inform you dat dis mees is my fiancee.  Se haf give me her heart an’ her hand; se love me, an’ I love her.  I was prevent from to see her, an’ I haf to take her in dis mannaire.  I feel sad at de pain I haf give you, an’ assuir you dat it was inevitabile.  You sall not be troubled more.  You are free.  Mees,” he continued, taking Minnie’s hand, “you haf promis me dis fair han’, an’ you are mine.  You come to one who loves you bettaire dan life, an’ who you love.  You owe youair life to me.  I sall make it so happy as nevair was.”

“I’m sure I don’t want to be happy,” said Minnie.  “I don’t want to leave darling Kitty—­and it’s a shame—­and you’ll make me hate you if you do so.”

“Miladi,” said Girasole to Mrs. Willoughby, “de mees says se not want to leaf you.  Eef you want to come, you may come an’ be our sistaire.”

“Oh, Kitty darling, you won’t leave me, will you, all alone with this horrid man?” said Minnie.

“My darling,” moaned Mrs. Willoughby, “how can I?  I’ll go.  Oh, my sweet sister, what misery!”

“Oh, now that will be really quite delightful if you will come, Kitty darling.  Only I’m afraid you’ll find it awfully uncomfortable.”

Girasole turned once more to the other ladies.

“I beg you will assura de miladi when she recovaire of my considerazion de mos distingue, an’ convey to her de regrettas dat I haf.  Miladi,” he continued, addressing Ethel, “you are free, an’ can go.  You will not be molest by me.  You sall go safe.  You haf not ver far.  You sall fin’ houses dere—­forward—­before—­not far.”

With these words he turned away.

“You mus come wit me,” he said to Mrs. Willoughby and Minnie.  “Come.  Eet ees not ver far.”