So he went out of the room, and up the stairs, until his head was on a level with the floor of the story above.  Then he called: 

"Min!"

No answer.

“MIN!” in a louder voice.

No answer.

“MIN! it’s ME!” still louder.

No answer.

"MIN!" a perfect yell.

At this last shout there was a response.  One of the doors opened, and a lady made her appearance, while at two other doors appeared two maids.  The lady was young and beautiful, and her face was stern, and her dark eyes looked indignantly toward the Baron.

“Who are you?” she asked, abruptly; “and what do you want?”

“Me?  I’m the Baron Atramonte; and I want Min.  Don’t you know where she is?”

“Who?”

“Min.”

“Min?” asked the other, in amazement.

“Yes.  My Min—­Minnie, you know.  Minnie Fay.”

At this the lady looked at the Baron with utter horror.

“I want her.”

“She’s not at home,” said the lady.

“Well, really, it’s too bad.  I must see her.  Is she out?”

“Yes.”

“Really?  Honor bright now?”

The lady retired and shut the door.

“Well, darn it all, you needn’t be so peppery,” muttered the Baron.  “I didn’t say any thing.  I only asked a civil question.  Out, hey?  Well, she must be this time.  If she’d been in, she’d have made her appearance.  Well, I’d best go out and hunt her up.  They don’t seem to me altogether so cordial as I’d like to have them.  They’re just a leetle too ’ristocratic.”

With these observations to himself, the Baron descended the stairs, and made his way to the door.  Here he threw an engaging smile upon the servant, and made a remark which set the other on the broad grin for the remainder of the day.  After this the Baron took his departure.

The Baron this time went to some stables, and reappeared in a short time mounted upon a gallant steed, and careering down the Corso.  In due time he reached the Piazza del Popolo, and then he ascended the Pincian Hill.  Here he rode about for some time, and finally his perseverance was rewarded.  He was looking down from the summit of the hill upon the Piazza below, when he caught sight of a barouche, in which were three ladies.  One of these sat on the front seat, and her white face and short golden hair seemed to indicate to him the one he sought.

In an instant he put spurs to his horse, and rode down the hill as quick as possible, to the great alarm of the crowds who were going up and down.  In a short time he had caught up with the carriage.  He was right.  It was the right one, and Minnie was there, together with Lady Dalrymple and Mrs. Willoughby.  The ladies, on learning of his approach, exhibited no emotion.  They were prepared for this, and resigned.  They had determined that Minnie should have no more interviews with him indoors; and since they could not imprison her altogether, they would have to submit for the present to his advances.  But they were rapidly becoming desperate.