“Oh, Uncle!” came a chorus of protest.

“What, you rascals! are you encouraging this desperate fol-de-rol?”

“You are too severe, Uncle John,” said Patsy, smiling.  “The trouble with you is that you’ve never been in love yourself.”

“Never been in love!” He beamed upon the three girls with devotion written all over his round, jolly face.

“Then you’re jealous,” said Kenneth.  “Give the poor kids a fair show, Uncle John.”

“All right, I will.  Arthur, my lad, join our happy family as one of my kidlets, and love us all—­but no one in particular.  Eh?  Until we get home again, you know.  We’ve started out to have the time of our lives, and we’re getting it in chunks—­eh, girls?”

“We certainly are, Uncle John!” Another chorus.

“Well, what do you say, Arthur Weldon?”

“Perhaps you are right, sir,” answered the young man.  “And, anyway, I am deeply grateful for your kindness.  I fear I must return home in a couple of weeks, to look after business matters; but while I remain with you I shall try to conduct myself as you wish.”

“That sounds proper.  Is it satisfactory to you, Louise?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Then we’ve settled Cupid—­for a time, anyway.  And now, my dears, I think we have all had enough of Taormina.  Where shall we go next?”

CHAPTER XXVII

TATO IS ADOPTED

They canvassed the subject of their future travels with considerable earnestness.  Uncle John was bent upon getting to Rome and Venice, and from there to Paris, and the nieces were willing to go anywhere he preferred, as they were sure to enjoy every day of their trip in the old world.  But Mr. Watson urged them strongly to visit Syracuse, since they were not likely to return to Sicily again and the most famous of all the ancient historic capitals was only a few hours’ journey from Taormina.  So it was finally decided to pass a week in Syracuse before returning to the continent, and preparations were at once begun for their departure.

Kenneth pleaded for one more day in which to finish his picture of Etna, and this was allowed him.  Uncle John nevertheless confessed to being uneasy as long as they remained on the scene of his recent exciting experiences.  Mr. Watson advised them all not to stray far from the hotel, as there was no certainty that Il Duca would not make another attempt to entrap them, or at least to be revenged for their escape from his clutches.

On the afternoon of the next day, however, they were startled by a call from the Duke in person.  He was dressed in his usual faded velvet costume and came to them leading by the hand a beautiful little girl.

The nieces gazed at the child in astonishment.

Tato wore a gray cloth gown, ill-fitting and of coarse material; but no costume could destroy the fairy-like perfection of her form or the daintiness of her exquisite features.  With downcast eyes and a troubled expression she stood modestly before them until Patsy caught her rapturously in her arms and covered her face with kisses.