Small boats took them ashore and an elevator carried them swiftly to the top of the cliff and deposited them on the terrace of the Victoria, a beautiful inn that nestled in a garden brilliant with splendid flowers and shrubbery.  Here they speedily established themselves, preparing to enjoy their first real experience of “Sunny Italy.”

CHAPTER IX

COUNT FERRALTI

At dinner it was announced that the famous Tarantella would be danced in the lower hall of the hotel at nine o’clock, and the girls told Uncle John that they must not miss this famous sight, which is one of the most unique in Sorrento, or indeed in all Italy.

As they entered the pretty, circular hall devoted to the dance Louise gave a start of surprise.  A goodly audience had already assembled in the room, and among them the girl seemed to recognize an acquaintance, for after a brief hesitation she advanced and placed her hand in that of a gentleman who had risen on her entrance and hastened toward her.

He was a nice looking young fellow, Beth thought, and had a foreign and quite distinguished air.

Presently Louise turned with cheeks somewhat flushed and brought the gentleman to her party, introducing him to Uncle John and her cousins as Count Ferralti, whom she had once met in New York while he was on a visit to America.

The Count twirled his small and slender moustaches in a way that Patsy thought affected, and said in excellent English: 

“It delights me to meet Mr. Merrick and the young ladies.  May I express a hope that you are pleased with my beautiful country?”

“Are you Italian?” asked Uncle John, regarding the young man critically.

“Surely, Mr. Merrick.  But I have resided much in New York, and may well claim to be an adopted son of your great city.”

“New York adopts a good many,” said Uncle John, drily.  “It has even been thoughtless enough to adopt me.”

The dancers entered at that moment and the Americans were forced to seat themselves hastily so as not to obstruct the view of others.  Count Ferralti found a place beside Louise, but seemed to have little to say to her during the course of the entertainment.

The dances were unique and graceful, being executed by a troup of laughing peasants dressed in native costume, who seemed very proud of their accomplishment and anxious to please the throng of tourists present.  The Tarantella originated in Ischia, but Sorrento and Capri have the best dancers.

Afterward Uncle John and his nieces stood upon the terrace and watched the volcano rolling its dense clouds, mingled with sparks of red-hot scoria, toward the sky.  The Count clung to Louise’s side, but also tried to make himself agreeable to her cousins.  In their rooms that night Patsy told Beth that the young foreigner was “too highfalutin’ to suit her,” and Beth replied that his manners were so like those of their Cousin Louise that the two ought to get along nicely together.