From Milan they went on to Florence, and though they were by that time quite at home in Italy, and had become critical judges of Italian inns and Italian railways, they did not find that journey to be quite so pleasant.  There is a romance to us still in the name of Italy which a near view of many details in the country fails to realise.  Shall we say that a journey through Lombardy is about as interesting as one through the flats of Cambridgeshire and the fens of Norfolk?  And the station of Bologna is not an interesting spot in which to spend an hour or two, although it may be conceded that provisions may be had there much better than any that can be procured at our own railway stations.  From thence they went, still by rail, over the Apennines, and unfortunately slept during the whole time.  The courier had assured them that if they would only look out they would see the castles of which they had read in novels; but the day had been very hot, and Sir Marmaduke had been cross, and Lady Rowley had been weary, and so not a castle was seen.  ‘Pistoia, me lady, this,’ said the courier opening the door ’to stop half an hour.’  ‘Oh, why was it not Florence?’ Another hour and a half!  So they all went to sleep again, and were very tired when they reached the beautiful city.

During the next day they rested at their inn, and sauntered through the Duomo, and broke their necks looking up at the inimitable glories of the campanile.  Such a one as Sir Marmaduke had of course not come to Florence without introductions.  The Foreign Office is always very civil to its next-door neighbours of the colonies, civil and cordial, though perhaps a little patronising.  A minister is a bigger man than a governor; and the smallest of the diplomatic fry are greater swells than even secretaries in quite important dependencies.  The attache, though he be unpaid, dwells in a capital, and flirts with a countess.  The governor’s right-hand man is confined to an island, and dances with a planter’s daughter.  The distinction is quite understood, but is not incompatible with much excellent good feeling on the part of the superior department.  Sir Marmaduke had come to Florence fairly provided with passports to Florentine society, and had been mentioned in more than one letter as the distinguished Governor of the Mandarins, who had been called home from his seat of government on a special mission of great importance.  On the second day he went out to call at the embassy and to leave his cards.  ’Have you been able to learn whether he is here?’ asked Lady Rowley of her husband in a whisper, as soon as they were alone.

‘Who, Trevelyan?’

I did not suppose you could learn about him, because he would be hiding himself.  But is Mr Glascock here?’

‘I forgot to ask,’ said Sir Marmaduke.