In spite of these drawbacks to the success, if ought can be said to be a drawback on success of which the successful one is unconscious, the marriage was prepared with great splendour, and everybody who was anybody in Florence was to be present.  There were only to be four bridesmaids, Caroline herself having strongly objected to a greater number.  As Wallachia Petrie had fled at the first note of preparation for these trivial and unpalatable festivities, another American young lady was found; and the sister of the English secretary of legation, who had so maliciously spread that report about her ‘ladyship,’ gladly agreed to be the fourth.

As the reader will remember, the whole party from the Baths of Lucca reached Florence only the day before the marriage, and Nora at the station promised to go up to Caroline that same evening.  ’Mr Glascock will tell me about the little boy,’ said Caroline; ’but I shall be so anxious to hear about your sister.’  So Nora crossed the bridge after dinner, and went up to the American Minister’s palatial residence.  Caroline was then in the loggia, and Mr Glascock was with her; and for a while they talked about Emily Trevelyan and her misfortunes.  Mr Glascock was clearly of opinion that Trevelyan would soon be either in an asylum or in his grave.  ’I could not bring myself to tell your sister so,’ he said; ’but I think your father should be told or your mother.  Something should be done to put an end to that fearful residence at Casalunga.’  Then by degrees the conversation changed itself to Nora’s prospects; and Caroline, with her friend’s hand in hers, asked after Hugh Stanbury.

‘You will not mind speaking before him will you?’ said Caroline, putting her hand on her own lover’s arm.

‘Not unless he should mind it,’ said Nora, smiling.

She had meant nothing beyond a simple reply to her friend’s question, but he took her words in a different sense, and blushed as he remembered his visit to Nuncombe Putney.

‘He thinks almost more of your happiness than he does of mine,’ said Caroline; ’which isn’t fair, as I am sure that Mr Stanbury will not reciprocate the attention.  And now, dear, when are we to see you?’

‘Who on earth can say?’

‘I suppose Mr Stanbury would say something, only he is not here.’

‘And papa won’t send my letter,’ said Nora.

‘You are sure that you will not go out to the Islands with him?’

‘Quite sure,’ said Nora.  ‘I have made up my mind so far as that.’

‘And what will your sister do?’

’I think she will stay.  I think she will say good-bye to papa and mamma here in Florence.’

’I am quite of opinion that she should not leave her husband alone in Italy,’ said Mr Glascock.

‘She has not told us with certainty,’ said Nora; ’but I feel sure that she will stay.  Papa thinks she ought to go with them to London.’

‘Your papa seems to have two very intractable daughters,’ said Caroline.