ne or two of them, too, notably Lance
and Captain Staunton, had on more than one occasion successfully opposed
him in his efforts to have things entirely his own way; and that also
must be amply atoned for. So he now amused himself at intervals in
devising fresh indignities, in planning new hardships, to be heaped upon
the unfortunate _Galatea_ party.

It was in this vindictive spirit that, on the second evening after
Dickinson's midnight visit, Ralli walked up to the cottage, and,
unceremoniously opening the door, obtruded his unexpected and most
unwelcome presence upon its inmates. As he made his appearance the
conversation, which had been of a somewhat animated character, suddenly
ceased.

He noted this circumstance as he glanced suspiciously round the room,
with his features twisted into the now too familiar malicious smile.

Bowing with a sarcastic affectation of politeness, he remarked:

"I am afraid my sudden appearance has interrupted a very interesting
conversation. If so, I am vary sorray. But pray go on; do not allow my
praisance to be any--what you call it--any--any--ah, yes, I have it--any
restraint."

Then, suddenly changing his manner as his naturally suspicious nature
asserted itself, he demanded:

"What were you talking about? Tell me--you; I insist."

"We were talking about matters chiefly interesting to ourselves,"
answered Bowles. "If 't had been anything we wanted you to know, we'd
have sent for you."

"Ha! my big strong friend, how you are funny to-night! You want to make
a laugh at me, is it not? All right; wait till to-morrow; I then shall
make a laugh at you. It is I that shall be funny then," returned Ralli
with the evil smile broadening on his face and his eyes beginning to
sparkle with anger.

"Well," he continued, "since you will not so civil be as answer my
polite question, I will tell you what I have come to say. It is this.
You men are working--after a very lazy fashion it is the truth--for your
living, and from now I intend that the women--oh? I beg the pardon, I
should have said the _ladies_--shall work for theirs too. I am not any
more going to allow laziness; you must _all_ work, beginning to-morrow."

Here was an announcement which fairly took away the breath of the party.
Ralli saw the consternation which his speech had produced, and laughed
in hearty enjoyment of it.

"I tell you what it is, my good sir," said Rex, recovering his presence
of mind. "You ma