o any case but the sad one before him. "'All these
calamities have fallen upon us together; for although,' he wrote, 'Joe's
departure is the first step on the road to future fortune, it is still
separation, and at our age who is to say if we shall ever see him
again?'"

"Skip the pathetic bit, and come to this. What have we here about the P.
and O. steamers?" cried Calvert.

"'Through the great kindness of the Secretary of State, Joe has obtained
a free passage out--a favour as I hear very rarely granted--and he means
to pay you a flying visit; leaving this on Tuesday, to be with you on
Saturday, and, by repairing to Leghorn on the following Wednesday, to
catch the packet at Malta. This will give him three entire days with
you, which, though they be stolen from us, neither his mother nor myself
have the heart to refuse him. Poor fellow, he tries to believe--perhaps
he does believe--that we are all to meet again in happiness and
comfort, and I do my best not to discourage him; but I am now verging on
seventy--'"

"How tiresome he is about his old age; is there any more about his son?"
asked Calvert impatiently.

"Yes, he says here: 'Joe is, as you may imagine, full of business, and
what between his interviews with official people, and his personal cares
for his long journey, has not a moment to spare. He will, however, write
tomorrow, detailing all that he has done and means to do. Of that late
suggestion that came from you about referring us to a third party,
neither Joseph nor myself desire to go back; indeed, it is not at a
moment like the present we would open a question that could imperil the
affections that unite us It is enough to know that we trust each other,
and need neither guarantees nor guidance.'"

"The old knave!" cried Calvert "A priest is always a Jesuit, no matter
what church he belongs to."

"Oh, Mr. Calvert."

"But he's quite right after all I am far too worldly-minded in my
notions to negotiate with men of such exalted ideas as he and his son
possess. Besides, I am suddenly called away. I shall have to leave this
immediately. They are making a fuss about that unfortunate affair at
Basle, and want to catch me as a witness; and as my evidence would
damage a fellow I really pity, though I condemn, I must keep out of the
way."

"Well, you are certain to find us here whenever you feel disposed to
have your own room again. I have taken the villa for another year."

Not paying the slightest atte