the brother of Beatrice
could be so vile; but as he gradually called to mind the cynical
and corrupt vein of the count's familiar conversation, the hints to
Peschiera's prejudice that had been dropped by Beatrice herself, and
the general character for brilliant and daring profligacy which even the
admirers of the count ascribed to him, Frank was compelled to reluctant
acquiescence in Harley's suspicions; and he said, with an earnest
gravity very rare to him,

"Believe me, Lord L'Estrange, if I can assist you in defeating a base
and mercenary design against this poor young lady, you have but to show
me how. One thing is clear, Peschicra was not personally engaged in this
abduction, since I have been with him all day; and--now I think of it--I
begin to hope that you wrong him; for he has invited a large party of us
to make an excursion with him to Boulogne next week, in order to try his
yacht, which he could scarcely do if--"

"Yacht, at this time of the year! a man who habitually resides at
Vienna--a yacht!"

"Spendquick sells it a bargain, on account of the time of year and other
reasons; and the count proposes to spend next summer in cruising about
the Ionian Isles. He has some property on those isles, which he has
never yet visited."

"How long is it since he bought this yacht?"

"Why, I am not sure that it is already bought,--that is, paid for.
Levy was to meet Spendquick this very morning to arrange the matter.
Spendquick complains that Levy screws him."

"My dear Mr. Hazeldean, you are guiding me through the maze. Where shall
I find Lord Spendquick?"

"At this hour, probably in bed. Here is his card."

"Thanks. And where lies the vessel?"

"It was off Blackwall the other day. I went to see it, 'The Flying
Dutchman,'--a fine vessel, and carries guns."

"Enough. Now, heed me. There can be no immediate danger to Violante, so
long as Peschiera does not meet her, so long as we know his movements.
You are about to marry his sister. Avail yourself of that privilege to
keep close by his side. Refuse to be shaken off. Make what excuses
for the present your invention suggests. I will give you an excuse. Be
anxious and uneasy to know where you can find Madame di Negra."

"Madame di Negra!" cried Frank. "What of her? Is she not in Curzon
Street?"

"No; she has gone out in one of the count's carriages. In all
probability the driver of that carriage, or some servant in attendance
on it, will come to the count in