ry laughed; his uncle was puzzled.

"You think that is no answer," continued the Italian. "But reason also
must have a place in the sun, though we have to hide it in our pocket
sometimes. So many great men would not extinguish their light--and had
it extinguished for them. A difficult subject. Let us continue to think
in compartments. It is safer so. If you are over eighty years old, you
love safety. But I love joy and romance also, and is not religion almost
the only joy and romance left to us? It is affirmation remember, not
negation, that makes the world go round! The 'intellectuals' forget
that, and they are sterile accordingly."

Signor Mannetti's wits were something too nimble for his hearers. He
talked and talked--about everything but the matter in their minds--until
half-past ten o'clock, when his man came after him. Thereupon he rose,
like an obedient child, and wished them "Good-night."

"Stephano is my guardian angel," he said--"a being of painful
punctuality. But he adds years to my life. He forgets nothing. I wish
you a kind farewell until to-morrow and offer grateful thanks for your
welcome. I breakfast in my room, if you please, and shall be ready
at eleven o'clock to put myself at your service. Then you will be so
gracious as to answer me some questions, and I shall, please God, try to
help you."

CHAPTER XI. PRINCE DJEM

The master of Chadlands was both drawn and repelled by his guest. Signor
Mannetti revealed a type of mind entirely beyond the other's experience,
and while he often uttered sentiments with which Sir Walter found
himself in cordial agreement, he also committed himself to a great
many opinions that surprised and occasionally shocked the listener.
Sir Walter was also conscious that many words uttered flew above his
understanding. The old Italian could juggle with English almost as
perfectly as he was able to do with his own language. He had his
country's mastery of the phrase, the ironies, the double meanings,
half malicious, half humorous, the outlook on humanity that delights to
surprise--the compliment that, on closer examination, proves really to
be the reverse. Mary's father voiced his emotions when the visitor had
gone to bed.

"If it didn't seem impossible," he told Henry, "I could almost imagine
that Signor Mannetti was trying to pull my leg sometimes."

"He tries, and succeeds," answered young Lennox. "He is built that way.
His mind is as agile as a monkey, despite