e quite an intimate
acquaintance with them. Indeed they were quite pleased to find a person
on the mountain who sympathized with them in their scientific inquiries
and pursuits, and was capable of understanding and appreciating them.
They told Mr. George that they were going to remain on the mountain
until after dark, in order to see it in its night aspects, and they
invited him to remain with them.

"Then to-morrow," said they, "we are going across the mountain down
through the back ravines, to study the geological structure of the old
lava beds, and so come out at Pompeii."

Mr. George said there could be nothing that he should enjoy more, were
it not that he had ladies under his charge, and that he felt bound to
accompany them back to Naples.

Rollo, when he heard this invitation, immediately felt a strong desire
that Mr. George should go, and that he might go too. He instantly
perceived, however, that this was out of the question; but he thought
that by cordially falling in with the plan of allowing Mr. George to go,
he might, perhaps, be the means of accomplishing it. Many boys, in such
a case, when they find that a plan of enjoyment that is proposed is one
which they cannot themselves share, do all they can to hinder and
oppose it altogether. But Rollo had now travelled about the world so
much, and had acquired so much experience, that he was above such folly
as this.

"Uncle George," said he, "you can go just as well as not. I can take
care of Rosie down the mountain to the Hermitage, and then we shall have
nothing to do but to get into the carriage and ride home."

Mr. George saw at once how generous it was in Rollo to make this offer,
and he said he would so far accept it as to let Rollo take charge of the
party going home from the Hermitage in the carriage; but he felt bound,
he said, not to leave Rosie until he had returned her safe to her
mother's hands. So he said to the students,--

"I will go down the cone with Rosie and the two boys, and accompany them
as far as the Hermitage. There I shall find Mrs. Gray and the carriage.
If Mrs. Gray seems cordially willing to go home with the children alone,
I will come back here and join you; but if I find she does not seem
entirely willing,--if she looks sober about it,--then I will go back to
Naples; though in that case I shall come to Pompeii to-morrow, and shall
hope to meet you there."

"I hope the lady will be willing to release you," said one of the
s