er children, the two
elder sons, James and Thomas, much as they resented the presence of
a step-mother hardly older than themselves, had submitted with sulky
resignation to the will of Providence. Since the father's death the
eldest brother's marriage had further complicated an already difficult
position; but both brothers had honestly tried to protect Gladys, as
long as she lived, from Julia's merciless tongue, and to do their duty,
as they understood it, by Arthur. They did not even pretend to like the
lad, and their generosity towards him showed itself chiefly in providing
him with lavish supplies of pocket money and allowing him to go his own
way.

In answer to his letter, accordingly, Arthur received a cheque to
cover his expenses and a cold permission to do as he pleased about
his holidays. He expended half his spare cash on botanical books and
pressing-cases, and started off with the Padre for his first Alpine
ramble.

Montanelli was in lighter spirits than Arthur had seen him in for a long
while. After the first shock of the conversation in the garden he had
gradually recovered his mental balance, and now looked upon the case
more calmly. Arthur was very young and inexperienced; his decision could
hardly be, as yet, irrevocable. Surely there was still time to win him
back by gentle persuasion and reasoning from the dangerous path upon
which he had barely entered.

They had intended to stay a few days at Geneva; but at the first sight
of the glaring white streets and dusty, tourist-crammed promenades,
a little frown appeared on Arthur's face. Montanelli watched him with
quiet amusement.

"You don't like it, carino?"

"I hardly know. It's so different from what I expected. Yes, the lake is
beautiful, and I like the shape of those hills." They were standing on
Rousseau's Island, and he pointed to the long, severe outlines of
the Savoy side. "But the town looks so stiff and tidy, somehow--so
Protestant; it has a self-satisfied air. No, I don't like it; it reminds
me of Julia."

Montanelli laughed. "Poor boy, what a misfortune! Well, we are here for
our own amusement, so there is no reason why we should stop. Suppose we
take a sail on the lake to-day, and go up into the mountains to-morrow
morning?"

"But, Padre, you wanted to stay here?"

"My dear boy, I have seen all these places a dozen times. My holiday is
to see your pleasure. Where would you like to go?"

"If it is really the same to you, I should