't she in Normandy? Answer that. She won't. I can: she's
come to thwart us; she's betrayed us--got hold of mother's plans. Oh,
goodness, my head!"

He was unwise enough to reply, "You mustn't accuse her of that. Though
she is exasperating, she hasn't come here to betray us."

"Then why has she come here? Answer me that."

He made no answer. But fortunately his sister was too much agitated
to wait for one. "Bursting in on me--crying and looking a disgusting
sight--and says she has been to see the Italian. Couldn't even talk
properly; pretended she had changed her opinions. What are her opinions
to us? I was very calm. I said: 'Miss Abbott, I think there is a
little misapprehension in this matter. My mother, Mrs. Herriton--' Oh,
goodness, my head! Of course you've failed--don't trouble to answer--I
know you've failed. Where's the baby, pray? Of course you haven't got
it. Dear sweet Caroline won't let you. Oh, yes, and we're to go away at
once and trouble the father no more. Those are her commands. Commands!
COMMANDS!" And Harriet also burst into tears.

Philip governed his temper. His sister was annoying, but quite
reasonable in her indignation. Moreover, Miss Abbott had behaved even
worse than she supposed.

"I've not got the baby, Harriet, but at the same time I haven't
exactly failed. I and Signor Carella are to have another interview
this afternoon, at the Caffe Garibaldi. He is perfectly reasonable and
pleasant. Should you be disposed to come with me, you would find him
quite willing to discuss things. He is desperately in want of money, and
has no prospect of getting any. I discovered that. At the same time, he
has a certain affection for the child." For Philip's insight, or perhaps
his opportunities, had not been equal to Miss Abbott's.

Harriet would only sob, and accuse her brother of insulting her; how
could a lady speak to such a horrible man? That, and nothing else, was
enough to stamp Caroline. Oh, poor Lilia!

Philip drummed on the bedroom window-sill. He saw no escape from the
deadlock. For though he spoke cheerfully about his second interview with
Gino, he felt at the bottom of his heart that it would fail. Gino was
too courteous: he would not break off negotiations by sharp denial; he
loved this civil, half-humorous bargaining. And he loved fooling his
opponent, and did it so nicely that his opponent did not mind being
fooled.

"Miss Abbott has behaved extraordinarily," he said at last; "but at t