s among these men as defiantly as though
there was a declared enmity between us, and was proceeding straight
towards the door, when the elder called out, "Holloa, youngster, come
here and report yourself! You 've just come, have n't you?"

"I have just come," said I, slowly; "but when I report myself it shall
be to my father, Sir Roger Norcott."

"You got that, Hotham, and I must say you deserved it too," said the
younger in a low tone, which my quick hearing, however, caught.

"Will you have some breakfast with us?" said the elder, with a faint
laugh, as though he enjoyed the encounter.

"No, I thank you, sir," said I, stiffly, and passed on into the house.

"Master Digby," said a smart little man in black, who for a moment or
two puzzled me whether he was a guest or a servant, "may I show you to
your room, sir? Sir Roger is not up; he seldom rings for his bath before
one o'clock; but he said he would have it earlier to-day."

"And what is your name, pray?"

"Nixon, sir. Mr. Nixon, Sir Roger is pleased to call me for distinction'
sake; the lower servants require it."

"Tell me then, Mr. Nixon, who are the two gentlemen I saw at breakfast
outside?"

"The stoutish gentleman, sir, is Captain Hotham, of the Royal Navy;
the other, with the Turkish pipe, is Mr. Cleremont, Secretary to the
Legation here. Great friends of Sir Roger's, sir. Dine here three or
four times a week, and have their rooms always kept for them."

The appearance of my room, into which Nixon now ushered me, went far
to restore me to a condition of satisfaction. It was the most perfect
little bedroom it is possible to imagine, and Nixon never wearied in
doing the honors of displaying it.

"Here's your library, sir. You've only to slide this mirror into the
wall; and here are all your books. This press is your armory. Sir Roger
gave the order himself for that breech-loader at Liege. This small
closet has your bath,--always ready, as you see, sir,--hot and cold; and
that knob yonder commands the shower-bath. It smells fresh of paint here
just now, sir, for it was only finished on Saturday; and the men are
coming to-day to fix a small iron staircase from your balcony down to
the garden. Sir Roger said he was sure you would like it."

I was silent for a moment,--a moment of exquisite revery,--and then I
asked if there were always people visitors at the Villa.

"I may say, sir, indeed, next to always. We haven't dined alone since
March last."