desty, withdrew in haste from Riccabocca's sheltering
side.

"Padrone," said Giacomo, who, whatever his astonishment at the connubial
position he had disturbed, was much too discreet to betray it--"Padrone, I
see the young Englishman riding toward the house, and I hope, when he
arrives, you will not forget the alarming information I gave to you this
morning."

"Ah--ah!" said Riccabocca, his face falling.

"If the Signorina were but married!"

"My very thought--my constant thought!" exclaimed Riccabocca. "And you
really believe the young Englishman loves her?"

"Why else should he come, Excellency?" asked Giacomo, with great
_naivete_.

"Very true; why, indeed?" said Riccabocca. "Jemima, I can not endure the
terrors I suffer on that poor child's account. I will open myself frankly
to Randal Leslie. And now, too, that which might have been a serious
consideration, in case I return to Italy, will no longer stand in our way,
Jemima."

Jemima smiled faintly, and whispered something to Riccabocca, to which he
replied--

"Nonsense, _anima mia_. I know it _will_ be--have not a doubt of it. I tell
you it is as nine to four, according to the nicest calculations. I will
speak at once to Randal. He is too young--too timid to speak himself."

"Certainly," interposed Giacomo; "how could he dare to speak, let him love
ever so well?"

Jemima shook her head.

"O, never fear," said Riccabocca, observing this gesture; "I will give him
the trial. If he entertain but mercenary views, I shall soon detect them.
I know human nature pretty well, I think, my love; and, Giacomo--just get
me my Machiavel--that's right. Now, leave me, my dear; I must reflect and
prepare myself."

When Randal entered the house, Giacomo, with a smile of peculiar suavity,
ushered him into the drawing-room. He found Riccabocca alone, and seated
before the fire-place, leaning his face on his hand, with the great folio
of Machiavel lying open on the table.

The Italian received him as courteously as usual; but there was in his
manner a certain serious and thoughtful dignity, which was, perhaps, the
more imposing, because but rarely assumed. After a few preliminary
observations, Randal remarked that Frank Hazeldean had informed him of the
curiosity which the disappearance of the Riccaboccas had excited at the
Hall, and inquired carelessly if the Doctor had left instructions as to
the forwarding of any letters that might be directed to him at the Casino.