ished to ascend this cone
itself. But besides that the huge stones which at that time were being
constantly projected, rendered the expedition dangerous, the guide
assured her that the fatigue would be to her excessive. In fact, he
resolutely declined to lend his aid to such a scheme.

"If you had been alone," she said to Winston, "you would have gone
farther. I am a sore hinderance to you, I fear."

"On the contrary," he replied, "if you had not come, I should not have
ascended so far as this."

And he spoke the simple truth; for Vesuvius itself would have been
forgotten in the society of Mildred. To ascend the mountain at
night-time had been one of the most conspicuous objects he had proposed
to himself in his visit to Italy; but as it was out of the question (the
uncle and aunt would not have listened to it for a moment) that she
should accompany him in such an expedition, he had at once foregone it,
or rather it had slipped from his thoughts.

After some time longer spent in this remarkable scene, they began their
descent, which they found to be quite an easy and amusing piece of
business. The descent is made on a side of the mountain covered with
loose ashes that yield to the foot. _Up_ this it would be impossible to
get, but you go down it with the same facility as if you were skating
along the side of the mountain. Mildred, with the help of a staff,
accomplished this part of her task with much ease, and not without
hilarity.

Mr. and Miss Bloomfield were happy to see them return--had begun to
wonder what could keep them so long--had for some time grown quite
tired of their own position. The carriage had been ordered to come
slowly round by the other road, and meet them at the hermitage. It was
waiting for them. They were all willing to enter it, and return by the
carriage road to Naples.

On the ride home Mildred was very silent. Many little incidents had
occurred, many words had dropped, during the course of the day, which
became subjects of reflection, not quite so calm as the works of art or
nature had hitherto supplied. Winston--she could not refuse to see
it--loved! But loved, as he desired to intimate, without the least hope,
the least prospect of alliance. Well, she was warned. What remained for
her but to keep her own heart quite sure? Keep! was she quite sure that
she still retained it in undisputed custody?

But we have lost sight, all this while, of Mrs. Jackson and her
daughter, which it was