I own, as a trifling surprise. I had
not expected such pressing attention.

"It may please you to learn that I nearly joined your conclave
during the course of last evening. Mrs. Cromwell's prolonged
absence made me anxious, and I descended the stairs from our joint
sitting-room, and I was within an ace of entering the _cafe_ where
you were all four seated to inquire after her whereabouts. But,
with my hand on the latch of the door, a sound met my ear which
caused me to pause. It was the well-known mellow voice of my friend
Mr. Haigh, raised in argument. I recognized it in an instant. It is
a conceit of mine to study voices, and a peculiar talent never to
forget them.

"To enter might have caused unpleasantness. Being a man of peace, I
consequently forbore to enter, and waited in my room till Mrs.
Cromwell returned. You had been most generously profuse in your
explanations. From one or another of you she gathered all there was
to know. Senores, you have been most solicitous after my humble
welfare. Senores, I would have you accept my most profuse thanks.

"I regret that the pressure of circumstances forbids my taking
formal leave of you. But at an early hour this morning, when you
will still be stretched upon your virtuous pallets, Mrs. Cromwell
and I set off for the port of Soller. We shall have our morning
coffee at Pollensa, and eat our lunch at the convent of Nuestra
Senora del Lluch. And there we shall leave the carriage. But we
shall not spare time to pay our devotions at the shrine of that
celebrated black virgin. Mules will be waiting to take us through
the ilex forests, and down the canyon, and over the high mountain
track, and down that cleverly-built pass-road to the lovely valley
of Soller.

"Do you know Soller, senores--the prettiest little valley in
Europe, full of the scents of the orange and the lemon trees with
which it is planted? No? then visit it when you have the chance. I
regret that we shall not be there to receive you. But we go on to
the little port of Soller, where a feluccre is lying stern-on to
the quay waiting for us. By nightfall we shall be in the lift of
the swell, standing out between the lights at the tiny harbour's
mouth.

"Our destination? Senores, believe me, I blush for joy whilst I
write. Mrs. Cromwell is about to honour me by