take any measures that may be possible to secure a retreat, should such
unhappily become necessary?"

The count made no reply for a full minute, during which we continued to
pace the terrace in the deepening twilight. Then he turned to me and
said,--

"I wonder whether you will understand me if I say, that, as far as _I_
am concerned, retreat is quite impossible. If I once come into
collision with the French, I must either conquer or die; there is, for
me, no middle course."

"Then that settles the question, as far you are concerned," I replied.
"Is it imperative that your daughter should also die, in the event of
our sustaining a defeat?"

"She must either die or fall into the hands of the French," replied the
count sternly; "and with the fate of poor Bell' Demonio fresh in our
memories, neither she nor I would for an instant hesitate as to which
alternative to accept. I would send her away to seek shelter with some
friend, but her presence, if discovered, would only compromise that
friend irretrievably, as well as prove fatal to herself. Besides, to
speak the truth, there is so much treachery existing among us that I
dare not run the risk. If your ship were only within reach, I think I
dare trust Francesca on board her; she would at least be safe from the
French, and I have no doubt your captain would afford her temporary
protection, until other arrangements could be made."

"That he would, I am certain," I replied eagerly, "I can certainly
venture to promise so much in his behalf. Unfortunately, however, the
`Juno' is now at the north end of the island, and the only safe means--
or rather the _least dangerous_ means of reaching her seems to me to be
by water. I have come to the conclusion that that is the way by which I
shall have to go, and if you felt you could confide Miss Francesca to my
protection, I should be only too happy to have the opportunity to--to--"

"Make love to her on the way, eh?" interrupted the count, with a smile.
"Nay, never blush and look confused, my boy. Do you think that, because
I have not seen much of you for the last few days, I am altogether
blind? I know, just as well as you do, that you two children fancy
yourselves in love with each other; and were you a few years older I
might have somewhat to say in the matter; as it is, you are both too
young for me to take any serious notice of it. However, that is not now
the question. Do you really think you could safely convey