"Very true; why, indeed?" said Riccabocca. "Jemima, I cannot 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 give 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 fireplace, leaning his face on his hand, with the
great folio of Machiavel lying open upon 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.

"Letters," said Riccabocca, simply--"I never receive any; or, at least,
so rarely, that it was not worth while to take an event so little to be
expected into consideration. No; if any letters do reach the Casina,
there they will wait."

"Then I can see no possibility of indiscretion; no chance of a clue to
your address."

"Nor I either."

Satisfied so far, and knowing that it was not in Riccabocca's habits to
read the newspapers, by which he might otherwise have learnt of
L'Estrange's arrival in London, Randal then proceeded to inquire, with
much seeming interest, into the health of Violante--hoped it did not
suffer by confinement, &