ve of Agnes, speak to her as cordially as if nothing had happened.'

Henry wisely followed this advice. Thoroughly understanding him, Agnes
made the leave-taking friendly and pleasant on her side. When he
stopped at the door for a last look at her, she hurriedly turned her
head so that her face was hidden from him. Was that a good sign? Lady
Montbarry, accompanying Henry down the stairs, said, 'Yes, decidedly!
Write when you get to Venice. We shall wait here to receive letters
from Arthur and his wife, and we shall time our departure for Italy
accordingly.'

A week passed, and no letter came from Henry. Some days later, a
telegram was received from him. It was despatched from Milan, instead
of from Venice; and it brought this strange message:--'I have left the
hotel. Will return on the arrival of Arthur and his wife. Address,
meanwhile, Albergo Reale, Milan.'

Preferring Venice before all other cities of Europe, and having
arranged to remain there until the family meeting took place, what
unexpected event had led Henry to alter his plans? and why did he state
the bare fact, without adding a word of explanation? Let the narrative
follow him--and find the answer to those questions at Venice.

CHAPTER XVII

The Palace Hotel, appealing for encouragement mainly to English and
American travellers, celebrated the opening of its doors, as a matter
of course, by the giving of a grand banquet, and the delivery of a long
succession of speeches.

Delayed on his journey, Henry Westwick only reached Venice in time to
join the guests over their coffee and cigars. Observing the splendour
of the reception rooms, and taking note especially of the artful
mixture of comfort and luxury in the bedchambers, he began to share the
old nurse's view of the future, and to contemplate seriously the coming
dividend of ten per cent. The hotel was beginning well, at all events.
So much interest in the enterprise had been aroused, at home and
abroad, by profuse advertising, that the whole accommodation of the
building had been secured by travellers of all nations for the opening
night. Henry only obtained one of the small rooms on the upper floor,
by a lucky accident--the absence of the gentleman who had written to
engage it. He was quite satisfied, and was on his way to bed, when
another accident altered his prospects for the night, and moved him
into another and a better room.

Ascending on his way to the higher regions as far as th