me.

never one to stand much question- and perhaps a shade smarter than ing, and in his present state it his colleagues.' would have been dangerous to cross “ Caffarelli promises to keep you him. By way of saying something, informed about poor Maitland, of anything at the moment, I asked whom, notwithstanding all the how were things going on here poli- doctors say, I do not augur too tically. He laughed his usual little favourably. On every account, quiet laugh, and called out to Caf- whether you really avail yourselves farelli, who stood in the window. of it or not, do not refuse his offer • Come here, Carlo, and tell Lyle of the villa ; it would give him how we are getting on here. He the deepest pain and mortification, wants to know if the ammunition knowing how I had fixed upon it has been yet served out for the before I heard of his being the bombardment; or are you waiting owner. I am very sorry to leave for the barricades ?' He jumped up him, and sorrier that I have not in his bed as he spoke, and then heard what he was so eager to tell fell back again.

The doctor ran I shall be very impatient till hastily over, and cried out, “That's I hear from you, and know whether exactly what I said would come you concur in my conjecture or not. of it. There's hæmorrhage again.' “ The King sent twice to-day to And so we were turned out of the inquire after M., and has already room, and the other doctors were announced his intention to come in speedily summoned, and it was person, so soon as the doctors deem only an hour ago I heard that he such a visit safe. To see the names was going on favourably; but that that were left to-day with the porin future a strict interdict should ter you would say it was one of the be put upon all visits, and none ad- first men in Europe was causing all mitted to him but his physicians. this public anxiety. Seeing this, there was no use de- I trust, my dear Alice, you will ferring my departure, which would, be satisfied with this long-winded besides, place my commission in epistle—the last, probably, you will jeopardy. I have already outstayed get from me till I reach Calcutta. my leave by two mails.

I had intended to have given you “Caffarelli is to write to you all the gossip of this pleasant place, about the villa, and take all your which, even on the verge, as some directions about getting it in order think, of a revolution, has time and

arrival. He says that there to spare for its social delinquencies ; is only too much furniture ; and as

;

but Maitland has so engrossed my there are something like eighty odd thoughts that he has filled my rooms—it is called Palazzotto, a letter; and yet I have not told diminutive for palace !—the chances you one tithe of what I have heard are that even you will have space about him from his friend Caffaenough for what you call to turn relli. Indeed, in his estimation, round in. I am in no dread of M. has no equal living; he is not your being disappointed in it, and I alone the cleverest, boldest, and repeat once more, it is the most ex- most accomplished of men, but the quisitely beautiful spot I ever saw. truest and the best-hearted. I sat late I would rather own it than its into the night last night listening to larger brother, the great kingly traits of his generosity—the poor palace on the opposite side of the people he has helped, the deserving bay.

creatures he had succoured, and the I left my card at the Legation earnest way he had pressed claims for your friend Mr Damer, but he on the Ministry for wretched famihas not returned my visit. I own lies who had been friendless withI had no peculiar anxiety to know out him. I was dying to ask other him. Maitland could only say that questions about him, but I did not he was not an ill-natured fellow, venture, and yet the man puzzles

66

for your

6

6

me more than ever. Once, indeed,

tempt him.

You may imagine Caffarelli seemed on the verge of yourself how likely it is that a man telling me something. I had asked with all Europe at his feet would what Maitland meant by saying consent to finish his life in an that he should probably soon quit African banishment.' Italy? 'Ab,' replied Caffarelli. “If I could only have one week laughing, then he has told you of more here, I feel certain that Cafthat mad scheme of his ; but of all farelli would tell me everything things in the world, why go into that I want to learn, but I must up the service of a Bey of Tunis ?' 'A and away. My servant is already Bey of Tunis !' cried I, in such evi- hurrying down my baggage, and I dent astonishment as showed I had have not more time than to send my heard of the project for the first loves to you all.—Yours always, time. • Of course it was but a jest,'

MARK LYLE. said Caffarelli, catching himself up “P.S.-Caff. is just the fellow to quickly. * The present Bey and be made very useful, and likes it, Maitland lived together in Paris in so don't scruple to write to him as their early days; and I have seen fully as you please. He has already scores of letters entreating Maitland told me of a first-rate chief-servant, to come to Tunis, and offering him a Maestro di Casa, for you; and, the command of a division, the in fact, only commission him, and place of a Minister—anything, in he'll improvise you a full household fact, that might be supposed to ready for your arrival. Adio!"

6

a

CHAPTER XLIII.-THE MAJOR AT BADEN.

a

a

“You will please to write your “Your Excellency has forgotten name there, sir,” said a clerk from to mention his name.” behind a wooden railing to a fierce- “So I have," said he, with a looking little man in a frogged coat careless laugh. “ It is somewhat and a gold-banded cap, in the busy new to me to be in a town where I bank-room of Parodi at Genoa. am unknown. Address my letters

“And my qualities ?” asked the to the care of His Highness the other, haughtily.

Duke of Lauenburg-Gluckstein ;' As you please, sir.”

and with a little gesture of his The stranger took the pen, and hand to imply that he did not wrote Milo M'Caskey, Count of exact any royal honours at his dethe two Sicilies, Knight of various parture, he strutted out of the orders, and Knight-postulate of St bank and down the street. John of Jerusalem, &c. &c.

Few met

or passed without “Your Excellency has not ad. turning to remark him, such ded your address,” said the clerk, was the contrast between his staobsequiously.

ture and his gait ; for while con“ The Tuileries when in Paris, siderably below the middle size, Zarkoe - Zeloe when in Russia. there was an insolent pretension Usually incog. in England, I re- in his swagger-a defiant impertiside in a cottage near Osborne. nence in the stare of his fiery eyes, When at this side of the Alps, that seemed to seek a quarrel with wherever be the royal residence of each that looked at him. His was the Sovereign in the city I chance indeed that sense of overflowing to be in.” He turned to retire, prosperity, that, if it occasionally and then, suddenly wheeling round, inclines the right-minded to a said, Forward

any letters that feeling of gratitude and thankmay come for me to my relative, fulness, is just as certain to impel who is now at the Trombetta, the men of a different stamp to Turin.”

feats of aggressiveness and insol

66

ence.

own.

a

man

Such was indeed his mood, play-room to take the first chair he and he would have hailed as the pleased, only too happy if he could best boon of Fate the occasion for provoke any to resent it. How he a quarrel and a duel.

frowned down the men and ogled The contempt he felt for the the women; smiling blandly at the busy world that moved by, too beauties that passed, as though in deep in its own cares to interpret recognition of charms their owners the defiance he threw around him, might well feel proud of, for they so elevated him, that he swaggered had captivated a M'Caskey! How along as if the flagway were all his sumptuous, too, his dinner; how

rare and curious his wines; how Was he not triumphant? What obsequious were they who waited had not gone well with him ? Gold on him ; what peril impended over in his pocket, success in a personal the man that asked to be served combat with

so highly before him ! placed that it was a distinction to Strong men—men in all the vighim forlife to have encountered: the our of their youth and strengthvery peremptory order he received men of honour and men of tried to quit Naples at once, was a re- courage, passed and repassed, lookcognition of his importance that ed at, but never dreamed of proactually overwhelmed him with voking him. Absurd as he was in delight; and he saw in the vista dress, ridiculous in his overweenbefore him, the time when men ing pretension, not one ventured on would stop at the windows of print- the open sneer at what each in his shops to gaze on the features of secret heart despised for its vulgar “ Le fameux M'Caskey."

insolence. And what a testimony There was something glorious to pluck was there in all this ! for in his self-conceit, for there was to what other quality in such a nothing he would not dare to man's nature had the world conachieve that estimation which he sented to have paid homage ? had already conceived of his own Not one of those who made way abilities. At the time I now speak for him would have stooped to know of, there was a momentary lull him. There was not a man of those in the storm of Italian politics who controlled his gravity to respect caused by Count Cavour's crafty a degree of absurdity actually laughnegotiations with the Neapolitan able, who would have accepted his Government - negotiations solely acquaintance at any price; and yet, devised to induce that false sense for all that, he moved amongst of security which was to end in them there, exacting every deferdownfall and ruin. Whether ence that was accorded to the highM'Caskey had any forebodings of est, and undeniably inferior to none what was to come or not, he knew about him. well that it was not the moment What becomes of the cant that for men like himself to be needed. classes the courage of men with the “When the day of action comes,

instincts of the lowest brutes in will come the question, 'Where is presence of a fact like this ? or M'Caskey?' Meanwhile I will be must we not frankly own, that in off to Baden. I feel as though I the respect paid to personal daring ought to break the bank.”

we read the avowal that, however To Baden he went. How many constituted men may be, courage is are there who can recall that bust- a quality that all must reverence ? ling, pretentious, over-dressed little Not meeting with the resistance fellow, who astonished the pistol- he had half hoped for, denied none gallery by his shooting, and drove of the claims he preferred, M‘Caskey the poor maitre d'armes to the verge became bland and courteous. He of despair by his skill with the vouchsafed a nod to the croupier at rapier, and then swaggered into the the play-table, and manifested, by

6

a graceful gesture as he took his thus : “Wanted at Chambery in all seat, that the company need not haste.” And at Chambery, at the rise as he deigned to join them. Golden Lamb, did he arrive with a

In little more than a week after speed which few save himself knew his arrival he had become famous; how to compass. Scarcely bad he he was splendid, too, in his lar- entered the arched doorway of the gesses to waiters and lackeys; inn, than a traveller, preceded by and it is a problem that might be his luggage, met him. They bowed, somewhat of a puzzle to resolve, as people do who encounter in a how far the sentiments of the very passage, but without acquaintance; lowest class can permeate the rank and yet in that brief courtesy the above them, and make themselves stranger had time to slip a letter felt in the very highest; for this very into M'Caskey's hand, who passed estimation, thus originating, grew in with all the ease and unconcern at last to be at least partially enter- imaginable. Having ordered dinner, tained by others of a very superior he went to his room to dress, and station. It was then that men dis- then, locking his door, he read :cussed with each other who was this

“ The Cabinet courier of the Engstrange Count - of what nation ?

lish Government will pass ChamFive modern languages had he been heard to talk in, without a flaw bery on the night of Saturday the even of accent. What country he the 19th. He will be the bearer of

18th, or on the morning of Sunday served ? Whence and what his resources ? It was when newspaper

three despatch-bags, two large and

one small one, bearing the letters correspondents began vaguely to

F. O. and the number 18 on it. hint at an interesting stranger, You are to possess yourself of this, whose skill in every weapon was only equalled by his success at play, required. If you

succeed, make for

if possible—the larger bags are not ly as he had come, but not without Naples by whatever route you deem leaving ample matter for wonder best and speediest, bearing in mind in the telegraphic despatch he that the loss may possibly be known

at Turin within a brief space. sent off a few hours before starting,

“If the contents be as suspectand which, in some form more or less garbled, was currently talked ed, and all goes well, you are a

made man.

C. C.” of in society. It was addressed to M. Mocquard, Tuileries, Paris, and M'Caskey read this over three in these words : “ Tell the E. I several times, dwelling each time shall meet him at Compiègne on on the same places, and then he Saturday.”

arose and walked leisurely up and Could anything be more delight- down the room. He then took out fully intimate ? While the crafty his guide book and saw that a train idlers of Baden were puzzling their started for St Jean de Maurienne heads as to who he might be who at six, arriving at eight,-a short could thus write to an imperial train, not in correspondence with secretary, the writer was travelling any other; and as the railroad ended at all speed through Switzerland, there, the remainder of the journey, but so totally disguised in appear- including the passage of Mont Cenis, ance that not even the eye of a must be performed by carriage. Of detective could have discovered in course, it was in this short interval the dark-haired, black-bearded, and the feat must be accomplished, if sedate - looking Colonel Chamber- at all. layne the fiery-faced and irascible The waiter announced "his ExCount M'Caskey.

cellency's” dinner while he thus A very brief telegram in a cipher cogitated, and he descended and well known to him was the cause dined heartily; he even ordered of his sudden departure. It ran a bottle of very rare chambertin,

a

а

which stood at eighteen francs in cheap thing, and take the dilithe carte. He sipped his wine at gence; and Poynder will be on the his ease;

he had full an hour be- look-out for some one to join him, fore the train started, and he had and pay half the post-horses and time for reflection as well as enjoy- all the postilions. There are half-ament. "You are to possess your- dozen more of these fellows on this self of this,” muttered he, reading 'dodge,' but I defy the craftiest of from a turned-down part of the them to know me now;” and he note--“had you been writing to any took out a little pocket-glass, and other man in Europe, Signor Conte gazed complacently at his features. Caffarelli, you would have been “ Colonel Moore Chamberlayne, profuse enough of your directions: A.D.C., on his way to Corfu, with you would have said, “You are to despatches for the Lord High Comshoot this fellow-you are to way- missioner. A very soldierlike fellay him-you are to have him at- low too,” added he, arranging his tacked and come to his rescue,' and whiskers, “but, I shrewdly suspect, a score more of suchlike contriv- a bit of a Tartar. Yes, that's the ances; but—to me—to ME—there ticket," added he, with a smile at was none of this. It was just as his image in the glass,“ despatches Bonaparte said to Dessaix Mar- of great importance for Storks at engo— Ride through the centre' Corfu." -he never added how. A made Arrived at St Jean, he learned man! I should think so ! The man that the mail train from France did has been made some years since, not arrive till 11.20, ample time sir.

Another bottle, waiter, and for all his arrangements. He also mind that it be not shaken. Who learned that the last English meswas it-I can't remember-stopped senger had left his calèche at Susa, a Russian courier with despatches and, except one light carriage with for Constantinople? Ay, to be room for only two, there was nosure, it was Long Wellesley; he thing on that side of the mountain told me the story himself. It was but the diligence. This conveya clumsy trick, too; he upset his ance he at once secured, ordering sledge in the snow, and made off the postilion to be in the saddle with the bags, and got great credit and ready to start, if necessary, for the feat at home.”

when the mail train came in. " It “The train will start in a quar- is just possible,” said he," that the ter of an hour, sir," said the friend I am expecting may not waiter.

arrive, in which case I shall await “Not if I am not ready, my the next train; but if he comes, good fellow," said the Major- you must drive your best, my man,

though now I see nothing to detain for I shall want to catch the first me, and I will go.”

train for Susa in the morning.” Alone in his first-class, he had Saying this, he retired to his room, leisure to think over his plans. where he had many things to do, Much depended on who might be so many, indeed, that he had but just

the courier. He knew most of them completed them when the shriek : well, and speculated on the pecu- of the engine announced that the

liar traits of this or that. "If it train was coming--the minute after, be Bromley, he will have his own the long line dashed into the stacalèche ;

Airlie will be for the tion and came to a stand.

CHAPTER XLIV.-THE MESSENGER'S FIRST JOURNEY.

As the train glided smoothly into riage as if in search of an expected the station, M'Caskey passed down friend. “Not come,” muttered he, in the platform peering into each car- a voice of displeasure loud enough

VOL. XCVI.NO, D:XXXVII.

Y