The Children of the King

rom his seat by the porter's lodge, ask an important service of him, and then enter into conversation with him about the origin of his family and the story of his own life.

and entered the steep descending tunnel through the ro

h these points suggested reflections which pleased him strangely. It was quite clear to him that Beatrice distrusted San Miniato, though he had of course no idea of the nature of the telegram concerning which she had wanted inf

he had done, but he was prepared for very hard treatment as his just reward. It would not have surprised him if Beatrice had then and there complained of him to her mother or to San Miniato himself, and the latter, Ruggiero supposed, would have had no difficulty in having him locked up in the town gao

condescension than she had ever shown before. He refused, and rightly, to believe that this was because she had needed his help in the matter of the telegram. She could have called Bastianello, who was in her own service, and Bastianello would have done just as well. But she had chosen to employ the man who had so rudely forgotten himself before her less than twenty-four hours earlier. Why? Ruggiero, little capable

rtling directness and energy. He was well aware of his physical superiority over every one else in Sorrento, and he was dimly conscious that a threat from him was something which would frighten most men, and which none could afford to overlook. He remembered poor Don Gennaro's face just now, when he had quietly told him what he might expect if he did not hold his

last part of the descent goes down to the sea in the open air, he stood still a mom

ell, I will do it if I can. Then I will say, 'Excellency'-no-'Signorina, here it is done. And I beg to kiss your Excellency's hand, because I am goin

giero's statement to himself. But those who have been long familiar with men of his country and class must all have heard exactly such words uttered more than once in their experience, and will remember that in some cases at least they were not empty thre

was a sin, doubtless, to wish anybody dead, and it was a greater sin to put out one's hands and kill the person in question. But it was human nature, according to Ruggiero's simple view, and of course Beatrice felt like other human beings in this matter and all the principal affairs of life. He had made up his mind,

nd confidently was going through a rather strange phase of developm

upstairs. To doubt that the one message already sent contained the news of his engagement, seemed gratuitous. It was only too sure that he had looked upon what had passed at Tragara as a final decision on the part of Beatrice, and that henceforth she was his affianced bride. Her mother had not even found great difficulty in persuading her of the fact, and after that one bitter struggle she had given up the battle. It had been bitter indeed while it had lasted, and some of the bitterness returned upon her now. But she would not again need to force the tears back,

the first contest she conceived that further resistance would be wholly useless, and accepted the inevitable conclusion that she must marry San Miniato whether she liked him or not. But this state of mind did not by any means imply that she would marry him with a good grace, or ever again return in her behaviour towards him to the point she had reached on the previous evening. That, thought Beatrice, would be too much to expect, and was certainly more than she intended to give. She would b

stic. They understood each other perfectly but neither would have betrayed to the other, by the

hen seating himself beside her, "tell me that you are not too much exhausted

ake, dear friend!" exclaimed th

ugh they had not been buying and selling an innocent soul, and did not appreciate t

eatrice?" inquired

ed the Marchesa carelessly. "She

t, who remembered his recent discomfiture. "For the present, I believe she would prefer a littl

I did not notice that it was shining here when we came home," she added thoughtfully,

far too lazy to revive the discussion. "I am glad you agree with me about my behaviour," he continued. "It is of course most important to maintain as much as p

with Beatrice's

ficient warmth. "But young, of course, as it should be and subject

ng to youth and beauty,

coldly to-day and warmly to-morrow, if it so pleases t

horoughly understanding what he meant, and grateful to him fo

e answered, "and ready to accept gratefully the smallest f

ng be renewed with more lasting effect. Beatrice was young and capricious; there is nothing one may count on so surely as youth and caprice. Caprice is sure to change, but who is sure that the faith kept for ten years will not? In youth love is sure to come some day, but when that day

than it deserved. They talked a little longer together, both for the present avoiding any reference to the important arrangements which must soon be

ned and sat down si

little walk, my angel

have been for

, after our excursion,

Mini

the young girl, taking up a

ent. "My child! What are you reading! Maup

since I am to be married-w

cident, and slowly rolled a fat cigarette between his fingers to soften it before smoking. Th

ad no idea he wrote so well. It seems to be quite

r fan, her handkerchief and her cigarette case together, and rose to her feet. Coming round the table she took the forbidden book out of Beatrice's

say," she remarked, "any more than I have a

carefully arranged her belongings and set

ce dear, or perhaps you are hungry, my child. Y

re twelve," ans

h us. Ring the bell, dearest frie

ose and touch

will not accept your invitation to-day. An old friend of mine is at the other hot

mperceptible gesture of i

ur friend?

San Miniato indifferentl

day, San Miniato carissimo," said the Marchesa

of that kind. He had hastily resolved to keep one of a different nature because he guessed that in Beatrice's present temper he would make matters more difficult by staying. And in this he was rig

still smoking the cigarette he had lighted upstairs, and he sat down on a bench in the shade, took out a pocket book and began to make notes. From time to time he looked along the path in the direction of the hotel, which was hid

nd to the right and left as she walked. But there was no one in the garden at that hour. The guests of the hotel were all at breakfast, and the servants were either asleep or at work indoors. The porter was at his dinner and the sailors were pre

o his feet. His face betrayed neither pleasure nor surprise as he sauntered along the path, unt

wing back, blushing and looking behind her quickly. "I

d if you ask me why I wanted you to come, here is the rea

mp parcel wrapped in white tissue paper and laid it in Teresina's ha

d quickly. "Am I to gi

y on the girl's arm. "Yes," he whispered, bending down to her. "To the Signorina

ed Teresina. "Was it to say

, carissima? Nature knew what she was doing when she made those eyes of yours and those bright cheeks, and those littl

ew a little pale, as he touched her, and shrank away as though to avoid him, but evidently uncertain and

phrase and thought it as well to repeat it. "Open it, Teresinella, bella, bella-the first of as many as you like-and come and sit beside me on

loved gold and pretty speeches dearly. She looked down, still shrinking away from him, till she stood with her back to a tree. Her fresh young f

ng and the world is green, and your eyes are bright, carina! When the heart beats and the blood is warm! And you are made for love-that mouth of yours-like the red

vil adversary in the encounter which had taken place. There is an odd sort of fierce loyalty very often to be found at the

here in the garden while you are paying court to the Signorina when you are in the house, and doing your best to marry her. It is infamous enough, what you are doing, and I am not afraid to tell you so. A

he slightest surprise or disappointment. He quietly lig

think I wanted of you? Not only am I paying court to your signorina, as you sa

ame!" exclaimed the

ance, because you have always been so obliging, and have been with the Marchesa since you were a child? I could not do anything else, I am sure, and I beg you to keep it and wear it. And as for my

ke it. And I do not b

ckly and left him. He watched her a moment, and his annoyance at his discomfiture showed itself plainly enough, so soon as she was not there

took out his note-book again. "It w

of waiting until late in the afternoon as they generally did, at which time there was usually not a breath of air on the water. He was smoking a clay pipe with a cane stem

pier, brown urchins with lithe thin limbs, matted black hair and beady eyes. Suddenly Bastianello was aware of a small dark face

aid; "do you take us

air of padroni, you and

hideous face ove

hed out his long arm to take up the

en up there just now," continued the sm

turning the boat-hook round and holding it so that h

ur signora's maid, and offering her the gold, and she-yah!" Anothe

Bastianello quietly. Bu

do you? What will you giv

's vicious tastes, and forthwith produced the brib

us liar to his face. A nice padrone Ruggiero has, who is called a

he sailor, rising

ered himself gently into the water so as not to wet it, and s

oke his pipe. There was a happy look in his br