Volume V Part 30 (2/2)

”'Nec ultra deos lacesso'”

I was pleased with this honest man, who spoke Italian with the most exquisite correctness

On the way back I asked hi When he heard the style in which I wished to live and the time I proposed to spend in London, he advised iven an inventory of the goods,” said he, ”and as soon as you get a surety your house will be your castle”

”I like the idea,” I answered, ”but how shall I find such a house?”

”That is easily done”

He went into a shop, begged the mistress to lend him the Advertiser, noted down several advertisements, and said,--

”That's all we have to do”

The nearest house was in Pall Mall and ent to see it An old woround floor and the three floors above Each floor contained two roo shone with cleanliness; linen, furniture, carpets, mirrors, and china, and even the bells and the bolts on the doors The necessary linen was kept in a large press, and in another was the silver plate and several sets of china The arrange was lacking in the way of co to bargain, which is never of any use in London, I told Martinelli that I would take it on the spot

Martinelli translated what I said to the old woman, who told me that if I liked to keep her on as housekeeper I need not have a surety, and that it would only be necessary for me to pay for each week in advance I answered that I would do so, but that she et lish She proet one in a day's time, and I paid her for four weeks' rent on the spot, for which she gave alt This was the na the whole of my stay in London

Thus in less than two hours I was comfortably settled in a tohich is soer But in London everything is easy to hihted to be able to escape so soon froht to the best reception; but I was still more pleased at the chance which had made me acquainted with Martinelli, whoot back Madah ten o'clock had struck Young Cornelis was asleep on the sofa I was enraged at the way the woood face on it

Before long three loud knocks announced the arrival of Mada the stairs She caive ht to expect She ran to her son and took him on her knee, but the sleepy boy did not respond to her kisses with any great warmth

”He is very tired, likethat we are travellers in need of rest you have kept us waiting a long time”

I do not knohether she would have answered at all, or, if so, what her ansould have been, for just at that moment a servant came in and said that supper was ready She rose and did me the honour to take my arm, and ent into another room which I had not seen The table was laid for four, and I was curious enough to enquire as the fourth person

”It was to have been hter, but I left her behind, as when I told her that you and her brother had arrived she asked me if you ell”

”And you have punished her for doing so?”

”Certainly, for in ht to have asked for her brother first and then for you Don't you think I was right?”

”Poor Sophie! I am sorry for her Gratitude has evidently more influence over her than blood relationshi+p”

”It is not a question of senti persons to think with propriety”