Part 94 (1/2)

When Calabressa ceased to talk in French, he ceased to use roundabout literary sentimental metaphors; and his report, delivered in the next room, would appear to have been brief enough; for almost immediately he returned, accompanied by Von Zoesch, to whom Brand was introduced.

”I am honored in making your acquaintance,” the tall soldier said, in a pleasant way. ”I have heard much of you; you are a good worker; likewise you do not flinch when a duty is demanded of you. Perhaps, if you would only condescend to re-enforce the treasury sometimes, the Council would be still further grateful to you. However, we are not to become beggars at a first interview--and that a short one, necessarily--for to-day we start for Genoa.”

”I am sorry for that,” Brand said, simply. ”There were some representations I wished to lay before the Council--some very serious representations.”

”Perhaps some other time, then. In the meanwhile, our hands are full.

And that reminds me that the news you bring makes one of my tasks to-day a pleasant one. Yes, I remember something of that maniac-fellow babbling about a saint and an angel--I heard of it. So it was your beautiful Miss Lind who was the saint and the angel? Well, do you know that I was about to give that young lady a very good scolding to-day?”

Brand flushed quickly. The authority of the Council had no terrors for him where Natalie was concerned.

”I beg to remind you,” he said, respectfully but firmly, ”that the fact of Miss Lind's father being connected with the Society gives no one the right to intermeddle in her private affairs--”

”Oh, but, my dear sir,” said Von Zoesch laughing. ”I have ample right.

Her mother Natalie and I are very old friends indeed. You have not seen the charming young lady, then, since your arrival?”

”No.”

”Excellent--excellent! You shall come and hear the scolding I have to give her. Oh, I a.s.sure you it will not harm her much. Calabressa will bring you along to the Villa Odelschalchi, eleven sharp. We must not keep a lady--two ladies, indeed--waiting, after making an appointment.”

He rose from the plain wooden chair on which he had been sitting; and his visitor had to rise also. But Brand stood reluctant to go, and his brows were drawn down.

”I beg your pardon,” said he, ”but if you are so busy, why not depute some friend of the young lady to carry her a message? A girl is easily frightened.”

”No, no, my dear sir; having made an appointment, must we not keep it?

Come, I shall expect you to make one of the party; it will be a pleasant little comedy before we go to more serious matters. _Au revoir!_” He bowed slightly, and withdrew.

Some little time afterward Brand, Evelyn, and Calabressa were driving along the rough streets in an open carriage. The presence of Lord Evelyn had been a last concession obtained from General von Zoesch by Calabressa.

”Why not?” Von Zoesch had said, good-naturedly; ”he is one of us.

Besides, there is nothing of importance at Portici. It is a little family party; it is a little comedy before we go to Genoa.”

As they rattled along, Lord Evelyn was very talkative and joyous. He had seen Natalie the evening before, within an hour after his arrival. He was laughing at Brand for fearing she might have been induced to go to some wretched inn.

”I myself, did I not say to you it was a beautiful hotel?” said Calabressa, with a hurt air. ”The most beautiful view in Naples.”

”I think, after what she will hear to-day,” said Evelyn, ”she ought to ask us to dine there. That would be an English way of finis.h.i.+ng up all her trials and troubles.” But he turned to Calabressa with a graver look. ”What about Lind? Will they reinstate him now? Will they send him back to England?”

”Reinstate him in office?” said Calabressa, with a scornful smile. ”My faith, no! Neither him nor Beratinsky. They will give them letters to Montenegro: isn't it enough?”

”Well, I think so. And Reitzei?”

”Reitzei has been stationed at Brindisi--one of our moral police; and lucky for him also.”

When they arrived at the Villa Odelschalchi they were shown into a little anteroom where they found Granaglia, and he was introduced to the two strangers.

”Who have come?” Calabressa said, in a low voice.

The little sallow-faced Secretary smiled.

”Several Brothers of the Council,” he said. ”They wish to see this young lady who has turned so many heads. You, for example, my Calabressa, are mad with regard to her. Well, they pay her a compliment. It is the first time any woman has been in the presence of the Council.”