"Not to-day," she thought, and at that moment a faint sound of the band

on the Pincio came floating in by the open window.

"I must go," said David Rossi, rising.

Then she recovered herself and began to talk on other subjects. When

would he come again? He could not say. The parliamentary session opened

soon. He would be very busy.

When David Rossi was gone Roma went upstairs, and Natalina met her

carrying two letters. One of them was going to the post--it was from the

Countess to the Baron. The other was from the Baron to herself.

"MY DEAREST ROMA,--A thousand thanks for the valuable clue about

the Grand Hotel. Already we have followed up your lead, and we

find that the only David Rossi who was ever a waiter there gave as

reference the name of an Italian baker in Soho. Minghelli has gone

to London, and I am sending him this further information. Already

he is fishing in strange waters, and I am sure you are dying to

know if he has caught anything. So am I, but we must possess our

souls in patience.

"But, my dearest Roma, what is happening to your handwriting? It

is so shaky nowadays that I can scarcely decipher some of

it.--With love.

"B."

VII

"DEAR GUARDIAN,--But I'm not--I'm not! I'm not in the least

anxious to hear of what Mr. Minghelli is doing in London, because

I know he is doing nothing, and whatever he says, either through

his own mouth or the mouth of his Italian baker in Soho, I shall

never believe a word he utters. As to Mr. Rossi, I am now

perfectly sure that he does not identify me at all. He believes my

father's daughter is dead, and he has just been telling me a

shocking story of how the body of a young girl was picked out of

the Thames (about the time you took me away from London) and

buried in the name of Roma Roselli. He actually saw the grave and

the tombstone! Some scoundrel has been at work somewhere. Who is

it, I wonder?--Yours,

"R. V."

Having written this letter in the heat and haste of the first moment

after David Rossi's departure, she gave it to Bruno to post immediately.

"Just so!" said Bruno to himself, as he glanced at the superscription.

Next morning she dressed carefully, as if expecting David Rossi as

usual, but when he did not come she told herself she was glad of it.

Things had happened too hurriedly; she wanted time to breathe and to

think.




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