"At this very moment!" responded she, emphatically.

"The whole thing pa.s.ses belief," exclaimed he.

And now the listless loungers drew their chairs closer to hear the story, and laugh, as men do, who are seldom moved to mirth save when ridicule or malice are the provocatives.

"But you haven't heard the worst yet," said Midchekoff. "Pray tell them of your visitor of this evening."

And Lady Hester narrated the appearance of Mr. Purvis, who, having secured his entrance by a visit to his sister, had so unceremoniously presented himself in the drawing-room.

"Heaven knows what he said to his Royal Highness when I was away. To judge from his face, it must have been something atrocious; and the last thing he said on leaving was, 'I must try and not forget your agreeable friend's name.'"

"You might as well have invited me as have had your 'friend' Purvis, after all," said a young Italian n.o.ble, whose political opinions found no favor at court.

"But what do you mean to do, my Lady?" asked Midchekoff. "Is the enemy to hold undisputed possession of the fortress?"

"It is precisely on that point I want advice. Prince."

"What if we form ourselves into a council of state?" said an Austrian general.

"By all means," said the others, who now formed a semicircle in front of Lady Hester's sofa.

"The youngest officer always speaks first," said the Austrian.

"Then that duty is mine," said a little man of about eighty-two or three, and who had represented France at half the courts of Europe.

"I should advise a protocol in the form of a protest. It is a palpable invasion of territory, but, followed by an ample apology and a speedy evacuation, may be forgiven. There are historical warrants for such transgressions being accepted as acts almost of compulsion."

"The case of Ans.p.a.ch, for instance," said the Austrian, with a malicious smile.

"Precisely, General, precisely a case in point," rejoined the old diplomate, with a bow and a smile that almost seemed grateful. "The shortest road to victory is ever the best."

"Let's try a fever, or a fire. By Jove! the sacrifice of a few chairs and window-curtains would be a cheap alternative," said George Onslow.

"Why not essay a compromise, my Lady?" interposed a young German secretary of legation; "a mixed garrison, like that of Rastadt?"

"Lady Hester's troops to mount guard alternately with the Rickettses'.

Downright treason, base treason!" exclaimed another.

"What would you think of a special mission, my Lady?" simpered Jekyl.

"It would at least serve to enlighten us as to the views of the enemy.

The discussion of the past often throws much light on the future."

"Jekyl wants to earn a decoration," said another, laughing. "He intends to be the envoy himself."

"I'll wager that I know Midchekoff's policy," said a young Sicilian, who always spoke with a frank fearlessness that is most rare with other Italians.

"Well, let us hear it," said the Prince, gravely.

"You would counsel the national expedient of retiring before the enemy, and making the country too cold to hold them?"

"How absurd!" said Lady Hester, half angrily; "give up one's house to a set of people who have had the impertinence to intrude themselves unasked?"

"And yet Giasconi is right," said the Prince. "It is the best suggestion we have heard yet. Hostilities imply, to a certain extent, equality; negotiation is an acknowledgment of acquaintanceship; a dignified retreat, however, avoids either difficulty."

"In that case, let 's starve them out," said George. "Suffer no supplies to be thrown into the place, and exact the most humble terms of submission."

"Then, where to go? that 's another question," said Lady Hester.

"His Eminence expects to see you in Rome," whispered the Abbe, who had waited for an opportunity for the suggestion. "I believe he relies on a promise."

"Very true; but not just yet. Besides, the season is almost over," said Lady Hester, with a slight degree of confusion.

"Don't be frightened, Abbe," whispered Jekyl in D'Esmonde's ear. "Her Ladyship is a.s.suredly 'going to Rome' later on."

The priest smiled, with an expression that told how fully he comprehended the phrase.

"There 's a little villa of mine, on the Lake of Como, very much at your service," said Midchekoff, with the easy indifference of one suggesting something perfectly indifferent to him.

"Do you mean La Rocca, Prince?" added the Sicilian.

"Yes. They tell me it is prettily situated, but I 've never seen it.

The Empress pa.s.sed a few weeks there last year, and liked it," said Midchekoff, languidly.

"Really, Prince, if I don't know how to accept, I am still more at a loss for power to refuse your offer."

"When will you go?" said he, dryly, and taking out his memorandum-book to write.

"What says Mr. Jekyl?" said Lady Hester, turning to that bland personage, who, without apparently attending to what went forward, had heard every syllable of it.

"This is Tuesday," said Jekyl. "There 's not much to be done; the villa wants for nothing: I know it perfectly."

"Ah, it's comfortable, then?" said the Prince, with a slight degree of animation.

"La Rocca is all that Contarete's taste could make it," replied Jekyl.

"Poor Contarete! he was an excellent maitre d'hotel," said Midchekoff.

"He's still with me, somewhere; I rather believe in Tartary, just now."

"Your Ladyship may leave this on Thursday," said Jekyl, who well knew that he was paying the most flattering compliment to Midchekoff in naming the shortest possible time for preparation.

"Will this be inconvenient, Prince?" asked Lady Hester.

"No; not in the least. If Jekyl will precede you by a couple of hours, I trust all will be ready."

"With your permission, then, we will say Thursday," said she, who, with her habitual delight in novelty, was already wild with pleasure at the whole scheme.

"Perhaps I'll come and visit you," said Midchekoff. "I shall have to go to Vienna soon."

Lady Hester bowed and smiled her acknowledgments for this not over-gracious speech.