The talk indicated a settled scheme for certain members of the party to reach Milan from the Como road.
Mrs.Sedley was asked if she expected her brother to join her here or in Milan.
"Here, if a man's promises mean anything," she replied languidly.
She was told that some one waved a handkerchief to them from below.
"Is he alone ?" she said; and directing an operaglass upon the slope of the mountain, pursued, as in a dreamy disregard of circumstances: "That is Captain Gambier.

My brother Wilfrid has not kept his appointment.
Perhaps he could not get leave from the General; perhaps he is married; he is engaged to an Austrian Countess, I have heard.

Captain Gambier did me the favour to go round to a place called Stresa to meet him.

He has undertaken the journey for nothing.

It is the way with all journeys though this" (the lady had softly reverted to her rapture) "this is too exquisite! Nature at least does not deceive." Vittoria listened to a bubbling of meaningless chatter, until Captain Gambier had joined Mrs.Sedley; and at him, for she had known him likewise, she could not forbear looking up.