Nevil was surprised that Mrs.Culling should have consented to come, and asked her if she really wished it--really; and 'Really,' said Rosamund; 'certainly.' 'Without dubitation,' cried Roland.

'And now my little Renee has no more shore-qualms; she is smoothly chaperoned, and madame will present us tea on board.

All the etcaeteras of life are there, and a mariner's eye in me spies a breeze at sunset to waft us out of Malamocco.' The count listened to the recital of their preparations with his usual absent interest in everything not turning upon Art, politics, or social intrigue.

He said, 'Yes, good, good,' at the proper intervals, and walked down the riva to look at the busy boat, said to Nevil, 'You are a sailor; I confide my family to you,' and prudently counselled Renee to put on the dresses she could toss to the deep without regrets.

Mrs.
Culling he thanked fervently for a wonderful stretch of generosity in lending her presence to the madcaps.
Altogether the day was a reanimation of external Venice.