She had no wish that Tony and her father should return from their trip to find a family party assembled on the terrace.
The adventure was not to end with any such tame climax as that.

To her relief they did decline, at least for the night; they could make no definite plans until they had heard from Jerry.

Constance rose upon this assurance and precipitated their leave-takings; she did not wish her aunt to press them to change their minds.
'Good-bye, Mrs.Eustace, good-bye, Nannie; we'll be around to-night to take you sailing--provided there's any breeze.' She nodded and dragged her aunt off; but as they were entering the arbour a plan for further complicating matters popped into her head, and she turned back to call-- 'You are coming to the villa to-morrow, remember, whether Jerry Junior turns up or not.

I'll write a note and invite him too--Gustavo can give it to him when he comes, and you needn't bother any more about him.' They found Gustavo hovering omnivorously in the courtyard, hungering for news; Constance summoned him to her side.
'Gustavo, I am going to send you a note to-night for Mr.Jerymn Hilliard.
You will see that it gets to him as soon as he arrives ?' 'Meestair Jayreem Ailyar ?' Gustavo stared.
'Yes, the brother of the signorina who came to-day.

He is expected to-morrow or perhaps the day after.' '_Scusi_, signorina.