‘Well, I suppose we shall be all at the great ball next week,’ said Antonia, ‘and you will then be able to analyse Count von Schätterheims to your heart’s content. They say he admires Harriet Folleton extremely.’ ‘It’s nothing to me whom he admires,’ said Ernest, ‘as long as he leaves a certain independent-minded young lady friend of mine alone. I should not like to see her carried off by any privateer hoisting false colours.’ ‘You are all jealous; that’s the truth, if you would but own it,’ laughed Antonia; ‘and indeed, if one thinks of the commotion the Count has created among the Sydney young ladies, it seems reasonable enough. If he had been a whole man-of-war compressed, he could not have been more flattered and run after. And that is saying a great deal _here_, you know.’ ‘I am aware of that,’ said Ernest, with a slight bow; ‘short as has been my experience, I have noticed so much.’ ‘Well, I agree with Ernest to a certain extent,’ said old Paul reflectively. ‘It’s as well to be cautious with these wonderful strangers, especially foreigners. We haven’t quite forgotten Senor Miranda yet, eh, Antonia?’ ‘Yes, I did see him once, if that’s what you mean,’ said the girl, looking at Ernest; ‘and I have always been very sorry that he should have come to shame. He was a bad man, of course; but he was really so very grand-looking, and when he spoke he had such a sweet, grave, deep voice that you would have done whatever he asked you at once.’ ‘What did he do, then?’ inquired Ernest. ‘Do?’ said Mr. Frankston. ‘Why, with forged letters of introduction he commenced a business transaction with one of the banks; he placed to his credit a large balance, which he took care to draw out; and the end of it was that he walked off with five-and-twenty thousand pounds in exchange for bills not worth _that_, and has never been seen or heard of since.’ ‘How many Germans are there?’ asked Antonia innocently. ‘Forty odd millions,’ answered Ernest. ‘And there are twenty-two millions of Spaniards,’ continued she, ‘for I saw it to-day. Well, that makes so many—sixty millions, or more, altogether. And we are to suspect and distrust all these people just because Senor Miranda was a swindler. I wonder if foreign nations are equally just to Englishmen on their travels.’ ‘Come along and let us have our cigars,’ said the old gentleman. ‘Antonia, we must get you made Austrian consul. What—you haven’t learned to smoke in the bush, Ernest? Never mind; come along all the same. Cigars have more flavour in company, and the music will sound better too.’