“She’s very fond of him, Tom,” replied Mrs. Baynham, decisively. “There was a time when I was rather doubtful about that. She seemed listless and indifferent. But since the baby came she has been growing fonder and fonder of her husband. I flatter myself I am a pretty good judge of countenances, and I can read hers. I’ve seen her face light up when the colonel came into the room. I’ve seen her go over to him shyly, as if it were still their honeymoon. She’s a very sweet creature. I took to her from the first; and I shall be dreadfully upset if she goes into a decline.” The doctor shook his head despondently. “There’s nothing to fight with in her case,” he said, “and there’s very little to fall back upon. I can’t make her out. She has gone off just like a girl who was simply fretting herself to death; and yet, if she’s fond of her husband, what in Heaven’s name is there for her to fret about?” “Nothing,” answered his wife. “It’s just a delicate constitution, that’s all. She’s like one of those grape hyacinths that never will stand upright in a vase. The stem isn’t strong enough.” Allegra was all sympathy and affection. She would go with them--yes, to the end of the world. To go to San Remo would be delightful. “It is a deliciously paintable place, I know,” she said, “for I have seen bits of the scenery often enough in the exhibitions. I shall work prodigiously, and earn a small fortune.” She told her brother in the most delicate way that she meant to pay her own expenses in this Italian tour; for of course when Isola should be strong enough they would go about a little, and see the Wonderland of Italy. Martin protested warmly against any such arrangement. “Then I shall not go,” she exclaimed. “Do you think me one of the incapable young women of the old school--unable to earn a sixpence, and wanting to be paid for and taken care of like a child? I would have you to know, sir, that I am one of the young women of the new school, who travel third-class, ride on the tops of omnibuses, and earn their own living.” “But I shall take a house at San Remo, Allegra. Do you expect me to turn innkeeper--charge you for your bed and board?” “Oh, you are monstrously proud. You can do as you like in your own house, I suppose. But all travelling and hotel expenses will be my affair, remember that.” “And you don’t mind leaving Trelasco?” “I am like Ruth. You are my home and my country. Where thou goest I will go.” “And Captain Hulbert--how will he like to lose you?” “What am I to Captain Hulbert?” she asked, trying to laugh off the question, but blushing deeply as she bent over her colour-box, suddenly interested in the littered contents. “A great deal, I fancy, though he may not have found plain speech for his feelings yet awhile.” “If--if you are not a very foolish person, and there is any foundation for your absurd idea, Captain Hulbert will know where to find us. He can spread his wings and follow.”