“Well, you don’t imagine that it is very agreeable to me to remind you of it, do you? I felt that I had to let you know of it when I was so bad, but I’ve been glad enough since that you seemed ready to forget it. Now, old man, if you have forgiven me, take my advice in this. I give you my word that I’m trying to do my level best for you and her. Turn rusty yourself. Let her see that she has gone too far. If she tries to begin rating you, give it her back----” “I can’t. You seem to forget that she’s a woman, and that I care for her.” “Yes, you can; if it’s for her own sake. Don’t you see, it will show her that you are in earnest? Once she knows that she has made you really angry, she will be ready to do anything she can to appease you. Matters must come to a crisis then. Try to make yourself feel that she isn’t treating you fairly. She has no business to inflict on an innocent inexperienced fellow like you the punishment which would be all very well for a hardened old offender, such as your humble servant. Yes, that’s your line. Get up a feeling of indignation. Lay it on hot and strong. Provoke an explosion, or you’ll never get the chance of an explanation.” “Well, I will try. Anything’s better than the way we have been going on lately. But suppose it doesn’t succeed?” “It must, unless you are too late already; but you will have to be on the look-out for the slightest change in her manner. Don’t lose your chance, or you’ll blame yourself for it all your life. Now I’m going below to turn in.” He disappeared, but Caerleon remained long on deck, meditating on what he had said. As it happened, the Princess also was moved just at this time to take some notice of the state of affairs, and the next morning she said suddenly to Nadia-- “Have you quarrelled with Carlino, my child? You do not seem to be on good terms with him.” “He cares nothing for what I say or do,” responded Nadia, sullenly. “Is there any encouragement for him to care, dear child? What has he done that you should treat him as you do?” “He has disappointed me, Marraine. I thought he was brave, that he could be trusted, and he has abandoned his work, and betrayed his trust. He sneers at the mere idea of honour.” “My child, you astonish me!” cried the Princess. “Are you certain of this? To make such accusations without proof is cruel.” “I know it by what he has said to me himself, Marraine. I had not spoken to him for a week, but I laid aside my anger and implored him to be firm, to do his duty,--and he laughed at me.”