"However, that is not my business, Calabressa. The Council shall be obeyed. I am glad to know you are again at liberty; when you come to England you will see how your little friend Natalie has grown." "Give a kiss from me to the little Natalushka," said he, cheerfully; and then the two parted. CHAPTER XII. JACTA EST ALEA. "Natalie," said her father, entering the breakfast-room, "I have news for you to-day. This evening Mr. Brand is to be initiated." The beautiful, calm face betrayed no surprise. "That is always the way," she answered, almost absently. "One after the other they go in; and I only am left out, alone." "What," he said, patting her shoulder as he passed, "are you still dreaming of reviving the _Giardiniere_? Well, it was a pretty idea to call each sister in the lodge by the name of a flower. But nowadays, and in England especially, if women intermeddled in such things, do you know what they would be called? _Petroleuses!_" "Names do not hurt," said the girl, proudly. "No, no. Rest content, Natalie. You are initiated far enough. You know all that needs to be known; and you can work with us, and associate with us like the rest. But about Brand; are you not pleased?" "I am indeed pleased, papa." "And I am more than pleased," said Lind, thoughtfully. "He will be the most important accession we have had for many a day. Ah, you women have sharp eyes; but there are some things you cannot see--there are some men whose character you cannot read." Natalie glanced up quickly; and her father noticed that surprised look. "Well," said he, with a smile, "what now is your opinion of Mr. Brand?" Instantly the soft eyes were cast down again, and a faint tinge of color appeared in her face. "Oh, my opinion, papa?" said she, as if to gain time to choose her words. "Well, I should call him manly, straightforward--and--and very kind--and--and very English--" "I understand you perfectly, Natalie," her father said, with a laugh. "You and Lord Evelyn are quite in accord. Yes, and you are both thoroughly mistaken. You mean, by his being so English, that he is cold, critical, unsympathetic: is it not so? You resent his being cautious about joining us. You think he will be but a lukewarm associate--suspecting everything--fearful about going too far--a half-and-half ally. My dear Natalie, that is because neither Lord Evelyn nor you know anything at all about that man." The faint color in the girl's cheeks had deepened; and she remained silent, with her face downcast.