I knew more even on that matter than did most of them, and I had also on my conscience Will's confidences. It is strange how love breaks down pride. It had never struck me that it was possible for Will Hardres to condescend to confidences; but he had not been in love with this slip of a girl above a week or two before he had to cry _Peccavi_ to me, just to have the pleasure of pronouncing her name. It had not, of course, escaped his shipmates that he was paying her attention; but seeing that he was the only officer on the three ships who could speak Italian (except the _Vanguard's_ chaplain, who did not count), they thought it natural that he should devote himself to the most beautiful girl at the Court. They of course knew nothing of the obstacles in the way of such a proceeding in Sicily, which were broken down in such an extraordinary manner, and regarded his duel with her brother simply in the light of an introduction. Will was full of an afternoon which he had spent in her company the day after our expedition to Pompeji and the banquet at the Queen's Palace, at Caserta, whither the Admiral had driven some twenty miles to dine and spend the night. General Mack had arrived two days before, and it was the desire of the Queen that these two should know one another better, as the campaign seemed to depend upon their concerted action. The Admiral, who, as I have mentioned, had alluded to the General in no very complimentary terms the night before, at the Queen's banquet, was more favourably impressed after a personal meeting: in fact, I have heard him say afterwards, with a bitterness unusual in him, that Mack owed his advancement in life to the power of giving an impression of a capacity he did not possess. At the time he said to Will, who was in attendance on him in his private suite, taking certain orders from him before he retired to bed--"He is active and has an intelligent eye, and will do well, I have no doubt. He assures us that the Emperor has desired the King of Naples to begin, and he will support him. Mack says he will march in ten days; their Majesties have given him their confidence, and I feel I am in full possession of it. The Queen was so impressed with him that she could not help saying--'General, be to us by land what my hero Nelson has been by sea.' I have endeavoured to impress the General with a favourable impression of me, and I think I have succeeded."