"It's too horrid!" continued Mrs. Willoughby, in an excited tone. "It will break poor papa's heart. And it will break poor darling aunty's heart. And it will break my heart." "Now, Kitty dearest, this is too silly in you. If it hadn't been for him, I would now be married to that wretched Count, who hadn't sufficient affection for me to get me a chair to sit on, and who was very, very rude to you. You didn't care, though, whether I was married to him or not; and now when I am saved from him you have nothing but very unpleasant things to say about Rufus K. Gunn." "Oh dear, what _would_ I give if you were only safe home!" "Well, I'm sure I don't see what _I_ can do. People are always saving my life. And there is Captain Kirby hunting all over Italy for me. And I _know_ I will be saved by somebody--if--if--I--I--if--I--if--you know--that is--I'm sure--" "Nonsense!" said Mrs. Willoughby, as Minnie broke down in confusion. "It is _too_ absurd. I won't talk about it. You are a silly child. Oh, how I _do_ wish you were home!" At this juncture the conversation was interrupted by the Baron. "It is not my fashion, ma'am," said he, gravely, "to remind another of any obligation under which he may be to me; but my claims on Minnie have been so opposed by you and the rest of her friends that I have to ask you to think of them. Your father knows what my first claims are. You yourself, ma'am, know perfectly well what the last claims are which I have won to-day." The Baron spoke calmly, firmly, and with dignity. Mrs. Willoughby answered not a word. "If you think on your position last night, and Minnie's, ma'am," resumed the Baron, "you'll acknowledge, I expect, that it was pretty hard lines. What would you have given a few hours ago for a sight of my uniform in that old house yonder? If I had come then to save Minnie from the clutches of that _I_talian, wouldn't you have given her to me with all your heart, and your prayers too? You would, by thunder! Think, ma'am, on your sufferings last night, and then answer me." Mrs. Willoughby involuntarily thought of that night of horror, and shuddered, and said nothing.