“In that case, let 's starve them out,” said George. “Suffer no supplies to be thrown into the place, and exact the most humble terms of submission.” “Then, where to go? that 's another question,” said Lady Hester. “His Eminence expects to see you in Rome,” whispered the Abbe, who had waited for an opportunity for the suggestion. “I believe he relies on a promise.” “Very true; but not just yet. Besides, the season is almost over,” said Lady Hester, with a slight degree of confusion. “Don't be frightened, Abbe,” whispered Jekyl in D'Esmonde's ear. “Her Ladyship is assuredly 'going to Rome' later on.” The priest smiled, with an expression that told how fully he comprehended the phrase. “There 's a little villa of mine, on the Lake of Como, very much at your service,” said Midchekoff, with the easy indifference of one suggesting something perfectly indifferent to him. “Do you mean La Rocca, Prince?” added the Sicilian. “Yes. They tell me it is prettily situated, but I 've never seen it. The Empress passed a few weeks there last year, and liked it,” said Midchekoff, languidly. “Really, Prince, if I don't know how to accept, I am still more at a loss for power to refuse your offer.” “When will you go?” said he, dryly, and taking out his memorandum-book to write. “What says Mr. Jekyl?” said Lady Hester, turning to that bland personage, who, without apparently attending to what went forward, had heard every syllable of it. “This is Tuesday,” said Jekyl. “There 's not much to be done; the villa wants for nothing: I know it perfectly.” “Ah, it's comfortable, then?” said the Prince, with a slight degree of animation. “La Rocca is all that Contarete's taste could make it,” replied Jekyl. “Poor Contarete! he was an excellent maitre d'hotel,” said Midchekoff. “He's still with me, somewhere; I rather believe in Tartary, just now.” “Your Ladyship may leave this on Thursday,” said Jekyl, who well knew that he was paying the most flattering compliment to Midchekoff in naming the shortest possible time for preparation. “Will this be inconvenient, Prince?” asked Lady Hester. “No; not in the least. If Jekyl will precede you by a couple of hours, I trust all will be ready.” “With your permission, then, we will say Thursday,” said she, who, with her habitual delight in novelty, was already wild with pleasure at the whole scheme. “Perhaps I'll come and visit you,” said Midchekoff. “I shall have to go to Vienna soon.” Lady Hester bowed and smiled her acknowledgments for this not over-gracious speech. “May we follow you, too, Lady Hester?” asked the Sicilian. “We expect that much from your loyalty, gentlemen. Our exile will test your fidelity.” “There 's something or other inconvenient about the stables,” said Midchekoff, “but I forget what it is; they are up a mountain, or down in a valley. I don't remember it, but the Emperor said it was wrong, and should be changed.”