"I had no idea that you were such a skilful acrobat, Ercole," said his mistress. Ercole turned a light somerset, gave a high jump, and came down in the attitude of the Mercury of John of Bologna. "Why, you are really wonderful!" said Miss Senter, admiringly. And now he was dancing with butterfly grace. Miss Senter was won. "But if I let you come in, Ercole, I hope you will remember where you are?" she said, warningly. "Can you breathe quite at ease in that mask?" The gondolier opened his grotesque painted lips a little to show that he could part them. "Yes, I see. Now listen; in the drawing-room you must keep your eye on me, and if at any time you see me raise my hand--so--you must dance out of the room, Ercole. For the sign will mean that that is enough. But, dear me! there's one thing we haven't thought of; who is to see to the musicians up-stairs, and to go back and forth, telling them what to play?" "I can do that," said Carmela, who was now all smiles. "Does the signorina wish me to take them up? They are all ready. They are waiting in the wood-room." The wood-room was a remote store-room for fuel; it was detached from the rest of the apartment. "Why did you put them _there_?" inquired Miss Senter, astonished. "They are musicians--yes; but who knows what else they may be? Thieves, perhaps!" said the deputy, shrewdly. "Get them out immediately and take them up to the gallery," said Miss Senter. "And tell them to play something lively as a beginning." Carmela, quick as usual, was gone before the words were ended. "Now, Ercole, wait until you hear the music. Then come in," said the Consuless. She returned to the drawing-room, making a motion with her hands as she advanced, which indicated that her guests were to move a little more towards the walls on each side, leaving the centre of the room free. And then, as the music burst out above, Ercole came bounding in. His dress was ordinary; Miss Senter was vexed anew that he had not told her of his plan, for if he had she could have provided a perfectly fresh costume. But no one noticed the costume; all eyes were fixed upon the gambols; for, keeping time to the music, he was advancing up the room, dancing, bounding, leaping, turning somersets, and every now and then striking an attitude with extraordinary skill. He was so light that his white linen feet made no sound, and so graceful that the fixed grin of his mask became annoying, clashing as it did with the beauty of his poses. This thought, however, came to the elders only; for to the children, fascinated, shouting with delight, the broad red smile was an important part. "It's our gondolier," explained Miss Senter. "It's Ercole," she had whispered to her brother. "You are always so fortunate in servants," said Lady Kay. "That little woman you have, too, Carmela--she is a miracle for an Italian."