"I can prove my words to be true," answered Vassalla, suavely; "if you come with me to the Italian Exhibition you will see them there." "How do you know?" she asked, raising her heavy eyes to his. "That is a secret, my cousin; will you come?" "No." "Think it over; I will call again this afternoon," and Vassalla left the house humming a tune. He knew Ronald would be at the Exhibition that afternoon, as he had met him in the morning casually, and Monteith had mentioned that he was going to take a lady to the Italian Exhibition, so the wily Maltese determined to turn the incident to his own benefit, and, if possible, rouse Carmela's jealousy--that once done, she would marry him, if only out of pique. He knew her too well to doubt that she would come, and he proved a true prophet, for when he called at the Langham at three o'clock, he found her waiting for him, dressed to go out. He, however, was too wise to make any comment, and, stepping into a hansom, they drove to the Strand, and went by the underground railway to the Exhibition. Ronald was there, as he had promised to escort Mrs. Taunton, for the poor little lady was so grieved and horror-struck over her brother's death that she never let Ronald alone a moment, but was always urging him to go on with the case. It was in vain, he said, they would have to wait till the letter came from Malta before they could make a fresh move. Mrs. Taunton was fiercely impatient, and had accompanied the Australian not so much with the object of seeing the Exhibition as of discussing the case with him. They wandered about, in deep conversation, not heeding, in the least, the crowds of people around them. While thus engaged, Ronald did not see Miss Cotoner, who was standing by the Marchese, looking at him with a sad expression on her face. "You see, I was right," whispered the Marchese. "I see," said Carmela, in a tone of suppressed emotion; "but the lady may be only a friend." "Oh, yes, a dear friend," he answered with a mocking laugh; "why, I tell you, he is never away from her." "Who is she?" asked Carmela. "I do not know," answered Vassalla, who knew perfectly well, but was not going to reveal his knowledge, "they are always together." At this moment Ronald raised his eyes and saw Carmela. A sudden exclamation arose to his lips, and he made a movement as if about to step forward, when suddenly he drew back, and raising his hat with a bow, took his companion's arm and disappeared in the crowd. This action seemed to confirm Carmela's suspicions, and with a stifled sob she turned away, the Marchese following in silent triumph. "Who was that lady?" asked Mrs. Taunton, when they were some distance away. "A lady I know," he answered, evasively. "And love?" "Why do you think so?" "That is, if you return love for love--I saw it in her face." "Impossible! "Not at all, it's merely a woman's instinct; come, tell me, do you love her?" "Yes," he answered, sadly, "too well."