At the end of the corridor he recovered himself, and shouted, "Jacintha, Jacintha, come down." "What is the matter?" said a voice at his elbow. "Matter enough," replied Lambro, grasping the woman's shoulders and whispering in her ear. "The dead have returned to life. Walk to the door, pick up the lamp, re-light it, and look at the lady that the Englishman has brought with him." Jacintha did as bidden. The lamp, re-kindled, showed her as a little fair-haired woman of subdued demeanor, her face retaining traces of former good looks. She cast one glance at Barbara, and immediately gave a strange gasp. "In God's name," she murmured, "who are you?" "A hard question," returned Barbara, with a touch of bitterness in her voice, "seeing that I myself cannot answer it." This reply seemed to enhance Jacintha's fear. She stood mutely staring at Barbara, who began to feel something of resentment at the woman's strange manner. "I will depart if you wish it," she said, turning away with quiet dignity, though her heart sank within her at the thought of passing the night out of doors. "Oh! no, no. Pardon me, my lady, if I seem rude," replied Jacintha, assuming an humble manner, and stepping forward as if to intercept Barbara's departure. "Do not go. We shall be glad if you will stay. Stay here as long as you will--at least--that is--till--till--" "Till the Master returns," chimed in Lambro, "and then--well, it's his rule to have no strangers here." He had apparently plucked up his courage, for he had come forward to the entrance again, where he and Jacintha stood staring curiously, first at Barbara, then at each other. "You seem to know me," said Barbara, "though I do not think that you can ever have seen me before to-night." Receiving no reply, she glanced at Paul as if seeking an explanation from him, who had none to give, for he was as much perplexed as Barbara herself to account for the singular behavior of this couple. "At first sight of you," began Lambro, "we thought--But no matter what we thought; we see now we were wrong."--He cast at the woman a glance which Paul interpreted as a warning for her to be reticent, and continued: "Now, Jacintha, show our guests the way upstairs. The nephew of the man who fought for Greece shall have no cause to complain of our hospitality." "A queer couple," whispered Paul to Barbara, "but trustworthy, I believe. I think you will be safe here." Barbara, almost ready to sink to the ground with fatigue, had no other course than to accept the shelter of Castel Nuovo, however strange her entertainers; and accordingly still resting upon Paul's arm, she followed Jacintha up the staircase, while Lambro, having locked the door, brought up the rear. "Your wife?" Paul asked of him and referring to Jacintha.