"You're better off here," growled the old Greek. "I bought you, and by God I'll keep you. You are not to leave me till I--I--die--" He winced as if not liking the prospect presented by the last word.--"You have promised as much. I have treated you better than any Turk would. You live in a castle with fine dresses and plenty to eat and drink; and when I'm a--gone you'll have my savings, and can then go back to England. What more do you want?" "Shall I be permitted to leave here after your death?" asked Jacintha, darting a strange look upon Lambro, who frowned, and said,-- "Who is to prevent you? What nonsense you talk! Why don't you ask our guests what they'll have for supper?" "What would my lady like?" inquired Jacintha turning to Barbara, and enumerating the contents of her larder. "You are very good," smiled Barbara. "Anything will do for me." "Except, of course, roast Turk," said Paul, turning to Lambro. "We must draw the line at that." The Turcophage grinned and withdrew in company with Jacintha; and as they called no servant to their aid, Paul concluded, and rightly, that these two were the sole tenants of the castle. Paul had now a better opportunity than heretofore for observing his fair companion as she sat by the hearth, the bright firelight playing over her silken attire with its shimmer of chain-work and jewels. Her figure was beautifully shaped; her features were of pure, classic type, as clear and delicate as if sculptured from alabaster. There was something peculiarly noble in the pose of her head, which disposed Paul to the belief that when the mystery of her origin became solved, it would be found that she was of high birth. She had spread out her hands to the fire, and with her face upturned to Paul, she said with charming _naïveté_,-- "I am so glad that you insisted upon me accompanying you, for this is certainly more cheerful than the dark forest." The light of gratitude sparkling in her soft dusky eyes completely captivated Paul. He began to think that it would be a pleasant thing if she would always smile so upon him, and upon none other. "Our new friends," he remarked, "are evidently expecting visitors, and those--two in number--to judge from the cutlery." He pointed to the dining-table and its snowy cloth set with Majolica-ware, cut-glass, and silver. "The Master and his wife I presume. Unpleasant for us if they should arrive to-night, and should object to the proceedings of their hospitable seneschal." Lambro and his partner now entered, bringing in a repast. Barbara and Paul drew to the table. The humble Jacintha acted as waitress and seemed to take pleasure in the office. Though Barbara ate but sparingly, her companion amply atoned for any deficiencies on her part; and when Lambro, going down to the castle cellar, returned with a bottle of delicious maraschino, and a box containing cigars of ambrosial flavor, Paul's satisfaction was complete.