How quick was the turn of her head towards the door when Paul's step sounded there! How bright her smile as she offered him her slender hand. How sweet the color that played over her cheek while she thanked him for the presents that he had sent up to her! A white rose graced her dusky hair, the flower being, as Paul noticed with secret pleasure, his gift of the previous day. Jacintha had withdrawn on Paul's entrance. Wise creature, Jacintha! It is not every woman who will recognize herself as _de trop_ when youth and maiden meet. "I am glad to see you recovering, signorina." "I am still very weak. I tremble to think what would have become of me had I lain down in that wood. The fever would certainly have carried me off. I owe my life to you." "No--to Jacintha." "And to Jacintha, who will not take any reward from me." After this there was a silence. Paul found his usual flow of language gone. He longed to be brilliant; he was conscious of seeming stupid. "It is six weeks since our meeting in the woods," he observed, for want of a better remark. "And you were going to Sebenico, then. Have you remained at Castel Nuovo all this time on my account?" "I desire to keep my promise of seeing you safely to Zara." Barbara murmured her gratitude, adding,-- "But am I not putting you to great inconvenience?" "No, signorina, no. These are my holidays. I am on a long furlough. My time is my own, or rather it is at your disposal." Barbara's eyes drooped beneath Paul's gaze. Why should this handsome young captain interest himself so on her behalf? "Jacintha tells me that you have never quitted the vicinity of the castle." "True. It has been my desire to guard against a surprise on the part of your pursuers." Barbara's face lost its bright expression for a moment. "My pursuers!" she murmured. "My pursuers! The thought of them haunted me while I lay ill. I dreaded lest I should be carried off in my helpless state. But as six weeks have elapsed I think I may regard the pursuit--if pursuit there were--as over. But tell me, Captain Cressingham,"--how prettily the name fell from her lips!--"what would you have done if my pursuers had appeared?" "Fought," replied Paul laconically. "But supposing they had been a dozen in number?" "No matter. Lambro loves a fight, so do I. Castel Nuovo was built to stand a siege. The door is of massive oak; the lower windows are barred; there are abundant loopholes convenient for taking shots at the enemy. And besides there are the twelve mastiffs, each of which is capable of tackling a man. Trust us, signorina, we should have made a good defence." It was pleasant to be near such towers of strength as Paul and Lambro, who appeared to regard Austrian gendarmerie with contempt. Then her pleasure became lost in surprise. Was this Englishman really willing to undergo such perils on her behalf? Ay, those, and much more, Barbara, to gain your smiles.