"Stay a moment, I will get my hat and walk down to the shore with you; perhaps Dr. Molini will accompany us?"
"I should like it very much but I have a call to make, so I must wish you felice notte now."
The good little doctor took his departure after much bowing, and Mr. Earnscliffe and his friend set out on their walk. After some desultory chat the former asked, "Are there many English at Sorrento now?"
"Yes," replied the other, "the hotels are said to be very full;—by the way, there were two acquaintances of yours staying at my hotel in Naples, which I only left the day before yesterday,—Mr. Caulfield and Mr. Lyne."
"Mr. Lyne! Is it possible that he is in Naples? Are you quite sure of it?"
"Very possible indeed, my dear friend. I saw him there two days ago."
"You amaze me: but is he not going back to Rome? Is he not going to be married?"
"Married! I should say not; and he certainly is not returning to Rome, since he starts in a few days for Sicily."
They had reached the shore, and Mr. Elliot added—
"Do you wish to know if there is any probability of his being married; he seems to interest you so much?"