Seated, or lying on the grass, under the shade of a broad-leaved fig-tree, they listened to Jack's adventures, told with a quaint humor, of which they, who knew him well, could appreciate every shade and tint In his days of prosperous fortune it was rare to hear him speak of himself. The routine life he led seemed to develop little or nothing of his real nature; but now, dependent as he was altogether on intrinsic qualities, for whatever estimation he might obtain, owing nothing to station, it was remarkable how his character had widened and expanded, how his sympathies with his fellow-men had increased. Though nothing could be farther from his nature than any mawkish sentimentality, there was that show of trustfulness, that degree of hopeful belief in the world at large, which occasionally led Julia to banter him on his optimism; and this, be it said passingly, was the only show of freedom between them,—their manner to each other from the moment they met being marked by a studied reserve on each side.
“And surely, Prince,” said she, calling him by the title which in honor of his dress they had given him, “surely you must have met some charming creatures at the galleys. All the good qualities of human nature were not reserved for the cockpit or the steerage, or whatever it is.”
“Aye, even at the galleys they were n't all bad, though it's not exactly the sort of place men grow better in. I had a capital old fellow as comrade, and, I take shame to say, I ought to have thought of him before this. I say, George, have you any friends of influence at Naples? I wish I could get my old companion his liberty.”
“George has gone in to write to Augustus,” said Nelly; “but if Lord Culduff could answer your purpose, I 'd ask Marion to interest him in the matter.”
“There's a dear good girl, do write a line to Marion; tell her it's the greatest favor she could bestow on me. The poor fellow is a political criminal; he only shot at the king, I believe; and where they do that every week or so, it's hard to make it a capital offence. I 'll give you his name and his number when I go into the house.”
“The post leaves early,” said she, rising. “I must do this at once.”
“Wait till I have finished this corner of my netting, and I'll go with you,” said Julia.
“I say No to that,” cried Jack. “I 'm not going to be left alone here. If that's the way you treat a distinguished guest, the sooner he takes his leave the better. Stay where you are, Miss Julia.”
“But I shall have no work, Master Jack. My net will be finished in a few minutes.”
“Make cigarettes for me, then. There 's the bag,” said he, lazily.