“It was what I was thinking of. Tony; but I did n't like to take any step in it till I saw you and spoke to you.”
“Do it, by all means,—do it to-morrow.”
“Not to-morrow, Tony, nor even the next day; for Dolly and the doctor left this to pass a few days with the M'Candlishes at Articlave, and they 'll not be back before Saturday; but I am so glad that you like the plan,—so glad that it came from yourself too.”
“It's the first bit of pleasure our new wealth has given us, mother; may it be a good augury!”
“That's a heathenish word, Tony, and most unsuited to be used in thankfulness for God's blessings.”
Tony took the rebuke in good part, and, to change the topic, laughingly asked if she thought Garibaldians never were hungry, for she had said nothing of supper since he came.
“Jeanie has been in three times to tell you it was ready, and the last time she said she 'd come no more; but come, and we'll see what there's for us.”
CHAPTER LXII. SKEFF DAMER'S LAST “PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL”
After some four or five days passed almost like a dream—for while he stood in the midst of old familiar objects, all Tony's thoughts as to the future were new and strange—there came a long letter from Skeff Darner, announcing his approaching marriage with Bella,—the “dear old woman of Tilney” having behaved “beautifully.” “Short as the time has been since you left this, my brave Tony, great events have occurred. The King has lost his throne, and Skeff Darner has gained an estate. I would have saved him, for I really like the Queen; but that his obstinacy is such, the rescue would have only been a reprieve, not a pardon. Sicily I meant for us,—I mean for England,—myself to be the Viceroy. The silver mines at Stromboli have never been worked since the time of Tiberius; they contain untold wealth: and as to coral fishery, I have obtained statistics will make your teeth water. I can show you my calculations in hard figures, that in eight years and four months I should be the richest man in Europe,—able to purchase the soil of the island out-and-out, if the British Government were stupid enough not to see that they ought to establish me and my dynasty there. These are now but visions,—grand and glorious visions, it is true,—and dearest Bella sheds tears when I allude to them.