"But I don't see----" began Ronald.
"Of course, you don't," said Gerald, with a dry laugh; "but if that interview has taken place, I'll bet you what you like one of us three will hear from Mrs. Verschoyle, for if her temper is what you say, she'll move heaven and earth to stop the marriage."
"I hope so," said Carmela, sadly.
"Of course, she will," replied Foster, cheerfully; "she will throw away honour, fortune, life itself, to obtain her ends, if she's so madly in love. When a man starts for the Devil, he generally arrives, but when a woman begins she runs past the Devil--and goes God knows where. Now, let us return to the drawing-room."
So, after this serious interview, they all went back to the drawing-room, where they were questioned by everyone about their past.
"We've been in the smoking-room," said Carmela, with a smile, her heart now feeling lighter than it had been for many a day.
"Oh!" said Pat, in mock horror; "do Maltese ladies smoke?"
"You ought to know, Pat," retorted Ronald; "you saw enough of the sex in Valletta."
"It's my kindly heart," retorted Pat, who was never at a loss for an answer. "Sure, I didn't like to see the poor things castin' such longing glances, without responding to 'em."
Everyone but Mrs. Pellypop laughed at this, and she snorted reprovingly.