"We are bound for Sorrento," said she, "where we intend to stay a week at the Hotel Vittoria. Will you let Alora come to us for ever Sunday, as our guest? We will drive here and get her the day after to- morrow—that's Saturday, you know—and fetch her home on Monday."
"No," said Jason Jones.
"Oh, why not, father?" pleaded the girl.
"You've no fit clothes. I don't want you hanging around Sorrento," he replied.
"It will be a nice change for your daughter and it will give us much pleasure to entertain her," said Mary Louise.
"It's a capital idea," declared the Colonel positively, and looking the other man straight in the eye he added: "I am sure you will withdraw your objections, Mr. Jones."
The man dropped his eyes, frowning. But presently he said to Alora:
"Go, if you want to. But keep out of the town. Don't leave the hotel grounds."
"Why not?" asked his daughter in a defiant tone.
"It's not safe. I know Sorrento, and these rascally Italians would be glad to steal you, if they had the chance, and then blackmail me a ransom."