"Why no," said Sir John, with a queer frown, "nor need he ever--so long
as you clearly perceive wherein your honour lies."

"I do perceive it most clearly," I replied, "and believe that I have
always perceived it since that fatal night when I forgot that I had any.
I am so sure of it now that I shall not hesitate for a moment. With your
permission, sir, I shall set about it this very hour."

"What the devil are you going to do, my dear sir?" cried the Minister.

"I am going to leave Florence," I said, "so soon as ever I have done my
present business."

Sir John puffed out his cheeks and let his relief escape in a volley.
"Poh! How you put me about," said he. "I thought you were for the
count's throat. I thought--body of me, I know not what I thought. As for
the doctor, you'll find him easy handling. The good man knows where his
comforts are, and whence they come. Why, supposing that you had never
gone into his wife's cupboard and stalked out of it again, would he at
this day have been snug upon the bench, with house-room at the Villa San
Giorgio?" Here was something strange.

"At the Villa San Giorgio?" I echoed with astonishment. "Is Donna Giulia
then----?"

Sir John looked sly. "Donna Giulia," he said, "was a sensible woman. She
knew very well the length of her shoe. Donna Giulia has joined her
husband at Naples--a Court appointment and a good house. Dr. Lanfranchi
occupies the Villa San Giorgio. Now do you see how the land lies?" I