I know at least
as much as that, child. But you see, they have to guard themselves."
Natalie would not leave the hotel for a moment. She pretended to read;
but every person who came into the reading-room caused her to look up
with a start of apprehensive inquiry. At last there came a note for her.
She broke open the envelope hurriedly, and found a plain white card,
with these words written on it:
"_Be at the Villa Odelschalchi, Portici, at four this afternoon._"
Joy leaped to her face again.
"Mother, look!" she cried, eagerly. "After all, we may hope."
"This time you shall not go alone, Natalushka."
"Why not, mother? I am not afraid."
"I may be of use to you, child. There may be friends of mine there--who
knows? I am going with you."
In course of time they hired a carriage, and drove away through the
crowded and gayly-colored city in the glow of the afternoon. But they
had sufficient prudence, before reaching Portici, to descend from the
carriage and proceed on foot. They walked quietly along, apparently not
much interested in what was around them.
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