There were fig-trees along
the wall by the side of this path; a fountain plashed coolly out there
on the lawn, and beyond the opening showed the deep blue of the sea,
with the clear waves breaking whitely on the shores.
They sat down on a garden-seat; and Natalie, sitting next her mother,
waited patiently and breathlessly, scarcely hearing all this talk about
old companions and friends.
At last the general said,
"Now about the business that brought you here: is it serious?"
"Oh yes, very," the mother said, with some color of excitement appearing
in her worn face; "it is a friend of ours in England: he has been
charged by the Society with some duty that will cost him his life; we
have come to intercede for him--to ask you to save him. For the sake of
old times, Stefan--"
"Wait a moment," said the other, looking grave. "Do you mean the
Englishman?"
"Yes, yes; the same."
"And who has told you what it is purposed to have done?" he asked, with
quite a change in his manner.
"No one," she answered, eagerly; "we guess that it is something of great
danger.
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