“That you take my Tato to keep for a few weeks, until I can send away my men and arrange my affairs here.  It would be unpleasant for the child here, and with you she will be so happy.  I would like the sweet signorini to buy nice dresses, like those they themselves wear, for my little girl, and to teach her the good manners she could not gain as the brigand’s daughter.  Tato has the money to pay for everything but the kindness, if you will let her stay in your society until I can claim her.  I am aware that I ask too much; but the Signorina Patsy has said to my child that they would always be friends, whatever might happen, and as I know you to be generous I have dared to come to you with this request.  I only ask your friendship for my Tato, who is innocent.  For myself, after I have become a good man, then perhaps you will forgive me, too.”

Uncle John looked thoughtful; the old lawyer was grave and listened silently.  Patsy, her arms still around the shrinking form of the child, looked pleadingly at her uncle.  Beth’s eyes were moist and Louise smiled encouragingly.

“Well, my dears?  The Duke is certainly not entitled to our friendship, as he truly says; but I have nothing against little Tato.  What do you advise?”

“Let us keep her, and dress her like the beautiful doll she is, and love her!” cried Patsy.

“She shall be our adopted cousin,” said Louise.

“Tato is good stuff!” declared Kenneth.

“Well, Beth?”

“It seems to me, Uncle,” said the girl, seriously, “that if the Duke really wishes to reform, we should give him a helping hand.  The little girl has led a bad life only because her father forced her to lure his victims and then procure the money for their ransoms; but I am sure her nature is sweet and pure, and she is so young that she will soon forget the evil things she has learned.  So I vote with my cousins.  Let us adopt Tato, and care for her until her father can introduce her into a new and more proper life.”

“Well argued, Beth,” said Uncle John, approvingly.  “I couldn’t have put the case better myself.  What do you say, Silas Watson?”

“That you are all quite right,” answered the old lawyer.  “And the best part of the whole thing, to me, is the fact that this nest of brigands will be wiped out of existence, and Taormina be hereafter as safe for tourists as old Elmhurst itself.  I wish I could say as much for the rest of Sicily.”

Uncle John extended his hand to the Duke, who took it gratefully, although with a shamefaced expression that was perhaps natural under the circumstances.

“Look up, dear,” said Patsy to the girl, softly; “look up and kiss me.  You’ve been adopted, Tato!  Are you glad?”

CHAPTER XXVIII

DREAMS AND DRESS-MAKING

Tato was now one of the family.  They left Taormina the next day, and Frascatti drove all the girls in his victoria to the station.