He seated himself on a projecting ledge of the rockwork, and motioned to Calabressa to do likewise on the other side of the entrance.  They were completely screened from observation by a mass of olive and fig trees, to say nothing of the far-stretching orange shrubbery beyond.

“The Council have paid you a high compliment, my Calabressa,” the general said, plunging at once into the matter.  “They have resolved to intrust you with a very difficult mission.”

“It is a great honor.”

“You won’t have to risk your neck, which will no doubt disappoint you, but you will have to show us whether there is the stuff of a diplomatist in you.”

“Oh, as for that, Excellenza,” Calabressa said confidently, “one can be a bavard at times, for amusement, for nonsense; and one can at times be silent when there is necessity.”

“You know of the affair of Zaccatelli.  The agent has been found, as we desired in England.  I understand you know him; his name is Brand.”

Calabressa uttered an exclamation.

“Excellenza, do you know what you have said?  You pierce my heart.  Why he of all those in England?  He is the betrothed of Natalie’s daughter—­the Natalie Berezolyi, Excellenza, who married Ferdinand Lind—­”

“I know it,” said the other, calmly.  “I have seen the young lady.  She is a beautiful child.”

“She is more than that—­she is a beautiful-souled child!” said Calabressa, in great agitation, “and she has a tender heart.  I tell you it will kill her, Excellenza!  Oh, it is infamous! it is not to be thought of!” He jumped to his feet and spoke in a rapid, excited way.  “I say it is not to be thought of.  I appeal—­I, Calabressa—­to the honorable the members of the Council:  I say that I am ready to be his substitute—­they cannot deny me—­I appeal to the laws of the Society—­“’

“Calm yourself—­calm yourself,” said the general; but Calabressa would not be calm.

“I will not have my beautiful child have this grief put upon her!—­you, Excellenza, will help my appeal to the Council—­they cannot refuse me—­what use am I to anybody or myself?  I say that the daughter of my old friend Natalie shall not have her lover taken from her; it is I, Calabressa, who claim to be his substitute!”

“Friend Calabressa, I desire you to sit down and listen.  The story is brief that I have to tell you.  This man Brand is chosen by the usual ballot.  The young lady does not know for what duty, of course, but believes it will cost him his life.  She is in trouble; she recollects your giving her some instructions; what does she do but start off at once for Naples, to put her head right into the den of the black bear Tommaso!”

“Ah, the brave little one!  She did not forget Calabressa and the little map, then?”

“I have seen her and her mother.”

“Her mother, also?  Here, in Naples, now?”

“Yes.”

“Great Heaven!  What a fool I was to come through Naples and not to know—­but I was thinking of that little viper.”