BEING THE CONTINUATION OF
"JACK HARKAWAY AND HIS
SON'S ADVENTURES IN GREECE."
BY
BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG
[Illustration: Bother the beggars"—said Mr Mole"—Adv in Greece, VolII—Frontispiece]
THE CONTESSA'S LETTER TO MR. MOLE—ON PLEASURE BENT—THE
MENDICANT FRIAR—MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS—HOUSE BREAKING.
When Mrs. Harkaway's maid returned to the villa, she got scolded forbeing so long upon an errand of some importance with which she had beenentrusted.
Thereupon, she was prepared with twenty excuses, all of which were anything but the truth.
The words of warning which the brigand had called after her had notbeen without their due effect.
"She had been detained," she said, "by the Contessa Maraviglia for theletter which she brought back to Mr. Mole."
The letter was an invitation to a grand ball which was to be given bythe contessa at the Palazzo Maraviglia, and to which the Harkaways weregoing.
Dick Harvey had been at work in this business, and had made thecontessa believe indirectly that Mr. Mole was a most graceful dancer,and that it would be an eternal shame for a bal masqué to takeplace in the neighbourhood without being graced by his—Mole's—presence.
The result was that during lunch Mr. Mole received from the maid thefollowing singular effusion.
"Al Illustrissimo Signor Mole," which, being translated, means, "To theillustrious Mr. Mole."
"Hullo!" said the tutor, looking around him and dropping his eye onDick, "who is this from?"
"From the Contessa Maraviglia," replied the girl.
Mr. Mole gave her a piercing glance.
The contessa's letter was a sort of puzzle to poor old Mole.
"The Contessa Maraviglia begs the honour of the Signor Mole's companyon the 16th instant. She can accept no refusal, as the fête isespecially organised in honour of Signor Mole, whose rare excellence inthe poetry of motion has elevated dancing into an art."
Isaac Mole read and re-read this singular letter, until he grew moreand more fogged.
He thought that the contessa had failed to express herself clearly inEnglish on account of her imperfect knowledge of our language; but hewas soon corrected in this impression.
The lady in question, it transpired, was English.
So poor Mole did what he thought best under the circumstances, and thatwas to consult with Dick Harvey.
"Dear me!" echoed Dick, innocently; "why, you have made an impressionhere, Mr. Mole."
"Do you think so?" said Mole, doubtfully.
"Beyond question. This contessa is smitten, sir, with your attractions;but I can assist you here."
"You can?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, my dear Harvey, thank you," replied Mr. Mole eagerly.
"Yes; I can let the contessa know that there is no hope for her."
Isaac Mole's vanity was tickled at this.
"Don't you think it would be cruel to undeceive her?"
"Cruel, sir!" said Dick, with severe air, "no, sir; I don't. It is myduty to tell her all."
Mr. Mole looked alarmed.
"What do you mean?"
"That you are a married man."
"I say, I say—"
"Yes, sir, very much married," pursued Dick, relentlessly; "that youhave had three wives, and were nearly taking a fourth."
"Don't, Dick."
"All more or less black."
"Dick, Dick!"
"However, there is no help for i