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 ''Nunc aut nunquam. Hocus pocus 'issimo, Signor illustrissimo.''"

Having uttered these statements, she handed him the picture, while Fen sat entranced to hear his aunt talking such excellent magic.

It might have been observed that Cynthia became even more willing than before to stay on the yacht with Fen while the others went ashore. As for Fen, he was perfectly content to have Auntie and Siddereticus near him, even though they sometimes interrupted the tales they told him to converse together in Italian.

"We mustn't, Signor Siddereticus," protested Cynthia; "we're neglecting my dearest nephew," and she bent to kiss Fen. As Siddereticus happened to do the same thing at the same moment, her hair brushed his cheek, and they straightened up suddenly, laughing.

The portrait of Fen hung in the little