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300 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

" The Telegraph Office," exclaimed the gondolier.

"The Post," she repeated.

" But not to see the sights ? " he asked, for the first time hesitating to obey orders.

" Not yet," said Jenny, and with a firmness of manner which Walter did not care himself to resist.

" You wish to send a telegram somewhere ? " Walter asked.

" Yes," said Jenny.

li Take the next turn, Beppo ; we are close to the office."

"Yes, excellency," said Beppo; and the gondola pre- sently swept out of the light into the comparative dark- ness of a narrow waterway, the shadows of which were now more in harmony with the feelings of the little English party than were the lamps and music, the flashing boats, and the merry laughter of the Grand Canal.

CHAPTER XL.

SAM SWYNFORD IS SUMMONED TO VENICE.

THE London season had fairly commenced its course of comedy and tragedy, while the Milbankes and Philip Forsyth were in the midst of their adventures in Italy.

To Dick Chetwynd and his wife, however, it was but the first day of the season, which to them opened with the Spring exhibition at the famous art club and gallery of which Dick was the moving spirit. Bond Street was crowded with carriages taking up and setting down hand- somely dressed visitors to Chetwynd's fashionable exhibi- tion.

It was a delightful May day, almost as bright and sunny as Venice. The Bond Street tradesmen had put out their awnings, and filled their windows with fine displays of art and industry. Dick Chetwynd, in faultless summer cos-