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322 3? ORDER OF THE CZAR.

" Not the first rescue," said Dolly, with a fttnk, affectionate expression in her dancing eyes that compre- hended the whole group.

" Your sister," said Sam, " is a trifle mysterious or mischievous don't know which ; both, perhaps. She has been saying that all the way here, and yet I'm sure the ice was harmless enough. If it had been punch a la Romaine well, there, I'll say no more about it, except between our four selves t-hat this is the happiest moment of my life."

"There ! " said Dolly, " and you've said that before."

" And on many occasions," said Jenny, merrily. " Wal- ter always says it when he makes a speech."

" Come to think of it," said Sam, " you are possibly right. Don't remember that I ever made more than two or three speeches in my life, and I believe I have always rung in that convenient expression. But I hope that doesn't take away from its point to-day. If I had wings like those pigeons, I think I should just soar right up into that blue sky and come tumbling down again in very fun, just as one of the fluffiest of them did after he made the acquaintance of Dolly."

" I daresay," said Walter. " Have a cigar ? "

" I'll have anything you like, my dear boy."

" Dolly," said Waiter, as she stood there beaming upon him, " sit down, and don't look so miserable. If you have any little purchases to make, take a little rest and go out and make them ; we leave Venice to-morrow."

<( Leave Venice ! " exclaimed Swynford, looking at Dolly.

" Leave Venice ! " said Dolly, looking at Jenny.

" We are tired of Venice," said Jenny. " But we are not going home ; don't be afraid. What do you say to the Lake of Como, Sam ? "

" The Lake of Como," replied S\vynford, " where the marble palace lifts its something to eternal summer antf