"I said 'in silence,'" he roared, stretching a hand to grasp a bell-
rope. Alfieri, with a fierce gesture of disdain, went out. His
Excellency bowed to the lady.
"Two minutes," he murmured. "The wine on the table is Capri. You will
find it grateful after this somewhat heated interview."
But Mrs. Haxton drank no wine when the Governor followed Alfieri. She
bit her lips and clenched her hands in an agony of restraint. This lull
in the storm was more trying than the full fury of the blast. The
Governor's two minutes lengthened into ten. Then he hurried back,
alone. He was manifestly ill at ease, though he spoke glibly enough.
"I am taking a grave step, signora," he said, "but I feel that the
peculiar circumstances warrant it. I have released the Baron von
Kerber. He is now awaiting you, and it will give me much pleasure to
conduct you to your carriage. Yet I pray you give earnest heed to me. I
have told him what I now tell you--this undertaking of yours must be
abandoned. Not only is it my duty to prevent it at all costs, but an
expedition starts for the Five Hills this very night.
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