"I--I--" she began, and just at this very inauspicious moment, while
she sat there, flushed, by the stranger's side, the clatter of
swiftly-approaching wheels sounded, and a carriage turned the corner,
containing Mrs. Jerrold, Edith, Albert, and Norman Mann. They all saw
her.
Mae laughed. It was such a dreadful situation that it was funny, and she
laughed again. "Those are my friends," she said, in a low voice. "We
can walk away," replied the officer, and turned his face in the opposite
direction. "It is too late; and, besides, why should we?" And Mae looked
full in his face, then turned to the carriage, which was close upon
them.
"How do you all do?" she cried, gleefully and bravely. "Isn't there room
for me in there? Mrs. Jerrold, I would like to introduce Signor--your
name?"--she said, quite clearly, in Italian, turning to the officer.
"Bero," he replied.
"Signor Bero. He was very kind, and saved me from--from a little beggar
boy."
"You must have been in peril, indeed," remarked Mrs.
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