"I thought I should suffocate." The revulsion from despair, the knowledge that each beat of the hoofs brought them nearer to safety, the glow of the sun upon a country which was Italy in all but name, raised them all to the top of their spirits.

Clementina was in her gayest mood; she lavished caresses upon her "little woman," as she called Mrs.Misset; she would have Wogan give her an account of his interview with Prince Taxis's secretary; she laughed with the merriest enjoyment over his abuse of Charles Wogan.
"But it was not myself alone whom I slandered," said he.

"Your Highness had a share of our abuse.

Our heads wagged gravely over woman's inconstancies.

It was not in nature but you must change your mind.
Indeed, your Highness would have laughed." But at all events her Highness did not laugh now.