IV
These young persons were thus at once confronted across the room, and the girl explained her preparation. "I was listening hard—for your knock and your voice."
"Then know that, thank God, it's all right!"—Hugh was breathless, jubilant, radiant.
"A Mantovano?" she delightedly cried. "A Mantovano!" he proudly gave back.
"A Mantovano!"—it carried even Lady Sandgate away.
"A Mantovano—a sure thing?" Mr. Bender jumped up from his business, all gaping attention to Hugh.
"I've just left our blest Bardi," said that young man—"who hasn't the shadow of a doubt and is delighted to publish it everywhere."
"Will he publish it right here to me?" Mr. Bender hungrily asked. "Well," Hugh smiled, "you can try him."
"But try him how, where?" The great collector, straining to instant action, cast a
