CHAPTER VIII. 

POMPEII. 

On the evening of the day on which the excursion to Vesuvius was made, Rollo came into Mrs. Gray's room, wearing a somewhat disturbed countenance. He told Mrs. Gray that he had got some bad news for her. 

"Ah," said Mrs. Gray, "I'm sorry to hear that. What is the bad news?" 

"Philippe is engaged for to-morrow," said Rollo, "and so he cannot go with us to Pompeii." 

"O, how sorry I am!" said Josie. "What shall we do?" 

"How is he engaged?" asked Mrs. Gray. 

"He is going with a party to Baiæ." 

"Where is Baiæ?" asked Josie. "Is it any where near Pompeii?" 

"No," said Rollo; "it is exactly in the opposite direction. It is on the sea coast to the west, and Pompeii is on the sea coast to the east." 

"What is there to be seen at Baiæ?" asked Mrs. Gray. 

"Nothing but old ruins," said Rollo, contemptuously. "I don't see why people should want to go so far, and take away our guide, just to see old ruins. Besides, there are plenty of old ruins at Pompeii. 

"But, Mrs. Gray," continued Rollo, "I don't think we need any guide at all to go to Pompeii. We can go by ourselves." 

"Do you think so?" said Mrs. Gray. 

"Why, you see I can engage a carriage to take us there myself," said Rollo. "I shall say 'Pompeii!' to the coachman, and point that way. And when we get to Pompeii, we shall find uncle George there, and then we shall get along well enough." 
Who told Mrs. Gray?
Rollo