l
weed, eddying with many an uncertain current!

The poison Gabriel had instilled into his heart, if insufficient to kill
its nobler influences, was yet enough to render them unsound. The great
lesson of that tempter was to 'distrust,' never to accept a benefit
in life without inquiring what subtle design had prompted it, what
deep-laid scheme it might denote. 'None but a fool bestows without
an object,' was a maxim he had often heard from his lips. Not all the
generosity of the youth's nature--and it was a noble one--could lessen
the foul venom of this teaching! To reject it seemed like decrying the
wisdom of one who knew life in all its aspects. How could he, a mere
boy, ignorant, untravelled, unlettered, place his knowledge of mankind
in competition with that of one so universally accomplished as Gabriel?
His precepts, too, were uttered so calmly, so dispassionately--a tone
of regret even softened them at times, as though he had far rather have
spoken well and kindly of the world, if truth would have suffered him.
And then he would insidiously add: 'Don't accept these opinions, but go
out and test them for yourself. The laboratory is before you, experiment
at your will.' As if he had not already put corruption in the crucible,
and defiled the vessel wherein the ore should be assayed!

For some days Gerald had seen neither the Count nor the Marquise. A
brief note, a few lines, from the latter, once came to say that they
continued to take an interest in his welfare, and hoped soon to see him
able to move about and leave his room; but that the arrival of a young
relative from Rome would probably prevent her being able to visit the
Camerotto for some time.

'They have grown weary of the pleasure of benevolence,' thought Gerald
peevishly; 'they want some other and more rewarding excitement. The
season of the Carnival is drawing nigh, and doubtless fetes and theatres
will be more gratifying resources than the patronage of such as I.'

It was in a spirit resentful and rebellious that he arose and dressed
himself. The very clothes he had to wear were given him--the stick he
leaned on was an alms; and his indignation scoffed at his mendicancy, as
though it were a wrong against himself.

'After all,' said he mockingly, 'if it were not that I chanced to
resemble some dear prince or other, they had left me to starve. I wonder
who my prototype may be: what would he say if I proposed to change
coats with him? Should I have mo