is nephew's exploits during the campaign, or of the
eccentric intrepidity of the white umbrella; and both to please him, and
to intercede for Wilfrid, the tatter's old comrades recited his deeds as
a part of the treasured familiar history of the army in its late arduous
struggle.

General Pierson was chiefly anxious to know whether Countess Lena would
be willing to give her hand to Wilfrid in the event of his restoration to
his antecedent position in the army. He found her extremely excited about
Carlo Ammiani, her old playmate, and once her dear friend. She would not
speak of Wilfrid at all. To appease the chivalrous little woman, General
Pierson hinted that his nephew, being under the protection of General
Schoneck, might get some intelligence from that officer. Lena pretended
to reject the notion of her coming into communication with Wilfrid for
any earthly purpose. She said to herself, however, that her object was
pre-eminently unselfish; and as the General pointedly refused to serve
her in a matter that concerned an Italian nobleman, she sent directions
to Wilfrid to go before General Schoeneck the moment he was off duty, and
ask his assistance, in her name, to elucidate the mystery of Count
Ammiani's behaviour. The answer was a transmission of Captain
Weisspriess's letter to Carlo. Lena caused the fact of this letter having
missed its way to be circulated in the journals, and then she carried it
triumphantly to her sister, saying:

"There! I knew these reports were abase calumny."

"Reports, to what effect?" said Anna.

"That Carlo Ammiani had slunk from a combat with your duellist."

"Oh! I knew that myself," Anna remarked.

"You were the loudest in proclaiming it."

"Because I intend to ruin him."

"Carlo Ammiani? What has he done to you?"

Anna's eyes had fallen on the additional lines of the letter which she
had not dictated. She frowned and exclaimed:

"What is this? Does the man play me false? Read those lines, Lena, and
tell me, does the man mean to fight in earnest who can dare to write
them? He advises Ammiani to go to Venice. It's treason, if it is not
cowardice. And see here--he has the audacity to say that he deeply
respects the lady Ammiani is going to marry. Is Ammiani going to marry
her? I think not."

Anna dashed the letter to the floor.

"But I will make use of what's within my reach," she said, picking it up.

"Carlo Ammiani will marry her, I presume," said Lena.

"Not before he