. I was therefore separated from the countess, whom I left
in an arbor with some other ladies, and I joined the group which had
assembled around the prince. I know not exactly how it was I happened to
quit my companions, after a lively conversation which had probably
lasted about an hour; certain, however, it is that before midnight I was
proceeding alone down a long avenue in which utter darkness reigned, but
outside of which the illuminations shone brilliantly.

"Suddenly I heard voices near me; and one of them appeared to be that of
the Countess of Riverola--but they were speaking in so subdued a tone
that I was by no means confident in my suspicion. The voices approached;
and a sentiment of curiosity, unaccountable at the time, as I believed
Vitangela to be purity itself, impelled me to listen more attentively.
To conceal myself was not necessary; I had to remain perfectly still for
my presence to be unknown, utter darkness prevailing in the avenue. The
persons who were conversing advanced.

"'You know,' said the soft and whispering voice which I believed to be
that of my wife, 'you know how sincerely, how tenderly I love you, and
what a frightful risk I run in according you thus a few moments' private
discourse!'

"The voice of a man made some reply, the words of which did not reach my
ears; then the pair stopped and I heard the billing sound of kisses. O! how
my blood boiled in my veins! I grasped the handle of my sword--but I was
nailed to the spot--my state of mind was such that though I longed--I
thirsted for vengeance--yet was I powerless--motionless--paralyzed. To
the sound of kisses succeeded those of sobbing and of grief on the part
of the lady whose voice had produced such a terrible effect upon me.

"'Holy Virgin!' I thought, 'she deplores the fate that chains her to her
husband! she weeps because she has not courage to fly with her lover!'
and now I experienced just the same sensations as those which stunned
and stupefied me on that evening at Naples when I first heard that
Vitangela was the child of the public executioner. Several minutes must
have passed while I was in this condition of comparative insensibility;
or rather while I was a prey to the stunning conviction that I was
deceived by her whom I had loved so well and deemed so pure. When I
awoke from that dread stupor all was still in the dark avenue; not a
footstep, not a whispering voice was heard. I hurried along amidst the
trees, my soul r