acked with the cruelest suspicions. And yet I was not
confident that it was positively my wife's voice that I had heard; and
the more I pondered on the circumstance, the more anxious was I to
arrive at the conviction that I had indeed been deceived by some voice
closely resembling hers. I accordingly hurried back to the arbor where I
had last seen her in the company of several Florentine ladies. Joy
animated my soul when I beheld Vitangela seated in that arbor, and in
the very spot, too, where I had beheld her upward of an hour previously.
But she was now alone.

"'Where are your friends?' I asked, in a kind tone, as I approached and
gently took her hand.

"'Indeed I know not,' she replied, casting a hurried glance around, and
now appearing surprised to find that there was not another lady near
her. She seemed confused; and I also observed that she had been weeping
very recently. The joy which had for a moment animated me, was now
succeeded by a sudden chill that went to my heart death-like--icy. But,
subduing my emotion, I said:

"'Your ladyship has not surely remained here ever since I last saw you,
more than an hour ago?'

"'Yes,' she responded, without daring to raise her eyes to meet mine. I
knew that she lied, most foully lied: her confusion, her whole manner
betrayed her. But I exercised a powerful mastery over my mind; the
suspicion which I had all along entertained was strengthened greatly,
but not altogether confirmed; and I resolved to wait for confirmation
ere I allowed my vengeance to burst forth. Moreover, it was necessary to
discover who the gallant might be--the favored one who had superseded me
in the affections of Vitangela! I, however, promised myself that when
once my information was complete, my revenge should be terrible; and
this resolution served as a solace for the moment, and as an inducement
for me to conceal alike the suspicions I had imbibed and the dreadful
pain they had caused me.

"Presenting my hand, therefore, to Vitangela, I escorted her to that
part of the ground where the company were now assembled, and where I
hoped that some accident might make known to me the person of the
gallant with whom, as I supposed, she had walked in the avenue.
Anxiously, but unsuspected, did I watch the manner of the countess every
time she returned the salutation of the various nobles and cavaliers
whom we encountered in our walk; but not a blush, not a sign of
confusion on her part, not one rapidl