n?" he demanded, half
fiercely. I stroked my mustache and smiled at him benevolently.

"Ah, young blood! young blood!" I sighed, shaking my head, "it will
have its way! My good sir, why be ashamed of your feelings? I heartily
sympathize with you; if the lady does not appreciate the affection of
so ardent and gallant an admirer, then she is foolish indeed! It is not
every woman who has such a chance of happiness."

"You think--you imagine that--that--I--"

"That you are in love with her?" I said, composedly. "Ma--certamente!
And why not? It is as it should be. Even the late conte could wish no
fairer fate for his beautiful widow than that she should become the
wife of his chosen friend. Permit me to drink your health! Success to
your love!" And I drained my glass as I finished speaking, Unfortunate
fool! He was completely disarmed; his suspicions of me melted away like
mist before the morning light. His face cleared--he seized my hand and
pressed it warmly.

"Forgive me, conte," he said, with remorseful fervor; "I fear I have
been rude and unsociable. Your kind words have put me right again. You
will think me a jealous madman, but I really fancied that you were
beginning to feel an attraction for her yourself, and actually--(pardon
me, I entreat of you!) actually I was making up my mind to--to kill
you!"

I laughed quietly. "Veramente! How very amiable of you! It was a good
intention, but you know what place is paved with similar designs?"

"Ah, conte, it is like your generosity to take my confession so
lightly; but I assure you, for the last hour I have been absolutely
wretched!"

"After the fashion of all lovers, I suppose," I answered "torturing
yourself without necessity! Well, well, it is very amusing! My young
friend, when you come to my time of life, you will prefer the chink of
gold to the laughter and kisses of women. How often must I repeat to
you that I am a man absolutely indifferent to the tender passion?
Believe it or not, it is true."

He drank off his wine at one gulp and spoke with some excitement.

"Then I will frankly confide in you. I DO love the contessa. Love! it
is too weak a word to describe what I feel. The touch of her hand
thrills me, her very voice seems to shake my soul, her eyes burn
through me! Ah! YOU cannot know--YOU could not understand the joy, the
pain--"

"Calm yourself," I said, in a cold tone, watching my victim as his
pent-up emotion betrayed itself, "The great thing i