ve done, that I assembled you here
to-night--or rather, let me say it was PARTLY the object of our present
festivity--but there is yet another reason which I shall now have the
pleasure of explaining to you--a reason which, as it concerns myself
and my immediate happiness, will, I feel confident, secure your
sympathy and good wishes."

This time every one was silent, intently following my words.

"What I am about to say," I went on, calmly, "may very possibly
surprise you. I have been known to you as a man of few words, and, I
fear, of abrupt and brusque manners"--cries of "No, no!" mingled with
various complimentary assurances reached my ears from all sides of the
table. I bowed with a gratified air, and when silence was restored--"At
any rate you would not think me precisely the sort of man to take a
lady's fancy." A look of wonder and curiosity was now exchanged among
my guests. Ferrari took his cigarette out of his mouth and stared at me
in blank astonishment.

"No," I went on, meditatively, "old as I am, and a half-blind invalid
besides, it seems incredible that any woman should care to look at me
more than twice en passant. But I have met--let me say with the
Chevalier Mancini--an angel--who has found me not displeasing to her,
and--in short--I am going to marry!"

There was a pause. Ferrari raised himself slightly from his reclining
position and seemed about to speak, but apparently changing his mind he
remained silent--his face had somewhat paled. The momentary hesitation
among my guests passed quickly. All present, except Guido, broke out
into a chorus of congratulations, mingled with good-humored jesting and
laughter.

"Say farewell to jollity, conte!" cried Chevalier Mancini; "once drawn
along by the rustling music of a woman's gown, no more such feasts as
we have had to-night!"

And he shook his head with tipsy melancholy.

"By all the gods!" exclaimed Gualdro, "your news has surprised me! I
should have thought you were the last man to give up liberty for the
sake of a woman. ONE woman, too! Why, man, freedom could give you
twenty!"

"Ah!" murmured Salustri, softly and sentimentally, "but the one perfect
pearl--the one flawless diamond--"

"Bah! Salustri, caro mio, you are half asleep!" returned Gualdro. "'Tis
the wine talks, not you. Thou art conquered by the bottle, amico. You,
the darling of all the women in Naples, to talk of one! Buona notte,
bambino!"

I still maintained my standing posit