our?--they, who were not worthy to be saved! I turned
swiftly away; I strode fiercely past the kingly pines that, now
thoroughly awakened, seemed to note me with a stern disdain as though
they said among themselves: "What manner of small creature is this that
torments himself with passions unknown to US in our calm converse with
the stars?"

I was glad when I stood again on the high-road, and infinitely relieved
when I heard the rapid trot of horses rumbling of wheels, and saw my
closed brougham, drawn by its prancing black Arabians, approaching. I
walked to meet it; the coachman seeing me drew up instantly, I bade him
take me to the Convento dell'Annunziata, and entering the carriage, I
was driven rapidly away.

The convent was situated, I knew, somewhere between Naples and
Sorrento. I guessed it to be near Castellamare, but it was fully three
miles beyond that, and was a somewhat long drive of more than two
hours. It lay a good distance out of the direct route, and was only
attained by a by-road, which from its rough and broken condition was
evidently not much frequented. The building stood apart from all other
habitations in a large open piece of ground, fenced in by a high stone
wall spiked at the top. Roses climbed thickly among the spikes, and
almost hid their sharp points from view, and from a perfect nest of
green foliage, the slender spire of the convent chapel rose into the
sky like a white finger pointing to heaven. My coachman drew up before
the heavily barred gates. I alighted, and bade him take the carriage to
the principal hostelry at Castellamare, and wait for me there. As soon
as he had driven off, I rang the convent bell. A little wicket fixed in
the gate opened immediately, and the wrinkled visage of a very old and
ugly nun looked out. She demanded in low tones what I sought. I handed
her my card, and stated my desire to see the Countess Romani, if
agreeable to the superioress. While I spoke she looked at me
curiously--my spectacles, I suppose, excited her wonder--for I had
replaced these disguising glasses immediately on leaving the scene of
the duel--I needed them yet a little while longer. After peering at me
a minute or two with her bleared and aged eyes, she shut the wicket in
my face with a smart click and disappeared. While I awaited her return
I heard the sound of children's laughter and light footsteps running
trippingly on the stone passage within.

"Fi donc, Rosie!" said the girl's voice