replied in the negative.

"I have discovered a mode of restoring one's life."

"Is it a secret?"

"No; I will tell it you. When I feel that I am dying, I order a grave to
be dug--a very deep grave. You are aware that in the centre of the earth
there is an immense lake full of red water--and--and--"

Count Pisani, who had overheard the latter part of this conversation,
here suddenly interrupted Lucca, saying, "Signor Dante, these people are
very anxious to have a dance. Will you indulge them by playing a
quadrille?"

He then hurriedly dispatched one of the attendants for a violin, on
which instrument he informed me, Lucca was a masterly performer.

The violin being brought, the count handed it to Lucca who began to tune
it. Meanwhile, the count, drawing me aside, said, "I interrupted your
conversation, just now, somewhat abruptly; because I observed that Lucca
was beginning to wander into some of his metaphysical delusions, and I
never allow him to talk on such subjects. These metaphysical lunatics
are always very difficult to cure.

"But yonder comes one who will never be cured!" pursued the count,
shaking his head, sorrowfully, while he directed my notice to a young
female who was advancing from another part of the garden, attended by a
female servant or nurse. By this time the dancers had begun to range
themselves in their places, and the young lady's attendant was drawing
her forward, with the view of inducing her to take part in the
quadrille.

The young lady, whose dress and general elegance of appearance seemed to
denote that she was a person of superior rank, was disinclined to dance;
and as the attendant persisted in urging her forward, she struggled to
escape, and at length fell into a paroxysm of grief.

"Let her alone! Let her alone!" said Count Pisani to the attendant. "It
is useless to contend with her. Poor girl! I fear she will never endure,
to see dancing, or to hear music, without this violent agitation. Come
hither, Costanza," said he, beckoning kindly to her. "Tell me what is
the matter?"

"Oh, Albano! Albano!" shrieked the poor maniac. "They are going to kill
Albano!"

And then, overcome by her emotion, she sank, exhausted, into the arms of
her attendant, who carried her away.

Meanwhile, the sound of the violin had drawn together, from various
parts of the garden, a number of patients, male and female, and the
quadrille was formed. Among the most conspicuous figures in the group
wer