d his air of
extreme deference and respect, which was increased a thousand-fold on
his discovering, as he pretended one day to do, who the object of his
adoration was.

What an agony he was in, lest now he should not be permitted even to
look on her! Though assured on this point, he became reserved and shy,
giving vent to his impassioned feelings by sighs and various mute but
eloquent expressions.

Miss Belle began to be very impatient. These sentimental meetings had
lasted more than a year. Meantime, she was 'brought out.' This made it
difficult for her to keep up her stolen interviews, but she could now
ask the Signor to the house.

To effect this, however, she must first bring over her mother. She
informed her that the gentleman was a Neapolitan Count, who from
political motives was forced to remain _perdu_ for a time, and so forth,
and so forth, and so forth. By dint of entreaty and argument, and
exhibition of much temper, Belle persuaded her mother to say nothing to
her father about the visits of this Count in disguise. The truth is,
Mrs. Meeker had sometimes to request Belle's silence about little
matters involving some expenditures which Mr. Meeker might consider
extravagant. So, with occasional protests on her part, the Signor was
permitted to make his visits.

Belle was too shrewd to attempt to impose on her father in such a case.
She knew she could not succeed for a minute. So the intimacy is
continued without his knowledge.

Long before this, she has been told by the Signor who he really is. He
admits his late position in the _troupe_, but has a long story to
recount of adverse fortune, and so on. His respectful manner still
continues; it is the young lady who woos.

What is to be done? This state of things cannot last forever. Belle is
more and more impatient. Her adorer still respectful and sad.

After this long but necessary digression, I return to our place in the
front parlor, where the lovers are seated.

'I must leave you, oh, my angel--I must leave you! It is nearly time for
your father to be here.'

'I do not care if it is. I want you to stay.'

'As you will, but--'

'If you really loved me, you would not be so indifferent,' exclaims the
young lady, passionately.

Then follows a scene. The result is, that Belle vows she will endure the
suspense no longer. She will not ask her father's permission--she will
marry him--yes, she _will_ marry the Signor; and who dare prevent, who
dare thw