future, I was fully resolved never to
forego the stroke to-day for which my arm might be too weak to-morrow.
As I saw him depart, I felt like a naval hero when his enemy has struck,
and, in the pride of victory, abandoned myself to pleasure.

If the Marchesa watched me at first with an uneasy and anxious eye,
doubtful, perhaps, how I should acquit myself in that high and polished
world, I soon saw that her fears were allayed as she saw the easy
quietude of my manner, and that tranquil self-possession which is
supposed to be only acquired by long admixture with the world of
fashion. It was evident, too, that if any failure on my part would
entail disgrace, success was just as certain to do her honor and credit,
since I was a strong rebutting evidence against all those who denied
that the Marchesa was ever known or recognized before in the high
circles of a court.

"To-morrow, at noon," said she, as I made my bow at parting; and it was
not likely I should forget the appointment.

It was with very different feelings I drove up to the palace of
the Marchesa on the day following, from those I had experienced on
approaching it on the evening of the reception; nor was I long without
perceiving that my confidence was well founded. The Groom of the
Chambers received me with his most bland courtesy, and by his manner
showed that he expected my arrival.

Preceding me through a suite of rooms whose magnificence I had not time
to observe on the previous evening, he ushered me into a small chamber
leading into a conservatory, from which the view extended over the wide
Bay of Naples, and presented Vesuvius from base to summit. As I was
left by myself here for some minutes, I had leisure to notice the varied
elegance by which I was surrounded. Rare plants and flowers in jars of
costly porcelain; alabaster statues and rich bronzes appeared amid the
clustering foliage; and in the midst of all, two tiny swans, of the rare
breed of Morocco, lay tranquilly in a little basin, whose water spouted
from a silver fountain of most elaborate workmanship.

While yet gazing on the tasteful objects around, the Marchesa had
entered, and so noiselessly that she was at my side ere I knew it. Paler
than on the previous evening, she looked even handsomer; but in the
sunken eye and the wearied expression of the mouth I could see that she
had passed a sleepless night.

Having taken a seat upon a sofa, and motioned me to seat myself beside
her, she lo