making inroads
upon the health, and sapping the energies of the mind. Such was not
my case here; I waited like one who loiters in some delicious garden,
surrounded with blooming flowers and sweet odors. The delays and
procrastinations of cabinets--for which the most profuse apologies
were made--I bore with a degree of calm equanimity that won f or me
the appellation of a most finished gentleman; and thus was I almost
unconsciously perfecting myself in that grand element of breeding whose
triumph is "impassiveness."

There were moments when I actually dreaded the termination of my cause,
so agreeable had Naples become to me; but as the rich gamester is
certain to win, while the poor player is luckless ever, successes
crowded on me, because I was half indifferent to them.

Six months had now nearly elapsed since my arrival at Naples, and I was
paying a morning visit to the Marchesa, whom I was engaged to accompany
to a grand _dejeuner_, to be given on board of a British ship of war in
the Bay. It was one of those gorgeous days of brilliant coloring, which,
in Italy, seem to exaggerate the effect of landscape, and defy all
efforts of art to imitate; the scene was heightened, too, by the objects
moving across the bay. The various boats, with ensigns floating and
music playing; the swift "La-teeners," skimming along the glassy
surface, almost without a breath of wind; and then the great
three-decker herself, in all the pride of her majestic size, with flags
of every nation fluttering from her halyards,--were splendid adjuncts to
the picture.

"Here are three letters for you, Monsieur le Comte," said the Marchesa,
"they came in the Spanish Minister's bag this morning; but I suppose
there is nothing sufficiently interesting in them to withdraw your
thoughts from that magnificent panorama."

Of course I affected concurrence in the sentiment, and thrust them into
my pocket with assumed indifference. The room soon after filled with
arriving visitors, and among the rest the Spanish Ambassador.

"Ha, Senhor Conde," said he, approaching me, "let me offer my warmest
felicitations. How happy am I to be the means through which your good
tidings have reached you!"

I bowed, smiled, and seemed charmed, without the slightest notion
wherein lay my good fortune. His practised eye, however, soon detected
my game, and he said, "You have received your letters, I hope?"

"Yes," replied I, carelessly; "the Marchesa has been kind enough