hand, he contrived to add, 'have I, indeed, the pleasure of seeing one
I have so long admired?'

'Lord Cadurcis!' exclaimed Herbert, scarcely less surprised. 'Is it
Lord Cadurcis? This is a welcome meeting.'

Everyone present felt overwhelmed with confusion or astonishment; Lady
Annabel sought refuge in presenting Captain Cadurcis to her husband.
This ceremony, though little noticed even by those more immediately
interested in it, nevertheless served, in some degree, as a diversion.
Herbert, who was only astonished, was the first who rallied. Perhaps
Lord Cadurcis was the only man in existence whom Herbert wished to
know. He had read his works with deep interest; at least, those
portions which foreign journals had afforded him. He was deeply
impressed with his fame and genius; but what perplexed him at this
moment, even more than his unexpected introduction to him, was the
singular, the very extraordinary circumstance, that the name of their
most celebrated countryman should never have escaped the lips either
of his wife or his daughter, although they appeared, and Venetia
especially, to be on terms with him of even domestic intimacy.

'You arrived here to day, Lord Cadurcis?' said Herbert. 'From whence?'

'Immediately from Naples, where we last touched,' replied his
lordship; 'but I have been residing at Athens.'

'I envy you,' said Herbert.

'It would be a fit residence for you,' said Lord Cadurcis. 'You were,
however, in some degree, my companion, for a volume of your poems was
one of the few books I had with me. I parted with all the rest, but I
retained that. It is in my cabin, and full of my scribblement. If you
would condescend to accept it, I would offer it to you.'

Mr. Herbert and Lord Cadurcis maintained the conversation along the
terrace. Venetia, by whose side her old companion walked, was quite
silent. Once her eyes met those of Cadurcis; his expression of mingled
archness and astonishment was irresistible. His cousin and Lady
Annabel carried on a more suppressed conversation, but on ordinary
topics. When they had reached the olive-grove Herbert said, 'Here lies
our way homeward, my lord. If you and your cousin will accompany us,
it will delight Lady Annabel and myself.'

'Nothing, I am sure, will give George and myself greater pleasure,' he
replied. 'We had, indeed, no purpose when you met us but to enjoy our
escape from imprisonment, little dreaming we should meet our kindest
and oldest friends