of the extinction of his ancient family. This resolution had
cost him so much that it was impossible now to go back from it. The
exhibition of Hilda's devotion never changed his resolution for an
instant. The papers still remained with his solicitors, nor did he
for one moment dream of countermanding the orders which he had once
given.

What Lord Chetwynde most desired was solitude. Florence had been
chosen by him as a resting-place where he might await letters from
England about his Indian appointment, and for those letters he waited
every day. Under these circumstances he avoided all society. He had
taken unpretending lodgings, and in the Hotel Meubles, overlooking
the Ponta della Trinita, he was lost in the crowd of fellow-lodgers.
His suite of apartments extended over the third story. Below him was
a Russian Prince and a German Grand Duke, and above and all around
was a crowd of travelers of all nations. He brought no letters. He
desired no acquaintances. Florence, under the new regime, was too
much agitated by recent changes for its noblesse to pay any attention
to a stranger, however distinguished, unless he was forced upon them;
and so Lord Chetwynde had the most complete isolation. If Hilda had
ever had any ideas of going with Lord Chetwynde into Florentine
society she was soon undeceived, when, as the days passed, she found
that Florentine society took no notice of her. Whatever
disappointment she may have felt, Lord Chetwynde only received
gratification from this, since it spared him every annoyance, and
left him to himself, after the first week or so.

By himself he thus occupied his time. He rode sometimes through the
beautiful country which surrounds Florence on every side. When weary
of this he used to stroll about the city, along the Lungh' Arno, or
through the Casino, or among the churches. But his favorite place of
resort was the Boboli Gardens; for here there was sufficient life and
movement to be found among the throng of visitors; or, if he wished
seclusion, he could find solitude among the sequestered groves and
romantic grottoes of this enchanting spot.

Here one day he wandered, and found a place among the trees which
commanded a view of one of the principal avenues of the gardens. In
the distance there opened a vista through which was revealed the fair
outline of Florence, with its encircling hills, and its glorious Val
d'Arno. There arose the stupendous outline of Il Duomo, the stately
form