, however, who are well read in the human heart, will
have no difficulty in believing us when we say of Winston, that if he
had never encountered Mildred, he would have merely smiled at the idea
of a marriage with Louisa Jackson. It now came recommended to him as an
escape from an intolerable torture: he would rush into matrimony as a
shelter from love.

When passing the morning in the society of Mildred, not a single
fragment of a thought fell to the share of Louisa. But when, having left
her, he proceeded to his hotel with a heavy and perplexed heart, and
asked himself where all this was tending--when he afterwards found
himself seated by the side of two persons, somewhat silly and ridiculous
it is true, but kind-hearted and most amiably disposed, able and anxious
to offer him that only safe harbour of life which property builds up for
us--a harbour, too, which would secure him from that wild tempest so
evidently preparing for him--it seemed that a very little more would
turn the balance in favour of Louisa.

That _very little more_, an incident which we have to record, supplied.

Whilst walking and sitting with Mildred in the Villa Reale, he had
noticed that a tall, military-looking gentleman had appeared singularly
struck with the beauty Of his fair companion. In this there was nothing
unusual. Few people passed her without paying a certain silent homage to
those blue eyes and their singular sweetness of expression. Even the
common people, even the beggars, when they had received their alms and
stayed no longer to beg, would still stay, lingering about, to catch
another look at that face, when it should be turned towards them. But in
the stranger's manner there was something more than admiration
expressed; and, what was more remarkable and more alarming to the
feelings of Winston, Mildred herself manifested towards this
stranger--if he were a stranger--an almost equal degree of interest. On
the last occasion, when they encountered him, this gentleman was
observed to turn and follow them, and watch them to the door of Mr.
Bloomfield's residence. Winston, after parting with his companion,
re-entered the gardens opposite, and from this position he saw the same
stranger return to Mr. Bloomfield's door, ring at the bell, ask, as it
seemed, several questions of the porter, and then--enter the house!

As he stood staring at this inexplicable vision, he was accosted by a
young Englishman, with whom he had some slight tra