bitter, she would not have found fault with her
father-in-law, for she knew he was kind and she was grateful to him--one
day we shall know whence these sentiments originated in his mind. The
Marquis de Maulear had left his young wife to speak to his numerous
acquaintances: and while the Prince for Aminta's amusement flayed alive
the various personages who were led before him by their evil fate, Count
Monte-Leone, who had seen the Ambassador, sought in vain to pierce the
crowd which surrounded him. The Duke was not in the room when
Monte-Leone was announced. It was then with surprise and almost with
terror that he saw the Count approach him.

"I have not had the honor," said he, "to approach your Excellency since
the visit paid me at the Castle _Del Uovo_. And I am doubly gratified at
being able to return it in your hotel amid so splendid a festival."

"Count," said the Duke, seeking to conquer the emotion caused by the
unexpected presence of Monte-Leone, "I dared not hope that you would
honor me by accepting my invitation; for you cannot be ignorant that an
Ambassador represents his king. It is then, in some degree, as if we
meet to-day in the palace of his Majesty Fernando King of Naples: and I
think I may venture to tell you, in the name of my Sovereign, that if
your conduct is a token of reconciliation offered by you to his cause,
Fernando IV will acknowledge it as cheerfully as I do now."

Count Monte-Leone appreciated the graceful perfidy of the language of
the Duke, and was ready to curse the secret motive which had led him to
the Embassy. His eyes, however, turned, almost contrary to his wishes,
to the other side of the room, and there he seemed to find something to
sustain him. He replied to the Duke as naturally as possible, that in
coming to his house, he had remembered only the urbanity of his host and
his frankness, being aware that the Duke would never convert a mere
visit of pleasure into a political question.

The Duke bit his lips when he heard this evasive answer, and saw that he
had met his equal in diplomacy. A young man then approached and passed
his arm into that of Monte-Leone's, thus putting an end to this annoying
interview. This young man had an eloquent and _distingue_ air, and
handsome features, though they were delicate and betokened but feeble
health.

"Do you know, my dear Duke," said the new comer to the Ambassador, "that
one must have a very perfect character, and be invited to a ver