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will not quit you until you promise me a speedy visit." "I do not know if I should," said the Count, with a hesitation which was not natural to him--and looking timidly at Aminta. "We shall be happy to receive the Count; but you know, Monsieur, I receive no one without the consent of the Marquis--" "But the Marquis," said the Prince, "will be delighted to receive so charming a gentleman and erudite a traveller as Count Monte-Leone." "But I also know M. de Maulear," said the Count. "Indeed! then you know every one," said the old man. "Why then be so ceremonious? People of our rank easily understand each other. Besides, if the invitation of my son is all you need, here he comes to speak for himself." D'Harcourt and Taddeo, especially the latter, who knew how devotedly Monte-Leone had loved Aminta, participated in the embarrassment of the scene. Aminta trembled. "Ah! you here at last, Monsieur," said the Prince to his son, as he appeared at the door of the boudoir. "You are a lucky fellow to have your father as your wife's _cavalier servente_, for you have not been near her during the whole evening." The Marquis turned pale, and said with agitation, "Excuse me, sir, but I met some old friends who kept possession of me all the evening." "Ah!" said the Prince, "_apropo_ of old friends--or old acquaintances, if you will, here is one of yours--the Count Monte-Leone, who wants only for a word from your mouth to renew his acquaintance and visit me." Henri looked at Monte-Leone, whom he had not seen before. Without trouble, without agitation, or any apparent effort, he said, "Count Monte-Leone will always be welcome whenever he pleases to visit me." Aminta cast a glance full of surprise, grief, and reproach on the Marquis, and a secret voice repeated in her very heart:--"He is no longer jealous, and therefore does not love me." "Very well," said the Prince to his son, and turning to Monte-Leone, and giving him his hand, he said, "We shall meet again, my dear colleague." He continued, "We will talk of our travels, and especially of the chapter of Ceprano." Then taking the arm of Aminta, who could scarcely support herself, he returned to the ball-room. VI.--JOURNAL OF A HEART. The entertainment continued, and the joyous sounds of the orchestra reached the very extremity of the garden of the Hotel, where the Duchess of Palma had taken refuge to conceal her tears from all observers. She heard a faint
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