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