be sure I do not dream.'

"'Felina,' said he, in a tone full of melancholy, 'I know not why our
fate should thus constantly bring us together. But one might think, that
still faithful to your old oath, you continue the providence you used to
be to me. When a few months since, after the wreck of all my hopes of
happiness, after having been misconceived by those for whom I had done
so much, when sad and desperate, I cursed my egotistical and cold
career, you appeared to me in the Church of Ferentino and cast on me, in
the face of your marriage vows, one of those deep-loving looks which
cheer the heart and attach it to life. And when on the lake, exhausted
with fatigue and ready to yield under the struggle necessary to avert my
threatened fate, you again came to my relief. You see, then,' continued
he, smiling sadly, 'that in becoming the good angel of the Duke of
Palma, you do not cease to be mine.'

"Never had the Count spoken thus to me. He had always been cold, and
seemed most unwillingly to acknowledge the services I had rendered him.
I had never received an affectionate word from his mouth before. He saw
the trouble he gave me, and taking my hand, said, with a voice full of
sensibility, 'Are you happy?' At this question, it seemed as if my heart
would break, and I burst into tears.

"'Felina,' said he, 'why do you weep? what is the meaning of this?'

"'Do not question me,' said I. 'Let me keep the cause of those tears a
secret, for you can neither dry up nor understand them. Tell me though
about yourself, said I. Tell me of your marriage.'

"Monte-Leone grew pale, and said, 'I am not married, I am free.'

"I could not repress a feeling of joy.

"'Ah!' said he, bitterly, 'Do you enjoy my misfortune?'

"This word restored me to my _sang-froid_. I became more calm, and
questioned him. The Count told me all.

"For many months, he had travelled and returned to Europe to arrange
some pecuniary matters previous to his return to France, where he
purposed to remain. Passing by _la Tremezzina_, he learned, indirectly,
that certain malevolent reports had been circulated in relation to him
by the brothers of the powerful association, of which he had been the
chief. A venta was to meet on the opposite shore of Lake Como. Taking a
rude costume--he had gone thither, for the purpose of protesting against
the perfidious insinuations of his enemies. Afraid, however, of being
watched by some agent of his enemies, he resolved