y an evening lately, but alas, without result so far.'

'Well, the sacrifice will soon be consummated, _cugino mio_.'

'The victim is ready!'

The next evening, he arrived at the palace a few minutes earlier than
usual, with a wonderful gardenia in his button-hole and a vague
uneasiness in his mind. His _coupe_ had to stop in front of the
entrance, the portico being occupied by another carriage, from which a
lady was alighting. The liveries, the horses, the ceremonial which
accompanied her arrival all proclaimed a great position. The Count
caught a glimpse of a tall and graceful figure, a scintillation of
diamonds in dark hair and a slender foot on the step. As he went
upstairs he had a back view of the lady.

She ascended in front of him with a slow and rhythmic movement; her
cloak, lined with fur as white as swan's-down, was unclasped at the
throat, and slipping back, revealed her shoulders, pale as polished
ivory, the shoulder-blades disappearing into the lace of the corsage
with an indescribably soft and fleeting curve as of wings. The neck rose
slender and round, and the hair, twisted into a great knot on the crown
of her head, was held in place by jewelled pins.

The harmonious gait of this unknown lady gave Andrea such sincere
pleasure that he stopped a moment on the first landing to watch her. Her
long train swept rustling over the stairs; behind her came a servant,
not immediately in the wake of his mistress on the red carpet, but at
the side along the wall with irreproachable gravity. The absurd contrast
between the magnificent creature and the automaton following her brought
a smile to Andrea's lips.

In the anteroom while the servant was relieving her of her cloak, the
lady cast a rapid glance at the young man who entered.

The servant announced--'Her Excellency the Duchess of Scerni!' and
immediately afterwards--'Count Sperelli-Fieschi d'Ugenta!' It pleased
Andrea that his name should be coupled so closely with that of the lady
in question.

In the drawing-room were already assembled the Marchese and Marchesa
d'Ateleta, the Baron and Baroness d'Isola and Don Filippo del Monte. The
fire burned cheerily on the hearth, and several low seats were
invitingly disposed within range of its warmth, while large leaf plants
spread their red-veined foliage over the low backs.

The Marchesa, advanced to meet the two new arrivals with her delightful
ready laugh.

'Ah,' she said, 'a happy chance has forestalle