ors; and as the learned tell us that
sadness engenders the awful malady, so you see us sworn foes to sadness.
Six cavaliers of our acquaintance agreed to join us. We pass our days,
whether many or few, in whatever diversions we can find or invent. Music
and the dance, merry tales and lively songs, with such slight change of
scene as from sward to shade, from alley to fountain, fill up our time,
and prepare us for peaceful sleep and happy dreams. Each lady is by
turns Queen of our fairy court, as is my lot this day. One law forms the
code of our constitution--that nothing sad shall be admitted. We would
live as if yonder city were not, and as if (added the fair Queen, with a
slight sigh) youth, grace, and beauty, could endure for ever. One of our
knights madly left us for a day, promising to return; we have seen him
no more; we will not guess what hath chanced to him. It became necessary
to fill up his place; we drew lots who should seek his substitute;
it fell upon the ladies who have--not, I trust, to your
displeasure--brought you hither. Fair sir, my explanation is made."

"Alas, lovely Queen," said Adrian, wrestling strongly, but vainly,
with the bitter disappointment he felt--"I cannot be one of your happy
circle; I am in myself a violation of your law. I am filled with but one
sad and anxious thought, to which all mirth would seem impiety. I am a
seeker amongst the living and the dead for one being of whose fate I
am uncertain; and it was only by the words that fell from my fair
conductor, that I have been decoyed hither from my mournful task. Suffer
me, gracious lady, to return to Florence."

The Queen looked in mute vexation towards the dark-eyed Mariana,
who returned the glance by one equally expressive, and then suddenly
stepping up to Adrian she said,--

"But, Signor, if I should still keep my promise, if I should be able to
satisfy thee of the health and safety of--of Irene."

"Irene!" echoed Adrian in surprise, forgetful at the moment that he had
before revealed the name of her he sought--"Irene--Irene di Gabrini,
sister of the once renowned Rienzi!"

"The same," replied Mariana, quickly; "I know her, as I told you. Nay,
Signor, I do not deceive thee. It is true that I cannot bring thee to
her; but better as it is,--she went away many days ago to one of the
towns of Lombardy, which, they say, the Pestilence has not yet pierced.
Now, noble sir, is not your heart lightened? and will you so soon be a
deser