anxiety, "To
whom is the Signorina always the same?"

"To him--to the Count," said Taddeo. "I confide to you almost a family
secret. Count Monte-Leone deeply loves my sister. He never told me so,
but it is the case. If he be restored to liberty, as his friends hope,
it will be a good match for Aminta."

Every word of Rovero fell like a drop of boiling oil on the heart of
Maulear.

"My father," said Taddeo, "left us but a moderate fortune. Perhaps some
day we may be rich--richer than the Monte-Leone--for we are the only
heirs of the Roman Cardinal Justiniani, my mother's brother, who, as
eldest son, inherited all the property of my maternal grandfather. As
yet, however, our fortune in small, though sufficient for my tastes and
ideas. But my mother and sister have other notions; and the marriage of
Aminta and Count Monte-Leone would assure her a magnificent and
brilliant portion."

"But if your sister does not love Count Monte-Leone?"

"Her refusal would make two persons unhappy; first the Count of
Monte-Leone, and in the second place----"

"And in the second place?" said Maulear.

"Myself."

"Yourself!" said Maulear, with surprise; "Are you intent on their
marriage?"

"Yes," replied Taddeo, with emotion; "now, all my happiness depends on
it."

Maulear was amazed at these singular words. Scarcely had they been
uttered, when Taddeo spurred his horse sharply, and rode toward the
house of his mother, which he saw a few hundred yards distant. Henri
followed him, troubled, and for the first time, with a care-marked brow,
paused at Aminta's door. A fond mother clasped her son to her bosom,
with that pleasure which a mother only knows. Aminta, entirely recovered
from her accident, kissed her brother affectionately.

"My son," said Madame Rovero to Taddeo, as she clasped the hand of
Maulear, "beyond all doubt the Marquis has told you what we owe him."

"The Marquis has only told me how devoted he was to you."

"Well," said Aminta, "I will be less discreet." With exquisite grace she
told Taddeo all that had passed.

"Ah, Monsieur," said he, opening his arms to the Marquis, "I would I
could find some dearer name than friend to give you."

Aminta blushed, and looked down. Maulear saw the motion, and a gentle
hope stole over him. The name which Taddeo could not think of, perhaps,
suggested itself to Aminta. It was the name Maulear was so anxious to
give Rovero.

Aminta's brother wished to see the courageous chi