. I shall not go to-night. This
book unfits me for the artificial world."

"Just as you will, my sister. I shall go. I dislike the man, and he me;
but ceremonies before men!"

"You are going to the Austrian Embassy?" said Randal. "I too shall be
there. We shall meet." And he took his leave.

"I like your young friend prodigiously," said the Count, yawning. "I am
sure that he knows of the lost birds, and will stand to them like a
pointer, if I can but make it his interest to do so. We shall see."

CHAPTER IV.

Randal arrived at the ambassador's before the Count, and contrived to mix
with the young noblemen attached to the embassy, and to whom he was known.
Standing among these was a young Austrian, on his travels, of very high
birth, and with an air of noble grace that suited the ideal of the old
German chivalry. Randal was presented to him, and, after some talk on
general topics, observed, "By the way, Prince, there is now in London a
countryman of yours, with whom you are doubtless familiarly acquainted--the
Count di Peschiera."

"He is no countryman of mine. He is an Italian. I know him but by sight
and by name," said the Prince, stiffly.

"He is of very ancient birth, I believe."

"Unquestionably. His ancestors were gentlemen."

"And very rich."

"Indeed! I have understood the contrary. He enjoys, it is true, a large
revenue."

A young _attache_, less discreet than the Prince, here observed, "Oh,
Peschiera!--Poor fellow, he is too fond of play to be rich."

"And there is some chance that the kinsman whose revenue he holds, may
obtain his pardon, and re-enter into possession of his fortunes--so I hear,
at least," said Randal, artfully.

"I shall be glad if it be true," said the Prince with decision; "and I
speak the common sentiment at Vienna. That kinsman had a noble spirit, and
was, I believe, equally duped and betrayed. Pardon me, sir; but we
Austrians are not so bad as we are painted. Have you ever met in England
the kinsman you speak of?"

"Never, though he is supposed to reside here; and the Count tells me that
he has a daughter."

"The Count--ha! I heard something of a scheme--a wager of that--that
Count's--a daughter. Poor girl! I hope she will escape his pursuit; for, no
doubt, he pursues her."

"Possibly she may already have married an Englishman."

"I trust not," said the Prince, seriously; "that might at present be a
serious obstacle to her father's return."

"You think so?"