Don Orsino

of which the Countess Del Ferice was an important and influential member. Chance, and probably chance alone, had guided her in the matter of this acquainta

nough, under the circumstances, and Donna Tullia had bee

ad no especial reason for supposing that the young man was really very much in love with Madame d'Aranjuez, but her woman's instinct, which far surpassed her diplomatic talents in acuteness, told her that Orsino was certainly not indifferent to the interesting stranger. She argued, primitivel

hable distance. It was not to be believed that Orsino could do anything so monstrous as to enter Del Ferice's house or ask a place in Del Ferice's circle, and it was accordingly a relief to find that Madame d'Aranjue

anity had ever received and he was surprised at the depth of his own annoyance. Maria Consuelo might indeed have been seen once with Donna Tullia, and might have gone once to the latter's day. That was bad enough, but might be remedied by tact and decision in her subsequent conduct. But there was no salvation possible after a person had been advertised in the daily paper as Madame d'Aranjuez had been. Orsino was very angry. He had been onc

able, engaged in animated conversation with Madame d'Aranjuez. The situation was awkward in the extreme. Orsino hoped that Del Ferice would go at once, and thus avoid the necessity o

aid with exasperating calmness, and

disagreeable impression upon any one if he could help it. Maria Consuelo seemed to take everything for granted, and Orsino's appearance did not dis

erice takes a great interest in all that is doing, and he was expl

I, though we might perhaps differ as to th

y than was necessary. "You play th

s part to play. Oh-I am not going to defend all we have done! I only defend what we mean to do. Change of any sort is execrable to the man of taste, unless it

gloomy. He had expected to find Del Ferice the arrogant, self-

taken a little more

me the capital of a modern kingdom, it fell a victim to modern facts-which are not beautiful. The most we can hope to do is to direct the current, clumsily enough, I dares

said Madame

ng the old city, a new one might have

e Romans of Rome are taking as active a share in building ugly houses as any of the Italian Romans. The destruction of the Villa Ludovisi, for instance, was forced up

ce, and it was still worse to be obliged to agree with him. Orsino frowned and said nothing, hoping that the subject would drop. But Del Ferice had only produced an

nd many of mine are building houses which even age and ruin will never beautify. The only defensible part of the affair is the political change wh

ung man, conscious that the pro

r own family and certainly I myself-have enormous interests at st

th the matter. Neither my father nor my grandf

said Del Feric

a p

remember that I am a banker in fact if not exactly in designation, and the opportunity is excellent. But the greater pity is that such men as you, Don Orsino, who could ex

e was not altogether displeased with the ide

bad to worse when you might really do good by

in them, if I woul

y n

ed francs in the world, Madame. That i

laughed inc

ansactions is not so much ready money as courage, decision and judgment. There is a rich firm of contractors now doing a large business, who began with three

?" asked Orsino w

nd francs of savings. They took over a contract last week for a million and a half, on which they will

failed, what woul

nd there was nothing in the least irregular about their transactions. Good evening,

o thought. His fat white face and dull eyes were not pleasant to look at. But he had shown tact in a difficult situation, an

he had meant to be, and he saw extenuating circumstances wher

ssible creature you supposed," s

evertheless, I wish-one never has the least right to wish

uld say? But my dear Don Orsino, why should I re

so ple

use I was a stranger. A hundred people or so in the evening, who all seemed to enjoy themselves as much as I did. Why should I refuse all that? Bec

said Orsino. "To be reasonable is t

of heart?" Maria Con

ce to being a man

not easil

Ferice

you talk

dame. As he is just gone, we

you are as bitter as you make yourself out to be. I do not even believe that you found Del

ine, for instance, possesses the most lively i

n, quite by accident, and I would rather not think of it.

as keen and as sure,"

ing too clever," answered Ma

rice a cas

se they come into your head, though I am sure tha

es, Madame?" Orsino was

least good of

her,

from loving you," said

r heard

true, nev

," said Orsino, trying to meet her

nst any one but himself. If he says cruel things of other women, the one to whom he says them believes that he will say much worse of her to the next he meets; if he abuses the men she knows, she likes it even less

errible c

t is the

's love is to praise her acq

er sai

rstood. What i

simple," laughe

her so again and again-you will

nd folded his hands with an

ha

ut to begin. It seemed

d and their eyes

the original subject of conversation. "He is one of those men who will be held

o was not pleased at being driv

he said about you s

e begun with so little capital. It seems incredible. I fancy that Del Ferice was exaggerating. You know how carelessly bankers talk of a few thousa

er to play cards, though I should think it less amusing. I was only thinki

moment, and seemed to be

such a business without my father

There is nothing dishonourable in such things. The prejudice against busin

s with which to express her meaning, and which produced a singular impression on the young ma

the theory," he answered, "and the

onsuelo

a moralist when yo

traction in her yellow e

I could do something muc

rs were very tempting and he would willingly have touched them. He put out his hand. If she did not draw hers away he would lay his own upon it. If she did, he would take up the paper-cutter. As it tu

responsible for your ch

me none," he answered

How

e silver knif

," she said, affecti

k your permission

re it is." She he

and looked at them for a moment. Th

she said, with a little laugh and drawing

hy

y can belong only to the beg

only jus

s seemed! I fancied you h

but a minute," answ

u will

of a peremptory dismissal in the

, I will practi

e too-what shall I say?-too enterprising, prince. You had better make use

eming it wiser to affect humility, though a dozen

above the door. Orsino watched her in quiet admiration. She was beautiful as he saw her there at that moment, for the irregularities of her features were forgotten in the brilliancy of her colouring and in the grace of the attitu

ere, and little less than a stranger to you. What would you think if I were not a little severe, I say? What conclusion would you come t

you the most ado

be thought the most adorable o

e never care for what th

ble!" exclaimed Maria Consuelo

! I will be meekness itse

t would not su

sto

est ge

ur disposal. When Adam gave names to the animals, he could have called a lion a la

rit of simplicit

e either Cain or Abel," suggested Orsino. "A

ry-for Abel was good an

f exhibiting my deep humility. I thank you sincerel

, Don Orsino. You always t

ual gratitude. I only beg you to observe that to let you have the last word would be for me to end the co

o," answered Maria Consuelo, with a sm

you do not interrupt me,

ible! Pra

in my power. You ca

l to your gene

ter, Madame," said O

ld-" Maria Consuelo mad

l end, and his instinct told him that he should not outstay his welcome. H

generous action, is to ensure my performing it without hesit

ceremonious. You know that I a

table with the other as though she meant to begin reading almost before he should be out of the room. He had not felt by any means sure that she really liked his society, and he had not expected that she would so far forget herself as to

at it takes for new simple elements in humanity's motives, and often ends by feeding on itself in the effort to decompose what is not composite. The greatest analysers are perhaps the young and t

limentary to the human race in general, or to their readers in particular. Without introducing any comparison between the fiction of the two languages, it may be said that the tendency of the method is identical in both cases and is the consequence of an extreme preference for analysis, to the detriment of the romantic and very often of the dramatic element in the modern novel. The result may or may not be a volume of

are forced to the conclusion that they are frequently indebted to their imaginations for the results they obtain and not seldom for the material upon which they work. A real Chemistry may some day grow out of the failures of this fanciful Alchemy, but the present generation will hardly live to d

uth, he was as yet very inexperienced. His visits to Maria Consuelo passed in making light conversation. He tried to amuse her, and succeeded fairly well, while at the same time he indulged in endless and fruitless speculations as to her former life, her present intentions and her sentiments with regard to himself. He would have liked to lead her into talking of herself, but he did not know where to begin. It was not a part of his system to believe in mysteries concerning people, but when he reflected upon the matter he was amazed at the impenetrability of the barrier which cut him off from all knowledge of her life. He s

ed of rudeness, nor upon the growth of an attachment which he had not foreseen when he had coldly made up his mind that it would be worth while to make love to her, as Gouache had laughingly suggested. Yet he was pleased with what he deeme

an might have taken seriously. But Maria Consuelo turned such advances with a laugh

elf at last, "she must be enormously