Pietro Ghisleri

attempt was at best only partially successful. Few men in his circumstances can escape the daily sting that lies in comparing their unfortunate outward personality with

it may, the particular sufferer who made Laura Carlyon's acquaintance at the ball was in reality as sensitive a man in almost all respects as could be met with anywhere i

s side, who had never made any secret of his intentions in regard to his property, and who, being over eighty years of age, could not be expected to live much longer in the ordinary course of nature. At present his modest portion was quite sufficient for himself, but he doubted whether it would suffice for his needs if he married. That, however, was of minor importance. The great fortune was safe and he was an exceedingly good match from a financial point of view. Miss Ca

and step-sister. He had also renewed his acquaintance with young Savelli, whom he had known slightly during a former visit to Rome, and who now, he thought, met him rather coldly. He attributed Adele's gushing

eting she grew more interested in his conversation, until when he was present, she scarcely paid any attention to any one else. Such a friendship, if it could have been a real friendship, might have made Arden happy so long as it lasted; but on his side, at least, nothing of the kind was possible. He knew that he was hopelessly in love, and to pretend the contrary t

hundredth part of what he felt to Ghisleri. But he was little given to making confidences, and Ghisleri was, o

on in the south, and there were deep black shadows under his eyes. Moreover, he was in an abominably bad humour with everything and with everybody except his fri

friends do when they are aware that there is something wrong. Ghisleri spoke Engl

losing patience with everything all at once. "Let us go

th it?" asked Arden, i

t is a perfect witches' caldron of scandal. Thirdly, we are

see them in the same lig

f a glass. Of course you like Rome-you always did-you f

y night as though you l

do

n under them, till they were almost black. He had eaten hardly anything, and now, regardless of the fact t

"You must take care of yourself. Take my advice. W

ut not just at present. I will stay in Ro

him in the city and which might keep him long. But Ghisleri, who had been watching for that particular h

ter. People always invent absurd stories if one goes away

such a savage humour that he might almost become communicative. Arden was a very keen-sighted man, and not without tact, and he thought the opportunity a good one for approaching a subject which had long been in his mind. But h

n answer to Ghisleri's last observation. "I suppose you know it b

dmitted Ghisleri

en to the Gerano's. I do not remember to have heard there a sin

se. But then, the Prince is generally away, and both the Princ

face. He knew that at the present moment the latter was perfectly sincere in what he said, but he knew also that G

e fact of their being English has anything t

know?" asked Ghisleri, with

you would tell me. As an Engli

n article in the Nineteenth Century, or else your brother is going to speak on the subject

exclaimed Arden. "You always insist u

ly bad; give me one of yours, please. I never can understand why the government

interrupting him, "we were tal

iss Carlyon, too, I reme

urprised that Miss Carlyon should not receive much more attention than

last answering the direct ques

e reason? The fact is clear e

of gossip. Who cares? I

about a young girl of her ag

emembered, repeated, and properly adorned, and will ultimately ruin the innocent woman when she

ri?" asked Arden, with some impatience. "You talk

ruth. I believe-well, I will allow that I know, that there is a story about Miss Carlyon, which is commonly credited, and which is a down-right lie. I will not tell you what it is. It does not, strictly speaking, affe

ings, he spoke the truth, and when he said that he would positively say no more, his decision was always final. Arden had discovered that in the early days of their acquaintance. Perhaps Pietro went to absurd lengths in this direction, and the

den was drinking one. He looked at that time like a man who was li

rily blocked at the corner of the Pincio near the entrance, by one that was turning out of the enclosure opposite the band stand. It chanced to be the Princess of Gerano's landau, and she and her daughter were seated in it, closely wr

head. Arden bowed at the same moment, and looked from one carriage to the other. Ghisleri followed his example, and there was the very faintest e

their first loves!" said a

that the remark he had overheard might refer to the person he was himself watching at that moment. Donna Adele Savelli's expression might very well be taken for one of jealousy, but her husband's behaviour was assuredly too marked for anything more than friendship. Arden coupled the words with the facts and concluded that he had discovered the story of which Ghisleri had spoken. Francesco Savelli was said

uneasy for some time, and Ghisleri's guarded words had not satisfied him; chance, however, had done what Ghisleri would not do, and the my

, and then sank back again and remained some time where he was, absently watching the people who passed. His face was very pale and weary now that the excitement of conversation had subsided, and he felt that if he was not positively ill, he was losing the little strength he had with every day that passed. Late hours, heated rooms, and strong emotions were not the best tonics for his feeble physical organisation, and he knew it. At last he made an effort, got up, and moved about in the crowd, exchanging a few words now and then with a passing acquaintance, but too preoccupied and perhaps too tired to talk long wit

married a Roman lady of high birth, and was a very agreeable man, but Arden had not expected that he would be invited so readily to interrupt so promising a conversation. Ghisleri's face expressed nothing. He appeared to join in the talk for a few minutes and then rose and left the Contessa with Gouache.

hen he found Laura in a corner with Francesco Savelli. "Th

quired a few minutes later, coming up with Donna A

she answered, with alacrit

to a window near Laura to wait until the waltz began. He could

ugh the rooms, making a few commonplace remarks on the way. Com

o let me leave you," he said. "I am engaged for the nex

ain by a little social skill, just beyond what most people possess. Arden looked after him, half believing that he had only given Laura an excuse for leaving her in order to return to the Contessa dell' Armi, who was now surrounded by half a dozen men, beginning with old Spicca, who, as has been said, was still alive in tho

ourself with me," said Arden to Laura, after a short pause i

the young girl. "You are one

led a lit

he 'few people,'" he said

ried to laugh, but the effo

n you would suppose, or think possible, co

Laura, looking into his eyes. "You have muc

for ins

d then smiled, with

d looking," she s

efore," he answered. A very sli

either. Would you like me to

ll th

to be sure. You have no right to be unhappy, and you would not be if you were not so sensi

hink that it makes none, if yo

lly and truly change places with any o

very gladly. I would rather b

er be like you. Besides, they say Signor Ghisleri has been dreadfully wild, and is anything b

me if it were possible? A woman saint may be lovable, too lovable perhaps, but a man saint about town is like a fish out of water. But you

a righteous sinner?"

at all a logical mind. I mean Ghisleri-that is al

wish so much to be Signor Ghisleri, what

, with a sudden change of tone. "To be straight and strong and

elt that the tears were almost in her

u please to call it, has been good enough to make concealment impossible. If I am not quite a hunchback, I am very near it, and I can hardly walk even with a stick. And lo

to be pitied. I see it quite differently. It hardly ever strikes me that you are not just the same as other people, and whe

ght spots on Arden's pale cheeks, and his bright

est, Miss Carlyon?" he

e me when I say that it would hurt me d

you?

red knee under his hand, and he was ashamed to speak. It was a cruel moment, and his nerves were already overstrained by perpetual emotion, as well as tired from late hours and lack o

nhappy," she said softly. "You rea

suddenly. "If you knew,

nds-friends who love you, and would do anything f

n a friend-even

ha

ant

d paused. Her face was very whit

t got that love?" she asked.

thing almost like fear came into

, and he felt he co

it." So she c

his breast. Laura did not at first realise what had happened. She felt so strongly herself, that nothing in his manner would have surprised her. She heard nothing of the

ove. Laura bent down

led him softly. "Herber

e was just over and Ghisleri passed near her with Donna Adele on his arm.

or heaven's sake, help him!

eri glanced

d left her standing in the middle of the room.

said to Laura. "Show me

ickly through the surging crowd that already filled the room, escaping in

as Ghisleri disappeared with his burden, every one began to talk at once, speculating upon the nature of

" laughed Donna Adele in the