“I assured him, (and with truth,) that till his name was announced the minute before, I was ignorant of his arrival, and that none of my servants knew him; for that the valet who accompanied me into Italy was not now with me.
“‘And above all,’ added I, ‘it would be impossible to discover any equipage, however well known to one, in so dark an evening.’
“‘That is what astonishes me,’ exclaimed the duke, a little amazed.
“The incredulous count very politely added, ‘that the voice which had told the duke he was welcome, had at least expressed the sentiments of all the family.’
“Marino, ere he said a word relative to the motive of his visit, asked a private audience of me; and confided in me, by telling me that he was come with the intention of obtaining the lovely Ida’s hand; and that if he was able to procure her consent, he should demand her of her father.
“‘The countess Apollonia, your bride elect, is then no longer living?’ asked I.
“‘We will talk on that subject hereafter,’ answered he.
“The deep sigh which accompanied these words led me to conclude that Apollonia had been guilty of infidelity or some other crime towards the duke; and consequently I thought that
