"If Mrs. Santon can stoop to the deed, which fortunately has been
disclosed in time to prevent the affair from coming to Miss Grosvenor's
knowledge, she would not hesitate to do a meaner thing, favorable to the
furtherance of her plans; and it is my opinion there is more to be
learned in regard to this matter. I will foil her by following her own
advice, and at the appointed hour will station myself as desired, not as
a spy upon her ways, but that I may sift this affair to the bottom."

Accordingly, at the hour which Mrs. Santon had mentioned, Mr. Delwood's
summons were answered by the mistress of the mansion in person, who
smilingly drew him to the conservatory, which overlooked the
drawing-room, where he could, unobserved by any one, notice every
movement of her whose very being was dearer than his own. Natalie was
performing his favorite air, and as he listened, he gradually lost sight
of the object of his visit,--engulfed in the ocean of bliss which her
impassioned tones had spread before him, when he was recalled to a sense
of outward circumstances by the voice of the Signor, who, as the
bird-like trill of her voice died away, sprang to his feet, and in a
voice hoarse with passion, exclaimed,--"Never!" and was about to leave
the house, when Delwood intercepted him in the hall, and taking him by
the collar, demanded to know the cause of his strange conduct. The
Signor, in his peculiar dialect, replied, "Do not detain me, sir! it
were far better that none should ever know of the temptation which
well-nigh made me a villain!"

"You do not leave this house, sir, until you disclose to me what may
concern my welfare! And do not, I pray you, sir, force me to treat you
as other than a gentleman, for if I mistake not, you are yet worthy
of respect."