throughout the whole retinue, demanded, respectfully, whom she sought?
"The Signora Nina!" replied Ursula, drawing up her stately person, with
a natural, though somewhat antiquated, dignity. There was something
foreign in the accent, which influenced the officer's answer.

"Today, madam, I fear that the Signora receives only the Roman ladies.
Tomorrow is that appointed for all foreign dames of distinction."

Ursula, with a slight impatience of tone, replied--"My business is of
that nature which is welcome on any day, at palaces. I come, Signor, to
lay certain presents at the Signora's feet, which I trust she will deign
to accept."

"And say, Signor," added the boy, abruptly, "that Angelo Villani, whom
the Lady Nina honoured yesterday with her notice, is no stranger but a
Roman; and comes, as she bade him, to proffer to the Signora his homage
and devotion."

The grave officer could not refrain a smile at the pert, yet not
ungraceful, boldness of the boy.

"I remember me, Master Angelo Villani," he replied, "that the Lady
Nina spoke to you by the great staircase. Madam, I will do your errand.
Please to follow me to an apartment more fitting your sex and seeming."

With that the officer led the way across the hall to a broad staircase
of white marble, along the centre of which were laid those rich Eastern
carpets which at that day, when rushes strewed the chambers of an
English monarch, were already common to the greater luxury of Italian
palaces. Opening a door at the first flight, he ushered Ursula and