still trembled with the passion of it. For the cynic philosopher he
professed to be, he was, at the moment, singularly without relish of the
humours of his position.

Coming upon all this, I stopped suddenly short. Aurelia saw me, and
uttered a cry. At the same instant her hands were busy with her dress.
The count, on his feet in a moment, turned his head, started violently,
then controlled himself, and advanced to meet me, whom he had once
called his friend.

"My dear Don Francis," he said briskly, "let me be one of the first to
welcome you. I had heard of your arrival only to-day--indeed, I came
here to prepare Donna Aurelia for a pleasant surprise. I believe I was
being eloquent on your account at this moment. You may have overheard
me--if I was too partial, blame my esteem."

I scarcely heard him, and was perhaps barely civil. I went past him, hat
in hand, towards the lady. I saluted her profoundly.

"Madam," I said, "my intrusion is pure accident. I was told that your
ladyship was in the house. Ten thousand pardons that I come unannounced
before you--unwelcome I must needs be, unworthy of your clemency--since
we parted unhappily. Forgive me, I beseech you." I then offered the
count my hand.

"Oh, Signor Francesco," says Aurelia in a twitter, "I am glad to see you
again." She was tremulous, beautiful; she had her old wayward, ardent
ways, her childish bloom and roundness had not left her, nor her
sumptuousness, nor her allure--and yet I could look calmly into her face
and know that she had no charm left for me.