greatly to astonish the servants. "Excuse my little subterfuge,"
said the countess, in reply to her companion's half-reproachful
observation on the subject; "but that horrid man had made me feel
quite uncomfortable, and I longed to be alone, that I might compose
my startled mind." Franz essayed to smile. "Nay," said she, "do not
smile; it ill accords with the expression of your countenance, and
I am sure it does not spring from your heart. However, promise me
one thing."
"What is it?"
"Promise me, I say."
"I will do anything you desire, except relinquish my
determination of finding out who this man is. I have more reasons
than you can imagine for desiring to know who he is, from whence he
came, and whither he is going."
"Where he comes from I am ignorant; but I can readily tell you
where he is going to, and that is down below, without the least
doubt."
"Let us only speak of the promise you wished me to make," said
Franz.
"Well, then, you must give me your word to return immediately to
your hotel, and make no attempt to follow this man to-night. There
are certain affinities between the persons we quit and those we
meet afterwards. For heaven's sake, do not serve as a conductor
between that man and me. Pursue your chase after him to-morrow as
eagerly as you please; but never bring him near me, if you would
not see me die of terror. And now, good-night; go to your rooms,
and try to sleep away all recollections of this evening. For my own
part, I am quite sure I shall not be able to close my eyes." So
saying, the countess quitted Franz, leaving him unable to decide
whether she were merely amusing herself at his expense, or whether
her fears and agitations were genuine.
Upon his return to the hotel, Franz found Albert in his
dressing-gown and slippers, listlessly extended on a sofa, smoking
a cigar. "My dear fellow." cried he, springing up, "is it really
you? Why, I did not expect to see you before to-morrow."
"My dear Albert," replied Franz, "I am glad of this opportunity"My dear Albert," replied Franz, "I am glad of this opportunity
to tell you, once and forever, that you entertain a most erroneous
notion concerning Italian women. I should have thought the
continual failures you have met with in all your own love affairs
might have taught you better by this time."
"Upon my soul, these women would puzzle the very Devil to read
them aright. Why, here — they give you their hand — they press
yours in return — they keep up a whispering conversation — permit
you to accompany them home. Why, if a Parisian were to indulge in a
quarter of these marks of flattering attention, her reputation
would be gone forever."
"And the very reason why the women of this fine country put so
little restraint on their words and actions, is because they live
so much in public, and have really nothing to conceal. Besides, you
must have perceived that the countess was really alarmed."
"At what? At the sight of that respectable gentleman sitting
opposite to us in the same box with the lovely Greek girl? Now, for
my part, I met them in the lobby after the conclusion of the piece;
and hang me, if I can guess where you took your notions of the
other world from. I can assure you that this hobgoblin of yours is
a deuced fine-looking fellow — admirably dressed. Indeed, I feel
quite sure, from the cut of his clothes, they are made by a
first-rate Paris tailor — probably Blin or Humann. He was rather
too pale, certainly; but then, you know, paleness is always looked
upon as a strong proof of aristocratic descent and distinguished
breeding." Franz smiled; for he well remembered that Albert
particularly prided himself on the entire absence of color in his
own complexion.
"Well, that tends to confirm my own ideas," said Franz, "that
the countess's suspicions were destitute alike of sense and reason.
Did he speak in your hearing? and did you catch any of his
words?"
"I did; but they were uttered in the Romaic dialect. I knew that
from the mixture of Greek words. I don't know whether I ever toldfrom the mixture of Greek words. I don't know whether I ever told
you that when I was at college I was rather — rather strong in
Greek."
"He spoke the Romaic language, did he?"
"I think so."
"That settles it," murmured Franz. "'Tis he, past all
doubt."
"What do you say?"
"Nothing, nothing. But tell me, what were you thinking about
when I came in?"
"Oh, I was arranging a little surprise for you."
"Indeed. Of what nature?"
"Why, you know it is quite impossible to procure a
carriage."
"Certainly; and I also know that we have done all that human
means afforded to endeavor to get one."
"Now, then, in this difficulty a bright idea has flashed across
my brain." Franz looked at Albert as though he had not much
confidence in the suggestions of his imagination. "I tell you what,
Sir Franz," cried Albert, "you deserve to be called out for such a
misgiving and incredulous glance as that you were pleased to bestow
on me just now."
"And I promise to give you the satisfaction of a gentleman if
your scheme turns out as ingenious as you assert."
"Well, then, hearken to me."
"I listen."
"You agree, do you not, that obtaining a carriage is out of the
question?"
"I do."
"Neither can we procure horses?"
"True; we have offered any sum, but have failed."
"Well, now, what do you say to a cart? I dare say such a thing
might be had."
"Very possibly."
"And a pair of oxen?"
"As easily found as the cart."
"Then you see, my good fellow, with a cart and a couple of oxen
our business can be managed. The cart must be tastefully
ornamented; and if you and I dress ourselves as Neapolitan reapers,
we may get up a striking tableau, after the manner of that splendid
picture by Leopold Robert. It would add greatly to the effect if
the countess would join us in the costume of a peasant from Puzzoli
or Sorrento. Our group would then be quite complete, more
especially as the countess is quite beautiful enough to represent a
madonna."
"Well," said Franz, "this time, Albert, I am bound to give you
credit for having hit upon a most capital idea."