St. Peter's successors who has set the rare example of all the
virtues. He did not then think of the Carnival, for in spite of his
condescension and touching kindness, one cannot incline one's self
without awe before the venerable and noble old man called Gregory
XVI. On his return from the Vatican, Franz carefully avoided the
Corso; he brought away with him a treasure of pious thoughts, to
which the mad gayety of the maskers would have been profanation. At
ten minutes past five Albert entered overjoyed. The harlequin had
reassumed her peasant's costume, and as she passed she raised her
mask. She was charming. Franz congratulated Albert, who received
his congratulations with the air of a man conscious that they are
merited. He had recognized by certain unmistakable signs, that his
fair incognita belonged to the aristocracy. He had made up his mind
to write to her the next day. Franz remarked, while he gave these
details, that Albert seemed to have something to ask of him, but
that he was unwilling to ask it. He insisted upon it, declaring
beforehand that he was willing to make any sacrifice the other
wished. Albert let himself be pressed just as long as friendship
required, and then avowed to Franz that he would do him a great
favor by allowing him to occupy the carriage alone the next day.
Albert attributed to Franz's absence the extreme kindness of the
fair peasant in raising her mask. Franz was not sufficiently
egotistical to stop Albert in the middle of an adventure that
promised to prove so agreeable to his curiosity and so flattering
to his vanity. He felt assured that the perfect indiscretion of his
friend would duly inform him of all that happened; and as, during
three years that he had travelled all over Italy, a similar piece
of good fortune had never fallen to his share, Franz was by no
means sorry to learn how to act on such an occasion. He therefore
promised Albert that he would content himself the morrow with
witnessing the Carnival from the windows of the Rospoli Palace.witnessing the Carnival from the windows of the Rospoli Palace.
The next morning he saw Albert pass and repass, holding an
enormous bouquet, which he doubtless meant to make the bearer of
his amorous epistle. This belief was changed into certainty when
Franz saw the bouquet (conspicuous by a circle of white camellias)
in the hand of a charming harlequin dressed in rose-colored satin.
The evening was no longer joy, but delirium. Albert nothing doubted
but that the fair unknown would reply in the same manner. Franz
anticipated his wishes by saying that the noise fatigued him, and
that he should pass the next day in writing and looking over his
journal. Albert was not deceived, for the next evening Franz saw
him enter triumphantly shaking a folded paper which he held by one
corner. "Well," said he, "was I mistaken?"
"She has answered you!" cried Franz.
"Read." This word was pronounced in a manner impossible to
describe. Franz took the letter, and read: —
Tuesday evening, at seven o'clock, descend from your carriage
opposite the Via dei Pontefici, and follow the Roman peasant who
snatches your torch from you. When you arrive at the first step of
the church of San Giacomo, be sure to fasten a knot of rose-colored
ribbons to the shoulder of your harlequin costume, in order that
you may be recognized. Until then you will not see me.
Constancy and Discretion.
"Well," asked he, when Franz had finished, "what do you think of
that?"
"I think that the adventure is assuming a very agreeable
appearance."
"I think so, also," replied Albert; "and I very much fear you
will go alone to the Duke of Bracciano's ball." Franz and Albert
had received that morning an invitation from the celebrated Roman
banker. "Take care, Albert," said Franz. "All the nobility of Rome
will be present, and if your fair incognita belong to the higher
class of society, she must go there."
"Whether she goes there or not, my opinion is still the same,"
returned Albert. "You have read the letter?"
"Yes."returned Albert. "You have read the letter?"
"Yes."
"You know how imperfectly the women of the mezzo cito are
educated in Italy?" (This is the name of the lower class.)
"Yes."
"Well, read the letter again. Look at the writing, and find if
you can, any blemish in the language or orthography." (The writing
was, in reality, charming, and the orthography irreproachable.)
"You are born to good fortune," said Franz, as he returned the
letter.
"Laugh as much as you will," replied Albert, "I am in love."
"You alarm me," cried Franz. "I see that I shall not only go
alone to the Duke of Bracciano's, but also return to Florence
alone."
"If my unknown be as amiable as she is beautiful," said Albert,
"I shall fix myself at Rome for six weeks, at least. I adore Rome,
and I have always had a great taste for archaeology."
"Come, two or three more such adventures, and I do not despair
of seeing you a member of the Academy." Doubtless Albert was about
to discuss seriously his right to the academic chair when they were
informed that dinner was ready. Albert's love had not taken away
his appetite. He hastened with Franz to seat himself, free to
recommence the discussion after dinner. After dinner, the Count of
Monte Cristo was announced. They had not seen him for two days.
Signor Pastrini informed them that business had called him to
Civita Vecchia. He had started the previous evening, and had only
returned an hour since. He was charming. Whether he kept a watch
over himself, or whether by accident he did not sound the
acrimonious chords that in other circumstances had been touched, he
was to-night like everybody else. The man was an enigma to Franz.
The count must feel sure that Franz recognized him; and yet he had
not let fall a single word indicating any previous acquaintance
between them. On his side, however great Franz's desire was to
allude to their former interview, the fear of being disagreeable to
the man who had loaded him and his friend with kindness prevented