' Yes, unfortunately I did, and lost my husband, became a destitute widow when I was scarcely older than my own daughter now is. Mr Waul, this is your countryman, General Laurance \ and doubtless you have mutual acquaintances in the United States. ,

They proceeded to the carriage, and as he assisted her to enter it, General Laurance asked :

' Will you granb me tho privilege of accompanying you nexb week to Baias ?' ' I cannot promise that.' 'Then allow me to call upon you to mOrrow.'

' To-morrow will be the day for my exercises in Italian recitation and declama tion. I am desirous of perfecting myself in the delicato inflections of this sweet in toxicating language, which ia as dsliciously

soft as its native skies, and golden as its Capri vintage. I long to electrify those fervid enthusiastic yet critical Neapolitans with one of their own favourite impassioned Italian dramas. , '"' ~' '

She had taken offherhab which pressed heavily upon her throbbing: brow, and- as bhe sun shone full on the coil of glittering hair, with hore and there a golden tress rippling low on her snowy neck and ear, her ripe loveliness seized the man's senses with irresistible witchery; and the thought of her reappearance asa public idol, of her exhibition of her wonderful beauty to the critical gaze of all Naples, suddenly filled him with jealous horrar and genuine pain. As if utterly weary and indifferent, she leaned back, nestling her head against the cushions of the carriage; and looking eagerly, almost hungrily at her, General Laurance silently registered a vow, that the world should coon know her no more as the Queen of Tragedy, thab ere long tho only kingdom over which she reigned should be restrictad to the confines of his own heart and life.
