His emotions upon reaching Rome were such as
might be expected to be experienced by one so im-
pressionable. The gloominess of the twilight hour
invested the most ordinary buildings with an
aspect of romance that did not fail to make itself
felt upon the silent wondering youth. When the
carriage had passed through the gates of the
Mazzara Palace he awoke to the fact that he had
entered upon a career which was to be in every
respect different to his previous mode of life. His
first thought was of his mother whom he had left
in her far-off humble dwelling. While he was still
thinking of her the Count led him by the arm
through the dimly lighted hall, up a wide stair-
case, and then into a saloon which seemed to be
lighted with great brilliancy in comparison with
the feeble rays through which he had just passed.
BALFE. 51

There lie saw in the softly lighted saloon^ two
ladies, one of whom for the moment he thought
was the mother whose image was present in his
mind^s eye.
The Conntess Mazzara was deeply moved at the
living image of her lost son, and bursting into
tears embraced young Balf e with the fondness of
^ parent.
