CONTENTS
AFAITHFULRETAINERJamesPaynBIANCAW。E。NorrisGONERILA。MaryF。RobinsonTHEBRIGAND’SBRIDELaurenceOliphantMRS。GENERALTALBOYSAnthonyTrollopeAFAITHFULRETAINER
BY
JAMESPAYN
WhenIlivedinthecountry，——whichwasalongtimeago，——ournearestneighboursweretheLuscombes。Theywereverygreatpersonagesinthecountryindeed，andthefamilyweregreatly"respected";thoughnot，sofarasIcoulddiscern，foranyparticularreason，exceptfromtheirhavingbeenthereforseveralgenerations。Peoplearesupposedtoimprove，likewine，fromkeeping——eveniftheyarerather"ordinary"atstarting;andtheLuscombes，atthetimeIknewthem，wereconsideredquitea"vintage"family。TheyhadbeguninCharlesII。’stime，anddatedtheirdescentfromgreatnessinthefemaleline。
Thattheyhadmanagedtokeepagreatestatenotverymuchimpairedsolongwascertainlyaproofofgreatcleverness，sincetherehadbeenmanyspend-thriftsamongthem;butfortunatelytherehadbeenamiserortwo，whohadrestoredtheaverage，andtheirfortunes。
Mr。RogerLuscombe，thepresentproprietor，wasneithertheonenortheother，buthewasinclinedtofrugality，andnowonder;aburntchilddreadsthefire，eventhoughhemayhavehadnothingtodowithlightingithimself，andhisfatherhadkickeddownagoodmanythousandswiththehelpof"thebones"（asdicewerecalledinhisday）and"thedevil’sbooks"（whichwasthenameforcardswiththosethatdisapprovedofthem）andrace-horses;therewasplentyleft，butitmadetheoldgentlemancarefulandespeciallysolicitoustokeepit。Therewasnostint，however，ofanykindattheCourt，whichtome，wholivedinthelittlevicarageofDaltonwithmyfather，seemedapalace。
Itwasindeedaveryfineplace，withstatuesinthehallandpicturesinthegalleryandpeacocksontheterrace。LadyJane，thedaughterofawealthypeer，whohadalmostputthingsontheiroldfootingwithherampledowry，wasaverygreatlady，andhadbeenused，Iwastold，toanevenmoresplendidhome;buttome，whohadnomother，shewassimplythekindestandmostgraciouswomanIhadeverknown。
MyconnectionwiththeLuscombesarosefromtheironlysonRichardbeingmyfather’spupil。Wewerebothbroughtupathome，butforverydifferentreasons。Inmycaseitwasfromeconomy：thelivingwassmallandourfamilywaslarge，though，asithappened，Ihadnobrothers。Richardwastooprecioustohisparentstobetrustedtothetendermerciesofapublicschool。Hewasindelicatehealth，notsomuchnaturaltohimascausedbyanexcessofcare——coddling。
ThoughheandIwereverygoodfriends，unlesswhenwewerequarreling，itmustbeownedthathewasaspoiledboy。
Thereisagooddealofnonsensetalkedofyounggentlemenwhoarebroughtupfromtheircradlesinanatmosphereofflattery/not/beingspoiled;butunlesstheyareangels——whichisaveryexceptionalcase——itcannotbeotherwise。RichardLuscombewasagoodfellowinmanyways;liberalwithhismoney（indeed，apttobelavish），andkind-
hearted，butself-willed，effeminate，andimpulsive。Hehadalso——
whichwasasourceofgreatalarmandgrieftohisfather——amarkedtasteforspeculation。
Aftertheageof"alleytorsandcommoneys，"ofalbert-rockandhard-
bake，inwhichwebothgambledfrightfully，Icouldaffordhimnoopportunitiesofgratifyingthispassion;butifhecouldgetalittlemoney"on"anything，therewasnothingthatpleasedhimbetter——notthathecaredforthemoney，butforthedelightofwinningit。Thenextmomenthewouldgiveitawaytoabeggar。Numbersofgoodpeoplelookupongamblingwithevengreaterhorrorthanitdeserves，becausetheycannotunderstandthis;theattractionofrisk，andthewildjoyof"pullingoff"somethingwhenthechancesareagainstone，areunknowntothem。Itisthesamewiththeloveofliquor。RichardLuscombehadnotasparkofthat（hisfatherlefthimoneofthebestcellarsinEngland，buthenevertouchesevenaglassofclaretafterdinner;"Ishouldassoonthink，"hesays，"ofeatingwhenIamnothungry"）;buthedearlylikedwhathecalleda"spec。"NevershallI
forgetthefirsttimeherealisedanythingthatcouldbetermedastake。
Whenhewasaboutsixteen，heandIhaddrivenovertosomelittlecountryracesafewmilesawayfromDalton，without，Ifear，announcingourintentionofsodoing。Freshairwasgoodfor"ourdearRichard，"andsincepedestrianexercise（whichhealsohated）
exhaustedhim，hehadagroomanddog-cartalwaysathisowndisposal。
Itwasadayofgreatexcitementforme，whohadneverbeforeseenarace-course。Theflags，thegrandstand（arudeerectionofplanks，whichcamedown，by-the-bye，thenextyearduringtheraceforthecup，andreducedthesportingpopulation），theinsinuatinggipsies，thebawlingcard-sellers，andespeciallytheshininghorseswiththeirtwistedmanes，allexcitedmyadmiration。
Iwaswellacquaintedwiththeminfiction;andtheseillustrationsofthebooksIlovedsowelldelightedme。Richard，whohadreadlessandseenmore，wasbentonbusiness。
Hewastallforhisage，butveryslightandyouthful-looking，andthecontrastofhisappearancewiththatofthecompanyinthelittlering，composedasitwasofachoiceselectionoftheroughestblackguardsinEngland，wasverystriking。
Manyoftheseknewwhohewas，andwereverygladtoseehim，butonlyoneofthebook-makerssecuredhispatronage。Thefactwas，MasterRichardhadbutonefive-poundnotetolay;hehadbeensavinguphispocket-moneyforweeksforthisverypurpose，andhetooktentooneaboutanoutsider，"DonSebastian，"——anameIshallrememberwhenallotherhistoricalknowledgehasdepartedfromme，——notbecauseheknewanythingofthehorse，butbecausethelongestoddswerelaidagainsthim。
Ididn’tlikethelookofthe"gentlemansportsman"whotookcustodyofthatfive-poundnote，butRichard（whohadneverseenhimbefore）
assuredme，withhisusualconfidence，thathewas"straightasadie"
and"ashonestastheday。"
Theraceexcitedmeexceedingly;Richardhadlentmeafield-glass（foreverythinghehadwasinduplicate，ifnottriplicate），andI
watchedtheprogressofthatrunningrainbowwithabeatingheart。AtfirstYellowCap（theDon）seemedcompletelyoutofit，thelastofall;butpresentlyhebegantocreepup，andastheydrewnearthewinning-post，shoutsof"YellowCapwins！""YellowCapwins！"renttheair。Hedidwinbyahead，andwithawell-pleasedflushonmyfaceatmyfriend’smarvellousgoodfortune，Iturnedtocongratulatehim。Hewasgone。Thetumultandconfusionwereexcessive;butlookingtowardtheexitgate，Ijustcaughtaglimpseofthebook-makerpassingrapidlythroughit，andthenofRichardinpursuitofhim。
Astoutyoungfarmer，whomIknew，wasstandingbehindme，andinafewhurriedwordsItoldhimwhathadhappened。"Comewithme，"hesaid，andoffweran，asthoughwehadbeenenteredforthecupourselves。Theothertwowerealreadyafieldahead，andfarawayfromthecourse;but，fastasthebook-makerran，thedelicateRichardhadcomeupwithhim。Icouldimaginehowpumpedhewas，buttheideaofhavingbeenswindledbythisscoundrel，whowasrunningoffwithhisfive-poundnote，aswellasthefiftypoundsheowedhim，hadnodoubtlenthimwings。Itcouldnot，however，lendhimstrength，norteachhimtheartofself-defence，andafterafewmoments，passeddoubtlessinpoliterequestandbluntrefusal，wesawthemiscreantstrikeoutfromtheshoulderandRichardgodown。
Thetimethuslost，however，short-livedaswasthecombat，wasfataltothevictor。TherewerefewbetterrunnersinDaltonthanmycompanionandmyself，andwegainedonthebook-maker，whohadprobablytrainedonginandbadtobacco，handoverhand。Aswedrewnearhimheturnedroundandinquired，withmanyexpletives，madehalfinarticulatebywantofbreath，whatwewantedwithagentlemanengagedonhisownprivateaffairs。
"Well，"Isaid，——forasIcouldtrustmyagriculturalfriendwiththemorepracticalmeasuresthatwerelikelytofollowIthoughtitonlyfairthatIshoulddothetalking，——"wewantfirstthefive-poundnotewhichthatyounggentleman，whomyouhavejustknockeddown，intrustedtoyourcare，andthenthefiftypoundsyouhavelosttohim。"
HecalledHeaventowitnessthathehadnevermadeabetinhislifewithanyyounggentleman，butthat，havingbeenmolested，hebelievedbyafootpad，ashewasreturninghometohisfamily，hehadbeencompelledtodefendhimself。
"Iheardyoumakethebetandsawyoutakethemoney，"Iremarked，withconfidence。
"That’sgoodenough，"saidthefarmer。"Nowifyoudon’tshelloutthatmoneythisinstant，I’llhaveyoubackintheringinabraceofshakesandtellthemwhathashappened。Lastyeartheytoreawelsherprettynightopieces，andthisyear，ifyoudon’t’part，’they’lldoitquite。"
Thebook-makerturnedlivid，——Ineversawamaninsuchafunkinmylife，——andproducedagreasypocket-book，outofwhichhetookRichard’sbank-note，andtenquitenewones;andInoticedthereweremoreleft，sothatpovertywasnothisexcuseforfraud。
"Letmelookat’emagainstthesun，"saidthefarmer，"toseeasthewater-markisallright。"
ThiswasaprecautionIshouldneverhavethoughtof，anditgavemeforthefirsttimeasenseofthegreatintelligenceofmyfather’sparishioner。
"Yes，they’reallcorrect。Andnowyoumaygo;butifeveryoushowyourfaceagainonSouthick（Southwick）race-courseitwillbetheworstforyou。"
Heslunkaway，andwereturnedtoRichard，whowassittingontheground，lookingathisnose，whichwasbleedingandhadattainedvastdimensions。
"Didyougetthemoney？"werehisfirstwords，whichIthoughtverycharacteristic。
"Yes，thereitis，squire——tenfiversandyourownnote。"
"Verygood;IshouldneverhaveseenashillingofitbutforyouandCharley，sowewilljustdivideitintothreeshares。"
Thefarmersaid，"No，"buteventuallytookhisL1613s。4d。，andquiterighttoo。OfcourseIdidnottakeRichard’smoney，butheafterwardboughtmeariflewithit，whichIcouldnotrefuse。Thefarmer，asmaybewellimagined，couldbetrustedtosaynothingofouradventure;butitwasimpossibletohideRichard’snose。Hewasfartoohonestafellowtotellalieaboutit，andthewholestorycameout。Hisfatherwasdreadfullyshockedatit，andLadyJaneindespair：theoneabouthisgamblingpropensities，andtheotherabouthisnose;shethought，iftheinjurydidnotprovefatal，hewouldbedisfiguredforlife。
Hewaswellinaweek，butthecircumstanceshadthegravestconsequences。ItwasdecidedthatsomethingmustbedonewiththeheiroftheLuscombestoweanhimfromlowcompany（thiswasnotme，butgroomsandracingpeople）;buteventhispredilectionwasascribedinparttohisfragileconstitution。AfashionablephysiciancamedownfromLondontoconsiderthecase。HecouldnotquitebebroughttothepointdesiredbyLadyJane，tolayRichard’sloveofgamblingatthedoorofthedelicacyofhislungs;buthewasbroughtverynearit。
Theyoungfellow，his"opinion"was，hadbeenbroughtuptoomuchlikeahothouseflower;histasteswerewhattheywerechieflybecausehehadnoopportunitiesofformingbetterones;withimprovedstrengthhismoralnaturewouldbecomemoreelevated。Thathewastruthfulwasagreatsourceofsatisfaction（thiswaswithreferencetohisdistinctrefusaltogiveupgamblingtopleaseanybody）andamostwholesomephysicalsign。"Myrecommendationisthatheshouldbetemporarilyremovedfromhispresentdullsurroundings;thereisnotscopeinthemforhismind;heshouldbesentabroadforamonthortwowithhistutor。Thatwilldohimaworldofgood。"
Ifitwasnotverygoodadvice，itwasprobablyquiteasjudiciousasother"opinions"forwhichahundredandfiftyguineashavebeencheerfullypaid。Itwasatalleventsagreatcomforttohearthattherewasnothingconstitutionallywrongwith"dearestRichard，"andthatheonlywantedatonicformindandbody。Thedoctor’sverdictwasacceptedbybothparents，buttherewasaninsurmountableobstacletoitsbeingcarriedintoeffectinMasterRichardhimself。Myfathercouldnotleavehisparishandhisfamily，andwithnoothertutorcouldtheyounggentlemanbeinducedtogo。
NowithappenedthatthebutlerattheCourt，JohnMaitland，who，asisoftenthecaseinsuchhouseholds，hadthegravityanddignityofabishop，wassofortunateastobeafavouritebothwiththeoldfolksandtheyoungone。Hereallywasasuperiorperson，andnotonly"honestastheday"inRichard’seyes（which，aswehaveseen，wasnotaguaranteeofstraightforwardness），butinthoseofeveryoneelse。
Hehadbeenborninthevillage，hadbeenpagetoMr。Luscombe’sfather，andhadlivedmorethanfiftyyearsattheCourt。Therelationsbetweenmasterandservantwerefeudal，mingledwiththemoremodernattachmentthatcomesofgoodserviceproperlyappreciated。HethoughttheLuscombes，ifnottheonlyoldfamilyintheworld，thebest，andworshipped——thoughinadignifiedandecclesiasticalmanner——thegroundtroddenonbothbythesquireandMasterRichard。Myownimpressionwasthatunderpretenceofgivingwaytothelatterheplayedintotheparentalhands;butasthiswascertainlyformyyoungfriend’sgood，Inevercommunicatedmysuspicionstohim。Maitland，atallevents，hadmoreinfluenceoverhimthananymanexceptmyfather。Stillitastonishedusallnotalittle，notwithstandingthehighopinionweentertainedofhim，whenweheardthatthebutlerwastobeintrustedwiththeguardianshipofRichardabroad。Suchathingcouldnothavehappenedinanyotherfamily，butsoitwasarranged;andpartlyasvalet，partlyasconfidentialcompanionandtreasurerMaitlandstartedwithhisyoungmasteronhistravels。
Theseweretolastfornotlessthansixmonths，andItaly，becauseofitswarmclimate，wasthecountrytowhichtheywerebound。Thatitwoulddotheyoungfellowgood，bothmoralandphysical，weallhoped;
butmyfatherhadhisdoubts。HefearedthatMaitland’sinfluenceoverhiscompanionwouldwanewhenawayfromtheCourt;butitneverenteredintohismindthathewouldwillinglypermitanywrongdoing，andstilllessthatthemanwouldhimselfsuccumbtoanytemptationthatinvolveddishonesty。
Theytravelledbyeasystages;thoughtheyusedtherailway，ofcourse，theydidsoonlyforafewhoursaday，andgotoutandremainedatplacesofinterest。Richardwasveryamenable，andindeedshowednodesirefordissipation;hisoneweakness——thatofhavinga"spree"——hadnoopportunityofbeinggratified;andMaitlandwrotehomethemostgratifyingletters，notonlyrespectingthebehaviourofhischarge，butoftheimprovementinhishealth。AstheydrewnearertoItaly，RichardobservedonedaythatheshouldspendadayortwoatMonteCarlo。Maitlandhadneverheardoftheplaceorofitspeculiarattractions;and"MasterRichard"onlytoldhimthatitwasverypicturesque。Thehorrorofthefaithfulretainermaythereforebeimaginedwhenhefoundthatitwasagamblingresort。
Hecouldnotpreventhisyoungmasterfrequentingthetables，andthoughhekeptthepurse，withtheexceptionofafewpounds，andwouldcertainlyhavestoodbetweenhimandruin，hecouldnotpreventhiswinning。Richardhadtheluck，andmore，thatproverbiallyattendsyoungpeople——hehadtheluckofthedevil;hisfewnapoleonsswellingtoagreatmanyontheveryfirstday，andhewasintheseventhheavenofhappiness。Thenextdayandthenexthewonlargely，immensely;invainMaitlandthreatenedtowritetohisfather，andeventoleavehim。
"Allright，"repliedtherecklessyouth。"Youmaydoasyoulike;evenifthegovernordisinheritsmeIcanmakemyfortunebystoppinghere。
Andastoleavingme，gobyallmeans;IshallgetonverywellwithaFrenchvalet。"
Itwasdreadful。
Richardgrewhappierandhappiereveryday，asthegoldenfloodflowedinuponhim，butalsoextremelyhectic。Hepassedthewholedayatthetables，andthewantofairandexercise，and，stillmore，theintenseexcitementwhichpossessedhim，begantohavethemostseriouseffect。
Thatprescriptionof"seeingtheworld，"and"escapingfromhisdullsurroundings，"washavingaverydifferentresultfromwhathadbeenexpected。"Thepathsofgloryleadbuttothegrave";theyoungEnglishmanandhisluckwerethetalkofallMonteCarlo，andheenjoyedhisnotorietyverymuch;but，asthepoorbutlerplaintivelyobserved，whatwasthegoodofthatwhenMasterRichardwas"killinghimself"？
HowthenewswasreceivedattheCourtIhadnomeansofjudging，forthesquirekeptarigidsilence，exceptthathehadlongconferenceswithmyfather;andLadyJanekeptherroom。Itwasindeedaverysoresubject。ThesquirewantedtostartforMonteCarloatonce;buthewassingularlyinsular，detestedtravel，andintruthwasveryunfitforsucha"cutting-outexpedition"aswascontemplated。Hewaited，halfoutofhismindwithanxiety，butinhopesofabetterreport;
whathehopedforwasthatluckwouldturn，andRichardloseeveryshilling。
Theveryreverseofthis，however，tookplace;Richardwonmoreandmore。Hewouldcomehometohishotelintheeveningwithaportercarryinghisgains。Hisportmanteauwasfullofnapoleons。Itwascharacteristicofhimthatheneverthoughtofbankingit。Oneeveninghecameinwithverybrighteyes，butamostshrunkenandcadaverousface。
"Thishasbeenmybestdayofall，Johnny，"hesaid。"See，Ihavewontwothousandpounds;andyoushallhaveahundredofit。"
ButMaitlandrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithsuchill-gottengains，forwhich，too，hisyoungmasterwassacrificinghishealth，andperhapshislife。Still——thoughthisdidnotstrikeRichardtillafterward——hecouldnothelpregardingthegreatheapofgoldwithconsiderableinterest。Addedtothelad’spreviousgains，theamountwasnowverylargeindeed——morethanfivethousandpounds。
"Ishouldreallythink，MasterRichard，asyouhadnowwonenough。"
"Enough？Certainlynot。Ihavenotbrokenthebankyet。ImeantodothatbeforeI’vedonewithit，Johnny。"
"Thatwillbeafteryou’vekilledyourself，"saidhonestJohn。
"Well，thenIshalldie/rich/，"wastherecklessrejoinder。
Richard，whowastooexhaustedforrepose，tossedandtumbledonhisbedforhours，andeventuallydroppedintoaheavyslumber，andsleptfarintothenextmorning。Heawokefeelingveryunwell，buthischiefanxietywaslestheshouldmisstheopeningofthetables;hewasalwaysthefirsttobegin。HeranghisbellviolentlyforMaitland。
Therewasnoreply，andwhenherangagain，oneofthehotelservantscameup。
"Whereismyman？"heinquired。
"Monsieur’sman-servanttookmonsieur’sluggagetotherailway-
station;heisgonebytheearlytraintoTurin。"
"GonetoTurinwithmyluggage？"
"Yes，withthetwoportmanteaus——veryheavyones。"
Richardgotoutofbed，anddraggedhiswearylimbsintothedressing-
room，aninnerapartment，wheretheportmanteauswerekeptforsafety。
Theywerebothgone。
"Whattraindidthescoundrelgoby？Whereismywatch？Why，thevillainhastakenthattoo！Sendforthepolice！No;thereisnotimetobelost——sendatelegram。Why，hehasnotevenleftmeenoughmoneytopayatelegram！"
Allhissmallchangewasgone。HonestJohnhadtakeneverything;hehadnotlefthisyoungmasterasinglesixpence。Atthisrevelationofthestateofaffairs，poorRichard，weakenedashewasbyhislongexcitement，threwhimselfonthebedandburstintotears。Theattendant，towhom，asusual，hehadbeenliberal，wasaffectedbyanemotionsostrangeinanEnglishman。
"Monsieurmustnotfret;thethiefwillbecaughtandthemoneyrestored。Itwillbewell，perhapstotellthe/maitred’hotel/。"
Themasterofthehotelappearedwithaverygraveface。Hewasdesolatedtohearofthemisfortunethathadbefallenhisyoungguest。
Perhapstherewasnotquitesomuchtakenashadbeenreported。
"Itellyouit’sallgone;morethanfivethousandpounds，andmywatchandchain;Ihavenothalfafrancinmypossession。"
"Thatisunfortunateindeed，"saidthe/maitred’hotel/，lookinggraverthanever，"becausethereismybilltosettle。"
"Oh，hangyourbill！"criedRichard。"/That/willbeallright。Imusttelegraphtomyfatheratonce。"
"Buthowismonsieurtotelegraphifhehasnomoney？"
Itwasprobablythefirsttimeinhislifethattheyoungfellowhadeverunderstoodhowinconvenientathingispoverty。Whatalsoamazedhimbeyondmeasurewastheman’smanner;yesterday，andallotherdays，ithadbeenpolitetoobsequiousness;nowitwasdryalmosttoinsolence。Itseemed，indeed，toimplysomedoubtofthebonafidesofhisguest——thathemightnot，inshort，bemuchbetterthanhonestJohnhimself，ofwhomhewaspossiblytheconfederate;thatthewholestorywasatrumped-uponetoaccountfortheinabilitytomeethisbill。Astohishavingwonlargelyatthetables，thatmightbetrueenough;buthealsomighthavelostitall，andmorewithit;moneychangeshandsatMonteCarloveryrapidly。
Intheend，however，andnotwithoutmuchobjection，thelandlordadvancedasufficientsumtoenableRichardtotelegraphhome。Healsopermittedhimtostayonatthehotel，stipulating，however，thatheshouldcallfornowine，norindulgeinanythingexpensive——ahumiliatingarrangementenough，butnotsomuchsoasthetermsofanotherproviso，thathewasnevertoenterthegamblingsaloonorgobeyondthepublicgardens。Eventherehewasundersurveillance，anditwas，inshort，quiteclearthathewassuspectedofanintentiontorunawaywithoutpayinghisbill——perhapsevenofjoininghis"confederate，"Mr。JohnMaitland。
TheonlythingthatcomfortedRichardwastheconvictionthatheshouldhavearemittancefromhisfatherinafewhours;butnothingofthesort，notevenatelegram，arrived。Dayafterdaywentby，andtheyoungfellowwasindespair;hefeltlikeapariah，forhehadbeensooccupiedwiththetablesthathehadmadenofriends;andhisfewacquaintanceslookedaskanceathim，asbeingunderacloud，withtheprecisenatureofwhichtheywereunacquainted。Friendlessandpennilessinaforeignland，hisspiritwasutterlybroken，andhebegantounderstandwhatafoolhehadmadeofhimself;especiallyhowungratefullyhehadbehavedtohisfather，withoutwhomitwasnotsoeasyto"geton，"itappeared，ashehadimagined。Hesaw，too，theevilofhisconductinhavingthrustatemptationinthewayofhonestJohntoogreattoberesisted。Thepolicecouldhearnonewsofhim，and，indeed，seemedveryincredulouswithrespecttoRichard’saccountofthematter。
OnthefourthdayRichardreceivedaletterfromhisfatherofthegravestkind，thoughexpressedinthemostaffectionateterms。Hehardlyalludedtotheimmediatemisfortunethathadhappenedtohim，butspokeoftheanxietyandalarmwhichhisconducthadcausedhismotherandhimself。"Iencloseyouacheck，"hewrote，"justsufficienttocomfortablybringyouhomeandpayyourhotelbill，andexceedinglyregretthatIcannottrustmysonwithmore——lestheshouldriskitinawaythatgiveshismotherandmyselfmoredistressofmindthanIcanexpress。"
Richard’sheartwastouched，asitwellmighthavebeen;thoughperhapstheconditionofmindinwhichhisfather’scommunicationfoundhimhadsomethingtodowithit。Bythatnight’smailhedespatchedaletterhomewhichgavethegreatestdelightattheCourt，andalsoatthevicarage，forMr。Luscombe，fullofprideandjoy，broughtittomyfathertoread。"Ihavebeenveryfoolish，sir，andverywicked，"itran。"IbelieveIshouldhavebeendeadbythistimehadnotMaitlandstolenmymoney（sothatIhavenoreasontofeelveryangrywithhim）anddeprivedmeofthemeansofsuicide。IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIwillnevergambleagain。"
LadyJanesentatelegramtomeetMasterRichardinParis，tosaywhatadeargoodboyhewas，andhowhappyhehadmadeher。Thisdidnotsurprisehim，butwhatdidastonishhimverymuchonarrivingattheCourtwasthatJohnMaitlandopenedthedoorforhim。
"Why，youoldscoundrel！"
"Yes，sir，Iknow;I’mathiefandallthat，butIdiditforthebest;Idid，indeed。"
ThoughthefattedcalfwaskilledforMasterRichard，hehadbynomeansreturnedliketheprodigalson。Onthecontrary，hehadsenthomearemittance，asitwere，bythebutler，ofmorethanfivethousandpounds。ThewholeplothadbeendevisedbyhonestJohnastheonlymethodofextricatingMasterRichardfromthatMonteCarlospider’sweb，andhadbeencarriedoutbythehelpofthe/maitred’hotel/，withthesquire’sapproval。Andtodotheyoungfellowjustice，heneverresentedthetrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim。
Richardwasnotsentabroadagain，buttoCambridge，whereeventuallyhetookafourth-class（poll）degree;andLadyJanewasasproudofitasifhehadbeenseniorwrangler。Hekepthisword，inspiteofalltemptationstothecontrary，andnevertouchedacard——acircumstancewhichdrovehimtotakeafairamountofexercise，and，inconsequence，hesteadilyimprovedinhealth。Hewassometimeschaffedbyhiscompanionsforhisabstinencefromplay;theyshouldhavethoughthewasthelastmantobeafraidoflosinghismoney。
"Youareright，sofar，"hewouldanswer，drily;"butthefactis，I
havehadenoughofwinning。"
Towhichtheywouldreply：
"Ohyes，wedaresay，"anellipticalexpression，whichconveyeddisbelief。
HenevertoldthemthestoryofhisMonteCarloexperiences;butinthevacationshewouldoftentalktohonestJohnaboutthem。Wemaybesurethatthatfaithfulretainerdidnotgounrewardedforhisfraudulentact。
BIANCA
BY
W。E。NORRIS
Notlongsince，IwasoneamongacrowdofnobodiesatabigofficialreceptioninPariswhentheMarcheseandMarchesadiSanSilvestrowereannounced。Therewasamomentaryhush;thoseaboutthedoorwayfellbacktoletthisdistinguishedcouplepass，andsomeofusstoodontiptoetogetaglimpseofthem;forSanSilvestroisamanofnosmallimportanceinthepoliticalanddiplomaticworld，andhiswifeenjoysquiteaEuropeanfameforbeautyandamiability，havinghadopportunitiesofdisplayingboththeseattractivegiftsattheseveralcourtswhereshehasactedasItalianambassadress。Theymadetheirwayquicklyupthelongroom，——sheshort，rathersallow，inclinedtowardembonpoint，butwitheyeswhosemagnificencewasrivalledonlybythatofherdiamonds;hebald-headed，fat，gray-haired，coveredwithorders，——andweresoonoutofsight。Ifollowedthemwithasighwhichcausedmyneighbourtoaskmejocoselywhetherthemarchesawasanoldflameofmine。
"Farfromit，"Ianswered。"Onlythesightofherremindedmeofbygonedays。Dear，dearme！howtimedoesslipon！ItisfifteenyearssinceIsawherlast。"
Imovedaway，lookingdownratherruefullyatthewaistcoattowhosecircumferencefifteenyearshavemadenotriflingaddition，andwonderingwhetherIwasreallyasmuchalteredandagedinappearanceasthemarchesawas。
Fifteenyears——itisnosuchverylongtime;andyetIdaresaythatthepersonsprincipallyconcernedintheincidentwhichIamabouttorelatehavegivenupthinkingaboutitascompletelyasIhaddone，untilthesoundofthatlady’sname，andthesightofherbigblackeyes，recalledittome，andsetmethinkingofthesunnyspringafternoononwhichmysisterAnneandIjourneyedfromVeronatoVenice，andofhernaiveexclamationsofdelightonfindingherselfinarealgondola，glidingsmoothlydowntheGrandCanal。MysisterAnneisbysomeyearsmysenior。Sheiswhatmightbecalledanoldladynow，andshecertainlywasanoldmaidthen，andhadlongacceptedherpositionassuch。Then，asnow，shehabituallyworeagrayalpacagown，apairofgold-rimmedspectacles，glovesacoupleofsizestoolargeforher，andashapeless，broad-leavedstrawhat，fromwhichablueveilwasflungbackandstreamedoutinthebreezebehindher，likeaship’sensign。Then，asnow，shewasthesimplest，themostkind-hearted，themostprejudicedofmortals;anenthusiasticadmirerofthearts，andgiven，asherownsmallcontributionthereto，totheproductionofendlesswater-colourlandscapes，atriflewoolly，indeed，astooutline，andsomewhatfaultyastoperspective，butwarmincolouring，andhighlythoughtofinthefamily。Ibelieve，infact，thatitwaschieflywithaviewtothefillingofherportfoliothatshehadpersuadedmetotakehertoVenice;and，asIamconstitutionallyindolent，Iwaswillingenoughtospendafewweeksinthecitywhich，ofallcitiesintheworld，isthebestadaptedforlazypeople。WeengagedroomsatDanielli’s，andunpackedallourclothes，knowingthatwewerenotlikelytomakeanothermoveuntiltheheatshoulddriveusaway。
Thefirstfewdays，Iremember，werenotaltogetherfullofenjoymentforoneofus。MyexcellentAnne，whohasallherbrother’svirtues，withouthisfailings，wouldhavescoutedthenotionofallowinganydreadofphysicalfatiguetostandbetweenherandthechurchesandpictureswhichshehadcomeallthewayfromEnglandtoadmire;and，asVenicewasanoldhauntofmine，sheveryexcusablyexpectedmetoactasciceronetoher，andallowedmebutlittlerestbetweenthehoursofbreakfastandofthe/tabled’hote/。Atlast，however，sheconceivedthemodestandfelicitousideaofmakingacopyofTitian’s"Assumption";and，havingobtainedtherequisitepermissionforthatpurpose，settoworkuponthefirstofalongseriesofcourageousattempts，allofwhichsheconscientiouslydestroyedwheninahalf-
finishedstate。Atthatrateitseemedlikelythatherdayswouldbefullyoccupiedforsomeweekstocome;andIurgedhertopersevere，andnottoallowherselftobedisheartenedbyafewbrilliantfailures;andsoshehurriedaway，earlyeverymorning，withherpaint-box，herbrushes，andherblock，andIwasleftfreetosmokemycigarettesinpeace，infrontofmyfavouritecafeonthePiazzaSanMarco。
Iwassittingthereonemorning，watching，withhalf-closedeyes，thepigeonscirclingoverheadunderacloudlesssky，andenjoyingthefreshsaltbreezethatcameacrosstheruffledwaterfromtheAdriatic，whenIwasaccostedbyoneofthewhite-coatedAustrianofficersbywhomVenicewasthrongedinthosedays，andwhomI
presentlyrecognisedasayoungfellownamedVonRosenau，whomIhadknownslightlyinViennathepreviouswinter。Ireturnedhisgreetingcordially，forIalwaysliketoassociateasmuchaspossiblewithforeignerswhenIamabroad，andlittledidIforeseeintowhattroublethisfair-haired，innocent-lookingyouthwasdestinedtoleadme。
IaskedhimhowhelikedVenice，andheansweredlaughinglythathewasnottherefromchoice。"Iamindisgrace，"heexplained。"Iamalwaysindisgrace，onlythistimeitisratherworsethanusual。Doyouremembermyfather，thegeneral？No？PerhapshewasnotinViennawhenyouwerethere。Heisasoldieroftheoldschool，andmanageshisfamilyastheytellmeheusedtomanagehisregimentinformeryears，boastingthatheneverallowedabreachofdisciplinetopassunpunished，andneverwill。LastyearIexceededmyallowance，andthecolonelgotorderstostopmyleave;thisyearIborrowedfromtheJews，thewholethingwasfoundout，andIwasremovedfromthecavalry，andputintoaCroatregimentunderordersforVenice。Nextyearwillprobablyseemeenrolledinthepolice;andsoitwillgoon，Isuppose，tillsomefinemorningIshallfindmyselfdrivingatwo-horseyellowdiligenceinthewildsofCarinthia，andblowingahorntoletthevillagersknowthattheimperialandroyalmailisapproaching。"
Afteralittlemoreconversationweseparated，butonlytomeetagain，thatsameevening，onthePiazzaSanMarco，whitherIhadwanderedtolistentothebandafterdinner，andwhereIfoundVonRosenauseatedwithanumberofhisbrotherofficersinfrontoftheprincipalcafe。
Thesegentlemen，towhomIwaspresentlyintroduced，wereunanimousincomplainingoftheirpresentquarters。Venice，theysaid，mightbeallverywellforartistsandtravellers;butviewedasagarrisonitwasthedullestofplaces。Therewerenoamusements，therewasnosport，andjustnownosociety;fortheItalianswereinoneoftheirperiodicalfitsofsulks，andwouldnotspeakto，orlookat，aGermaniftheycouldpossiblyavoidit。"Theywillnotevenshowthemselveswhenourbandisplaying，"saidoneoftheofficers，pointingtowardthewell-nighemptypiazza。"Asfortheladies，itisreportedthatifoneofthemisseenspeakingtoanAustrian，sheiseitherassassinatedorsentofftospendtherestofherdaysinaconvent。
Atallevents，itiscertainthatwehavenoneofusanysuccessestoboastof，exceptVonRosenau，whohashadanaffair，theysay，onlyheispleasedtobeverymysteriousaboutit。"
"Wheredoesshelive，VonRosenau？"askedanother。"Issherich？Isshenoble？Hassheahusband，whowillstabyouboth？oronlyamother，whowillsendhertoanunnery，andletyougofree？Youmightgratifyourcuriosityalittle。Itwoulddoyounoharm，anditwouldgiveussomethingtotalkabout。"
"Bah！hewilltellyounothing，"criedathird。"Heisafraid。Heknowsthattherearehalfadozenofuswhocouldcuthimoutinanhour。"
"VonRosenau，"saidayoungensign，solemnly，"youwoulddobettertomakeacleanbreastofit。Concealmentisuseless。JanoviczsawyouwithherinSantaMariadellaSalutetheotherday，andcouldhavefollowedherhomequiteeasilyifhehadbeensoinclined。"
"TheywereseentogetherontheLido，too。Peoplewhowanttokeeptheirsecretsoughtnottobesoimprudent。"
"Agoodcomradeoughttohavenosecretsfromtheregiment。"
"Come，VonRosenau，wewillpromisenottospeaktoherwithoutyourpermissionifyouwilltellushowyoumanagedtomakeheracquaintance。"
Theobjectofalltheseattacksreceivedthemwiththemostperfectcomposure，continuingtosmokehiscigarandgazeoutseaward，withoutsomuchasturninghisheadtowardhisquestioners，towhomhevouchsafednoreplywhatever。Probably，asanex-hussarandasprigofnobility，hemayhaveheldhisheadalittleabovethoseofhispresentbrotherofficers，andpreferreddisregardingtheirfamiliaritytoresentingit，ashemighthavedoneifithadcomefrommenwhomheconsideredonafootingofequalitywithhimself。Such，atleast，wasmyimpression;anditwasconfirmedbythefriendlyadvanceswhichhemadetowardme，fromthatdayforth，andbythepersistencewithwhichhesoughtmysociety。Ithoughtheseemedtowishforsomecompanionwhoseideashadnotbeendevelopedexclusivelyinbarrackatmosphere;
andI，onmyside，wasnotunwillingtolistentothechatterofalively，good-naturedyoungfellow，atintervals，duringmylongidledays。
Itwasattheendofaweek，Ithink，orthereabouts，thathehonouredmewithhisfullconfidence。Wehadbeensea-fishinginasmallopenboatwhichhehadpurchased，andwhichhemanagedwithoutassistance;
thatistosay，thatwehadprovidedourselveswithwhatwasrequisiteforthepursuitofthatengrossingsport，andthattheyoungcounthadgonethroughtheformofdroppinghislineoverthesideandpullingitup，baitlessandfishless，fromtimetotime，whileIhaddispensedwitheventhisshallowpretenceofemployment，andhadstretchedmyselfoutfulllengthuponthecushionswhichIhadthoughtfullybroughtwithme，inhalingthesalt-ladenbreeze，andluxuriatinginperfectinaction，tillsuchtimeasithadbecomenecessaryforustothinkofreturninghomeward。Mycompanionhadbeensighingportentouslyeverynowandagainallthroughtheafternoon，andhadrepeatedlygivenventtoasoundasthoughhehadbeenabouttosaysomething，andhadasoftencheckedhimself，andfallenbackintosilence。SothatIwasinagreatmeasurepreparedforthedisclosurethatfellfromhimatlengthasweslippedbeforethewindacrossthebroadlagoon，towardthehazeandblazeofsunsetwhichwasglorifyingtheoldcityofthedoges。
"Doyouknow，"saidhe，suddenly，"thatIamdesperatelyinlove？"I
saidIhadconjecturedasmuch;andheseemedagooddealsurprisedatmypowersofdivination。"Yes，"heresumed，"Iaminlove;andwithanItalianladytoo，unfortunately。HernameisBianca，——theSignorinaBiancaMarinelli，——andsheisthemostdivinelybeautifulcreaturethesunevershoneupon。"
"That，"saidI，"isofcourse。"
"Itisthetruth;andwhenyouhaveseenher，youwillacknowledgethatIdonotexaggerate。Ihaveknownhernearlytwomonthsnow。I
becameacquaintedwithheraccidentally——shedroppedherhandkerchiefinashop，andItookittoher，andsowegottobeuponspeakingterms，and——and——ButIneednotgiveyouthewholehistory。Wehavediscoveredthatwearealltheworldtoeachother;wehavesworntoremainfaithfultoeachotherallourliveslong;andwerenewtheoathwheneverwemeet。Butthat，unhappily，isveryseldom！forherfather，theMarcheseMarinelli，scarcelyeverletsheroutofhissight;andheisasour，narrow-mindedoldfellow，asproudasheispoor，anintensehaterofallAustrians;andifheweretodiscoverourattachment，Ishuddertothinkofwhattheconsequencesmightbe。"
"Andyourownfather——thesternoldgeneralofwhomyoutoldme——whatwouldhesaytoitall？"
"Oh，he，ofcourse，wouldnothearofsuchamarriageforamoment。HedetestsanddespisestheVenetiansascordiallyasthemarcheseabhorsthe/Tedeschi/;and，asIamentirelydependentuponhim，IshouldnotdreamofsayingawordtohimaboutthematteruntilIwasmarried，andnothingcouldbedonetoseparatemefromBianca。"
"Sothat，uponthewhole，youappeartostandaveryfairchanceofstarvation，ifeverythingturnsoutaccordingtoyourwishes。Andpray，inwhatwaydoyouimaginethatIcanassistyoutowardthisdesirableend？ForItakeitforgrantedthatyouhavesomereasonforlettingmeintoyoursecret。"
VonRosenaulaughedgood-humouredly。
"Youformconclusionsquickly，"hesaid。"Well，IwillconfesstoyouthatIhavethoughtlatelythatyoumightbeofgreatservicetomewithoutinconveniencingyourselfmuch。Theotherday，whenyoudidmethehonourtointroducemetoyoursister，Iwasverynearlytellingherall。Shehassuchakindcountenance;andIfeltsurethatshewouldnotrefusetoletmypoorBiancavisithersometimes。Theoldmarchese，yousee，wouldhavenoobjectiontoleavinghisdaughterforhoursunderthecareofanEnglishlady;andIthoughtthatperhapswhenMissJenkinsonwentouttoworkatherpainting——Imightcomein。"
"Fortunateindeedisitforyou，"Isaid，"thatyourconfidenceinthekindcountenanceofmysisterAnnedidnotcarryyouquitetothepointofdivulgingthispreciousschemetoher。I，whoknowherprettywell，cantellyouexactlythecourseshewouldhavepursuedifyouhad。Withoutonemoment’shesitation，shewouldhavefoundouttheaddressoftheyounglady’sfather，hurriedoffthither，andtoldhimallaboutit。Anneisathoroughlygoodcreature;butshehaslittlesympathywithlove-making，stilllesswithsurreptitiouslove-making，andshewouldassoonthinkofacceptingthepartyouaresogoodastoassigntoherasofforgingacheck。"
Hesighed，andsaidhesupposed，then，thattheymustcontinuetomeetastheyhadbeeninthehabitofdoing，butthatitwasratherunsatisfactory。
"Itsayssomethingforyouringenuitythatyoucontrivetomeetatall，"Iremarked。
"Well，yes，thereareconsiderabledifficulties，becausetheoldman’smovementsaresouncertain;andthereissomerisktoo，for，asyouheardtheotherday，wehavebeenseentogether。Moreover，IhavebeenobligedtotelleverythingtomyservantJohann，whowaylaysthemarchese’shousekeeperatmarketinthemornings，andfindsoutfromherwhenandwhereIcanhaveanopportunityofmeetingBianca。I
wouldrathernothavetrustedhim;butIcouldthinkofnootherplan。"
"Atanyrate，IshouldhavethoughtyoumighthaveselectedsomemoreretiredrendezvousthanthemostfrequentedchurchinVenice。"
Heshruggedhisshoulders。"Iwishyouwouldsuggestonewithinreach，"hesaid。"Therearenoretiredplacesinthisaccursedtown。
But，infact，weseeeachotherveryseldom。OftenfordaystogethertheonlywayinwhichIcangetaglimpseofherisbyloiteringaboutinmyboatinfrontofherfather’shouse，andwatchingtillsheshowsherselfatthewindow。Weareinherneighborhoodnow，anditiscloseuponthehouratwhichIcangenerallycalculateuponherappearing。
WouldyoumindmymakingashortdetourthatwaybeforeIsetyoudownatyourhotel？"
WehadenteredtheGrandCanalwhileVonRosenauhadbeenrelatinghislove-tale，andsomeminutesbeforehehadloweredhissailandtakentotheoars。Henowslewedtheboat’sheadroundabruptly，andweshotintoadarkandnarrowwaterway，andso，aftersundrytwistingsandturnings，arrivedbeforeagrim，time-wornstructure，sohemmedinbythesurroundingbuildingsthatitseemedasifnorayofsunshinecouldeverpenetratewithinitswalls。
"ThatisthePalazzoMarinelli，"saidmycompanion。"Thegreaterpartofitislettodifferenttenants。Thefamilyhaslongbeenmuchtoopoortoinhabitthewholeofit，andnowtheoldmanonlyreserveshimselffourroomsonthethirdfloor。Thosearethewindows，inthefarcorner;andthere——no！——yes！——thereisBianca。"
Ibroughtmyeyeglasstobearuponthepointindicatedjustintimetocatchsightofafemalehead，whichwasthrustoutthroughtheopenwindowforaninstant，andthenwithdrawnwithgreatcelerity。
"Ah，"sighedthecount，"itisyouwhohavedrivenheraway。Ioughttohaverememberedthatshewouldbefrightenedatseeingastranger。
Andnowshewillnotshowherselfagain，Ifear。Come;Iwilltakeyouhome。Confessnow——isshenotmorebeautifulthanyouexpected？"
"Mydearsir，Ihadhardlytimetoseewhethershewasamanorawoman;butIamquitewillingtotakeyourwordforitthatthereneverwasanybodylikeher。"
"Ifyouwouldliketowaitalittlelonger——halfanhourorso——she/might/putherheadoutagain，"saidtheyoungman，wistfully。
"Thankyouverymuch;butmysisterwillbewonderingwhyIdonotcometotakeherdowntothe/tabled’hote/。Andbesides，Iamnotinlovemyself，ImayperhapsbeexcusedforsayingthatIwantmydinner。"
"Asyouplease，"answeredthecount，lookingtheleastbitintheworldaffronted;andsohepulledbackinsilencetothestepsofthehotel，whereweparted。
Idon’tknowwhetherVonRosenaufeltaggrievedbymyratherunsympatheticreceptionofhisconfidence，orwhetherhethoughtituselesstodiscusshisprojectsfurtherwithonewhocouldnotorwouldnotassisthimincarryingthemout;butalthoughwecontinuedtomeetdaily，asbefore，hedidnotrecurtotheinterestingsubject，anditwasnotformetotaketheinitiativeindoingso。Curiosity，I
confess，ledmetodirectmygondoliermorethanoncetothenarrowcanaloverwhichthePalazzoMartinellitowered;andoneachoccasionIwasrewardedbydescrying，fromthedepthsoftheminiaturemourning-coachwhichconcealedme，thefaithfulcount，seatedinhisboatandwaitinginpatientfaith，likeanotherRitterToggenburg，withhiseyesfixeduponthecornerwindow;butoftheladyIcouldseenosign。Iwasratherdisappointedatfirst，asdayafterdaywentbyandmyyoungfriendshowednodispositiontobreakthesilenceinwhichhehadchosentowraphimself;forIhadnothingtodoinVenice，andIthoughtitwouldhavebeenratheramusingtowatchtheprogressofthisincipientromance。Bydegrees，however，Iceasedtotroublemyselfaboutit;andattheendofafortnightIhadotherthingstothinkof，intheshapeofplansforthesummer，mysisterAnnehavingbythattimesatisfiedherselfthat，allthingsconsidered，Titian’s"Assumption"wasalittletoomuchforher。
ItwasCaptainJanoviczwhoinformedmecasuallyoneeveningthatVonRosenauwasgoingawayinafewdaysonleave，andthathewouldprobablybeabsentforaconsiderabletime。
"Formyownpart，"remarkedmyinformant，"Ishallbesurprisedifweseehimbackintheregimentatall。Hewasonlysenttousasasortofpunishmentforhavingbeenanaughtyboy，andIsupposenowhewillbeforgiven，andrestoredtothehussars。"
"Somuchforundyinglove，"thinksI，withacynicalchuckle。"Ifthereisanygratitudeinman，thatyoungfellowoughttobeshoweringblessingsonmeforhavingrefusedtoholdthenooseforhimtothrusthisheadinto。"
Alas！IknewnotofwhatIwasspeaking。IhadnotyetheardthelastofHerrvonRosenau’sentanglement，norwasIdestinedtoescapefromplayingmypartinit。Theverynextmorning，afterbreakfast，asI
wasporingoveramapofSwitzerland，"Murray"onmyrighthandand"Bradshaw"onmyleft，hiscardwasbroughttome，togetherwithanurgentrequestthatIwouldseehimimmediatelyandalone;andbeforeIhadhadtimetosendareply，hecameclatteringintotheroom，trailinghissabrebehindhim，anddroppedintothefirstarm-chairwithadespairingself-abandonmentwhichshookthehousetoitsfoundations。
"Mr。Jenkinson，"saidhe，"Iamaruinedman！"
IansweredratherdrilythatIwasverysorrytohearit。IfImustconfessthetruth，Ithoughthehadcometoborrowmoneyofme。
"Amostcruelcalamityhasbefallenme，"hewenton;"andunlessyouwillconsenttohelpmeoutofit——"
"IamsureIshallbedelightedtodoanythinginmypower，"I
interrupted，apprehensively;"butIamafraid——"
"YoucannotrefusemetillyouhaveheardwhatIhavetosay。IamawarethatIhavenoclaimwhateveruponyourkindness;butyouaretheonlymanintheworldwhocansaveme，and，whereasthehappinessofmywholelifeisatstake，theutmostyoucanhavetoputupwithwillbealittleinconvenience。NowIwillexplainmyselfinasfewwordsaspossible，becauseIhaveonlyaminutetospare。Infact，I
oughttobeoutontherampartsatthismoment。YouhavenotforgottenwhatItoldyouaboutmyselfandtheSignorinaMartinelli，andhowwehadagreedtoseizethefirstopportunitythatofferedtobeprivatelymarried，andtoescapeoverthemountainstomyfather’shouse，andthrowourselvesuponhismercy？"
"Idon’trememberyourhavingmentionedanysuchplan。"
"Nomatter——soitwas。Well，everythingseemedtohavefallenoutmostfortunatelyforus。IfoundoutsometimeagothatthemarchesewouldbegoingovertoPaduathiseveningonbusiness，andwouldbeabsentatleastonewholeday，andIimmediatelyappliedformyleavetobeginto-morrow。ThisIobtainedatoncethroughmyfather，whonowexpectsmetobewithhiminafewdays，andlittleknowsthatIshallnotcomealone。Johannandthemarchese’shousekeeperarrangedtherestbetweenthem。IwastomeetmydearBiancaearlyinthemorningontheLido;thenceweweretogobyboattoMestre，whereacarriagewastobeinwaitingforus;andthesameeveningweweretobemarriedbyapriest，towhomIhavegivenduenotice，ataplacecalledLongarone。Andsoweshouldhavegoneon，acrosstheAmpezzoPasshomeward。Nowwouldyoubelievethatallthishasbeendefeatedbyamerefreakonthepartofmycolonel？Onlythismorning，afteritwasmuchtoolatetomakeanyalterationinourplans，hetoldmethatheshouldrequiremetobeondutyallto-dayandto-morrow，andthatmyleavecouldnotbeginuntilthenextday。Isitnotmaddening？AndtheworstofitisthatIhavenomeansoflettingBiancaknowofthis，forIdarenotsendamessagetothepalazzo，andthereisnochanceofmyseeinghermyself;andofcourseshewillgototheLidoto-morrowmorning，andwillfindnoonethere。Now，mydearMr。
Jenkinson——mygood，kindfriend——doyoubegintoseewhatIwantyoutodoforme？"
"Notintheveryleast。"
"No？Butitisevidentenough。Nowlisten。YoumustmeetBiancato-morrowmorning;youexplaintoherwhathashappened;youtakeherintheboat，whichwillbewaitingforyou，toMestre;youproceedinthetravelling-carriage，whichwillalsobewaitingforyou，toLongarone;youseethepriest，andappointwithhimforthefollowingevening;andthenextdayIarrive，andyoureturntoVenice。Isthatclear？"
ThevolubilitywithwhichthisprogrammewasenunciatedsotookawaymybreaththatIscarcelyrealiseditsaudacity。
"Youwillnotrefuse;Iamsureyouwillnot，"saidthecount，risingandhookinguphissword，asifabouttodepart。
"Stop，stop！"Iexclaimed。"Youdon’tconsiderwhatyouareasking。I
can’telopewithyoungwomeninthiscasualsortofway。Ihaveacharacter——andasister。HowamItoexplainallthistomysister，I
shouldliketoknow？"
"Oh，makeanyexcuseyoucanthinkoftoher。Now，Mr。Jenkinson，youknowtherecannotbeanyrealdifficultyinthat。Youconsentthen？A
thousand，thousandthanks！Iwillsendyouafewmoreinstructionsbyletterthisevening。Ireallymustnotstayanylongernow。Good-bye。"
"Stop！Whycan’tyourservantJohanndoallthisinsteadofme？"
"Becauseheisondutylikemyself。Good-bye。"
"Stop！Whycan’tyoupostponeyourflightforaday？Idon’tsomuchmindmeetingtheyoungladyandtellingherallaboutit。"
"Quiteoutofthequestion，mydearsir。ItisperfectlypossiblethatthemarchesemayreturnfromPaduato-morrownight，andwhatshouldwedothen？No，no;thereisnohelpforit。Good-bye。"
"Stop！Hi！Comeback！"
Butitwastoolate。MyimpetuousvisitorwasdownthestaircaseandawaybeforeIhaddescendedasingleflightinpursuit，andallI
coulddowastoreturntomyroomandregisteravowwithinmyownheartthatIwouldhavenothingtodowiththispreposterousscheme。
Lookingbackuponwhatfollowedacrosstheintervaloffifteenyears，IfindthatIcanreallygivenosatisfactoryreasonformyhavingfailedtoadheretothiswiseresolution。IhadnoparticularfeelingoffriendshipforVonRosenau;IdidnotcaretwostrawsabouttheSignorinaBianca，whomIhadneverseen;andcertainlyIamnot，noreverwas，thesortofpersonwholovesromanticadventuresfortheirownsake。Perhapsitwasgood-nature，perhapsitwasonlyanindolentshrinkingfromdisobliginganybody，thatinfluencedme——itdoesnotmuchmatternow。Whateverthecauseofmyyieldingmayhavebeen，I
didyield。Iprefertopassoverinsilencethedoubtsandhesitationswhichbesetmefortheremainderoftheday;thearrival，towardevening，ofthepiteousnotefromVonRosenau，whichfinallyovercamemyweakresistancetohiswill;andtheseriesofcircumstantialfalsestatements（IblushwhenIthinkofthem）bymeansofwhichI
accountedtomysisterformyproposedsuddendeparture。
Sufficeittosaythat，veryearlyonthefollowingmorning，theremighthavebeenseen，pacingupanddowntheshoreontheseawardsideoftheLido，andpeeringanxiouslyabouthimthroughaneyeglass，asifinsearchofsomebodyorsomething，thefigureofatall，spareEnglishman，cladinacompletesuitofshepherd’startan，withawide-
awakeonhishead，aleatherbagslungbyastrapacrosshisshoulder，andalightcoatoverhisarm。Myself，inpointofact，inthetravelling-costumeoftheepoch。
Iwaskeptwaitingalongtime——longerthanIliked;for，asmaybesupposed，IwasmostanxioustobewellawayfromVenicebeforetherestoftheworldwasupandabout;butatlengththereappeared，roundthecornerofalongwhitewallwhichskirtedthebeach，alittlelady，thicklyveiled，who，oncatchingsightofme，whiskedround，andincontinentlyvanished。ThiswassoevidentlythefairBiancathatIfollowedherwithouthesitation，andalmostranintoherarmsasIswungroundtheangleofthewallbehindwhichshehadretreated。Shegaveagreatstart，staredatme，foraninstant，likeastartledfawn，andthentooktoherheelsandfled。Itwasratherridiculous;buttherewasnothingformetodobuttogivechase。Mylegsarelong，andIhadsoonheadedherround。
"IpresumethatIhavethehonourofaddressingtheSignorinaMarinelli？"Ipanted，inFrench，asIfacedher，hatinhand。
Sheansweredmebyapiercingshriek，whichleftnoroomfordoubtastoheridentity。
"FortheloveofHeaven，don’tdothat！"Ientreated，inanagony。
"Youwillalarmthewholeneighbourhoodandruinusboth。Believeme，Iamonlyhereasyourfriend，andverymuchagainstmyownwishes。I
havecomeonthepartofCountAlbrechtvonRosenau，whoisunabletocomehimself，because——"
HeresheopenedhermouthwithsomanifestanintentionofraisinganotherresoundingscreechthatIbecamedesperate，andseizedherbythewristsinmyanxiety。"/Sgridiancoraunavolta/，"saysI，inthepurest/linguaToscana/，"/elalasceroqui/——togetoutofthismessasbestyoucan——/cosisicurocheilmionomeeJenkinsono/！"
Tomygreatreliefshebegantolaugh。Immediatelyafterward，however，shesatdownontheshingleandbegantocry。Itwastoovexatious：
whatonearthwasItodo？
"DoyouunderstandEnglish？"Iasked，despairingly。
Sheshookherhead，butsobbedoutthatshespokeFrench;soI
proceededtoaddressherinthatlanguage。
"Signorina，ifyoudonotgetupandcontrolyouremotion，Iwillnotbeanswerablefortheconsequences。Wearesurroundedbydangersofthemost——compromisingdescription;andeverymomentofdelaymustaddtothem。Iknowthattheofficersoftencomeoutheretobatheinthemorning;sodomanyoftheEnglishpeoplefromDanielli’s。Ifwearediscoveredtogethertherewillbesuchascandalasneverwas，andyouwillmostassuredlynotbecomeCountessvonRosenau。Thinkofthat，anditwillbraceyournerves。WhatyouhavetodoistocomedirectlywithmetotheboatwhichisallreadytotakeustoMestre。Allowmetocarryyourhand-bag。"
Notabitofit！Thesignorinarefusedtostir。
"Whatisit？WhereisAlberto？Whathashappened？"shecried。"Youhavetoldmenothing。"
"Well，then，Iwillexplain，"Ianswered，impatiently。AndIexplainedaccordingly。
But，dearme，whatafussshedidmakeoveritall！Onewouldhavesupposed，tohearher，thatIhadplannedthisunfortunatecomplicationformyownpleasure，andthatIoughttohavebeenplayingthepartofasuppliantinsteadofthatofasorelytriedbenefactor。Firstshewassokindastosetmedownasanimposter，andwasonlyconvincedofmyhonestywhenIshowedheraletterinthebelovedAlberto’shandwriting。Thenshedeclaredthatshecouldnotpossiblygooffwithatotalstranger。Thenshediscoveredthat，uponfurtherconsideration，shecouldnotabandonpoordearpapainhisoldage。Andsoforth，andsoforth，witharunningaccompanimentoftearsandsobs。Ofcoursesheconsentedatlasttoentertheboat;butIwassoexasperatedbyhersillybehaviourthatIwouldnotspeaktoher，andhadreallyscarcelynoticedwhethershewasprettyorplaintillweweremorethanhalf-waytoMestre。Butwhenwehadhoistedoursail，andwererunningbeforeafine，freshbreezetowardtheland，andourfourmenhadshippedtheiroarsandwerechatteringandlaughingundertheirbreathinthebows，andthefirstperilsofourenterpriseseemedtohavebeensafelysurmounted，myequanimitybegantoreturntome，andIstoleaglanceatthepartnerofmyflight，whohadliftedherveil，andshowedapretty，round，childishface，withaclear，browncomplexion，andapairofthemostsplendiddarkeyesithaseverbeenmygoodfortunetobehold。Therewerenotearsinthemnow，butacertainhalf-frightened，half-mischievouslightinstead，asifsheratherenjoyedtheadventure，inspiteofitsinauspiciousopening。Averylittleencouragementinducedhertoenterintoconversation，anderelongshewasprattlingawayasunrestrainedlyasifwehadbeenfriendsallourlives。Sheaskedmeagreatmanyquestions。WhatwasIdoinginVenice？HadIknownAlbertolong？WasI
veryfondofhim？DidIthinkthattheoldCountvonRosenauwouldbeveryangrywhenheheardofhisson’smarriage？IansweredherasbestIcould，feelingverysorryforthepoorlittlesoul，whoevidentlydidnotintheleastrealisetheseriousnatureofthestepwhichshewasabouttotake;andshegrewmoreandmorecommunicative。InthecourseofaquarterofanhourIhadbeenputinpossessionofallthechiefincidentsofheruneventfullife。
Ihadheardhowshehadlosthermotherwhenshewasstillaninfant;
howshehadbeeneducatedpartlybytwomaidenaunts，partlyinaconventatVerona;howshehadlatterlyledalifeofalmostcompleteseclusionintheoldVenetianpalace;howshehadfirstmetAlberto;
andhow，aftermanydoubtsandmisgivings，shehadfinallybeenprevailedupontosacrificeallforhissake，andtoleaveherfather，who，——stern，severe，andsuspicious，thoughhehadalwaysbeengeneroustoher，——hadtriedtogivehersuchsmallpleasuresashismeansandhabitswouldpermit。Shehadalikenessofhimwithher，shesaid，——perhapsImightliketoseeit。Shedivedintohertravelling-
bagasshespoke，andproducedfromthenceafull-lengthphotographofatall，well-builtgentlemanofsixtyorthereabouts，whosegrayhair，blackmoustache，andintent，frowninggazemadeupanensemblemorestrikingthanattractive。
"Ishenothandsome——poorpapa？"sheasked。
Isaidthemarchesewascertainlyaveryfine-lookingman，andinwardlythankedmystarsthathewassafelyatPadua;forlookingatthebreadthofhischest，thelengthofhisarm，andthesomewhatforbiddingcastofhisfeatures，Icouldnothelpperceivingthat"poorpapa"waspreciselyoneofthosepersonswithwhomaprudentmanpreferstokeepfriendsthantoquarrel。
Andso，bythetimethatwereachedMestre，wehadbecomequitefriendlyandintimate，andhadhalfforgotten，Ithink，theabsurdrelationinwhichwestoodtowardeachother。Wehadratheranawkwardmomentwhenwelefttheboatandenteredourtravelling-carriage;forIneedscarcelysaythatboththeboatmenandthegrinningvetturinotookmeforthebridegroomwhoseplaceItemporarilyoccupied，andtheywerepleasedtobefacetiousinamannerwhichwasveryembarrassingtome，butwhichIcouldnotverywellcheck。Moreover，I
feltcompelledsofartosustainmyassumedcharacterastobespeciallygenerousinthemannerofa/buonamano/tothosefourjollywatermen，andforthefirstfewmilesofourdriveIcouldnothelprememberingthiscircumstancewithsomeregret，andwonderingwhetheritwouldoccurtoVonRosenautoreimburseme。
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