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。