A Siren

n the

occupation that had been interrupted by the summons from the Marchese. He took up the medal he had been examining, and the magnifying glass, in a manner that implied a sort of ostentat

aside: the medal remained idly in his hand, and his min

of himself at the proper age for such an operation, should, after all, do so when those who did so in their salad days have become wise, was not unheard of. Nevertheless, Signor Fortini, who,

omething wrong with him. Wrong with a vengeance! So this was the cause of it all: the Marchese Lamberto is in love! Bah!-Bah!!-Bah!!!-(with crescendo expression of disgust). Poor devil! Well, I was in love once, or fancied myself so. But then. I was twenty-five years old. Un altro paio di maniche! And I very soon found out my mistake. But he, at his time of life! And such a woman! Well, the Emperor Justinian married Theodora. So, I suppose we Ravennati have authority for madness in that kind. And that poor good fellow, the Marchese Ludovico, too! It is too bad. And all because such a creature as that is cunning enough to know how to drive a hard bargain for the painted face she has to sell. But that is the sort of woman who can make that

usings, got up and went to his house,-not two minutes' walk from

Ludovico on the subject of his uncle's disastrous project. It was by that time nearly half-past three; and Sign

d, and heated. Nothing could be more unlike his usual easy, lounging, poco-curante bearing. The lawyer saw at once that something was the matter; and thought

t him, "I was on my way, to the Circolo, on p

tell me?" said the young man in a hurri

her an important matter. Have you see

am but this moment come back," rep

go to the Palazzo Castelmare. If you are going to the Circolo,

st to run just as far as La Lalli's lodging in the Stra

ith her! It was about her that I want

? Do you know where she is?" asked

her bed most likely, after danci

vident wish to get rid of him, partly angered by finding the nephew thus running after the same mischief that was threatening to ruin his uncle, and partly thinking that it was de

ready reception of information which concerns you nearly, Signor Marchese, and which I am prompted to tell you by my interest in your

ld this very morni

had not seen your uncle this

from whom such an intention may be learned?" sa

you mean?"

he lady!" rej

Marchese Lamberto had proposed mar

told me so," rep

had only just now returned to the

e creature, and make the most of her! I did receive the intelligence in question from the lady concerned, and I have just returned to the city. She communicated the fa

ta with her-(did anybody ever hear of such a mad thing?)-and returned this m

ough I went to the Pineta with her, I di

all exceedingly pleasant for the Marchese Lamberto, upon my word!-oh, exceedingly!-and really a foretaste

t know, and can't guess; and that is just what I am anxi

nterested rather by the evident uneasiness of the Marchese Ludovico, than by an

talk by-and-by. We strolled about a good while, then sat down. She told me a good deal of the history of her life. We must have been talking-I don't know how long; but a long time. Then she said she was so sleepy, she must have a little sleep; she could keep her eyes open no longer. Natural enough! She had been dancing all night-had never closed her eyes for a minute since. The bank we were sitting on was the most delicious place for a siesta that can be conceived. In two minutes she was fast asleep. She slept on and on till I was tired of waiting. No doubt I should have slept too, had not the intelligence she had given me been of a sort to keep me w

nd done so, I confess it seems to me about the best thing that could happen! Why on earth you, of all people in the world, Signor Ludovico, should be

heard of again! I shall be really uneasy if I don't hear of her again in

of waiting for you, and so strolled back to the town.

so far as from the Pineta here, I fancy. Bes

easy about. No harm can have happen

t in wandering away from the place where I left her, for not above a quarter of an hour, I lost my way, and that when I found, as I supposed, the place where we had been, I could not be sure whether it was the same spo

t, that she had never set foot within a dozen miles of Ravenna. Just think what it woul

not be surprised if it should be found more

, the

set about the matte

retend to do. It is not improbable. But my conceptions of the power of persuasion have never risen yet to

ything has been heard of her." Ludovico, leaving his companion for an instant in the street, sprang up the stairs to make inquiry; and in the next minute returned lookin