I have been away for many years, and I had a great wish to meet the young Romani whom I last saw as a child.

Are there any relations of his living--was he married ?" The waiter, whose countenance had assumed a fitting lugubriousness in accordance with what he imagined were my feelings, brightened up immediately as he replied eagerly: "Oh, si, signor! The Contessa Romani lives up at the villa, though I believe she receives no one since her husband's death.

She is young and beautiful as an angel.

There is a little child too." A hasty movement on the part of Ferrari caused me to turn my eyes, or rather my spectacles, in his direction.

He leaned forward, and raising his hat with the old courteous grace I knew so well, said politely: "Pardon me, signor, for interrupting you! I knew the late young Count Romani well--perhaps better than any man in Naples.