A few months passed, and the Englishman was called home to take possession of his title and estates, the father being dead.

He went alone, promising to send for the wife when all was ready.

He told no one of his marriage, meaning to surprise his English friends by producing the lovely woman unexpectedly.

He had been in England but a short time when he received a letter from the old priest of the Italian town, saying the cholera had swept through it, carrying off half its inhabitants, his wife and friend among others.

This blow prostrated the young man, and when he recovered he hid his grief, shut himself up in his country house, and tried to forget.