She was truly beautiful, attractive in every sense; her manner most fascinating, and her disposition, so far as I could pronounce, perfectly amiable.

I felt already something more than interest about her; how very easy would be the transition to a stronger feeling! There was an _eclat_, too, about being her accepted lover that had its charm.

She was the belle _par excellence_ of Lisbon; and then a sense of pique crossed my mind as I reflected what would Lucy say of him whom she had slighted and insulted, when he became the husband of the beautiful millionnaire Senhora Inez?
As my meditations had reached thus far, the door opened stealthily, and Catherine appeared, her finger upon her lips, and her gesture indicating caution.

She carried on her arm a mass of drapery covered by a large mantle, which throwing off as she entered, she displayed before me a rich blue domino with silver embroidery.

It was large and loose in its folds, so as thoroughly to conceal the figure of any wearer.