Tell me how you parted." "Strangely enough.

You must know we had a grand dinner at the villa the day before I left; and when we adjourned for our coffee to the garden, my spirits were at the top of their bent.

Inez never looked so beautiful, never was one half so gracious; and as she leaned upon my arm, instead of following the others towards the little summer-house, I turned, as if inadvertently, into a narrow, dark alley that skirts the lake." "I know it well; continue." Power reddened slightly, and went on:-- "'Why are we taking this path ?' said Donna Inez; 'this is, surely, not a short way ?' "'Oh, I wished to make my adieux to my old friends the swans.

You know I go to-morrow.' "'Ah, that's true,' added she.

'I'd quite forgotten it.' "This speech was not very encouraging; but as I felt myself in for the battle, I was not going to retreat at the skirmish.