retired early to rest:--sleep
did not, however, immediately visit my eyes! Oh! no--I was in Florence,
but my thoughts were far away in my native Germany, and on the borders
of the Black Forest. At length I fell into an uneasy slumber, and when I
awoke the sun was shining through the lattice. I arose and dressed
myself, and to my ineffable delight found that I was no longer to wear
the garb of a page. That disguise had been removed while I slept, and in
its place were costly vestments, which I donned with a pleasure that
triumphed over the gloom of my soul. In the course of the morning rich
furniture was brought to the house, and in a few hours the apartments
allotted to me were converted, in my estimation, into a little paradise.
The count arrived soon afterward, and I now--pardon me the neglect and
ingratitude which my words confess--I now felt very happy. The noble
Andrea enjoined me to go abroad but seldom, and never without being
accompanied by Dame Margaretha; he also besought me not to appear to
recognize him should I chance to meet him in public at any time, nor to
form acquaintances; in a word, to live retired and secluded as possible,
alike for his sake and my own. I promised compliance with all he
suggested, and he declared in return that he would never cease to love
me."

"Dwell not upon details, Agnes," said Wagner; "for, although I am deeply
interested in your narrative, my curiosity is strangely excited to learn
the meaning of that terror which overcame you ere now."

"I will confine myself to material facts as much as possible," returned
Agnes. "Time glided rapidly away;--months flew by, and with sorrow and
shame must I confess that the memories of the past, the memories of the
bright, happy days of my innocence intruded but little on the life which
I led. For, though he was so much older than I, yet I loved the Count of
Riverola devotedly. Oh! Heaven knows how devotedly! His conversation
delighted, fascinated me; and he seemed to experience a pleasure in
imparting to me the extensive knowledge which he had acquired. To me he
unbent as, doubtless, to human being he never unbent before; in my
presence his sternness, his somber moods, his gloomy thoughts vanished.
It was evident that he had much preying upon his mind; and perhaps he
loved me thus fondly because--by some unaccountable whim or caprice, or
strange influence--he found solace in my society. The presents which he
heaped upon me, but which have b