sping the
young man's hand, she drew him toward the church. When he felt the cold
hand of the unknown press his, and saw her move with him toward the
sombre depth of the portal, involuntarily he recalled the fearful
stories he had heard, and, seized with a sudden terror, he stopped. The
Mask turned, and fixing a scornful look on the pale face of her
companion, said to him, 'You are afraid? Adieu.' Then loosing his arm
she hastened away.

"The count was ashamed of his weakness, and rushing after her, in his
turn seized her hand, saying, 'No, I am not afraid. Come!' Without
answering, she continued her walk. But instead of going toward the
church, as at first, she turned into one of the little streets which
lead into the square. The moon was hidden, and the most complete
obscurity reigned over the city. Franz hardly saw where he placed his
foot, and could distinguish nothing in the deep shadows which enfolded
him on all sides. He followed at random his guide, who seemed, on the
contrary, to know her way perfectly well. From time to time a few beams
gliding across the clouds came to show Franz the edge of a canal, a
bridge, an arch or some unknown part of a labyrinth of deep and tortuous
streets: then everything relapsed into darkness. Franz soon discovered
that he was lost in Venice, and that he was at the mercy of his guide,
but he resolved to brave everything. He showed no uneasiness, and let
himself be led along without making an observation.

"At the end of a full hour the masked woman stopped. 'It is well,' she
said to the count: 'you have courage. If you had shown the least sign of
fear during our walk, I would never have spoken to you again. But you
were calm: I am satisfied with you. To-morrow, then, on the square of
Santi Giovanni e Paolo, at eleven o'clock. Do not seek to follow me: it
would be useless. Turn down this street to the right and you will see
the piazza of St. Mark's. Au revoir!' She quickly pressed the count's
hand, and before he had time to answer disappeared behind the angle of
the street.

"The count remained for some time motionless, still perfectly astounded
at what had passed, and undecided what to do. But having reflected on
his slight chance of finding the mysterious lady again, and the risk he
ran of losing himself by pursuing her, he resolved to return home. He
followed, therefore, the street to the right, found himself in a few
moments in the piazza of St. Mark's, and thence easily reg