ut gorgeously furnished chamber, where three or four ladies and
about a dozen men were assembled, while the main body of the guests
passed through in defile, each stopping to salute and say a few words to
a lady who did the honors of the reception. As her back was towards me,
I could only mark that she was tall, and of an air that was queenly in
state and dignity. The stars and decorations around her showed that
some of the party were princes of the blood, and others, ambassadors and
ministers of state.

"Wait where you are," whispered my companion; and he moved forward and
entered the crowd. I stood an eager spectator of the scene, in which,
despite all my anxieties, I could not but feel interested. It was the
first great review I had ever witnessed of that fashionable world
whose recognition and acceptance I so ardently coveted. Its slightest
gestures, its least and most insignificant observances, were all
matters of study to me. Every deep reverence, each motion of respectful
courtesy, were things to mark and imitate, and I was storing up many a
hint for future guidance, when I observed that a gentleman, whom I had
rightly conjectured to be a royal prince, appeared to press some remark
upon the "Marchesa," to which at last she replied, "I believe I must
follow your Royal Highness's counsel, and take a few minutes' rest;"
and, so saying, she dropped back from the group, and retired within a
few paces of where I stood.

"May I beg you to hand that chair, sir," said the Prince to me, and in
a tone in which I own a certain haughtiness seemed to rebuke my want of
thoughtfulness in not presenting it unbidden. I hastened to perform this
service. The lady turned to acknowledge it; our eyes met, and we stood
fixed and rooted to the spot, each speechless and pale with emotion. In
those few seconds I felt as if I had lived years.

"La Senhora Dias," murmured I, unconsciously to myself.

"Lupo!" ejaculated she, as if in answer, and she trembled from head to
foot.

"You have really over-exerted yourself," said the prince, as, taking her
hand, he pressed her down into a seat.

Her eyes never quitted me for an instant, and the expression of her
features became almost that of agonizing pain as she motioned me to
approach her. "Is it possible that I see before me my old friend the
Duke of------?" She stopped, and, with a look of entreaty I can never
forget, intimated that I should fill up the blank.

"Le Comte de Creganne, Ma