words,
stepped forward, and, with a profound bow, offered his arm, which Ada,
giving a glance of regret at Fleetwood, was obliged to accept. The
prince was not a man, it appeared, to allow a lady to feel annoyed in
his society. He first paid her a slight and delicate compliment on her
beauty, which he introduced in a description of his own countrywomen and
the Italians. He told her how much he admired all he had heard of
England, and seen of Malta; he drew out her opinion on several subjects,
and a little account of her life, and then excited her curiosity about
himself.

"But how is it that, being a Greek, you speak Italian so well?" she
asked.

This was just what he expected; he wished to tell her his history, but
could not volunteer to do so.

"Ah, signora, it is a long story, and would fatigue you; but thus much I
may tell you:--You know the misery, the abject slavery to which my
beautiful, my noble country was so long subjected beneath the iron
despotism of the infidel Turks. Our fathers contrived to live under it,
or the present race would not have been born to avenge them. We were
rapidly becoming extinct as a nation; our religion languished--our
education was totally neglected. My father, however, the late Prince of
Graditza, also Argiri Caramitzo, was a man superior to those around him,
and determining that I, his eldest son, should have the advantage of a
good education, he sent me to the famous university of Pisa, in Tuscany.
I there acquired the language of Italy in its purest form; but,
unhappily, I almost learned to forget my own country--I formed
friendships with those among whom I lived. I not only learned to talk,
but to think as an Italian, and I was even ignorant of the gallant
struggle which had commenced in Greece. This was owing to the affection
of my parents, who, knowing that my disposition would have prompted me
instantly to throw myself wherever danger was the greatest, did not
inform me of what was taking place, and when they suspected that I must
have heard something on the subject, assured me that my presence would
be useless, and urged me to remain where I was. Alas! I listened to
their well-meant deceit, till news was brought me that my noble father
had been slain in combat with the enemies of our country, and that my
mother had died of grief at his loss. Then, indeed, the truth was made
known to me, and, rousing myself for action, I hastened to fly to the
country, where I f