.

One of the two young diplomats who accompanied her, a young Count,
belonging to a well-known family in North Germany, and who was a perfect
gentleman in the highest sense of the word, was looked upon as her
adorer, while the other, who was his most intimate friend, yet, in spite
of his ancient name and his position as attache to a foreign legation,
gave people that distinct impression that he was an adventurer, which
makes the police keep such a careful eye on some persons, and he had the
reputation of being an unscrupulous and dangerous duellist. Short, thin,
with a yellow complexion, with strongly-marked but engaging features, an
aquiline nose and bright, dark eyes, he was the typical picture of a man
who seduces women and kills men.

The handsome woman appeared to be in love with the Count, and to take an
interest in his friend; at least, that was the construction that the
others in the dining-room put upon the situation, as far as it could
be made out from the behavior and looks of the people concerned, and
especially from their looks, for it was strange how devotedly and
ardently the beautiful woman's blue eyes rested on the Count, and with
what wild, diabolical sympathy she gazed at the Italian from time to
time, and it was hard to guess whether there was most love or hatred in
that glance. None of the four, however, who were then dining and chatting
so gaily together, had any presentiment at the time that they were
amusing themselves over a mine, which might explode at any moment, and
bury them all.

It was the husband of the beautiful woman who provided the tinder. One
day he told her that she must make up her mind to the most rigid
retrenchment, give up her box at the opera, and sell her carriage and
horses, if she did not wish to risk her whole position in society. Her
creditors had lost all patience, and were threatening to distrain on her
property, and even to put her in prison. She made no reply to this
revelation, but during dinner she said to the Count, in a whisper, that
she must speak to him later, and would, therefore, come to see him at his
house. When it was dark, she came thickly veiled, and after she had
responded to his demonstrations of affection for some time, with more
patience than amiableness, she began. Their conversation is extracted
from his diary.

"You are so unconcerned and happy, while misery and disgrace are
threatening me!" "Please explain what you mean!" "I have incurred some