an elaborate apology for what he chose to term his want
of consideration.

For the remainder of the day a strict embargo was laid upon my room by
that stern old disciplinarian, Maria, and on the following day the count
was only permitted to enter for the purpose of making a few brief but
kind inquiries as to my progress.

I spent the time chiefly in meditating upon the charms of the count's
lovely daughter, and in hoping for the happiness of a visit from her;
but to my intense disappointment she remained invisible. Maria mounted
strict guard over me, and when circumstances necessitated her absence,
the dark-eyed Angela was called in to relieve the watch.

The latter was evidently willing enough to chat with me, but it soon
became apparent that she had received her orders from Maria, and that
she entertained too wholesome a dread of that individual lightly to
disobey her. Under these circumstances the time dragged on wearily
enough, so that when on the fourth day I received permission to rise
from my bed and change my room for an hour or two, I regarded the
inflexible Maria with feelings of gratitude almost akin to love.

The experience of a sick-bed is unfortunately so little a rarity that
most of my readers will be able to realise for themselves the delight
with which, after a refreshing toilet, and clad in the easiest as well
as the most gorgeous of dressing-gowns, I passed out through the door of
the sick-room. The sprightly Angela was my guide, and also to a great
extent my support, as we passed down a short corridor and turned into a
small but elegantly furnished room single glance round which was
sufficient to assure me that I was in the favoured abode of beauty. A
table littered with a variety of those flimsy trifles which ladies are
wont to dignify with the name of "work" occupied the centre of the room,
a harp stood in one corner and a guitar in another, an easel supporting
an unfinished sketch in water-colours stood by one of the two windows
which lighted the room, and a small bookcase filled with elegantly-bound
books occupied a niche in one of the walls. A tiny riding-gauntlet of
embroidered leather trimmed with lace, and a gold-mounted riding-switch
lay upon a most inviting-looking couch, while an open book, placed face
downwards, occupied a low-seated reclining chair, which faced the other
window; some small but choice water-colours graced the walls, and
against that which faced the windows stood