is window, an object which he immediately picked
up, and examined by the light of his lamp. It was a veil of white lace,
at that time the ordinary dress of Neapolitan women, a vaporous cloud in
which they framed their features, the relic of a fashion imported from
France, and made illustrious by the pencil of our Irabey, the great
portrayer of the grace and beauty of the empire.

"It is beyond doubt some love-scrape," thought Maulear, "interrupted by
my occupying this bedroom; and the heroine of the adventure, having come
to the window to ascertain whether or not I slept, has fled, losing a
portion of her drapery, like a frightened sheep running through thorns."
When, however, he had examined the veil more closely, Maulear observed
its elegance and richness, and began to think which of the inmates of
the villa was likely to wear such a one. Was this the headdress of a
chambermaid? If not, who else but Aminta could wear it, unless indeed
her mother did? Lost in conjectures, the Marquis was roused by hearing a
door in the same corridor on which his room was, open. He listened. Two
persons spoke in a low tone; and walking with such precaution that it
was evident they had no disposition to be overheard. Such an occurrence,
in a house usually so silent and calm, excited Maulear's curiosity so
much, that he resolved to know who the mysterious personages were.

Silently leaving his room, he went down the long corridor through which
those he wished to follow had preceded him. A faint light from a dark
lantern, borne by one of the strangers, fell on the path in front of
them, and was a guide to Maulear. Thus they descended the principal
staircase of the villa, crossed the ground floor, and entered the front
court. A puff of wind just then put out the lantern, as the person who
bore it was attempting to brighten its flame.

"Fool!" said one of the two men to his companion. "How can I saddle my
horse now?"

"It is already saddled," said the other.

"Then I have nothing to do but mount!"

"And you will not have occasion to use the spur," said the man with the
lantern, "for he is wild, from having been three weeks in his stable."
As the two speakers thus communed, they entered the second courtyard of
the villa. Maulear had followed them thither, hidden in the deep shadow.
A horse, ready saddled, was waiting there. One of the two men sprang
lightly into the saddle, and the other, as he opened a gate into the
fields, through whi