Palermo. Do you know about that institution?"

"I have heard of it."

"It is a magnificent charity." Having said this, the abbe bowed to
imply he wished to pursue his studies. The visitor either understood the
abbe's meaning, or had no more questions to ask; he arose, and the
abbe accompanied him to the door. "You are a great almsgiver," said the
visitor, "and although you are said to be rich, I will venture to offer
you something for your poor people; will you accept my offering?"

"I thank you, sir; I am only jealous in one thing, and that is that the
relief I give should be entirely from my own resources."

"However"--

"My resolution, sir, is unchangeable, but you have only to search for
yourself and you will find, alas, but too many objects upon whom to
exercise your benevolence." The abbe once more bowed as he opened the
door, the stranger bowed and took his leave, and the carriage conveyed
him straight to the house of M. de Villefort. An hour afterwards
the carriage was again ordered, and this time it went to the Rue
Fontaine-Saint-George, and stopped at No. 5, where Lord Wilmore lived.
The stranger had written to Lord Wilmore, requesting an interview, which
the latter had fixed for ten o'clock. As the envoy of the prefect of
police arrived ten minutes before ten, he was told that Lord Wilmore,
who was precision and punctuality personified, was not yet come in, but
that he would be sure to return as the clock struck.

The visitor was introduced into the drawing-room, which was like all
other furnished drawing-rooms. A mantle-piece, with two modern Sevres
vases, a timepiece representing Cupid with his bent bow, a mirror with
an engraving on each side--one representing Homer carrying his
guide, the other, Belisarius begging--a grayish paper; red and black
tapestry--such was the appearance of Lord Wilmore's drawing-room. It was
illuminated by lamps with ground-glass shades which gave only a feeble
light, as if out of consideration for the envoy's weak sight. After ten
minutes' expectation the clock struck ten; at the fifth stroke the door
opened and Lord Wilmore appeared. He was rather above the middle height,
with thin reddish whiskers, light complexion and light hair, turning
rather gray. He was dressed with all the English peculiarity, namely, in
a blue coat, with gilt buttons and high collar, in the fashion of 1811,
a white kerseymere waistcoat, and nankeen pantaloons, three inches too
short, but which we