meant to apologize for a seedy coat, as to give the idea of a servant out of place. The other was evidently a foreigner, perhaps nearer fifty than forty, but with such singularly finely-chiselled features, clear olive complexion, perfect teeth and curling raven locks, elegant form and dignified gait, that he appeared gifted by Nature herself with the patent of nobility. He was dressed in a complete suit of black Genoa velvet, and from a ribbon round his neck hung an eye-glass, surrounded with brilliants, evidently of the most costly description, his only ornament. For a moment Lord Meersbrook thought he might be from the east, but in the next concluded more justly he was either a Spaniard or Italian.
When the first man entered, he inquired of the doorkeeper "whereabouts Lady Anne Granard's stand was!" and was answered in the centre. "Ah! she is in the centre—the middle of the room," ejaculated the tall stranger. It was evident that both these very different persons were some way interested in the lady he had just quitted. "Who could they be, and for what purpose did they seek Lady Anne? The foreigner was probably some friend of her daughter's now abroad, but the sinister look of the other rendered it impossible he could be the friend of any body."
Our readers will perceive that the stranger was Count Riccardini, who, having landed from Dieppe like many others, but with an interest far beyond
