University of Virginia Library

6. VI.

As the daylight stole softly over Vallombrosa, the luxurious
chariot of the Marchesa del Marmore stopped at the door of
Count Basil. The Lady Geraldine's suit had been successful;
and the hitherto excluded Florentine had received, from the

hand of the man she had once so ignorantly scorned, a privilege
for which she would have bartered her salvation: she had supped
at his side in the saloon of Hercules. With many faults of character,
she was an Italian in feeling, and had a capacity, like all
her countrywomen, for a consuming and headlong passion. She
had better have been born of marble.

“I have lifted you to heaven,” said Count Basil, as her chariot-wheels
rolled from his door; “but it is as the eagle soars
into the clouds with the serpent, We will see how you will relish
the fall!”