Miss Belle began to be very impatient. These sentimental meetings had lasted more than a year. Meantime, she was 'brought out.' This made it difficult for her to keep up her stolen interviews, but she could now ask the Signor to the house. To effect this, however, she must first bring over her mother. She informed her that the gentleman was a Neapolitan Count, who from political motives was forced to remain _perdu_ for a time, and so forth, and so forth, and so forth. By dint of entreaty and argument, and exhibition of much temper, Belle persuaded her mother to say nothing to her father about the visits of this Count in disguise. The truth is, Mrs. Meeker had sometimes to request Belle's silence about little matters involving some expenditures which Mr. Meeker might consider extravagant. So, with occasional protests on her part, the Signor was permitted to make his visits. Belle was too shrewd to attempt to impose on her father in such a case. She knew she could not succeed for a minute. So the intimacy is continued without his knowledge. Long before this, she has been told by the Signor who he really is. He admits his late position in the _troupe_, but has a long story to recount of adverse fortune, and so on. His respectful manner still continues; it is the young lady who woos. What is to be done? This state of things cannot last forever. Belle is more and more impatient. Her adorer still respectful and sad. After this long but necessary digression, I return to our place in the front parlor, where the lovers are seated. 'I must leave you, oh, my angel--I must leave you! It is nearly time for your father to be here.' 'I do not care if it is. I want you to stay.' 'As you will, but--' 'If you really loved me, you would not be so indifferent,' exclaims the young lady, passionately. Then follows a scene. The result is, that Belle vows she will endure the suspense no longer. She will not ask her father's permission--she will marry him--yes, she _will_ marry the Signor; and who dare prevent, who dare thwart her wishes! The Signor takes impressive leave. His little plot approaches a _denouement_. He walks with an 'air noble' down the steps, and, mounting his phaeton, he takes the ribbons from the servant in gay livery, and the tandem team, after some well-trained prancing, dash forward. Miss Belle is at the window, a delighted witness of the spectacle. [The Signor has got up this fine turn-out, through aid of a friend who is in the plot, especially to captivate her.] 'What a singular man!' she exclaims to herself. 'How heroic he seems, controlling those wild creatures! Strange he should always be so diffident when in my society. There shall be an end of this; I cannot endure it!' Presently she sees her father mount the steps, and runs to meet him, a little doubtful whether or not he beheld her lover start from before the door. The greeting is most affectionate; Belle throws her arms caressingly around her father's neck.