It was three o'clock by the incorrect French timepiece on the tawdry mantelpiece, and Ferrari was getting somewhat impatient, as Mrs. Belswin had mentioned two o'clock as the time of her arrival; but with his accustomed philosophy he manifested no anger at the delay. "La Donna é mobile," he hummed, shrugging his shoulders, as he strolled towards the piano. "Women are always late; it is one of their charming follies. Ah! EH! EE! Diavolo! my voice is bad this day. These English fogs are down my throat Ah! Eh! EE! Dio! What a note! Voce del oca. "Ask not the stars the fate they deal. Read in my eyes the love I feel." "That's a good song, that serenade to Fatima. It shows off my voice. I'll sing it to exercise my high notes." He did so, and was just in the middle of the first verse when Mrs. Belswin made her appearance, upon which he stopped abruptly, and came forward to greet her with theatrical effusion. "Stella dora! once more you shine," he cried, seizing her hands, with a passionate look in his dark eyes. "Oh, my life! how dear it is to see thee again." "You missed me then, Stephano?" said Mrs. Belswin, sinking wearily into a chair. "Missed thee, carissima!" exclaimed the Italian, throwing himself on his knees before her and kissing her hand; "by this, and this, and this again, I swear that all has been dark to me without the light of thine eyes. But you will not leave me again, angela mia. Thou hast come back for ever to be my wife." Mrs. Belswin drew her hand away sharply and frowned, for in her present irritable state of mind the exaggerated manner of Ferrari jarred on her nerves. "Do be sensible, Stephano," she said in a vexed tone. "You are always acting." "How can that be acting, cruel one, which is the truth?" replied Ferrari, reproachfully, rising from his knees. "Thou knowst my love, and yet when I speak you are cold. Eh, Donna Lucrezia, is your heart changed?" "My heart remains as It always was, my friend; but I've come up to see you on business----" "Oh, business!" interrupted Stephano, suspiciously. "Cospetto! You want once more to leave me." "For a time; yes." "Oh, for a time; yes!" echoed Ferrari, mockingly. "Amica mia, you have a strange way of speaking to him who adores you. Dio, you play with me like a child. I love you, and wish you for my wife. You say 'yes,' and depart for a time. Now return you to me and again say, 'Stephano, I leave you for a time.'" "I made no promise to be your wife," said Mrs. Belswin, angrily, "nor will I do so unless you help me now." "Help you! and in what way? Has the little daughter been cruel? You wish me to speak as father to her." "I wish you to do nothing of the sort. My daughter is quite well, and I was perfectly happy with her." "And without me," cried Ferrari, jealously; upon which Mrs. Belswin made a gesture of irritation.