"If she can find one sufficiently courageous," returned a female voice. "Well, she is trying hard for Egerton, and he has courage enough for any thing." The female voice replied with a laugh, "Mr. Egerton knows the world too well, and has resisted too many temptations, to be--" "Hush!--there he is." Egerton came into the room with his usual firm step and erect mien. Randal observed that a quick glance was exchanged between him and the Marchesa; but the Minister passed her by with a bow. Still Randal watched, and, ten minutes afterwards, Egerton and the Marchesa were seated apart in the very same convenient nook that Randal and Lady Frederick had occupied an hour or so before. "Is this the reason why Mr. Egerton so insultingly warns me against counting on his fortune?" muttered Randal. "Does he mean to marry again?" Unjust suspicion!--for, at that moment these were the words that Audley Egerton was dropping forth from his lips of bronze-- "Nay, dear Madam, do not ascribe to my frank admiration more gallantry that it merits. Your conversation charms me, your beauty delights me; your society is as a holiday that I look forward to in the fatigues of my life. But I have done with love, and I shall never marry again." "You almost pique me into trying to win, in order to reject you," said the Italian, with a flash from her bright eyes. "I defy even you," answered Audley, with his cold hard smile. "But to return to the point: You have more influence at least over this subtle Ambassador; and the secret we speak of I rely on you to obtain me. Ah, Madam, let us rest friends. You see I have conquered the unjust prejudice against you; you are received and _fêted_ every where, as becomes your birth and your attractions. Rely on me ever, as I on you. But I shall excite too much envy if I stay here longer, and am vain enough to think that I may injure you if I provoke the gossip of the ill-natured. As the avowed friend, I can serve you--as the supposed lover, No--" Audley rose, as he said this, and, standing by the chair, added carelessly, "Apropos, the sum you do me the honor to borrow will be paid to your bankers to-morrow." "A thousand thanks!--my brother will hasten to repay you." Audley bowed. "Your brother, I hope, will repay me in person, not before. When does he come?" "Oh, he has again postponed his visit _to_ London; he is so much needed in Vienna. But while we are talking of him, allow me to ask if Lord L'Estrange is indeed still so bitter against that poor brother of mine?" "Still the same!" "It is shameful," cried the Italian with warmth; "what has my brother ever done to him, that he should intrigue against the Count in his own court?" "Intrigue! I think you wrong Lord L'Estrange; he but represented what he believed to be the truth, in defence of a ruined exile." "And you will not tell me where that exile is, or if his daughter still lives?"