"My dear sir, I have to apologise for calling thus late," said the count; "but the truth is that I had a little business which brought me up to town to-day, and in this neighbourhood too; and I thought----" "Pray offer no excuses, my dear count," interrupted Mr. Greenwood. "The truth is, I wished to see you very particularly--upon a matter not altogether connected with our enterprise----" "Indeed," said the count; "you interest me. Pray explain yourself." "In the first place, allow me to ask whether the ladies are yet acquainted with the undertaking in which you have embarked?" "Yes--I acquainted them with the fact this very morning." "And do they approve of it?" "They approve of every thing of which I think well, and disapprove of all that I abhor." "And do they know that I am the projector and principal in the enterprise?" demanded Greenwood. "They are acquainted with every thing," answered the count. "Indeed, they have formed of you the same exalted opinion which I myself entertain. It would be strange if they had not. We met you at the house of Lord Tremordyn; and that nobleman spoke in the highest possible terms of you. But what connection exists between all those questions which you have put to me, and the matter concerning which you desired to see me?" "I am not sure that I ought to explain myself at present, nor to _you_ in the first instance," was the answer, delivered with some embarrassment of manner: "at all events I should wish you to know a little more of me, and to have some reason to thank me for the little service which I shall have the means of rendering you, in enabling you to treble your capital." The count appeared mystified; and Mr. Greenwood continued:-- "I had the pleasure of seeing the amiable countess and her lovely daughter many times last summer at the house of Lord Tremordyn; and no one could know the Signora Isabella without being forcibly struck by her personal and mental qualifications. To render myself agreeable to Miss Isabella would be the height of my earthly happiness. You will pardon my presumption; but----" Mr. Greenwood ceased, and looked at the count to ascertain the effect which his words had produced.