“Madame de la Champe immediately beset him with questions about the young Italian. “I said nothing, but listened with the deepest interest for his replies. (“This is a confession, you know, Abel. And I mean that it shall be a full one.) “I listened with the most eager curiosity to hear all that could be told of one who had taken complete possession of my fancy and imagination, if not of my heart. “And what Anglesea told us of Luigi Saviola did but deepen the profound interest I already took in the young stranger. “He told us that Saviola was of royal race, yet of advanced republican ideas. That for the expression of his principles he was a political exile. He was wealthy, and his wealth had been confiscated. He was now living in Brighton on the wreck of his fortune; but was brave, cheerful and heroic, as we had seen him. “All this, as I say, deepened my interest in Saviola, and heightened my admiration for him. He was no longer a most charming person, but he was a hero and a martyr, a patriot and a humanitarian. And already I loved, adored, worshiped him, or believed that I did. “You see, Abel, what a very ‘foolish virgin’ I was. But then, I was a motherless child. “Anglesea was devoted to Saviola, and expressed the most profound esteem and admiration for him. He asked permission to bring the young Italian to call on us. “It was an indiscreet request to make; but Anglesea was young and impulsive. “It was an improper favor to grant, but my governess was vain and faithless, and had herself taken a fancy to the young Italian, so she consented that he should come. “The intervening time between this day and the day of the visit was passed by me in a state of feverish anticipation. “The next evening Anglesea brought Saviola. He was much more attractive than ever. He talked mostly with Madame de la Champe, but I felt that he looked mostly at me—at me, who scarcely ever uttered a word. “This was the first of many calls—for some time made only in the company of his friend, and received by me only in the company of one or both of my governesses. “How can I tell you the progress of that infatuation, hallucination—call it what you please—that kindled at the first meeting, and increased with every after interview? “Saviola never sat by my side in those early days; never took my hand, except at meeting and parting, when, with the reverential tenderness of his race, he would raise it to his lips, bowing over it. He scarcely ever addressed me with words, but with glances—how eloquently! All the wooing was done through the passionate eyes. “At first I could not look at him at all; then only very shyly; and then at length my eyes seemed irresistibly attracted to meet his—even to seek to meet his eys.