"Quite so. Love and Death are the simplest things in the world"--replied Lucio.--"The ballad is a mere trifle,--it is entitled 'The Last Love-Song' and is supposed to be the utterance of a lover about to kill his mistress and himself. Such events happen every day,--you know that by the newspapers,--they are perfectly common-place----" He was interrupted by a sharp clear voice ringing imperatively across the room-- "Where did you learn that song?" XIV It was the paralysed Countess who spoke. She had managed to partly raise herself on her couch, and her face expressed positive terror. Her husband hurried to her side,--and, with a curiously cynical smile on his lips, Rimânez rose from the piano. Miss Charlotte, who had sat rigidly upright and silent for some time, hastened to attend upon her sister, but Lady Elton was singularly excited, and appeared to have gained a sudden access of unnatural vigour. "Go away,--I'm not ill,"--she said impatiently--"I feel better,--much better than I have done for months. The music does me good." And addressing her husband, she added--"Ask your friend to come and sit here by me,--I want to talk to him. He has a magnificent voice,--and--I know that song he sang,--I remember reading it--in a manuscript album--long ago. I want to know where he found it--" Rimânez here advanced with his gentle tread and courteous bearing, and Lord Elton gave him a chair beside the invalid. "You are working miracles on my wife,"--he said--"I have not seen her so animated for years." And leaving the two to talk, he crossed over to where Lady Sibyl, myself and Miss Chesney were all seated in a group, chatting more or less unrestrainedly. "I have just been expressing the hope that you and your daughter will pay me a visit at Willowsmere, Lord Elton," I said. His brows contracted a little, but he forced a smile. "We shall be delighted,"--he mumbled--"when do you take possession?" "As soon as it is at all feasible"--I replied--"I shall wait in town till the next Levée is over, as both my friend and myself have arranged to be presented." "Oh--ah--yes!--er--yes! That is always advisable. And it's not half such a troublesome business as a Drawing-room is for the ladies. It's soon over,--and low bodices are not _de rigeur_--ha--ha--ha! Who is your presenter?" I named a distinguished personage, closely connected with the Court, and the Earl nodded. "A very good man,--you could not have a better"--he said complacently--"And this book of yours,--when does it come out?" "Next week." "We must get it,--we must certainly get it,"--said Lord Elton, assuming interest,--"Sybil, you must put it down on your library list." She assented, though, as I thought a trifle indifferently. "On the contrary you must allow me to present it to you;" I said--"It will be a pleasure to me which I hope you will not deny."