Several men now gathered thickly around
the fair Italian. A few ladies of the highest rank spoke to her, but with a more distant courtesy than ladies of high rank usually show to foreigners of such quality as Madame di Negra. Ladies of a rank less elevated seemed rather shy of her;—that might be from jealousy. As Randal gazed at the Marchesa with more admiration than any woman, perhaps, had before excited in him, he heard a voice near him say—
"Oh, Madame di Negra is resolved to settle among us, and marry an Englishman."
"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 afterward, 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?"