peatedly begged her to use, but this she declined doing, and no entreaties could prevail upon her to accept of it. Passionately fond of his wife, the signor languished for her society, and in order to raise the means of going to him, my aunt applied to Mendez for money; he at first did not seem willing to accommodate her, but in a little time he consented to let her have the sum she wanted; and in a few days after he had agreed to do so, he came one morning with the greatest satisfaction in his

countenance.

"I am happy to tell you (cried he to my aunt), that there is scarcely a doubt, if the business is properly followed up, that the Signor Velloni will have his fortune restored. The Countess Strozzi has promised me to use all her influence (which is very considerable) to effect this point; but it would be necessary, signora, for you to pay particular attention to the countess, and to see her often.'

"Then I must renounce my project of going to my husband (answered she); but that will be a small sacrifice, if I can, by doing so, obtain for him that fortune, which we thought for ever forfeited. When, sir, can you let me have the money? I will remit it, and explain to the signor my reasons for not being myself the bearer of it.'"

"You should have had it before, signora (cried he), but that I had much to pay. I shall, however, get it for you in a very few days.'

"With this promise she was obliged to be content. The next day an express arrived from my uncle; he was dangerously ill. We sent for Mendez, and my aunt told him the circumstance.

If you can raise me the money immediately (cried she), it will be of material service to me; but if not, I

must go without it.

shall keep me from

No consideration

my husband.'

"I will bring it to you this evening,'

(cried he); and so indeed he did.. 'I

have thought of a means, signora (said he, as he entered), that may serve the signor as effectually as your stopping here. Nothing can be done with the Countess Strozzi without flattery and attention; I know her influence, and I know that she is disposed to exert it. Suppose you leave the Signora Viola at Naples. She can see the countess often, and→→→→

"But under what protection can I leave her (cried my aunt)? my friends, or rather those who called themselves my friends, behaved with such unfeeling coldness at the time of the signor's flight, that I know not any of them whom I would ask to take charge of my niece; I can, it is true, place her in a convent, but

"I could name an asylum secure, but humble (said Mendez), if you would condescend to accept it for the signora till your return; and one where she would have frequent access to the countess, I mean my house, I have a

sister who lives with me (continued he, perceiving my aunt's surprise); she would, I know, be most happy to pay the signora every attention. I am just now very necessary to the Countess Strozzi, who visits me frequently, and should the signora honour my humble roof, it is more than probable she may, in a short time, exchange it for the countess's, since I am certain that she would soon be one of that lady's first favourites.'

My aunt thanked him, and desired a few hours to consider of the proposal. He promised to call in the morning to know her determination, and then took his leave.

"Nothing could be apparently more sincere than his wish to serve us; and my aunt was possessed of too much toleration to view him with an eye of prejudice, because he was not a christian. His influence too with some of the highest classes of our nobility, was well known to her, aud after mature deli

beration, she resolved to consent to his proposal, if I agreed, and if we both thought that his sister was such a woman as I could be happy with till my aunt's return. She communicated her determination to me, and I assured her that I had no will but hers.

"In the morning Mendez came again; and on my aunt's expressing a wish to see his sister, he begged we would accompany him to his house. We did so, and we were both highly gratified by the appearance of his sister. In short, my aunt consented to my remaining under his protection, and that very day I removed to his house, as she was impatient to begin her journey. I had supposed that as soon as I became Mendez's inmate, he would have introduced me to the countess, and I was surprised when three days passed without his mentioning her. On the fourth, I asked when I was to see her; he told me she was at her villa, a few miles from Naples; but that he