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218 picions had been roused, made their appearance close to us. The former complained heavily of our conduct; he insisted on an explanation, and in Marino’s presence, I disclosed all that he had so much wished me to conceal. His visible embarrassment was imputed, by them also, to an evil conscience, and, for some time, every one seemed perplexed and discouraged.

“But it was not long before Marino contrived to profit so far by Libussa’s unabated attachment, that the Count became once more influenced in his favour. In the evening he said to me, ‘You are perfectly in the right—I should now play the part of a strict judge, and order the Duke to leave my house. But how should we console his forsaken bride, if she is never to see him again. Besides, he is the first and only individual in whose favour my daughter has evinced any prepossession; let us leave them, therefore, to take their own way. The Countess is of this opinion, and confesses that she could not help feeling some regret, if this handsome and agreeable Duke, to whose society we have been so long accustomed, should be turned out of doors, as I know you would advise. How many instances of inconstancy