Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/274

 the young ladies surrounding him with those of the irresistible Lucretia, his heart still unhesitatingly gave the palm to her.

After a night’s repose, which was most welcome to him, he would early next morning have taken his leave of the ladies and continued his journey, but the Signora pressed him to stay with such winning grace, and the Signorina Ughella begged him, with so enchanting a glance, not to refuse her mother’s invitation, that he could not but comply.

The time passed on very pleasantly, amidst a variety of amusements, in all of which the practised courtier had full opportunities of displaying his accomplishments. Sometimes the ladies entertained him with a concert, wherein they exhibited their thorough knowledge of music, and charmed the ears of the German dilettante with sweet strains from Italy. Occasionally, between whiles, one of the fair ones would honour the Count with her hand in a pas de deux, and as he was pre-eminently noted in his own circle for his proficiency in dancing, he had thus peculiar opportunities for showing himself off to the best advantage. His company appeared to be as agreeable to the ladies as theirs was to him, and the conversation daily assumed a more friendly and intimate tone.

One morning, after breakfast, as the Signora was walking with her guest in the garden, she led him