Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/382

392 be placed on the Italian, when he is treated with confidence; it is impossible to live any where cheaper or better, than at the Hotel de la Campagne.

I must add to the pleasure also, which I have here experienced, the acquaintance of Count C. Wacktmeister, Swedish minister in Naples, a man of rare knowledge, liberal political views, and very interesting in society; as well as two evenings spent with Philemon and Bancis, who inhabit a lovely little villa near the shore. Bancis entertained us like a queen, and the learned Rabbi, presented us, as dessert, with a superb, spiritual feast, in his incomparable reading of the Psalms of David, together with some of the songs of Anacreon or of Sappho. Little Psyché seems to enjoy her own ambrosial food in them, so bright are her eyes the while.

August 27th.—Time flies, and our life in Sorrento must soon come to an end. An end must also be put to a state of affairs, which only more and more puts in jeopardy the peace of a noble man, without leading to any good result. For whilst Waldo's feelings for “that child,” increase in depth every day, and often make him very unhappy—though he conceals it from her, that his suffering may not influence her mind, through her compassion for him—she still remains indifferent towards him, and is frequently not considerate in her behavior. A person who knew her less thoroughly than I do, might accuse her of coquetry. But since I have known her, I have more than ever taken the part of young girls who are suspected of this evil habit. The fickleness of her manner towards him, arises from the fickleness, or ever-changing