This volume, which was purchased with an avidity exceeding even the eagerness with which his former productions had been received, exercised extraordinary influence on public opinion.  It enlisted the feelings of the nation on his side in a struggle with a coterie.  It was suddenly discovered that Lord Cadurcis was the most injured of mortals, and far more interesting than ever.  The address to the unknown object of his adoration, and the verses to Venetia, mystified everybody.  Lady Monteagle was universally abused, and all sympathised with the long-treasured and baffled affection of the unhappy poet.  Cadurcis, however, was not to be conciliated.  He left his native shores in a blaze of glory, but with the accents of scorn still quivering on his lip.

END OF BOOK IV.

BOOK V.

CHAPTER I.

The still waters of the broad and winding lake reflected the lustre of the cloudless sky.  The gentle declinations of the green hills that immediately bordered the lake, with an undulating margin that now retired into bays of the most picturesque form, now jutted forth into woody promontories, and then opened into valleys of sequestered beauty, which the eye delighted to pursue, were studded with white villas, and cottages scarcely less graceful, and occasionally with villages, and even towns; here and there rose a solitary chapel; and, scarcely less conspicuous, the black spire of some cypress strikingly contrasting with the fair buildings or the radiant foliage that in general surrounded them.  A rampart of azure mountains raised their huge forms behind the nearer hills; and occasionally peering over these, like spectres on some brilliant festival, were the ghastly visages of the Alpine glaciers.

It was within an hour of sunset, and the long shadows had fallen upon the waters; a broad boat, with a variegated awning, rowed by two men, approached the steps of a marble terrace.  The moment they had reached their point of destination, and had fastened the boat to its moorings, the men landed their oars, and immediately commenced singing a simple yet touching melody, wherewith it was their custom to apprise their employers of their arrival.

‘Will they come forth this evening, think you, Vittorio?’ said one boatman to the other.

‘By our holy mother, I hope so!’ replied his comrade, ’for this light air that is now rising will do the young signora more good than fifty doctors.’

‘They are good people,’ said Vittorio.  ’It gives me more pleasure to row them than any persons who ever hired us.’

‘Ay, ay!’ said his comrade, ’It was a lucky day when we first put an oar in the lake for them, heretics though they be.’

‘But they may he converted yet,’ said his companion; ’for, as I was saying to Father Francisco last night, if the young signora dies, it is a sad thing to think what will become of her.’