“I am happy to see you,” said he to Nelville, “I am going to Naples in a fortnight and should be glad to see you there, for I have not long to stay in Italy; my regiment will soon embark.”  “Your regiment!” repeated Lord Nelville, and blushed as if he had forgotten that he had a year’s leave of absence because his regiment was not to be employed before the expiration of that period.  He blushed at the thought that Corinne could make him forget even his duty.  “Your regiment,” continued Mr Edgermond, “will not go upon service so soon; so stay here quietly, and regain your health.  I saw my young cousin before I set out—­she is more charming than ever.  I am sure by the time you return she will be the finest woman in England.”  Lord Nelville said nothing—­and Mr Edgermond was also silent.  Some other words passed between them, very laconic, though extremely friendly, and Mr Edgermond was going, when suddenly turning back, he said, “Apropos, my lord, you can do me a kindness—­they tell me you are acquainted with the celebrated Corinne:  I don’t much like forming new acquaintances, but I am quite curious to see this lady.”  “Since you desire it, I will ask Corinne’s permission to introduce you,” replied Oswald.  “Do so, I beseech you,” said Mr Edgermond; “and contrive to let me see her some day when she improvises, or dances and sings to the company.”  “Corinne does not thus display her talents to strangers,” said Nelville; “she is your equal and mine in every respect.”  “Pardon my mistake,” said Mr Edgermond, “as she is not known by another name than that of Corinne, and lives by herself at the age of twenty-six years unaccompanied by any part of her family, I thought she derived support from her talents.”  “Her fortune is entirely independent,” answered his lordship warmly, “and her mind is still more so.”  Mr Edgermond immediately dropped this subject, and repented at having introduced it, seeing that it interested Oswald.  No men in the world have so much discretion and delicate precaution in what concerns the affections, as the English.

Mr Edgermond went away.  Lord Nelville, when alone, could not help exclaiming with emotion, “I must espouse Corinne.  I must become her protector, in order to preserve her from obloquy.  She shall have the little it is in my power to bestow—­a rank and a name; whilst she on her part will confer on me every earthly felicity.”  It was in this disposition that he hastened to visit Corinne, and never did he enter her doors with sweeter sentiments of hope and love; but, swayed by his natural timidity, and in order to recover confidence, he began the conversation with insignificant topics, and of this number was his request for permission to introduce Mr Edgermond.  At this name Corinne was visibly agitated, and with a faltering voice refused what Oswald solicited.  All astonishment, he said to her, “I thought that in this house, to which so many are allowed access, the title of my friend would not afford a motive of