I was so bent upon finding Charles immediately that I did not notice whither they went.  The servants told me that M. de la Feste was just outside smoking, and one of them went to look for him, I following; but before we had gone many steps he came out of the hotel behind me.  I expected him to be amazed; but he showed no surprise at seeing me, though he showed another kind of feeling to an extent which dismayed me.  I may have revealed something similar; but I struggled hard against all emotion, and as soon as I could I told him she had come.  He simply said ‘Yes’ in a low voice.

‘You know it, Charles?’ said I.

‘I have just learnt it,’ he said.

‘O, Charles,’ I went on, ’having delayed completing your marriage with her till now, I fear—­it has become a serious position for us.  Why did you not reply to our letters?’

’I was purposing to reply in person:  I did not know how to address her on the point—­how to address you.  But what has become of her?’

‘She has gone off with my father,’ said I; ’indignant with you, and scorning me.’

He was silent:  and I suggested that we should follow them, pointing out the direction which I fancied their gondola had taken.  As the one we got into was doubly manned we soon came in view of their two figures ahead of us, while they were not likely to observe us, our boat having the ‘felze’ on, while theirs was uncovered.  They shot into a narrow canal just beyond the Giardino Reale, and by the time we were floating up between its slimy walls we saw them getting out of their gondola at the steps which lead up near the end of the Via 22 Marzo.  When we reached the same spot they were walking up and down the Via in consultation.  Getting out he stood on the lower steps watching them.  I watched him.  He seemed to fall into a reverie.

‘Will you not go and speak to her?’ said I at length.

He assented, and went forward.  Still he did not hasten to join them, but, screened by a projecting window, observed their musing converse.  At last he looked back at me; whereupon I pointed forward, and he in obedience stepped out, and met them face to face.  Caroline flushed hot, bowed haughtily to him, turned away, and taking my father’s arm violently, led him off before he had had time to use his own judgment.  They disappeared into a narrow calle, or alley, leading to the back of the buildings on the Grand Canal.

M. de la Feste came slowly back; as he stepped in beside me I realized my position so vividly that my heart might almost have been heard to beat.  The third condition had arisen—­the least expected by either of us.  She had refused him; he was free to claim me.

We returned in the boat together.  He seemed quite absorbed till we had turned the angle into the Grand Canal, when he broke the silence.  ’She spoke very bitterly to you in the salle-a-manger,’ he said.  ’I do not think she was quite warranted in speaking so to you, who had nursed her so tenderly.’