lay open to him.  That brilliant young life, that fine face, the tones of Carlo’s voice, swept about Merthyr, accusing him of stupid fatalism.  Grief stopped his answer to the charge; but in his wise mind he knew Carlo to have surveyed things justly; and that the Fates are within us.  Those which are the forces of the outer world are as shadows to the power we have created within us.  He felt this because it was his gathered wisdom.  Human compassion, and love for the unhappy youth, crushed it in his heart, and he marvelled how he could have been paralyzed when he had a chance of interceding.  Can a man stay a torrent?  But a noble and fair young life in peril will not allow our philosophy to liken it to things of nature.  The downward course of a fall that takes many waters till it rushes irresistibly is not the course of any life.  Yet it is true that our destiny is of our own weaving.  Carlo’s involvements cast him into extreme peril, almost certain death, unless he abjured his honour, dearer than a life made precious by love.  Merthyr saw that it was not vanity, but honour; for Carlo stood pledged to lead a forlorn enterprise, the ripeness of his own scheming.  In the imminent hour Carlo had recognized his position as Merthyr with the wisdom of years looked on it.  That was what had paralyzed the older man, though he could not subsequently trace the cause.  Thinking of the beauty of the youth, husband of the woman who was to his soul utterly an angel, Merthyr sat in the anguish of self-accusation, believing that some remonstrance, some inspired word, might have turned him, and half dreading to sound his own heart, as if an evil knowledge of his nature haunted it.

He rose up at last with a cry.  The door opened, and Giacinta, Vittoria’s maid, appeared, bearing a lamp.  She had been sitting outside, waiting to hear him stir before she intruded.  He touched her cheek kindly, and thought that one could do little better than die, if need were, in the service of such a people.  She said that her mistress was kneeling.  She wished to make coffee for him, and Merthyr let her do it, knowing the comfort there is to a woman in the ministering occupation of her hands.  It was soon daylight.  Beppo had not come back to the house.

“No one has left the house?” Merthyr asked.

“Not since—­” she answered convulsively.

“The Countess d’Isorella is here?”

“Yes, signore.”

“Asleep?” he put the question mournfully, in remembrance of Carlo’s “Let her sleep!”

“Yes, signore; like the first night after confession.”

“She resides, I think, in the Corso Venezia.  When she awakens, let her know that I request to have the honour of conducting her.”

“Yes, signore.  Her carriage is still at the gates.  The countess’s horses are accustomed to stand.”

Merthyr knew this for a hint against his leaving, as well as against the lady’s character.

“Let your mistress be assured that I shall on no account be long absent at any time.”