as a man of sense and education, he expected rational and pleasing
conversation. These complicated claims, however, ill accorded with the
sprightly disposition of Antonelli; she could consent to no sacrifices,
and was unwilling to grant exclusive rights. She therefore endeavoured in
a delicate manner to shorten his visits, to see him less frequently, and
intimated that she would upon no consideration whatever give up her
freedom.

As soon as he remarked this new treatment, his misery was beyond endurance,
and unfortunately, this was not the only mischance that befel him; his
mercantile affairs assumed a very doubtful appearance; besides this, a
view of his past life called forth many mortifying reflections; he had
from his earliest youth looked upon his fortune as inexhaustible, his
business often lay neglected, while engaged in long and expensive travels,
endeavouring to make a figure in the fashionable world, far above his
birth and fortune. The lawsuits, which were now his only hope, proceeded
slowly, and were connected with a vast expense. These required his
presence in Palermo several times; and while absent on his last journey,
Antonelli made arrangements calculated, by degrees, to banish him entirely
from her house. On his return, he found she had taken another house at a
considerable distance from his own; the Marquess de S., who, at that time,
had great influence on plays and public diversions, visited her daily, and
to all appearance, with great familiarity. This mortified him severely,
and a serious illness was the consequence. When the news of his sickness
reached his friend, she hastened to him, was anxious to see him
comfortable, and discovering that he was in great pecuniary difficulties,
on going away she left him a sum of money sufficient to relieve his wants.

Her friend had once presumed to encroach on her freedom; this attempt was
with her an unpardonable offence, and the discovery of his having acted so