there now leans the peerless figure of a countess, with whom he
promenades and chats in his gay and spirited way, while she is
evidently much captivated with him-indeed, so much is this apparent,
that a figure of less height, dressed in a simple peasant's garb and
masked, steals up to his side and whispers some words into his ear;
but though the reader may easily guess who that peasant girl really
was, for the moment Carlton knew her not, and gently declining some
proposal from her lips, he turns and walks on with the countess
through the blaze of light and grandeur.

"That fellow carries it with a high hand," said one young noble to
another, referring to Carlton.

"Ay, but he has the full countenance and favor of the duke, and none
can gainsay him."

"Well, he is deuced clever," said the English consul, who was
talking with the other two.

"Is it a fact that he is American?" asked the first speaker, still
regarding him.

"Undoubtedly. You know he was announced as such when he won the
duke's prize."

"How the ladies take to him," said the English consul.

"And he to them," added another.

"The Signora Florinda is said particularly to affect him, and he may