"It is a mere message, which, however, may enable you to understand why I was anxious to see the young man who is dead.

In my very early manhood the elder Count Romani did me an inestimable service.

I never forgot his kindness--my memory is extraordinarily tenacious of both benefits and injuries--and I have always desired to repay it in some suitable manner.

I have with me a few jewels of almost priceless value--I have myself collected them, and I reserved them as a present to the son of my old friend, simply as a trifling souvenir or expression of gratitude for past favors received from his family.

His sudden death has deprived me of the pleasure of fulfilling this intention--but as the jewels are quite useless to me, I am perfectly willing to hand them over to the Countess Romani, should she care to have them.