CHAPTER XV.
As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.
When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.
He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.
Picture to yourselves how I looked and how I felt: a sober old professor, as I am, stealing out in the night, all wrapped in a cloak as dark and shabby as any conspirator's; armed with a good knife in case of accidents; with beating heart, and doubting whether I could use my weapon if needful; and guided to the place of tryst by the confidential servant of a beautiful and unhappy maiden.

I have often laughed since then at the figure I must have cut, but I did not laugh at the time.

It was a very serious affair.
We skirted the base of the huge rock on which the castle is built, and reached the small, low door without meeting anyone.