"Stay, signor," said she, coaxingly: "the dear signora is not well,--do not be angry with her; I will make her accept your offer." Glyndon stayed, and after a few moments spent in expostulation on the part of Gionetta, and resistance on that of Viola, the offer was accepted.

Gionetta and her charge entered the carriage, and Glyndon was left at the door of the theatre to return home on foot.

The mysterious warning of Zanoni then suddenly occurred to him; he had forgotten it in the interest of his lover's quarrel with Viola.

He thought it now advisable to guard against danger foretold by lips so mysterious.
He looked round for some one he knew: the theatre was disgorging its crowds; they hustled, and jostled, and pressed upon him; but he recognised no familiar countenance.

While pausing irresolute, he heard Mervale's voice calling on him, and, to his great relief, discovered his friend making his way through the throng.
"I have secured you," said he, "a place in the Count Cetoxa's carriage.
Come along, he is waiting for us." "How kind in you! how did you find me out ?" "I met Zanoni in the passage,--'Your friend is at the door of the theatre,' said he; 'do not let him go home on foot to-night; the streets of Naples are not always safe.' I immediately remembered that some of the Calabrian bravos had been busy within the city the last few weeks, and suddenly meeting Cetoxa--but here he is." Further explanation was forbidden, for they now joined the count.