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BY the Author of “Lost in the Winning,” “A Learn-om a. Life," etc. " I have not yet decided." “ Letme demde for you. Until you are strong enough to render change of place no consequence what do you say to the south of Italyâ€"Tuscany, 131' example. Florence is a. beautiful city ; and, if you have not been there, you will be greatly ohngmed with it. ’ That same night he took his farewell of Mrs Fail-child and Milly. He behaved to then; for their kind attention to him with princely l1ber- mity. To Milly, his farewell was so tender as to make her wee ; and his expressions of gran tude to her for filming been. as the doctor said, “ a g )od, kind, patient, enduring little nurse." were such as to a'most overwhelm her. He took her band. and saidâ€"‘ “ Florencé'bér‘it." said Arnold, with assumed indifference. " So long as I am in existence, I will be your friend, Mill . You may need one: in me you will ever fin oneâ€"4mm, faithful and sincere; and fail not to call upon me, should. occasion require. A letter. pasta restlmta, Florence. will be glue to reach me, unless you hear from me agalfinand now, farewell for a. long, long Quick!“ And 3‘ The servant entered with a. startled dememr our ' he looked out of breath, flurried and scared He beckoned, the moment he entered. to the dqtegtive,_ Whp,_hpwever, said2 _” Loqk t_o tpe earl «med; Milly put up her lips to him, and sunk sobbing on his breast. If at that moment, he had asked her to go wiuh himâ€" Well, he did not ask her, but pressing her lips with his own, he placed her in her mother's arms. wrung the old lady’s hand, and previously provided with 9. French passport he had not used, he departed, via Paris, to Flor- ones. CHAPTER VI. THE SHADOW or COMING EVENTS. As wehave stated in a previous chapter, the Earl of De la. More, upon entering his read~ ing closet, beheld, seated in an attitude at once insolently familiar and ofiensively vul- ar. the Scoundrel Stark. His dress was of he style afiected by horse copera, was mud- died from collar to heels, and greatly disor- dered: his facewas grimy, his eyes bloodshot, his hair matted, his lips crusted with a dark brown mucus, and his appearance wholly that of a brute who for several days had been rioting inabeastly, drunken debaueh. He filled the room with a horrible scentâ€"in flavor, a combi- nation of the efferveseuce of stale drinksâ€"and with the sound. of his hoarse voice, rendered yet more husky by intoxicationâ€"for he was in- dulging in low ribaldry at the expense of the electrified servant who had conducted the unaccountable pearsen to the apartment in which he was seated. remaining With him to see that he did not pocket ;any of the valuables within reach. Banger perceived at a. glance the candition of the earl and ran violently. At; the same time he lovked with t a quick eye of the hawk round the apartment but no other person beside him self and the earl was present. No dour led into another apartment. He was at the window inatanter, and flung it up. He looked out then he drew his head in. and shut down the window. mm; The earl turned sick on perceiving the state he was in, and would have ordered him to be kicked out of the house instanter if he had (lured. But oh I the perfect mastery that crime holds over the implicated! He was compelled to smooth his frowning brow, and to keep down the indig- nation he felt at the scoundrel’s astounding pre- sumptionâ€"to appear cool and collected while his breast was a volcano of rage and augeg,_ As soon as the dull eyes ofgstarmalighted} upon him he said, "Halloâ€"01’ fellow! Coâ€"hicâ€"come then, eh ? Iâ€"hicâ€"I tel 01‘ colliâ€"hioâ€"celh’flower â€"hicâ€"-pimple whatâ€"hicâ€"What ’ud bring youâ€" hic. Eh ?â€"hicâ€"dandy calvesâ€"hicâ€"lone copse, alloyithat’a the ticket-flgic 1" I “ What do you want ‘2 Answer, and brief- ly," exclaimed the earl. determined, it possi- ble. to retain the advantage he Iancied he had gained. “Money 1" said Stark. “I thought so," responded the earl; " you ahmtld have written for it, not come in per- son. “ Gammon l" exclaimed Stark. “ Can’t writeâ€"wasn’t. hmght where I was brought up." “Then at some one to write for you." “ Hal 5.! and blow the gaff. Whoâ€" icâ€" should I t. .11 to write to the lone copse, eh ?" The earl DISH-38d. his hen l to his brain, and need the room. and then turned with feverish mpnoienae b0 the fellow Ind said, ‘ What sum do yogi. Wight?" Then he sprung to his feet. and staggering towards the earl. said fiercely, "Who said anything ’bout ticâ€"hie â€"ticket '2 I ain’t gotâ€" hig:noâ€"~tick_qt_2_l qut youThicâ€"zpean ‘1”; “ Be seated I” cried the earl, sternly and firmly- " and if you have aught to my to me, I wxlf listen to you;if not you must quit the place instantly." “0h1â€"hicâ€"oh, I'll sit down if that'll ’blige youlhe said, staggering to a chair and falling mtg it. “_But tyeâ€"hicâ€"the lone co~copse won't When the man had gone he turned to Stark, and with a, manner which in some degree awed the ruflin, mid, " Mark me, man ; a. repetition of this conduct, and your 1113 shall not be Wart-h a. minute's purchase. I care not what you may attempt by menace, by threat or act : but if you dare again, Scoundrel, to thrust yourself into my mansion in this buns] stute,nothing can or shall prevent the infliction upon you of a. summary punishment, which‘will prevent repetition of such an_9utrqge." Stark b’mnced himself on his chair for a. min- ute. and than muttered, "Scoundrel! Wellâ€"hi0 â€"gll_lgya plupky, too I” ' Bturk looked up under his beetling brown at him; he was not sohrunk as not to be sonaitivo on his own interest. He saw the earl was touched. “ something to go on with," he answered. "Name a sum." creed the earl sharply. “ Wellâ€"hieâ€"a. cool hundred or twoâ€"hie 1 can get 9}: g: htttje‘yvhileyith they." I The instant his back was turned, Stark flung up the window and looked about him. He made an exclamation, almost as it appeared, of equ- tatlon, and then leaped lightly on to the window-sill, closing down the window again leaving himself without. and the earl Within, 1.: a state of perturbation it is impossible to describe. He knew that there wage. clear fall below of about forty or fifty feet; there was no- thing for who man to get at, no landing. no oppo lite wall to leap to, nothing but that small ledge without the window between him and death, by being flashed to. atoms. Each moment he expected to hear the mlhng man's feet scrape against the wall, and the dull bound on the pavement far away below, announc‘ ing his tenlul fate. It seemed as it he must shriek with horror. At that mnmeut the door softly opened and finger, the detective. made his appearance ; then Ego I elm-1, overcome by contending emotions, r0532. you lugow." The earl turned to his servant, who was look: ing on in bewildered wonder at what would have appeared outrageous to him even in a. frenzied dream, and said “ Leave the room ; when I ring, only,I shall require you, but then be prompt in attendance." “ No," said the earl, promptly, " I have no ob. jection to give you a. handsome sum, but it is on condition that you leave this country forever." " Whatâ€"hlcâ€"a â€"tmnspoxt me I" “ You nem- me, man. If you agree to this half shall be paid down on a. day you may appoint. and half on the day which the vossal that is to bear you to some distant land sails from these shores. But I must. and will have good guarantee that you accept my terms, and abide by them betgre I part wiglx 9. guinea." The mum ponderbd for a. moment. and then he naidwith more respect than he I ad yet shown, " My lord, I think you fancy me a enemy. I ain’t no such thing. I wants to do you a. good turn, aqd_yox_1 yon’t let me." “ I'wish you to comider my termsâ€"to accept or refuse them." “ And what if I refuse ’2" "Do your best and worse. I know how to handle you." " Then you defies me 7" " I can do so What have you to tell ’2 A wild im robablo story I Where is the murdered man's bo y ‘? where theâ€"theâ€"theâ€"assassiu ? Your you would not be credited for an instant. Go to! â€"£¥1aye notghipg‘tolfeufy from you." I “ I believe it is. my lord," returned the servant. "He did not wish to disturb you. he said he was acquainted with the individual to whom you had granted an interview, and he would waitâ€"he was in‘nq particular hglfry." __ Stark hissed. something through his teeth which who earl could not catch, but he said to the servant. “ Tell Mr. Sanger that Iwill see him pxjggegt'ly, {530011.119 I am qt liberhy.” _ ‘ " limit: I helm him ééin’i’hgiii'xix'y lord,” said the servant, as he retired and closed the door liter him. Stark grated His teeth, then'moisbened his lips as well as he was able with his tuned and black- 6999 tope‘ie- .. ' “ Look a’here I" he said, slowly and distinctly, " I knows where, this moment, to place my hand on the ’smisin-I knows where to do it, and can prove it i I can have you put in the box to swear â€"to 3. 119,1! you likesâ€"but I know those who'll worry all you knows out oh you. Stay lâ€"don’t Interrupt me I An’ I knows where, this blessed mmnit, where the gamekeeper's body lies, at the bottom of a pool. waiting only to come up when called for. Ha I that staggers yerâ€"does it ? You defies me. does yer 1 Well, do it Iâ€"or down wijh the lhopussea 1’2 _ V The earl 16561171757361! ossession, an'i sunk into his seat with a groan , 8 covered his face with pisrhgsgds. and rocked himself to and fro with " 1 don’t do my wark by halves.” hissed Stark in his ear ; “ an' I knew that body would he wanted some day, unless I .could stow it. where nobody know’d of it but myself. My game is to live. an‘ if anybody made ;a livin' out of a dead gamekeeper, I made up my mind it should be me. Will you dub up now ? or am I to do my wust ‘2" The earl once more leaped to his feet. “ Where is my son ?" he exclaimed. “ Take me to him and I will shower gold upon you which shall glut even :9 our greed." “ Stake ten quid. an' I agrees,” exclaimed Stark. Before the earl could reply. to inquire the meaning of the expression, a knock was heard at the door, which was immediately opened and the serving man made his apperance and said : “My lord, the person named Sanger. is below and wishes to see your lordship when your lordship in disengaged." Stark retired to the window. “ It, is the detective? ” inquired the earl with as- sumed calmness. by 'minte'dl Bomb edid 7&5iner 617112317 HAPPY AT LAST. servant now appeared absolutely {right- " 011 Mr Detector." he cried "what does it all mean 5 The most mysterious thin s is apperin’ J at as I kem up stairs item the 'al door, before the porter, who is stout you know. could get out of his seat, slams the door after him, and They bathed his temples with the cold Water, and in a few minutes the earl breathed a. deep sigh, and opened his eyes. After glaring around him, he rose to his feet, stared at the servant, at Sanger, ressed his hands to his temples, and sni -. " 00d. heaven! is this all a. horrid dream ‘2" “ Pray, my lord be seated, and collect yourself." exclaimed Sanger, qunetlv and soothingly ; and turning to the servant, said to him, " You had better leave the room. and. mind you keep your tioggue withi); your figetln.” “ , . , “L, ,,,,,.,A,,,s “ Wherafore, Lady Cecile ‘2" exclaimed the column of starch sitting up in a. stately form, and ilooking like a petrifaction or her living 3911,!“ she heard with such astonishment as she was inadelled ta feel, this unexpected announce- men . And she actually stamped her foot with pas- sion as she exclaimed 121118, and she ran out of the apartment to her own chamber. “ My lord," he said, “ my business was with the man Stark. I want. him upon a burglary case. a very bad one tooâ€"for blood was shed. I traced him here. I do not seek to ry into any secrets of your lordship, but I wou d suggest that the fellow is a deepemte scoundrel. He has seven years transportation for a bad poaching affair, but was one of the first men let out on sticket of leave. He’s been at his old tricks again an .1 this time it he’s convicted, I expect he will be required so give has opinion of the air of Bermuda. He has escaped me this time, but I shall have him yet.” . .. .. ,..n,, .‘,,.,ALL,.U_ 5‘ ido not know exactly why. Lady Pinkpleite," returned Cecile, “ but I do know that I will not take another lesson from him, and shall en- deavor to bring Blanche to my opinion and de- termination. “fife: in}? 8WD} iiififilorre,’ after' a. struggle with his emotions, bucame sufficiently calm to demapd the cause of Sanger’s presence on that occusxon. H _ As for Cecile, she openly rebelledâ€"at least to Lady Pinkpleiteâ€"ngainst a. continuance of les- sons with §ign0r_An_dreg d§_Li9pi. iiévn'ian Kid, not fife E6 disobey the command, uttered in [L brusque, authoritive bone, but he diggppqgreq withhevigenyfemctagcg. , ,‘,,,.._1, When first introduced to them, they both ex- perience: a strange thrill of terror. Thev were both young and beautiful, and his large glittering eyes seemed to gloat on them as a. tiger upon its victim just. em 1!; makes a. spring. Neverthelesa Blanche shuddered when be up. Eroeched her, with an instinctive. indeflnable error which seemed preposteroul, but which she could not shake from her. ' 7‘flUnlesxs the wrath of the Almighty has antici- pated you,” exclaimed the earl, pointing with a shudder at the window. 7 “ No, no, my 16rd," he said, “ he got down safe enpugh,_i§s 9.11 91d trick'uf his." “an. .. m. . 11L, “ No trick exactly, my lord, but an acquire» went, I should have said." returned Sanger. ‘Any good sweep could do it, and he escaped from prison by it. There is a sharp angle formed by n. jutting well just outside there, and. he went down it, shoulders and feetâ€"~tbat's all. It’s a. daring feet but I suspect he found it was neck or nothing With him. Ihave only to add. that {if he mum ages to keep out of our hands, the less my lord. yqu hays to go with Him, the Qetggr." A“ .AA. “ Novdoubtl he‘s up to that game. I will not detain your lordship further than to say, that yesterday, from information I re oeived, a person obtained a. passport from the Italian ambassa- dor, he gave his name as Gideon Seville, in the service of the Audl‘ey femin ” .. “.1‘, ,, ___ ____. nu “VDldgirou see bin??? 33de the :earl with quernepg. -.. . .. . ~ ..v ..«. ,, .,,,‘,.,-,, “ \Vell," replied Sanger, " I (lid your lordship ; although We are not :in the habit of making ud- missious prematurely." “ Describe him to me," cried the earl eagerly. “ He was tall," exclaimed Sager, consulting a. small metallic memorandum book. " With grey hair ‘1" “ Yes; he had a. wound on his forehead, which had been strapped up." “ Great heaven I" “ And looked very ill, as th wug‘n he had re- cently recovered from great prostratiou. He wailtked with thel aid of a. stick. but with difli- cu .' " ryiis features were strongly marked ’2" . “Yes, Witt: a grim expression. He had grey eyes,"_aud moved his head slowly back as he looked at you.” " Yesâ€"yesâ€"yes !" gasped the earl. “ And has one of his front teeth broken," added the detective. “ Itis hxm 1‘3 exclaimed the earl, sinking back in his chair. “Merciful heaven I” he cried, “thy ways are inscrutable!” “ All," echoed the earl clasping his hand, “All, my friend. You know not that the whole happi- ness of a family is involved in what you have just made known tome. I know not how to re- ward you, but as far as money can do it you shall no‘trcqmplain," The earl learned now all he con :1 obtain, or so far as he could expect. fie dismissed Sanger with a very handsome present, and then sat; down to think. “ So,” said he, musingly, “ the silence is broken at 13.32.! The veil is liftingâ€"the gloomy obscuriny of you is dissipating! What will it disclose? What hape is the bitter animosity. the wither- ing ha. red, to take? Wholesale destruction of me an m» houseâ€"of those who are the treas- ures of my heart. We 1, I will meet her upon her own b file-groundâ€"fight her wish her own was.- ona i ‘ Do allâ€"dare all fihut she can do or dare 1 en; the false step â€"not mine! In the hands of thgptern 1.1 I plan}; thq issue i " “ Never mind; let us revive his lordship,” in- telguptpd‘S5rggey, yestily. â€" employed him to watch the actions of 3. â€"IL relative Whom I feared was pursuing a. wrong pathâ€"that was all .’ exclaimed the earl, em‘ burmssed under the bright eagle eye of the de- tectiye. “ He did his work pretty well, I must 51w. “I shall be well satisfied with money my lord," said Sanger with squiet smile; “but really your lordship has been already so liberal that I have no clauu for recompense for the little additional information I have given you." " It is worth more than thrice ten thousmni times all you have previously brought put t mether !" exclaimed the earl; "and as such shall be requited. Tell me, mv friend, what places were named in the passport obtained by this man? " "Well, it is not him Who obtained the pass- port, but an Italian. one Giuseppe Mauini. who was with him, and had his compuniuu‘s name and description inserted in his. The destination was Florence. via Paris and Marseilles." > THE ARRIVALâ€"THE ITALIAN. When Earl De la More made the arrangements necessary for him to leave London, he provided for the possibility of: being away from England to: an extended period. Eustace would go to college immediately after his father's departure. and contrary to his first intention. the earl decided that his daughters should lemain at De In. More House. Park Lane, under the cure, guidâ€" ance and inspection of an elderly maiden lady, a distant connection of the family. Masters of the highest reputation were to be engaged to perfect the young ladies, Blanche and Cecile, in the various branches of education, and in those accomplishments necessary to their high sphere in life. All, however, was to be under the cautrol of the elderly maiden relative who was to be inâ€" vested with fullpower to not as the earl‘s repre- sentativcduving his absence. Proper intimation of this was conveyed to the steward. and to the housekeeper, and throggli their) to the servants. His manner was soft and polished. as it. should have been, for he declared himself an exiled count, of high family ; but than having helJ ex- treme opinions, and having been converted to Protestantism, he had been compelled to fly his country, and had lost by his change of religion the countenance of his famly and friends: he wasltherefo e compelled to obtain an existence by teaching his native language. All thiswms very interesting and » touching, xi true, and who should say is was not so '2 He na~ earned its truthâ€"Lady Plnkpleite affirmed its rruthâ€"aud she engaged him on the sfirengbh 01 the confirmation by her maid Ivory- So he was Bdmitted into the family to [teach tl 9 ladies Blanche and Cecile. ~ The lifiéfiihéwdéiteétiva curled with a smile, almost scornfnl. “irfiofijiéig, E; f-a'l'l' firffffeiafi in safety ‘2" cried the earl, astonished; 7 w’i‘fié-fi 3x6 EnBiHithHé bid sped on his way to Florence. ‘ The two sisters, who were desirous of receiving her in an afiectionete manner. were repelled by the icy grandeur-rather the frigid. courtesy of the old lady’s manner ; for there was no mistake in that she elevated them into a position higher than hcr own, although she knew they were about to be placed under her guidance and control. Still the formal precision she displayed towards them compelled them to take back the spontaneous offering of their hearts. and toss ice and snow to her in turn. This man was youngâ€"say twenty- fiveâ€" at least, he stated that to his age; he might have perhaps been thirty. The difference of age be»- tween those terms is not easily recognisable, where the men is careful about his personal appearance, as was Andrea, di Lioni. He had a. handsome face; was of an olive complexion; with black hart, Whiskers and moustaches : his features were regular; his eyes especially brilL mm, and were frequently shrouded by long, black eye lashes, as though he were conscious of their beauty, and made 11. point of exhibiting them on that accoum as often as he could. The maiden, Lady Pinkpieite, and her maid, Ivory, arrived. and were conducted to the cham- ber prepared for the former, and there they found {mother maid. ready to attend upon Lady Pinkpleite, but she was dismissed, Ivory alone being permitted to wait upon the antiquated column of titled starch. The ourl’s reception of Lady Pinkpleite was truly that of an earl, save that that there was a. smell spice of congenielity in it, because of the pqgition inte which he was spoilt to iqstall her. The time passed on. The earl was gone. Eus- tuce, too, was borne by mil to Alma. Meter. The Lady Pinkpleito, as the household was directly aware, was in the full plenitude of herpower, and the girls were all the day employed in mastering French nouns and verbs with Mon- sieur Mont/bacon. although they spoke the language like natives; performing on an Emrd‘s grand instructed by a German pianist of masterly powers of execution; by wading through the German language with Herr Kindermeister : of acquiring Spanish under Don Jose Kehola; and being tutored in Italian byfiignor Andree. di_I‘4i<_).ni. “Ah? tutored in Italian by Signor Andros. di Lioni l "As for Eustace, he at once set her down for an awful bore, and congratulated himself upon his dogprmre for andfiojoug; at Oxford. “Tint is all.” exclaimed the detective, closing his memorandum book. 7 CHAPTER VII. The eyes of Ivory pursued her retreating form is i: the? were a couple of fireballs following in er me . Ivory broke the silence. " The Lady Cecile is under aspen." said she. in a. low, quiet tone, ‘ I am 111 fear, your ladyship, that her false impresaien is the result of a. warm inlaglnathn rigepiu g.” “ To have such strange feelings 1” suggested Iv0_r_g.. I Ruth Seuton led Amy out of the roomâ€"The countess looked after her and muttered, “ She is wondrously bemuniful. Her face is cast in no common mould, it is clear. Why ;,hn.veI this pain round my heart when she is hyâ€"us even noWI think of her ?â€"It is very strange 1 Yet it seems that some floating expression there is known to me of something once fmilisr, -nce dearly loved in time past. Hal Ruth asked me if I knew the face! Knew the face ?-â€"whereâ€"â€"â€"where have I seen that heavenly expression ?â€"0h. this ache at my heart! What usnit mean? I must LEdy Pinkfileite 'éroaned, the lump in her throithad subsided, and she was now able to span. A" What an exhibition i A young lady of title to stamp her foot and shake her fist? " she moaned. ‘Tut, tut,1vory." she exclaimed, as she like an East; Indiaman, got under weigh, and steered wivh dignified pace to the door, “ feeling, indeed I alady of title has no feelingsâ€"at leash to fit her to her high position, she should have none.” figfid now, her sails being filled, she proceeded in_sta.tely jgshiqn t2 Lady C‘ecil‘e’splgamber. ‘ Ivory followed. For an instnnt her eye had gleumed with flerv hatred as Lady Pinkpleite uttered her last sentiment, but in an instant she was calm as usual. Ruth had eyed Am y closely, too. She perceived her emotion, and .hough she knew not its exact cause, she had a shrewd suspicion of the real state of the case. She clutched Amy by the wrist as though to put her on her guard, and to conceal her emotion ; and than, turning to the ledyfiaid, “ Your pardon, my lady, we have traveled with speed, and continuously. Amy is unaccustomed to fatigue. The Whole eflair is a great surprise to her. She is overcome and seems likely to faint with the over-exertion. Will your ledyehip hermit me to retire with her '2 and as soon as I ave placed her in bedJ will return and make my report. I have matters of importance to communicate to you, so ale r has Beppuâ€"he will scarce have gniehed, ere I‘ ah] l)an again_." And all this Limeâ€" that is during the preâ€" ceding colloquyâ€"~Signnr Andre di Lioui was occupied in givmg the Lady Blanche her lesson in Italian. “ Be in so, Ruth,” {651%}! EEeiady,~TWuving her hand. “ Tm? gig-1 @095 look palq “You can go_.'_’ n,,u, n, A He sat. by her side, very close to her, his breath purposely made to play upon her fair cheek She did not wish to notice itâ€"yet it embarrassed her, made her restless, and wish herself away. The very same emotions Lady Cecile had de- clared to Lady Pinkiv-leite she had sufiered while in Lioni's presence were precisely those which Blanche experienced on receiving lessons from him. There was an inconceivable repugnance, mixed With a species of mortal terror, in her feelings, and yet a degree of fascination, which rather drew her towards him than repelled him from her. It was inex liceble ; with no other professor was it so. Stifl she went on with her lessons. feeling and knowing that the man was spreading round her an atmosphere. as it seemed of impurity. He turned the language of his nu.- tive hindâ€"so susceptible of such mpurposeâ€"to this end. The extracts given for translation, even the verbs selected for conjugation, express- ed loge end passion. wu'at a fearful cjueatiah tfiisWfisYT pixâ€"171:3 her! Her heart bWeIlcd as though it; would burst her tqugt, contrM‘te‘d as if with a. ggpqsug. “ N 0,” replied thé ‘ cbuhtesé; igfilllvréiéiifigiifie face of Amy with an interest she could not ac- count for. “ Tell me, Ruth, do I understand rightly, that your daughter has been living near De 18. More Hall ?" “And doubt‘ess knows well, by sight, the mem- bers of the fumin ?" " Well, my lady.” " I am glad of that. I will interrogate her at another period respecting them. I have a ques- tion to put, which may lose nothing 1n impor- tance by being asked now. The heir of De 13. More, Lon} Aryqldâ€"dqyoq “kpow hfim Amy ‘2" Aftei' a. mmute’s péuséroccupiireafifiixi gazing up- on her with a. fixed stare, she said. “ Why do yell ggt‘angwer gnp gir1_?” _ “ Ah! my dear lady," he said, fastening his brilliant. eyes upon hers, and speaking with a terriole earnestness, “ I, too, can love, fondly, passionately, madly ; I, too, can hate, and, like my countrymen, take a dreadful revenge: not on the object of my hate, my the knife "â€"and here his countenance assumed a. fiend's aspect- “ but on those they loved by p(>ison,by subtle )rocesses, which would rack, torture, and at last estroy them ; and she I hated should know, Without the bower to prevent, that she was the occasion of the mortal misery and inevitable death of all she loved best on earth. This would be the fate of her whom I might love. but who. perhaps. should Spurn and. reject me. But I pray you to pardon me, Lady Blanche," he said, as he perceived her face grow pale with fright : so changing the expression of his features, he added in his usual tone, “ What to you can be the feelâ€" ings with which my poor heart is animated ? I am but the wretched exile, and nothing to one so highzso nohle, and so_lovely {as you, my lady." WHévdi'LlrndirgVi‘fé Whéi' itime 50 1e1fve Befére him, but, gowing low, retreated hastily from the apart- men . iXéréoon as he had left, Blanche hurried to her room to find restoratives to keep her from faintâ€" He, at a. dark angle of the staircase. met Ivory. She gripped his wrist, and said in Italian to him, “ Be cautious or you will fail, and be thrust; into the street, The Lady Cecile detects you, she refusqs to see you again, and the Lady, Blanche " Be kharded! the countess rewards with the libegzality of an Empress and visits failure with Upun edark moonless night, some short time after the events since related, _ne of the somuer looking gondolas was propelled up to the stone, moss grown, allmy steps 0! the palace of the Conterrini. From beneath the etched covering appeared a. man muflled in a. cloak who uttered a. few words 111 Italian to the gondolier ; he then gave his hand to a (all female, to whom a young- er one clung, and wasted them out of the vessel upon the steps. and so guided them into the pal- ace, the dourhrwing been opened at a. glven sig- nal. They were followed by a etc at elderly w0< man, who with open mouth gazed abo at her in mute wander. “ Amy ‘1’" repeated the lady, as it trying to re- collect to whom the name belonged, “ Amy, let mg 569 yogx: meg, qhilgi." Ruth, with but little ceremony, removed the veil which hitherno had been kept, with scrup‘ lous care, thickly folded over the face of her young companion, and revealed the pale, wan fogfiurqs qf Amy Spaton,but_as lovgly as ever._ The lady gazed. upon them with eager in- terest. She perused each liniment wibh cu- rious inspection; but at length, with some hesiLation,und a scarcely perceptible sigh. she said, “ HOW fair and beautiful 1 how very besuti ful! One more inheritor of that fatal gait, the curse and destg‘oysr of‘the hsppiness of gut sex 1‘” . “ 1Iylmow I shall not failâ€"the charm is work- 1ng_ _’ CHAPTER VIII. LA CONTESSA. Upon the banks of the Arno, and forming an inaivxdual portion of the city of Florence. reared ins head {Ln quqienq and caipaqious building. At the bank, lending to the Arno, was a. flight of stone steps, to enable the residents of the dreary building, if they so desired, to embark in a gondola. or any other VBSaBI of the kind, to be borne across, or up or down the fair river. it was new of on that tuis was made use of : but at times, mostly at night, a. long black, coffin like gondola. would glide at; a. signal to the steps, and r aceive wiobin ice comb like mterioramll lady closely enVeloped in a black veil. The man ta. ed thrice with his fingers, and then was hear rum within the sound of a silver bell; the door was opencd by him and they « am; slowly and with uoiseles: step into a. chamber which wag gimly .lighted by an Oll‘lampa At. a. table a. may was seated. attired in black she was of a rather commanuiug stu- ture; her features were very pale, but they were yet remarkably handsome. she did not look old, eve; elderly; stil there was astaid, atom churacter in her uppearanw which uro- duced the same effect. “ You have returned, “To your commands. Comezsaf‘ responded the man. “ And you, Ruth ?" she said to the elder of the two females. “I am here, my lady,” replied the woman quietly, not altogether cold. in her manner, yam so calm and reticent as to have the same 8 act. “Who have you with you 1’" asked the lady, eyeing wmh a. curious gaze, the young girl, who‘kept close to the side of the female comâ€" pgumn. n A ‘3 Amy," returned the woman who was called Ruth. “ Amy Seatonâ€"your child.;Ruth ‘2" exclaimed .the lady in great surprise, rising to her feet. “ It is even her,” replied Ruth. Amy started back to look with astonished eyes on the placid face of her who had made the announcement. She would gladly have given up half her life to have been able to fling herself in her mother’s arms, and have felt; herself pressed to that; mother’s breast. As it was, she only clasped her hands, and said in tones which were those of entrenty to speak in this nothing but the truth “ Â¥quâ€"youâ€"are you indogd my mother: ’5’ “ Upon the 9353.129, my lady. with my husband, Benton." “Will surely be mine: she is in the net alrelldy." Andreaudl‘flioni glided down tile atairé. Id hie meuziwhile, the two who had disembmk ad proceeded into at Spacious hull and by 8. corri- dogfio a duo); at wlgxch ghey hggte‘d, After a. minfita’s bause Ruth said, “ Know you not the face 1" The lady started, looked again at Amy.a.nd then at Ruth. “ No,” she replied. Asmile of trlumph passed rapidly over the woman’s features. In an instant it; had disap- pearedmnd calm as before she said, “ This is Aggy Seatgnff Ruth-moved 115$, save that 3136 thine?! her face to her, and said, “ Why not. 1’ Why‘should I not be 3911;: motper ?” “Mother, dear mother l" said Amy, and she would have thrown herself into her arms. but Rgth misedhath her hands ahd stayed her.___ " We must hdiie mi scehés here, Amy. The coypfiegs dogs 1.10194)me _of scenagbefoxje her.” Wfibt another word. Ivor went placidly to the (.ix'egaingyggarfimfin‘t _o}' my 2mkpleite ; and She pressed he} hand over lie} eyes and u shud- deyfan thrgugh _her frame“. _ “My pretty young friend, why do you hesitate - Co as hither," she sand, in a. voice entirely different to the one on the night when Amy was first presented to her. She took the gin's cold hand and drew her into an inner chamber, or orator ,used apparently for devotional exer- cises; or it hndasmau altar fitted up with a. crucifix stained glass window, bearing an elab- h Tn‘a Guntessa fuse upIimd almost. ran towards er. inquire into this. She the daughter of Ruth Seaton ? I'll ne'er believe it. If not, I'll know who she really is. What, can this Ruth have a. secret from me ? I’ll fathom it, though I have to outdo wn into her soul for iv." She sat musing for a few minutes, then she suddenly roused herself, and turned her face to a dusky corner 0 the room Where Beppo stood in thy ’s‘hudoyv ant: watched inurfivery gnqtion. . “ Come here, Beppo, and tell his "what you have done." At the close of all these inquiries the contessn. sent for Amy desiring to speak with her alone. Ruth conducted her daughter to the door of the contessu’a bouduir and there left her. Amy, frightened and miserable, entered the apartment 11.1311 paused almost at the thrgshold. Then Beppo.ina. low tone, but with much gesmculation, went into a. long statemeub, to which she_li5tened with considerable attention, making!“ times, memorand mas untilhe had concluded. He spoke in the Italiaulanguage, any phe adopted the game in addressing him, “ Are youhure of the people 111 whomvyou have plgged glependapce ?”_ she ipqgireg, apxiously. “ Perfectly. Ivory hates better lookvng women than hersel particul fly it their position is noble and will be tempted, out of this feeling, to accomplish their undoing. â€" Still she loves money-she is avericiousâ€"she sells her soul for it, piecemeal. Can I, Buy more?" “ And Lioni?" “He has a. tongue against which the sex must be cold. indeed, to be proof; he isvery hand- some and tunile to be expedient; he has no no- tion of love unslloyed with sin ; if his passion is aroused, he will dare destruction to accom- plish his desires, He will ilen, plot and per- severe, in his purpose, Without being turned irom it by oiscouregemems,however numer- ous. He has seen the Lady Blenche,and has (siwoér’l to accomplish her ruin. Lontesss, he will 0 1 . ’ "Oh, yes, I will see her and fold her to my heart once more. Thank God 1” “I will appoint the time." Seatm bowed and then the conteasa. interro- gated him closely, and for a. great. length of time respecting Arnol A De 13. More, the earl, and the rest of the family, to all of which questions he guyp l‘ler qmplefeglles. ' she still eat in her dark chamber, and received him in the same stately manner as usual. “ Sea- m n," she said, “welcome to Florence I must; congratulate you on the fortunate discovery of your body by Beppu and also your subsequent recovery: You still lpok illri' _ _ “I am glad. of it ; you have served me for some yepgs apd well.” i1 "Y?ou know your daughter is here. Will you see or " She clasped her hands and sat in thought, and then she said, ‘ It is yet to be done. Tell Lioni not, to let the need of gold stand in his way ; I w111 secure to him all he may possibly require to succeedjn his ends: but I'll need proof~n letter, perhaps, in her handwriting to show to her fath- er._ Op, ’gwial be agrand revenge 1:" "Aging shéigufivséafé‘nidrtifiéfiisfid hastily, “Does Ruth know of your discovery of the body of Sear ton ‘1" Some time further elapsed and Beppo made his appearance as the palace. This time he had Seuton with him, and introduced him to the contesau. A ‘grim smile lighted up the woman’s face ” That will be revenge ; and that will be a blow indeed to the proud mun. Oh, could poison or the gnife briqg me satisfaction as this ?" The comessa placed the light where its beams were hidden, and. kneeling by the bedside, re- moved from its hiding lace the object, she had detected there. Hdvmé‘obtained mane hastened with it to an auto chamber, and when tuere. turned her light fully upon it to examine it close- ly. She was not surprised to find it a portrait, nor usnunished in should be that of a young man, an officer in her Majesty’s service : but she started. when she saw the featuxjes “No, my lady,” replied gBeppo. “And her daughter has not once alluded to the supposed murder of her futherâ€"naa not even mentioned hianame. Nay, she has beenina. species of ecstacy ever since she came,suve that,when fiuitg alone. she sobs and cries, and wrings her an a.” ” She has her secret, too, and that must be mine," muttered the countess. Then she added, “ We must learn from Seutun’s own lipethe, cry of his injury. Thou shalt go to England, and ave him brought thither as soon as 11815 able to beer hisjourney. Ihuvojnim in my power, and he must do all that I command. I will work the destruction of the house of De In. More. Leave me, Beppo ; Ivgill see yoh i}: the morning.” _._:u__ --~, vvrrv . u .. â€"â€"â€" -â€"~ fir u Beppo bowed and glided away like a. guilty spirit, and was succeeded by Ruth, who, for an hour, was closeted with her. When she quitted her,1t was with words of seeming devouom on her lipszbut when the: door was closed, there was s. glitter in her eye, and a. growl of uate es- caped her,which did not say much for her at- tachment to La. Contessu. Contmini. On the third night of the arrival of Amy Seuton at the Palace Contarini, at that dead hour, the first past midnight, she might have been observed at the bedside of Amy, closely and earnestly scanning the fmr features of the sleepâ€" ing girl as she lay in heavy and feverish slumber â€"â€"her transparent lips slightly apart, her long eyelashes covering her under eyelid,they were web with the recent tegrs ofscute singuisht u Vtgis mcessantly' iepeatedquestion she could find no answer. There was no response on the pay. of her glex‘n‘qry. , ,. H, 1 LA“... -4 M3,“.-- r - ~ w She examined the neck and bosom, so sp‘otleqs, so white, non a. speck or stain tarnished the lustre of their snowy hue. Ha! what is that which lies concealed close-very close to the heart? 7 A_ __ __ _ ghevstaggered, ulfdus‘aik upon a Mohair almost faintipg. ” I loved him so I did so love him. I would have perished for him with a smile, had he been but kind to meâ€"had he effected to return it. No l I would not have seen his dissimuluuou if it. had griunvd in my eyes, It would have been enough to have heard him say only that he loved me. No sin should have checked meâ€"no crime staye meâ€"no degmdation hwld me back it In doing, during 9.11 he could have ever asked of me. He knew, itâ€"he must have known it ; yet he scorned spurned me l‘Uh, but} would have my revenge l’: Ruth bowad, and retired slowly. As she closed the door once more that look of fierce and mali- gant hatred she had before displayed animated new features, and then she cau5r d it to disappear uni! made; her_ wggv to Amy’s phmpber. ' " 7fo" Riméin‘ 11:16” 'sx'fch' ‘afiiiéé ' bélofiged ?â€"oh 1 where had she seeurit ‘1 Agmu and again she gazed upon it, and even whue she grated her teeth with intense malice at bitter remembrance+, the salt, scalding teams forcgd theme es gown her qheek,_ _ fiTâ€"OjjiOfi” Shvefiéxrurirnimad, "the my'stery aBout thy girl groyvg puimg-l : it‘mu‘st by gplv‘ed.”‘ Leaving her lamp Where she had placed it, she stole to the chamber where Amy lay, and gently restoring} the miniature to its place of love and honor she glided noiselessly from the room. 7 h > > _ ‘_ M “ But you can prove its truth ?" “ I can.” “ Enough, you may retire and devote your at- tention to the recovery of your daughter’s spirits and her good looks. When [ require your pres- ence I will give you ample notice. Exert your- self to make her cheerful, and do averything to grgtify {my reasonablqwighfihqmay form." ‘ l‘j yehk, my ladyâ€"nothing more," he re- 939 - Beppo was disumtche to England upon his mission, the contessn. giving him his final in- structions. and then, as we have said, retiring Within the secrecy of her private boudoir, waited upon only by an old, witch like woman, named Jumnna. That stern reticenee, predominant in her manner and her appearance, when alone and unvieited in the Palace of Sorrow, left her at the Villa Contarini. She there was one of the gnyemt, liveliest, and most brilliant of the women who graced her salons,and most facineting and vol- uptuous. Those who beheld her seated in her dim-lighted apartment in the Florentine palace, clad in sad-colored. habiliments, would never have recognised in her the enchanting con- tesss. at the yillege _on the hunks of the Arena; Sh; hurunéd th‘e picture about, at its back Wits Writtenju aneat. female hundâ€"“ Arnold De la. Mprgâ€"ggijt tqhia ‘own‘Axy ' “ So!” she ejaculated. " Here at least, is one solution. This, then, is the portrait of the son; and Amy loves himâ€"that is transpar- ent. Does he love her? Ahl that, indeed is anâ€" other auesti .n. It is so easy for a man to Win a. Woman’s heart upon a. shallow pretence. Yet he may love her or be made to do so ; and here I may have within my gmsp one piece of exquisite torture for that proud heart; and I will use it to its utmost extent. I must know her history, and then learn where Lord. De In More at this mo- ment is and bring him here. Aye. those shall be my nex_t operations !" The following morning Ruth Seeton was summoned to the boudoir,‘ ot‘ the contesse. and she attended, as commended. She entered, and found the contessa. as pale and collected as ever. “ Ruth I" cried she, slowly , and in marked em‘ phesis, "whose child is the girl you call Amy Seeton ‘2" Perhaps there was a. shade of warmer color in the face of Ruth us this question was put. so dis- tinctly and emphatically to her, but there was not any perceptible difierence of motion. “ I have told you, my lady," she replied, slowly. " That she is yours ‘2" Ruth shrugged her shoulders, but remained silent. “ And Senton’s ‘7" Ruth remained silent. “ And Seeton‘s ‘2" repeated the contessu. with a. searching glance. .. No... “ Then is she the chlld of shame ?" ":She is." . ‘ " And sin ‘2" “ And sin I" There was another pause. Then said the countess to Ruth. “ Does Semton know of this ?” CHAPTER IX. THE PALACE 0F sonnow. The Contessa. Contarini. after the interview narrated in the last chapter, kept in her chamber for some days. The only communicaâ€" tion made beyond its limits. were that Ruth Sermon should pay scrupulous attention to her daughter Amy, and display the grratest cure in her endeavors to restare her to health, but that, she wasnot to present herself to the contessu until she was summoned to agend he}, “ Moth-er of Ed] 1" ishe uxdlaimed, in agony. “ I} is he, he, hjmsefl 1 he? usfirat I sayrlglilril‘l” ,,,L (I bin} When out in the open air, the Eat-10f Sidmouth said, “ Mare, it seems when I left London, your highly respected, but braced. thrice and trusaed up parent was bombarding that moral and virtu- ous city .with rewards for your recovery. A “ Ah 1 and I with you, De In. More." said the earl, taking, and walking with rapid strides out of the church into the large, open piazza, in which the cathedral stands. Arnold smi’ed faintly and said as the echo of the young earl a voice caused several persons en- gaged in devotion to mine their heads and look at them, "Cums with meâ€"this is hardly the place to hold a. conversation in ; and I want to have a. talk vyiijh youLSi(1i1riouth.” _ oretely and exquisitely painted representation of the Aacentiona She motioned Amy to a. seat and though her mind and perceptions were dulled with intense sorrow, she could not help noticing with astonishment the change in attire which the contessa. had made. Amy gazed on her with a. bewildered air. Could What she heard be true ? The contessu. again drew her to hergbreast ; and befure Amy could utter 8. word, she said in her ear, and in a. whisper, “Yet happier stilt that: I have to communicate to on. Not his the hand whom you g: eatly feared ad stngck the blow ; but the hand of some vile wretch u: was, who, to pay some act of vengeance, stabbed him.” The codtessu raised her; and rdgain embraced her. This time Amy returned it with affection- izca vgarmth. The contessu. broke into a. musical ugg . “Now,” she cried, “shall we have bright leaks and sunny smiles, the springing step, the saucy word, the bird warbliugs. No more sorrow *0 canker your fair young lifeâ€" no more sadness to cloud that white brow or dim the clear depths of those sweet eyeslâ€" No, child, you shall be happy. Behold 1” she chlaimed, and she threw open the stained win ow. Arnold turned quickly and exclaimed with sur- prise, “Sidmouth l" “ That same disreputable young lufi at your service.” replied a young. elegantly dressed man, shaking him by the hand; and who then added with an air of concern, “Why, my old messmate, what's in the wind? You look as white about the gillsas the figureheud of the Fly- ing Dutchman! You are not going to turn par- son, ar‘e‘you ?f' _ Her black garments were discarded: and she was attired in a. dress Ola dark purple hue, trimmed with gold, the material of tne dress bejggpf the flne_s_t Genpa. velvet. _ “Calm yourself. my dear child," she exclaimed, with extreme tenderness of manner. "I know the cause of your grief. Believe. min. cam, it is not to open your wounds, but to heal them, that I allude to What has happened. Be calm. Stxive to exert all your strength of mind. PIGpELI‘B your self to learn that you are wasting your tears on a. chimera. You feared that Stantonâ€"your father â€"Wa.s 3min. It was not so.” Amy clutched her closeiy, and stared in her 9 en. The contessa almost staggered under her g guys. u “ I swear, min. hella. Nay, if you promise to be a good child, and very Well behaved you shim see him aguin, hpre i_n Floygncef' " 011, Angel of Mercy !" cried Amy, falling on helknees, “ this is bilerssed news. indeed l'j It was while once more reverting to the strange far off islands of the bpanish Main, Where death might; easily be won, and care banished in a. constant Whirl of intense excitement, that Amy perceived him. She was yet within the cathe- dral and he still in his fit of abstraction, when he was roused from it by a, hand rouihly laid upon his shoulder, and a voice, somot ing above a Whisper. said in ear. “ Wuot, my {:0qu Lord Lieutenant, are you going to tum- le ghe ship overboard, and change into a sculp- tor " The bright sun blazed, a globe of gold in the clear. blue heaven. The beams danced upnn the clear wa’ers, sparkling as though decked with myriuds of diamonds. The houses with scarlet roofs and green verandas, or gay blinds, stood out brilliantly in the sunlight. Upon the Arno, boats raced to and fro ; there came in with the soft. balmy air the thronging sounds of ac- tive life. The scene was startling and Wildly joyous in its aspect, from the strong contrast it presented to the duh chambers of the pal CHAPTER XI. THE FRIENDâ€"MYSTERIEEâ€"TKE INVITATION. Lord Arnold Dela More it was whom Amy had seen in the duomo, apparently admiring the beauties of a statue, which at that moment he did not even ses,his thoughts being far away. He had not been in Florence three days, to him it seemed scarcely less than three years. What to do with himself he knew notâ€"cared not l He was surrounded with an atmosphere of gloom and horror which appeared impenetrable. He could think of nothing but the grim corpse of Seston, slain by his hand. and the attenuated figure of Amy calling down curses upon his head, as the murderer of her father. Now that he felt himself separated from herfor ever, he loved her more frantically, more passionately, than he had hitherto. In day dreams. and the dark hours of the night, he would see her sweet trustiul face turned upwards to his, her soft fond eyes gazing into his own with loving affection, as had been the case when together they had wandered in fond com anionship beneath the green shadows 0 wide spreading branches, and glades made golden by sunlight in the old wood at home. And then he would see this face, â€"oh, so fair and gentle lâ€"change its aspect into one convulsive horror, and it would seem to him that her name, uttered in shrieking execration, startled the still air andltillcd him:with:altorturing anguish, almost beyond mlrtal endurance. To one less the slave of impetuous feeling, this trial, great as it was, would have been the subject of some personal control; it was not so With himâ€"- at least, when aloneâ€"and the frightful position in which he believed himself to be, presented in its full force to his fervid imagination. Then he would twist his hands in his .hair, rockto and fro, and give way to a paroxysm of scalding tears all the more exhausting to his frame, inasmuch as tears are not the natural outlet for the grief of a man of strong mental powers. It may be as- sumed therefore, that he was yet weak and ill. and his progress towards recovery from the recent terrible attack but slow indeed. When Amy ob- served him Qhe had been upwards of an hour within the duomo. It was one of the first places he had visited, and then he had entered it more by accident than design. Whether it was the softened light, the religious character of the building, the sweet and solemn strains of sacred music, whi ‘h for the time, alleviated the aspar- ity of his afliiction~or that it was the work of exhausted nature, is of little import, it is enough, that while beneath Bram- ante’s dome he experienced more calm I11an he he had done since his arrival, and was able once more to chain his thoughts down to mark out his future career. Amy, as she gazed on the moving mass of life and heard the spins-stirring sounds. the tones of bells. and the chants of beatmen. felt the load which had settled upon her heart lift; and float away. She could, after what she had heard, and in the face of what she beheld, have >clasped her hands for very glee. The contessu. looked on, with a strange unearthly expression of joy illum- inating. her features. Although a slave to her passions, the contessa, like most pal-sons similarly the victims of such banhful influence. had the power of controlling their yiaibiliw. “ Amy, we will enjoy this at once. Iwish to visit; the Villa. Contarini. and you shall accomâ€" pany me there. Ah! there are proud noblets whose hearts you shall win ; aye, even that of the grand duke’s son. He is handsome, but Ferty’haughty. We will bring him a. suitor to thy ee .' At the moment she beheld Lord Arnold to recognize him, a deadly faint oppressed her, her knees shook, and she had hardly strength to sustain herself. Yet immediately she was proudly erect, stepped back to one of her attend- ants, and uttered a few words in Italian. Then she hurried Amy, who was almost paralyzed with conflicting emotions, to another part of v the building. With remarkable self- possessxon she proceeded to point out to her the most note worthy portions of the magnificent edifice. It is true that her words fell on unheed- ing earn“ for Amy’s attention was too much dis- tracted 6 y this suddenly meeting Arnold, to be affected ur moved by aught else. When she was hurried from the spot where she stoodâ€"not re- luctantly, for she would not have encountered him there. to speak with him, for worldsâ€"she had a kind of mist I sense that the eontessa was describing to her the wonders of the duomo, but it was not till she was once more in the gondola on the bright waters of ihe Arno, that she might really be said to be conscious of her position, andi then it was when the contessa suddenly sai â€"â€" CHAPTER X. THE DUOA DI BERGAMoâ€"THE VILLA CONTARINI. The Contessa. Contarini, when she saw the object upon which the attention of Amy was riveted, WM non for an instant in doubt as to the identity of the young naval officer. For the moment, she was not less affected than her young and beautiful companion. The pale face of Arnold.the instant it caught her eye, caused an agitation in her frame even more powerful than the recugnition of the portrait she had dis- covered iu‘Amy's possession hed done. " Look up, pretty one, cast away your sad air ; dress up your beauteous face in smiles, for here comes one to whom I tun desirous to present you. Should your chm-ma elicit from his lips expressions of admiration, I may be assured that my salons will be crowded with (he noblest, proudest,and the most distinguished. in Flo- renceJ’ The contessu. gave directions to one of her peo- ple, who caused the gondolier to place her goth dolmelung side the approaching one, it having swivped at a. given signal. The contessa drew nsi e the curtains of her gondola, and introduced its occupant, the Ducu. di Bergama, to Amy. They then proceeded to the villa. 'Amy protested she should not be equal to such a. Eqsk ; nay, thgt she should 1391; likq it. The c'oun‘t'ess having attired herself and Amy being dressed from the wardrobe which she provided for her of new and costly dresses, stepped into a. gondola, and were borne down the Arno. As the! proceeded on their way. the cathedral attracte Amy’s attention; and the countess causedthe gondola. to approach to the shore, and there landed, to pay it a. visitâ€"They passed into the plazzo, and thence, by one of tblef three great doorways, into the cathedral it- se . Amy was at first overcome by the immensity und grandeur of the interior, but in a. moment after she clutched the contessa’a urm. who saw her gazing with nettrnishment upon a youugEng- lish navnl eificer. who was apparently absorbed in contemplating the beauties of a, statue of Baccio Bandanelli. The cuuntess looked, with eager anxiety, at his face, which was pale and thin, but she saw in an instant that it was the same as the portrait she had discovered so close to Amy‘s heart. "I cannot spare you, my lord," returned the duca; “ and, excuse me, the costume of an English naval oflicer, even though it be undress, is a, passport \0 any societyâ€"at least, on the Conginpnt. If your nation is notcpurdon me~loved.1t is at least respeotod ; and no better “ I ahall be gratified with the honor,"sa"dLord A\-nold,â€"â€"-“ begging only permission to retire to my hotel to change the undress, which,withoub consideration, I donned this morning for dress fit to be seen in." " I do not beiieve that De la. More has any en- gagement,” he said; " and I am sure I have not. I think I say, therefore, eccelenzu, in the name of my Iriend and on my own part, any that we wilp'placg gurselvgafx a}: y9_1_u‘ gongmand; meeting took place between your governor and mine, which ended in the discovery. on one side, that you had obtained a two years’ liberty ; and, on the other. a. strong suspicion that you were not entitled to it. As soon as they purteu com- pany the first lord crowded every stitch of can- vees he could see.oud bore down ‘upon me. No sooner did he catch sight of me, then he fired a. gun across in fore foot, and made me heave to, while be over euled my log, to see if there was any entry about you. But there was nothing but blank leaves for him to inspect. And ‘hat I had some knowledge of you stowed away; and I swore I had not So we both swore hard and feet together; and I only found it out when he told me, Iâ€"wus aâ€"dâ€" fok’stle bully, aâ€" endâ€"efino son aâ€" of his. Aâ€"son of a duke, indeed I â€"â€"I was a. son â€" of â€" it ~ at least. for more a.â€" â€"like-aâ€"â€"the illegitimateâ€"e. son ofâ€"eâ€"the Duke ofâ€"e-We. pingâ€"uâ€"or some otherâ€"eâ€"infornnlly â€"aâ€"â€"low p ooeâ€"o~the.nâ€"uâ€"the son of â€"â€"eâ€"tbe tDutlfe offal Northwuterlandâ€"erâ€"und on earlâ€"a.â€" o oo .’ The eyes of Arnold during this speech wandered to the spot where he had seen Sea.- ton standing. He was convinced that in was himâ€"he could not be so deceived as to mis- take a stranger for him; but he was goneâ€" nay, a. religious procession was passing over the very spot upon which he beheld him. A hurried glance over the Wide piazza, but in no direction could be traced his figure. His breast was teem- ing with emotion ; one event happening so rapidly unon another, it bewildered him, It was the greatest difficulty he could pay even seeming attention to the subject of the duce‘s address to him, even though there was in it matter to sur- prise him. The young earl perceived the dis- traction of his manner, and pressing his arm sharply, made a. reply to the duca. before any embarrassing silence occurred. Arnold found it impossible not to laugh at: a very exact imitation of the proud duke; ani' than, as a thought. crossed him, he said," Has the Duke granted you leave of absence for an ex: tended term! giquuth ‘2 ’_' “ Oh, no I” he returned. “ My ship has just been paid off, and I want to have a. good fling on shore before I go to see i gain, as I understand I am destined to the China. station for five years of it. The duke is too fond of me to let me have much of his anchorage ; so I wrote, and told him that I had made up mind to a. trip through to rub off some of my salt crust, and he could send me a. six months' libertyâ€"ticket to the hotel di Florence. Piazza. del dnomo, “heie it would find me; and if I wanted it renewed I would let him know. He will thiow himself into a. frantic passion; but, as he knows I am away with out leaveâ€"and he knows that he would get splashed with the dirt of my disgrace,~he Will be sure to send it to me ; accompanied by a. lecture, filling four sides of a sheet of bank-post, written by his private chaplain, on filial obedience and reverence, which I shall convince myself is written in Dutch, and make no attempt to translate. And now my old messmate, Arnold, Whither are you bound ‘2” > ” Why not, De 13 More ‘2" exclaimed the young earl. “ You know me well, and therefore will be sure that I mm above trying to get to windward of you except by fair smiling. I have afriendlyâ€"nay, a brotherly feeling for You. for we have been together in rough and fair weather, and I hava always found you What I hope ever to promâ€"true to the colors I hoist at mv fore, main and mizzen." “ Ium proud of the honor,"excla.imed the duca. in a tune calculated to be ngreonble to young men of somewhat free manners, untrummelled by the couventionulinies of hign society. “Your reputation has advanced before you,my 10rd. I was informed of your arrival, and I am indeed pleased that my young friend the earl, hm; given me so early an opportunity of making your ac~ auaintance, which, with your lordship’s ermia- sion, it is my purpose to improve ; for I s all ur- gue with you upon the propriety of putting aside for the remainder of the day whatever engage moms you may have made. and entrant you to finish it with me " "Do not ask me, Sidmouth? I cannotâ€" dare not answer you.” returned Arnold, earn- estly. Arnold iremained silent as he concluded, and ppgsged his hand to hl‘srbfll‘OW. “ Come, come, Arnold,” continued the young earl. “ you are in some distress ? I have seen that flag flying at your peak ever since I clapped eyes on you in the church yonder. If you do not wish to make a, friend of me, of course I’ll haul my wind and not pun another question to you : but. upon my soul! De In. More. you will find me tgluayyvorthy, i: you try me_."__ Q “ No muntor,” she replied, coldly. " I will pruve my title to prefer thi~ request to you, if you will grunt: me the Opportunity. “ I do not know you. Who are you ?" he naked. She looked for a'moment upon the earl of Siamouth, and then, in a low tone, replied “ Ruth Seaton 1" He staggered back, asif struck by an arrow, 11151 fiaspod on; _" The‘ mother ofâ€"" “hidmouth, I am sure of it," replied Arnold, shaking his hand Warmly. “ I know not, at thus moment, any one upon Whom I would so frankly and confidently rely as yourself,â€"no one in the Wide world, by heaven, Sidmouth, I would more readily and willingly 08.11 noon to not my friend than yourself ; bun you must ex- cuse me at this moment. We shall see each other, during our stay. frequently, for I am atop- ping at the Hotel di Florence. I onlv want a little communion with myself, and then most probably I will make a clean breast of it to you, and take counsel with you as to the beat counsel can steer." Suddenly she drew towards him and said, “ Lord Arnold, I seek an innerview with you." “How know you my name ‘2" he exclaimed 50311? What haqgmily. " The‘sume,"'shé diiinixi§§é§§6nde¢ not giving him tune to utter the game 0_f Amy. » 11. AHM‘A. . He caught héi if); {fieâ€"«kgfst, tifid drew her Evi'tn Svident excitement, a, few paces from his men . “ What have you to say to me ?” he asked in earnest tones. ‘Allow me to introduce you, ecclenza, to one of my earlieust associates, my dearest friend,” exclaimed the ear]; and than said. “Th6 D11ch di Bargnmo, my Lord Arnold De In More ” He reversed the name, and added, “You must do the rest yourselves. You know each other now" " Nothing, here! Santa. Maria! see who comes !" she cried, hurriedly. “ To-morrow night, It eight, in the chapel of the Virgin, in the duomo ;-â€"I will be there." The next Instant; she hurried nwuy.ha.sti1y concenlmg her features under her mldetm. Who comes ? He turned his eyes in the direction in which she had looked when she uttered those words. and there he sawâ€"standing stltf as a. statue. his meg turned tpyvqrds himâ€"Beaten ! There could be no mistake in that grim figureâ€"tall, erectâ€"that face, pale, yetiwith the sume aspect it had worn when he, with asuddeu blow. swept; it from his sightin the gloomy copseut De la. More. He uttered story, and was about to bound towards the ob: ject which fascinated his gaze, to ascertain whether he Whom he stood charged with hav- ing murdered yet livedâ€"When his friend sudden- ly caught. him by the arm, and swung him round. He stood face to face with an Italian. evidently of distinguished rank, both by 11 studied elegance of manner undperfect finish of .Ju..- attire. " Be it so," replied Sidmouth. He was about to add something to his remark, when he was interrupted by the strange conduct ofa. Sister of Charity. who, str pping between him and Arnold placed her hand upon she latter‘s shoulder, and regarding his lineameubs with intense earnestâ€" ness, uccomnunied by a. species of hysterical emotion, She was Very fairand looked as though her flesh was made of virgin Wex,so transparent it wasâ€"than is, as much of it was seen. for a. veil shrquded much of her matures. “ For a. short time." responded Arnold, regard- ing her with no little astoni hment. “ Enough! Will a. communication sent there reach your hands ?" inquired the sister, hur- riedly. 1' “ 0! what nature ?" he said, interrogatin- y. “Oh, ask not now,” she returned. “It is of much impo:tanoe to you. 0 D10 2 it you knew, your impatience would make you mad ere it reached you. Adio, Signor Inglese 1" she abruptly concluded, as With an ufl’nghled shudder she per- ceived that a. tall dark woman had stopped, and was also eyeing Arnaldowith ‘a kind of eager scrutiny. The Sister of Charity folded her veil ciose round her as this woman approached. completely shrouding her features, and moved rayid y_ zygvay. Arnold looked after the reheating figure of the Sister of Charity observing that. ihe en terei 'he duomo swiftly, as if being pur sued, and then turned to his friend, who was laughing inwardly. although trying to preserve his grpvity. _ “ What can this mean, Sidmouth ‘1”. he ex- claimed " Don't know," he replied. “ I'm brought up all sanding. Why,Arnold,there is something very remarkable abouc you that I don't, for the life at me see-something that makes elderly women take a fancy to you. Just. now you had a nun catch hold of you, and I thought she would have embraced you ; here is another making out your number, she is spying you from heel to truck. Look at. her I Is this your leundress, fearful for the safety of her llttla bill ‘2" By anihcliuutiofiéf his -hea.d. he directed his atsention to where a woman was abandiug,reâ€" garding him with a. fixed stare. He returned her settled gaze with a. similar look of inquiry, but he knew her 1109;. " II: â€"-it â€"is,” he replica i, with some hesitation. looking upon her With surprise. “ Are you the oldest son ‘1" He bowed. “ Lord Arnoldfi” Again he bowed. She ippeared for an instant to be inwardly couvulsed, and she wrung her hands as if in bitter anguish,uttering a. low wailing cry. Then, with both hands, she pressed her veil into her eyes to absorb the tears that gushed from them. Another minute she withdrew her veil, and with quivering lip, said, “ The Hotel di Florence is yourpreseyt abode ?" V “ O,Madofifi€ iififiicolafi) 1" she muttered and then addressed Arnold hastily, in English. “ Your pardon, sir ?” she said. “Your name is De In. More ‘2” Arnold bowed to the compliment, and felt flattered. He did not inquire into its truth, nor did it strike him to do so; for the manner in which it was delivered was such as to carry con- viction With it, even if it. had been the verieit fustian pOShible. He said, in reply, " Prey. my lord, after so distinguished a tribute to my nu- ‘VIOn, permit me-as an individual member of it, not known to fameâ€"to inquire by what species of magic you became acquainted with my er- rival here. You will understand the astonish- ment with which I heard you make the remark and not to be surprised at the question, when you hear from me that, a few hours previous to my departure from England, I had neither the intention nor even the conception of a visit to Florence.” â€"Aceording to the newspapers of Rio Jeneiro, writing at the eleventh anniversery of the passing of the law of emancipation of 1871. the effect of that measure has been singularly beneficial to the material 3nd moral development of the country. In those eleven years more than 60,000 slaves have been spontaneously freed by their masters without compensation, while the States have given liberty to more than 11.000. During the same period 280,000 children of slave] have been born tree, and the cost to the State of emancipation up to the present time has been nearly $4,000,000. â€"The sale of the Nashobah estate, near Memphis, recalla the fact that it was once the property of Fanny Wright, an accomplished, elegant. and eccentric woman. who had tried a philanthropic plan for educating negroel. This was in 1825,and the result was a failure. A sister. named Sylvia, married a boorish, ignorant, brutal, and handsome farm hand in. the place. who abused her, and finally draw her back to England. The property remainéfi in the Wright family until a few days ago; though managed by an agent. testimony to the reatnesfl of its influence can perhaps be offere than that the costume of La officers secures for them an introduction into any cir'c‘le‘of soqiety."__ The duca laughed a. well-arranged laugh: ik‘ displayed his handsome face to advantage; and it also exhibited two rows of teeth of pearly~ whitenessâ€"teeth, which the fioung earl mentally Lletermlggfl \vqre thgeq-fpurt a false, or filmy the duca néithét CheWeli' Vtéfiaéé; {tiffsifidiefii V870: complishments in whiqh he was proficient. In the annals of St. Boniface there is no more interesting or remarkable story than that of Rev. Father Goifiron. In the winter of 1860, the reverend father was dispatched on a mission to Pembine. Hester-ted on horseback. The weather was intensely cold, and there was nowhere to find shelter on the sparsely settled country of that day. As he drew near to the end of his journey. he felt that he was succumbing to the cold. But notwithstanding that he felt his legs and feet ireezxng, he pushed on as quickly as his be- numhed horse would permit him. When within three or four miles from Pembina his horse fell dead on the roadside. To add to the father's other misfortunes, a severe snowstorm came on. Wrapping himself up as well as he could in his olosk, he crawled close to the dead animal in order to profit by any warmth it might contain. For five days he lay beside 'the beast. covered with snow, and satisfying the pangs of hunger by such pieces of flesh as he could cut from the ironed carcass with his pocket knife. NEW YORK, Nov. 3,â€"The general distribuw tion of merchandise thoughout the United: States as reported by special telegrams to Bradstreet’s, while continuing to move rapidly is evidently of notably less volume: than at the corresponding time last year. The iron trade is weaker than when last re- ported, and pig iron has been cut in several instances. The trouble with the iron trade appears to have been an over estimate of the consuming demand. The certificate for crude petroleum advanced rapidly to day owing to the removal of the heavy carrying rates west and the effects of the October res port of oppression in the oil regions. quotations reached ninety-mine and one-half cents. Early in the afternoon predictions of dollar oil were freely made. Exports of grain and petroleum on time are practically at a stand still, while the shipments of cotton are heavy. The October cotton report published by Bradstreets’ to- morrow states that the weather during the month has been excellent, and the promise new is for a large crop. The prices of wheat are falling, and those of corn. owing tor smaller receipts have advanced. The failures in the United States during the week num- her-154, or 17 more than in the preceding week, and 19 more than in the corresponding week last year. The failures have been. larger than for sometime past. Canada hfli 21, an increase of 7. A Story. Stranger Than Fiction. of Un- paralleled Sufierlnqa and Marvellous Recovery. A few weeks ago, about nine o’clock sit night, Archbishop Tache heard some one: stamping on the door step. Bending to en-e quire the cause of the noise, he was snrprisedi to hear that Father Goifl'ron had come back to see him after an absence of twenty one: years. He is now sixty-four years of age When he was in St. Boniface before, there were no railways nor any means of convey< ance save. by Red River casts and canoes. The Father came up from Emerson by team, but instead of getting off at St. Boniface he came o‘ver to this city. Making enquiries for the Archbishop’s he was told that he would have to go down the track again. He walked the whole distance from Winnipeg and arrived at the archbishop’s as mentioned above. He was the guest of his Grace tor several days and returned about a week ago to St. Paul.‘ On the fifth day he gave up all hopes of succor, and was about resigning himself to, his fate, when he saw in the distance two horsemen riding over the plains. Summonâ€" ing all his remaining strength he called out. to them, and was fortunate in attracting their attention. They returned te where he lay. and as soon as they learned the circumstances of the case. one rode with all speed to Pom» bins while the other stayed with the priest. Finally a conveyance was procured and the half frozen man was taken to Pembina, which he reached in a desperate plight. In order to save his life it was resolved to amputete theimzen limbs. Surgery in the Northwest twenty years ago was of a very rude character. and although the operation in the reverend father‘s case was performed with as much care as possible, it would have been called in these days a bungled job. Father Goifiron was re- moved to St. Boniface shortly afterwards, and was admitted to Bishop Tache’a house. On the trip the bandages on the limb became disarreuged, and he was apparently bleeding to death. ‘ BRADSTREET’S WEEKLY RE‘J PORT. On December 23. 1860, preparations war actually being made for the funeral. Who candles for use at the service for the dead were sought io'r, it was found that the supply had run out, and a fire was lit in the Bishop’s kitchen. the house being then attached to the cathedral, and a pot of grease put upon the stove with which to make the candlee. A quantity of grease happened to boil over, setting fire to the building. All efforts. to extinguish the flames proved unavailing. and the occupants of the house turned their attenâ€" tion to saving such sheets as they could. Father Goiffron lay upon the mattress, which was steeped in blood from the bleeding limb. The flames made. rapid progress. and he was in danger of- being burned to death. The priests at once set about removing him from the blazing building. He objected at first. saying that he might as well be burned to death in the house as to die of cold out- side. but notwithstanding his protestations the mattress was borne out and placed in the snow. The change to the intense cold of the open air had the effect of checking the hemorrhage, and to the. surprise of all, the Father rallied. and being removed to one of the church buildings began to improve. Later. he was taken in charge by the Sisters. When able to 'leave his bed he made a crutch for himself and was able to get around with tol- erable ease. He lived in St. Boniface a year and was then sent to St. Paul, where he has, labored ever since. TEE BELLS OF ST. BONIFAOE‘ ~Frym the Winnipeg Times.