es, I was in a desperate state," said the count. "But Wagner came--he
breathed words of hope in my ears, and I recovered rapidly; so rapidly
and so completely that I feel not as if I had ever known indisposition
save by name. I was, however, about to observe that there is an oratory
in Signor Wagner's mansion; and there may the ceremony be performed.
Fernand is, moreover, well acquainted with the language by which the
deaf and dumb communicate their ideas; and through friendship for me he
will break the tidings of my marriage to my sister."

"Be it as you propose," said the grand vizier; then, after a moment's
pause, he added, speaking in a low and mysterious whisper: "and if you
will not shrink from the contact of the renegade at the altar of God--a
renegade in name only, and not in heart--a renegade to suit his worldly
purposes, and not from conviction--then shall I be present at the
ceremony. Yes," he continued, perceiving that his aunt, his sister, and
the young count surveyed him with mingled pleasure and amazement--"yes,
in a deep disguise I will quit the encampment and enter Florence, for it
would grieve me deeply to be excluded from the solemn scene."

"Dearest Alessandro--for thus you will permit me still to call you,"
exclaimed his aunt, "your words have made my happiness complete. Oh! you
are still a Christian in heart, thank God!"

"Not for worlds would I that you should be absent from the ceremony
which makes your sister the Countess of Riverola!" exclaimed Francisco.

The arrangements so happily come to and so amicably digested, were now
to be carried into effect. The expectant bridegroom accordingly took a
temporary leave of the vizier, Flora and the aunt, and returned to the
city to seek his friend Fernand Wagner, it being understood that those
whom he had just left should meet him at that signor's mansion by
mid-day.

The morning was now breaking: and every roof top in Florence was crowded
with persons anxious to obtain a view of the encampment, as we have
stated at the close of the preceding chapter.

CHAPTER LXIII.

THE MANUSCRIPT.

In accordance with the plans detailed in the preceding chapter,
Francisco and Flora, accompanied by the good dame Francatelli, and
preceded by a suitable guard, now departed from the gorgeous pavilion of
the grand vizier, on their way to the mansion of Wagner.

On arriving at the walls of the city, the Ottoman guard left them, and
retraced their steps to