at one of the panes.

The moment her history was interrupted by the ejaculation of alarm that
broke from her lips, Wagner started up and hastened to the window; but
he could see nothing save the waving evergreens in his garden, and the
light of a mansion which stood at a distance of about two hundred yards
from his own abode.

He was about to open the casement and step into the garden, when Agnes
caught him by the arm, exclaiming wildly, "Leave me not--I could not--I
could not bear to remain alone!"

"No, I will not quit you, Agnes," replied Wagner, conducting her back to
the sofa and resuming his seat by her side. "But wherefore that
ejaculation of alarm? Whose countenance did you behold? Speak, dearest
Agnes!"

"I will hasten to explain the cause of my terror," retorted Agnes,
becoming more composed. "Ere now I was about to detail the particulars
of my journey to Florence, in company with the Count of Riverola, and
attended by Antonio; but as those particulars are of no material
interest, I will at once pass on to the period when we arrived in this
city."

"But the countenance at the window?" said Wagner, somewhat impatiently.

"Listen--and you will soon know all," replied Agnes. "It was in the
evening when I entered Florence for the first time. Antonio had
proceeded in advance to inform his mother--a widow who resided in a
decent house, but in an obscure street near the cathedral--that she was
speedily to receive a young lady as a guest. This young lady was myself;
and accordingly, when the count assisted me to alight from my horse at
the gate of Dame Margaretha's abode, the good widow had everything in
readiness for my reception. The count conversed with her apart for a few
minutes; and I observed that he also placed a heavy purse in her
hand--doubtless to insure her secrecy relative to the _amour_, with the
existence of which he was of course compelled to acquaint her. Having
seen me comfortably installed in Dame Margaretha's best apartment, he
quitted me, with a promise to return on the morrow."

Agnes paused for a few moments, sighed, and continued her narrative in
the following manner:

"Fortunately for me, Dame Margaretha was a German woman, who had married
an Italian, otherwise my condition would have been wretched in the
extreme. She treated me with great kindness, mingled with respect; for
though but a poor peasant girl, I was beloved and protected by one of
the most powerful nobles of Florence. I