he Convent of Carmelite Nuns--one
of the wealthiest, most strictly disciplined, and celebrated monastic
establishments in the Florentine Republic.

It appeared that a sudden thought here struck her; for ascending to the
steep leading to the gate, she paused beneath the lamp of the deep
Gothic portico, took out her tablets, and hastily wrote the following
words:

"Donna Nisida of Riverola requests an interview with the Lady Abbess
Maria to-morrow at midday, on a matter seriously regarding the spiritual
welfare of a young female who has shown great and signal disregard for
the rites and ordinances of the most Holy Catholic Church: and in
respect to whom the most severe measures must be adopted. Donna Nisida
will visit the holy mother to-morrow at midday."

Having written these words, Nisida tore off the leaf and thrust it
through a small square grating set in the massive door of the convent.
Then ringing the bell to call attention to the gate, she hastily pursued
her way homeward.

She had gained the gardens of the Riverola mansion, and was advancing
toward the door of the private staircase leading to her chamber, when
she suddenly perceived two dark figures standing within a few yards of
her. Fearful that they might be domestics belonging to the household,
she hastily and noiselessly retreated within the deep shade of the wall
of the mansion, and there she remained motionless.

We must now detail the conversation which passed between the two
individuals whose presence in the garden had thus alarmed the Lady
Nisida.

"But are you sure of what you say, Antonio?" demanded one of the men.

"By Saint Jacopo! I cannot be mistaken," was the reply. "The closet has
been locked up for years and years, and the old count always used to
keep the keys in an iron chest, which was also carefully locked and
chained round. What can the place possibly contain but a treasure?"

"After all it is only conjecture on your part; and that being the case,
it is not worth while to risk one's life----"

"You are a coward, Stephano!" exclaimed Antonio, angrily. "The closet
has got a heavy, massive door, and a prodigiously strong lock; and if
these precautions were not adopted to protect a hoard of wealth, why
were they taken at all, let me ask you?"

"There is something in what you say," replied Stephano; "but you do
wrong to call me a coward. If it were not that we were cousins, and
linked by a bond of long maintained friendship, I would