ons taking a fancy to inspect the
jewels of one of the proudest beauties of gay Florence? By my patron
saint! you should thank me that I come in so polite a manner to request
a favor, the granting of which I could so easily compel without all this
tedious circumlocution."

"The diamonds!" muttered the Jew, doubtless troubled at the idea of
surrendering the security which he held for a very considerable loan.

"Perdition seize the man!" thundered Stephano, now waxing angry. "Yes,
the diamonds, I say; and fortunate will it be for you if they are
produced without further parley."

Thus speaking the bandit suffered his cloak to fall from over his belt,
and the Jew's quick eye recoiled from the sight of those menacing
weapons, with which his visitor was armed, as it were, to the teeth.

Then without further remonstrance, but with many profound sighs,
Isaachar proceeded to fetch a small iron box from another room; and in a
few moments the diamond case, made of sandal wood inlaid with
mother-of-pearl, was in the bandit captain's hands.

"Let me convince myself that it is all right!" exclaimed Stephano,
examining the lid of the case. "Yes, there are the arms of Arestino,
with the ciphers of the Countess, G. A.--Giulia Arestino--a very pretty
name, by my troth! Ah, how the stones sparkle!" he cried, as he opened
the case. "And the inventory is complete, just as it was described to me
by her ladyship. You are a worthy man, Isaachar, a good man; you will
have restored tranquillity to the mind of the beautiful countess,"
continued Stephano, in a bantering tone: "and she will be enabled to
appear at court to-morrow, with her husband. Good-night, Isaachar; my
brave men shall receive orders to the effect that the first who dares to
molest you may reckon upon swinging to the highest tree that I can find
for his accommodation."

"You violate your compact, Signor Verrina!" exclaimed the Jew, his rage
now mastering his fears. "Wherefore should I pay you tribute to protect
me, when you enter my house and rob me thus vilely?"

"In this case a lady is concerned, good Isaachar," responded the bandit,
calmly; "and you know that with all true cavaliers the ladies are
pre-eminent. Once more, a fair night's repose, my much respected
friend."

Thus saying, Stephano Verrina rose from the seat on which he had been
lounging; and the Jew, knowing that altercation and remonstrance were
equally useless, hastened to afford the means of egress to