in thy heart for a single gleam of
affection for me?"

"Now dost thou reproach me in thy turn, Giulia!" exclaimed the young
marquis. "But believe me, my angel," he continued, exerting all his
powers to bend her to his purpose,--"believe me when I declare--oh! most
solemnly declare, by all that I put faith in, and by all I hope for
hereafter--that could I be relieved from this embarrassment--extricated
from this difficulty----"

"Heavens! how can it be done?" interrupted the countess, casting her
eyes wildly round; for the time was passing--she suddenly remembered
that the bandit was still concealed in the room--and then, her husband
might return earlier than was expected.

"Oh! if you despair of the means, Giulia," said the marquis, "I must fly
from Florence--I must exile myself forever from the city of my birth,
and which is still more endeared to me because," he added, sinking his
voice to a tender tone,--"because, my well-beloved, it contains thee!"

"No, Manuel--you must not quit Florence and leave a dishonored name
behind thee!" exclaimed this lovely woman, who was thus sublimely
careful of the reputation of him for whom she had so long compromised
her own. "What can be done? would that I had the means to raise this
sum----"

"It is with shame that I suggest----" said Manuel.

"What? Speak--speak! The means?"

"Thy jewels, dearest--thy diamonds----"

"Merciful heavens! if you did but know all!" cried Giulia, almost
frantically. "These diamonds were pledged to the Jew Isaachar ben
Solomon, to raise the sum with which thy last debt was paid, Manuel;
and--but forgive me if I did not tell thee all this before--not half an
hour has elapsed since----"

She stopped short; for she knew that the bandit overheard every syllable
she uttered.

Nor had she time, even if she possessed the power, to continue her most
painful explanation; for scarcely had she thus paused abruptly, when the
door burst open, and the Count of Arestino stood in the presence of the
guilty pair.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE INJURED HUSBAND--THE GUILTY WIFE--AND THE INSOLENT LOVER.

In fury of heart and agony of mind, rushed the old lord into that
apartment. Oh! how had he even been able to restrain himself so long,
while listening at the door? It was that the conversation between his
wife and the marquis had, as the reader is aware, been carried on in so
low a tone--especially on the side of the countess, that he had not been
able to g