abode, hastened himself to wash and bind up the wounded arm.

"Thou art a good Jew--and hast something of the feeling of the Christian
in thee," said the marquis, when the operation was completed.

"Didst thou ever suppose that different creeds made different hearts, my
lord?" asked the old man, in a half melancholy, half reproachful tone.

"Isaachar, I shall not forget this kindness on your part," said the
marquis, blushing with shame at himself, when he reflected on the
purpose for which he had sought the Jew's dwelling. "Heaven knows it is
not in my power to reward you with gold; but whenever I may henceforth
hear your race traduced, reckon upon me as its champion."

The old man cast a look of gratitude upon the marquis; and, after some
little hesitation, he said in a tremulous tone, "Your lordship hinted
ere now--at least methought I understood as much--that you required
gold. I take Father Abraham above to witness that I am not so rich as ye
Christians deem me to be; but--since your lordship can say a kind word
of the Jew--I--I will lend you such sum as you may need--without
interest--without bond----"

Orsini, in whose breast all generous feeling had not been entirely
crushed by the vices which had proved his ruin, extended his left
hand--for his right now hung in a sling--to the kind-hearted Jew,
exclaiming, "There is the signor to whom I am indebted, worthy Isaachar;
it is for him to say whether he will press me immediately for the sum
that I have fairly lost to him with the dice."

"Not I!" ejaculated Stephano, in his blunt, coarse manner. "And
therefore your lordship need not lay yourself under any obligation to
the Jew, who, after all, is a worthy signor in his way."

"Yes," exclaimed the marquis, "I shall ever lie under an obligation to
him; nor shall I be ashamed to proclaim the fact in the presence of all
Florence."

"And now, my lord," resumed Stephano, "I will give you that explanation
relative to the diamonds which you might have had without bloodshed; but
patience and aristocracy are as much at variance as a thief and the
headsman. Read this paper, my lord; it is not the worst testimonial
which I could produce in proof of good character."

And he handed to the marquis the document which he had compelled the
Countess of Arestino to sign.

Manuel read it with astonishment.

"Then she _has_ the diamonds in her possession!" he exclaimed; "and you
must have seen her since I was there!"

"My