y me to
my stronghold, wherever it may be; that you join us in any project or
plan that may be undertaken with a view to liberate the Countess of
Arestino; and that you remain with us until such project or plan be
attempted; then, whether it succeed or fail, you shall be at liberty to
take your departure."

"Agreed!" exclaimed Manuel; "and now permit me to ask you one
question:--On what ground do you manifest this interest in behalf of the
countess and myself? You are well aware that from me you have little to
hope in the shape of reward; and that the countess will be in no better
condition than myself to recompense you, even if you succeed in
effecting her rescue."

"I am well aware of this, my lord," answered Stephano; "and I will give
you an explanation of my motives as frankly as you solicit it. In the
first place it suits my projects to make friends as much as possible
with nobles and great ladies; as no one can say how or when such
interest may be available to me or to those connected with me. Secondly,
I am not sorry to have an excuse for paying a visit to the Carmelite
Convent; and in case of failure, it will be as well to have a Florentine
noble amongst us. Because the statutes of our glorious Republic are
somewhat unequal in their application; thus, for instance, if a plebeian
commit sacrilege, he is punished with death; but a patrician is merely
reprimanded by the judge and mulcted in a sum which is devoted to
religious purposes. In this latter case, too, the companions of the
patrician are punished only as he himself is. Now, therefore, your
lordship's presence amongst us will be a guarantee for our safety.
Lastly, for I have another and less selfish motive, I admire the spirit
with which your lordship spends money, drinks a flagon of good wine, and
loses your thousands at dice; for saving your lordship's presence, there
is much in all those facts which finds sympathy with my own
inclinations. Thus, everything considered, Stephano Verrina and fifty as
gallant fellows as ever bore the name of banditti, are completely at
your lordship's service, and that of the dear lady who has the good
taste to prefer a dashing roistering blade like yourself, to a gentleman
no doubt very worthy of esteem, but certainly old enough to be her
father."

The marquis made no reply to this tirade; but he reflected profoundly
upon all that the robber-chieftain said as they walked leisurely along
through the suburb of Alla Croce,