and toward the city.

He reflected because he now saw all the dangers that were associated
with the step he was taking, the chance of being arrested with the whole
band of lawless freebooters, and the dishonor that would attach itself
to his name, were such an event to occur. But on the other hand, Giulia
was immured in consequence of her love for him; and his naturally
chivalrous disposition triumphed over selfish considerations. Could her
liberation be effected, he would fly with her into another state; and
the revenues arising from her own little patrimony which had been
settled on herself at her marriage would enable them to live
comfortably, if not affluently. And who could tell but that her husband
might die intestate? and then all his wealth would become hers by law.

Thus did he reason with himself.

"Well, my lord--you do not reply?" exclaimed the robber-captain,
impatient of the long silence which had followed his explanations. "Are
you content to abide by the conditions I ere now proposed?"

"Perfectly content," answered the marquis.

He knew that it was useless to reason with the brigand against the
spoliation of the convent, which he had more than hinted at; for it was
not likely that the robbers would incur so great a risk as that involved
in the sacrilegious invasion of the sacred establishment, unless it were
with the hope of reaping an adequate reward.

The bandit-chief and the young nobleman had now reached the boundary of
the city; but instead of entering the streets, they turned abruptly to
the right, Stephano acting as guide, and plunged into a thick grove of
evergreens.

"Here, my lord," said Stephano, stopping short, "you must consent to be
blindfolded."

"And wherefore?" demanded Manuel, indignantly. "Think you that I shall
betray the secrets of your dwelling, wherever and whatever it may be?"

"I entertain no such base suspicion," returned Verrina. "But we banditti
are governed by a code of laws which none of us--not even I, the
chief--dare violate. To the observance of this code we are bound by an
oath of so deadly--so dreadful a nature, that bold and reckless as we
are, we could not forget _that_. And I should alike break our laws and
depart from my oath, were I to conduct an uninitiated stranger to our
stronghold otherwise than blindfolded."

"I offer no further opposition, Signor Verrina," said the marquis. "Fix
on the bandage."

Stephano tied his scarf over the nobleman's eyes