t seems there's gold to be earned in this lady's service: and
even if there wasn't I have such an affection for her I would cut the
throat of the duke or the cardinal archbishop himself merely to give her
pleasure."

Then turning toward Nisida, whose courage seemed partially to have
abandoned her, for her countenance was ghastly pale, and her hand
trembled so that it could scarcely hold the lamp, Stephano made a low
bow, as much as to imply that he was entirely at her service.

Nisida made a powerful effort to subdue the emotions that were agitating
her: and, advancing toward the door, she made a sign for the banditti to
follow her.

She led them to her own suit of apartments, and to the innermost
room--her own bed-chamber--having carefully secured the several doors
through which they passed.

The banditti stood round the table, their eyes wandering from the six
tempting-looking money-bags to the countenance of Nisida, and then back
to the little sacks; but Stephano studied more the countenance than the
other objects of attraction; for Nisida's face once more expressed firm
resolution and her haughty, imperious, determined aspect, combined with
her extraordinary beauty, fired the robber-chieftain's heart.

Taking from her bosom another slip of paper, she passed it to Stephano,
who read its contents aloud for the benefit of his companions--"The
trial of Fernand Wagner will take place this day week. If he be
acquitted, your services will not be required. If he be condemned, are
ye valiant and daring enough (sufficiently numerous ye are, being upward
of fifty in all) to rescue him on his way back from the judgment-hall to
the prison of the ducal palace? The six bags of gold now upon the table
are yours, as an earnest of reward, if ye assent. Double that amount
shall be yours if ye succeed."

"It is a generous proposition," observed Lomellino.

"But a dangerous one," said Piero.

"Nevertheless, it shall be accepted, if only for her fair self's sake,"
exclaimed Stephano, completely dazzled by Nisida's surpassing majesty of
loveliness; then, with a low bow, he intimated his readiness to
undertake the enterprise.

Nisida handed him a third paper, on which the following lines were
written:--"Take the gold with you, as a proof of the confidence I place
in you. See that you deceive me not; for I have the power to avenge as
well as to reward. On Sunday evening next let one of you meet me, at ten
o'clock, near the princi