pal entrance of the Cathedral of St. Mary, and I
will deliver the written instructions of the mode of proceeding which
circumstances may render necessary."

"I shall keep the appointment myself," said Stephano to his companions;
and another obsequious but somewhat coarse bow denoted full compliance
with all that Nisida had required through the medium of the slips of
paper.

She made a sign for the banditti to take the bags of gold from the
table, an intimation which Piero and Lomellino did not hesitate to obey.

The private staircase leading into the garden then afforded them the
means of an unobserved departure; and Nisida felt rejoiced at the
success of her midnight interview with the chiefs of the Florentine
banditti.

CHAPTER XXX.

FLORA'S CAPTIVITY--A COMPANION--THE LIVING TOMB.

Six days had now elapsed since Flora Francatelli became an inmate of the
Carmelite Convent.

During this period she was frequently visited in her cell by Sister
Alba, the nun who had received her at the bottom of the pit or well into
which she descended by means of the chair; and that recluse gradually
prepared her to fix her mind upon the necessity of embracing a
conventual life.

It was not, however, without feelings of the most intense--the most
acute--the most bitter anguish, that the unhappy maiden received the
announcement that she was to pass the remainder of her existence in that
monastic institution.

All the eloquence--all the sophistry--all the persuasion of Sister Alba,
who presided over the department of the penitents, failed to make her
believe that such a step was necessary for her eternal salvation.

"No," exclaimed Flora, "the good God has not formed this earth so fair
that mortals should close their eyes upon its beauties. The flowers, the
green trees, the smiling pastures, the cypress groves were not intended
to be gazed upon from the barred windows of a prison-house."

Then the nun would reason with her on the necessity of self-denial and
self-mortification; and Flora would listen attentively; but if she gave
no reply, it was not because she was convinced.

When she was alone in her cell she sat upon her humble pallet, pondering
upon her mournful condition, and sometimes giving way to all the anguish
of her heart, or else remaining silent and still in the immovability of
dumb despair.

Her suspicions often fell upon the Lady Nisida as the cause of her
terrible immurement in that living tomb--esp