olts were
easily drawn back, yet the lock was strong, and the key was not there!

By this time the penitents, who slept in the various cells adjoining the
chamber, had become alarmed by the heavy tread and the voices of men,
and had opened their doors. But they were desired to keep back by the
sentinels, whom Stephano had posted around to maintain order and prevent
a premature alarm, but who, nevertheless, gave assurances of speedy
escape to those who might choose to profit by the opportunity.

Suddenly a door, which Flora had never noticed before in the chamber of
penitence, opened, and two recluses appeared on the threshold.

"The abbess!" ejaculated Flora, yielding to a sudden impulse of alarm.

But almost at the same instant Stephano sprung forward, caught the
abbess by the arm, and dragged her into the chamber; then rushing up a
flight of narrow stone steps, with which that door communicated, and
which the other recluse had already turned to ascend, he brought her
forcibly back also. This latter nun was Sister Alba, the presiding
authority of the chamber of penitence.

Her astonishment, as well as that of the lady abbess, at the spectacle
of a number of armed men in the most private part of the entire
establishment, may well be conceived; nor was this disagreeable surprise
unmixed with intense alarm. But they had little time for reflection.

"The key of that door!" cried Stephano in a fierce and menacing tone, as
he pointed toward Carlotta's dungeon.

The abbess mechanically drew forth the key from beneath her
convent-habit, and Piero, rushing forward, clutched it eagerly. In a few
moments it turned in the lock--the next moment the door stood open.

But what a spectacle met the view of Piero, Flora, and those who were
near enough to glance within! Stretched upon the stone floor of the
narrow cell lay the victim--motionless and still! Drops of gore hung to
her lips; in the agony of her grief she had burst a blood-vessel--and
death must have been almost instantaneous.

Flora staggered back--sick at the dreadful sight; and she would have
fallen to the ground had not the Marquis of Orsini suddenly sprung
forward to sustain her.

"This is no place for you, young lady," he said. "Permit me to conduct
you back to the companionship of the Countess of Arestino."

Flora leant upon his arm, and he half carried, rather than led her away
from the chamber of penitence into the robbers' hold. But as they passed
throug