dragged them, in spite of their deafening screams, into that
fatal cell, where they threw them headlong over the lifeless corpse of
their victim.

Scarcely, however, had they closed the door on the wretched woman, when
the Marquis of Orsini returned; and, too well divining what had passed,
he exclaimed, "In the name of Heaven, captain!--by all that is holy,
Piero! I implore you not to consummate this dreadful crime!"

"My lord," said Stephano, "ere we entered on this expedition to-night,
you bound yourself by an oath to obey me as the leader. I command you
then not to interfere with our proceedings; but, on the contrary, go and
ascertain whence comes the clanging of that infernal bell."

The marquis turned aside, sick at heart at the deed of vengeance which
was in progress, but unable to remonstrate further, in consequence of
the oath which he had taken. It was, however, a relief for him to move
away from the vicinity of the living tomb, whence emanated the shrieks
of the abbess and the nun; and guided by the sound of the bell, he
rushed, with whirling brain and desperate resolution, into the passage
leading from the chamber of penitence.

In a few moments the clanging of the bell ceased, for the marquis had
discovered the old sextoness in her cell, and compelled her to desist.

All the events yet recorded in the preceding and the present chapter had
occurred with a rapidity which the reader can scarcely comprehend,
because their complicated nature and variety have forced us to enter
into minute details requiring a considerable time to peruse. Those
events which we are now about to describe also succeeded each other with
marvelous speed, and occupied an incredibly short space of time,
although our narrative must necessarily appear prolix in comparison.

Extraordinary was the excitement that now prevailed in all the
subterranean department of the convent. The victims of a stern but just
vengeance were sending forth appalling screams from the fatal dungeon;
and some of the penitents in their cells, which were still guarded by
the sentinels, were also giving vent to their affright by means of
piercing shrieks, though others remained tranquil in hope of the
promised release.

Stephano had entirely recovered his presence of mind, and now issued his
orders with wondrous rapidity.

Pointing to the door by which the abbess and Sister Alba had entered the
chamber of penitence, he said, "Lomellino, that is the way to the