and, Lomellino, for desiring that all idea of that
business should be abandoned. And in order that the band may not be
losers by this change of intentions, I will give you from my own share
of our long accumulated treasures----"

"No! no!" cried the banditti, enthusiastically; "we will not receive our
gallant Stephano's gold! Let him act according to his own wishes!"

"I thank you, my friends, for this generosity on your part," said
Stephano.

Their meeting then broke up; and the robbers sat down to the banqueting
table, to luxuriate in the rich wines with which the stronghold was well
stored.

The Marquis of Orsini was compelled, through fear of giving offense, to
share in the festival.

"This resolution to abandon the command of your gallant band is somewhat
sudden, meseems, Signor Stephano," he said: for not having been present
at the council held two nights previously, he was unaware of the
captain's intention until it was alluded to in that individual's speech
on the present occasion.

"Yes, my lord," was the reply; "the resolution _is_ sudden, But," he
added, sinking his voice to a whisper, "a certain little blind god is at
the bottom of it."

"Ah! signor, you are in love!" said the marquis, laughing.

"And therefore, I mean to turn honest man," observed Verrina, also
laughing. "In truth, I am not sorry to have found a good excuse to quit
a mode of life which the headsman yearns to cut short. Not that I reck
for peril; but, methinks, twenty years of danger and adventure ought to
be succeeded by a season of tranquillity."

"Love has a marvelous influence over you, Signor Verrina," said the
marquis; "for love alone could have inspired such sentiments in _your_
breast."

"I am fain to confess that your lordship is not far wrong," returned the
bandit. "I have discovered a woman who is worthy of me--although she may
not consider me to be altogether deserving of her. But of that no
matter; for I am not accustomed to consult the inclinations of others,
when mine own are concerned. And now a word in respect to yourself, my
lord. When do you propose to quit this place? for according to my
promise, you are now the master of your own actions."

"The mysterious assault made upon the convent--the destruction of the
entire establishment--and the lives that have been lost, will doubtless
create a terrible sensation in Florence," replied the nobleman; "and
should it transpire that I was in any way implicated----"