ement between them, and in consequence of
the intention of the marquis to remain a few days in Florence, Giulia
accompanied Flora to the dwelling of the young maiden's aunt, who was
rejoiced to behold the reappearance of her niece, and who willingly
afforded an asylum to the countess.

The marquis, having conducted the two ladies to the hospitable cottage
of this good woman, returned to his own dwelling, his protracted absence
from which had caused serious apprehensions amongst the few domestics
whom his means permitted him to maintain. Ere we conclude this chapter,
we shall observe in a few words that the greatest excitement prevailed
in Florence relative to the attack on the convent and its destruction.
Many of the nuns had escaped from the building at the commencement of
the fire; and these took up their abode in another institution of the
same order. But the thrilling events which occurred in the chamber of
penitence did not transpire; nor was it ascertained who were the
sacrilegious invaders of the establishment, nor by what means they had
obtained an entry.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE ABDUCTION.

It was originally Stephano Verrina's intention to observe good faith
with Nisida in respect to the service on which she had intimated her
desire to employ him and his band. But so dazzled was he by her almost
supernatural majesty of beauty on that night when he and his companions
encountered her in the Riverola palace, that he would have promised, or
indeed undertaken, anything calculated to please or benefit her.

When, however, he came to reflect calmly upon the service in which
Nisida had enlisted him, he began to suspect that some motive more
powerful than the mere desire to effect the liberation of an innocent
man influenced that lady. Had she not put to death a beautiful creature
who had resided in the same dwelling with Fernand Wagner? and did not
that deed bear upon its aspect the stamp of an Italian woman's
vengeance? Thus thought Stephano, and he soon arrived at the very
natural conclusion that Nisida loved Fernand Wagner. Wagner was
therefore his rival; and Verrina did not consider it at all in
accordance with his own particular views in respect to Nisida, to aid in
effecting that rival's liberation, should he be condemned by the
tribunal.

Again Stephano reflected that as Wagner's acquittal was within the range
of probability, it would be expedient to possess himself of Nisida
_before_ the trial took