d that a further prolongation of the interview
would only be fraught with additional suffering for both the girl and
young Massetti; he, therefore, requested Mme. de Rancogne to take her
protegee to her apartment, and when they had quitted the salon said to
the Viscount:

"We must trust this girl to the lawyers and judges, Giovanni. They
perhaps may be sufficiently shrewd to shake her testimony even should
old Solara elect to maintain silence on the subject that vitally
concerns us."

At the appointed time the trial of Luigi Vampa began in the Judgment
Hall of the Vatican, which was crowded to its utmost capacity, both men
and women being present and striving to push forward so as to obtain a
glimpse of the notorious brigand chief and of the first witness
Annunziata Solara.

Cardinal Monti in person presided, assisted by two subordinate
Cardinals. In the portion of the hall railed off for the use of the bar
sat Monte-Cristo and the Viscount Massetti with their lawyers, the best
and most acute advocates in Rome, while just without the rail were M.
Morrel and Esperance, the latter having come from Paris expressly to
attend the trial, though at his request his testimony was not to be
demanded of him. Just within the rail and close beside Maximilian and
the son of Monte-Cristo Valentine and Zuleika were seated, both closely
veiled. Near them sat Mme. de Rancogne and the unfortunate Annunziata
Solara, clad in the dark gray habits of the Order of the Sisters of
Refuge, their white faces plainly visible beneath the nuns' bonnets of
spotless linen they wore. Peppino sat beside the Count.

There was a low murmur of conversation in the Judgment Hall, as the
audience discussed the probable issue of the trial and expressed diverse
opinions, though all were agreed that whatever might be the decision of
the Court in regard to the abduction and conspiracy Luigi Vampa would
not escape punishment for the crimes he had committed in his capacity of
chief of the bandits.

Presently Cardinal Monti arose, magnificent in his princely apparel and
glittering jewels, waving his hand for silence. His gesture was
instantly obeyed and the entire hall grew still as death. Then the
Cardinal resumed his seat on the judicial bench, and, turning to the
clerk of the Court, commanded him to proclaim the session opened. This
was done, whereupon the Cardinal said, in a voice distinctly audible in
all parts of the vast apartment:

"Bring in the accus