and
Signor Paolo says she must be kept quiet, so I will tell her I know
nothing. Ah! that will be the safest plan."

While she was running on in this way, a gentle knock was heard at the
door--she sprang up, and went to it cautiously.

"Who is there?" she asked.

"It is I, Paolo--may I enter?" answered a voice from without.

"Oh yes, indeed you may, Signor Paolo," she whispered through the
keyhole, and at the same time withdrew the bolts from the door. As she
did so she fancied she heard a bolt drawn slowly back outside. When the
door opened, a young man entered, habited in the Greek costume, though
his features were more like those of one born in Italy, as was the
language he spoke.

"Has the lady yet awoke, and have you given her the potion I left for
her?" he asked in a cautious tone.

"_Si, signor_, she not only awoke, and drank up the draught, but she
began to talk, and has now gone to sleep again," replied Marianna. "See
how sweetly she sleeps."

The young man stepped across the cabin so that he might be able to see
Ada's countenance.

He observed the slight roseate tinge which had visited her cheek, and
her calm, quiet breathing.

"The lady does well," he whispered. "I will send you another draught to
give her when she awakes, which she will not however do until towards
the evening; and then, when she speaks, try to tranquillise her mind,
and induce her again to sleep. The slightest agitation might be fatal
to her."

"Oh, then, signor, I will tell her anything you advise," answered
Marianna. "But I am much puzzled what to say; and I want you to tell
me, among many other things, where we are going; because I know that
will be one of the first questions she will ask me, and I'm sure I can't
answer it."

The young man hesitated before he spoke.

"Tell her," he said, at last, "that we are going to a place where she
will be kindly and honourably treated; but that you know not the name of
it. I am not the commander of this vessel, nor can I direct her course;
and I am not allowed to say more than I have."

"Oh, but you have great influence with him who is commander; and you can
make him do what you like, I am sure," urged the Maltese girl.

"Indeed, I cannot," answered the young man, mournfully. "My influence
extends but a short way, and can be but rarely exerted in the cause of
right. Were I to attempt too much, I should become altogether
powerless."

He stopped, as if he had said too m