arm is broken. Thus, in the
bright dignity of her nature, stood Ada Garden.

The blood-stained, reckless pirate advanced not a step nearer; he stood
abashed and confused, nor gave utterance to a word of remonstrance at
her resolution. He seemed to feel that it was she, indeed, whose right
it was to command--his duty to obey. He hesitated as he spoke.

"Pardon me, signora, I came not to offend you, but to endeavour to win
your regard and esteem. Time may reconcile you to your lot--may soften
your feelings--may create a tenderer sentiment in your heart than you
are now disposed to entertain. I am not one who is in the habit of
yielding a point on which I have once determined; I must be content,
however, to look forward to the future, while I submit to your dictates
for the present. Farewell, signora, I acknowledge myself conquered; but
another time, be not too confident that you will gain the victory."

Ada endeavoured to maintain her composure, but the tone assumed by Zappa
alarmed her more than he was probably aware of. Silence she felt was
now her best safeguard. She placed her hands before her eyes to shut
out his hateful sight, while she endeavoured to nerve herself for what
might next occur.

The Greek, however, it appeared, had no wish to proceed to extremities.
Perhaps he really felt affection for her; perhaps he calculated on
receiving a handsome ransom for her. Whatever was his motive, he
determined to persecute her no more for the present, and he took the
opportunity to quit the chamber.

When she removed her hands from her eyes she was alone. She heard the
pirate descending the steps of the tower, and when she had ascertained
that he had to a certainty left it, she knelt down, and her deep sobs
told of her outraged feelings, and the anguish of her heart. She was
aroused by the return of Marianna, who promised never again to be
tempted to leave her.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

Zappa had hitherto contrived to prevent the meeting of Ada and Nina, by
compelling both of them to remain shut up in their respective parts of
the castle. The cause of this conduct it is scarcely necessary to
explain. His object was to keep Nina ignorant of the presence of her
rival, and he also hoped to bend Ada's haughty spirit by the confinement
to which she was subject. It could not, however, be supposed that Nina
should not hear rumours of the presence of a stranger in the island,
although Paolo had been careful