lowed this for some distance, expecting to reach the gate, and
at length came to a place where a rock arose by the side of the wall.
Going up to the top of this, she looked over the wall, and saw the
public road on the other side, with Florence in the distance. She saw
pretty nearly where she was, and knew that this was the nearest point
to her lodgings. To go back to the chief entrance would require a
long detour. It would also excite surprise. One in her peculiar
costume, on going out of the grounds, might be questioned; she
thought it better to avoid this. She looked up and down the road, and
seeing no one coming, she stepped to the top of the wall and let
herself down on the opposite side. In a few moments she was on the
road, on her way back to Florence. Reaching the city, she at once
went to the hotel, and arrived at her rooms without observation.

That same day she sent off an urgent letter to Gualtier, asking him
to come to Florence at once.

After this excitement she kept her bed for a few days. Lord Chetwynde
heard that she was ill without expressing any emotion. When at length
he saw her he spoke in his usual courteous manner, and expressed his
pleasure at seeing her again. But these empty words, which used to
excite so much hope within her, now fell indifferently on her ears.
She had made up her mind now. She knew that there was no hope. She
had called to her side the minister of her vengeance. Lord Chetwynde
saw her pale face and downcast eyes, but did not trouble himself to
search into the cause of this new change in her. She seemed to be
growing indifferent to him, he thought; but the change concerned him
little. There was another in his heart, and all his thoughts were
centered on that other.

After the masquerade Lord Chetwynde had hurried out to the villa, on
the following day, to make inquiries about her health. He found
Zillah still much shaken, and exhibiting sufficient weakness to
excite his anxiety. Which of the many causes that she had for
agitation and trouble might now be disturbing her he could not tell,
but he sought to alleviate her troubles as much as possible. His
departure for India had to be postponed, for how could he leave her
in such a state? Indeed, as long as Obed Chute remained in Florence
he did not see how he could leave for India at all.

CHAPTER LXVI.

FAITHFUL STILL.

When Hilda sent off her note to Gualtier she felt certain that he
would come to her aid. All