ou shall
no longer be a spectator of the unworthy and shameful conduct of my
monks. I pray you to withdraw instantly; in a few hours I will send
you the letters, and if you believe that I have rendered you the least
service, I ask in return that you will tell no one what you have seen."

"I promise, your worship," said Cocceji, with forced gravity. "If the
people without shall ask me what all this tumult means, I will say
that the pious fathers in the cloister are singing their 'floras.'"
[Footnote: Baron Cocceji did not keep his word, as this whole scene is
historic.]

Baron Cocceji bowed to the prior, and returned with gay and hopeful
thoughts to the hotel of the "White Lion."

A few hours later, a monk appeared and desired to speak with the
stranger about the holy relics.

Cocceji recognized in him the worthy Father Anselmo, the victor over the
father guardian.

"Will you do me a great pleasure, worthy father?" said he. "Tell
me which party remained in possession of the field after your great
battle."

An expression of triumphant joy flashed in Father Anselmo's eyes.

"The Prussiani were victorious, and I think the Teresiani will never
dare to recommence the strife; four of their monks lie in their cells
with broken noses, and it will be some weeks before the father guardian
will be capable of performing his duties as spy; he is sore and stiff,
and his mouth is poorer by a few teeth. May all the enemies of the
great Frederick share his fate! May God bless the King of Prussia and be
gracious to his friends!"

He greeted the baron with the sign of the cross, and withdrew.

The baron remembered the warning of the prior, and hastened quietly
from Venice. Already the next morning he was on the highway to Turin.
[Footnote: This diplomatic mission failed, because of the faint heart
of the King of Sardinia. He rejected the bold propositions of Frederick
entirely, and said, in justification of himself, that since the alliance
between the powers of France and Austria, he had his head between a
pair of tongs, which were ever threatening to close and crush him. Baron
Cocceji was not more fortunate in Naples, and after many vain efforts
he was forced to return home, having accomplished nothing.--Duten's
"Memoirs of a Traveller."]

CHAPTER IV. THE RETURN FROM THE ARMY.

It was a sunny, summer day-one of those days which incline the heart to
prayer, and bring tears of happiness to the eyes. There are no such d