it
was evident he could not share her merriment, and he quickly left her,
saying he had a message to send to Rocca, which was the village where
Bianca and her father resided, and that he must go below and write a
note, which he did, giving it to Malfi's servant to take.

It appeared afterwards that this man, having other work in hand, gave
the note to Guerra, who willingly undertook the commission, and who, to
satisfy his own curiosity, broke the seal on the way, and possessed
himself of its contents before he delivered it. These were, however,
only a request that Bianca and her father would come over to Malfi's
house that evening and bring the notary of the village with them, he
(Mendez) being too tired to go to Rocca to sign the contract, as had
been arranged.

It being between six and seven o'clock when this dispatch arrived,
Bianca, who was very little inclined to sign the contract at all,
objected to going; but her father insisting on her compliance, they set
off in company with Guerra and the notary, who, according to
appointment, was already in waiting. They had nearly three miles to go,
and as Venoni had no horse, the notary gave Bianca a seat on his, and
the old man rode double with Guerra.

When they arrived Mendez was standing at the door waiting for them,
accompanied by Malfi, his servant, a priest, and two or three other
persons of the neighborhood; some of whom advanced to assist Bianca and
her father to alight, whilst the others surrounded Guerra as he set his
foot on the ground, pinioning his arms and plunging their hands into his
pockets, from whence they drew two small pistols and a black mask, such
as was worn at the carnivals; besides these weapons, he carried a
stiletto in his bosom.

Whilst the last comers were gaping with amazement at this unexpected
scene, the new-made prisoner was led away to a place of security, and
the company proceeded into the house, where the notary produced the
contract and laid it on the table, inquiring at the same time what
Guerra had done to be so treated.

Then Mendez rose, and taking hold of the contract, he tore it in two,
and flung it on the ground; at which sight Venoni started up with a cry,
or rather a howl--an expression of rage and disappointment truly
Italian, and of which no Englishman who has not heard it can have an
idea.

"_Peccato!_ I have sinned!" said the Spaniard, haughtily; "but I have
made my confession to the padre; and why I have torn tha