letta. "If I have encouraged Don Camillo, in a manner that thy
counsels and maiden modesty would reprove, reflect that had he hesitated
to cast himself into the Giudecca, I should have wanted the power to
confer this trifling grace. Why should I be less generous than my
preserver? No, Camillo, when the senate condemns me to wed another than
thee, it pronounces the doom of celibacy; I will hide my griefs in a
convent till I die!"

There was a solemn and fearful interruption to a discourse which was so
rapidly becoming explicit, by the sound of the bell, that the groom of
the chambers, a long-tried and confidential domestic, had been commanded
to ring before he entered. As this injunction had been accompanied by
another not to appear, unless summoned, or urged by some grave motive,
the signal caused a sudden pause, even at that interesting moment.

"How now!" exclaimed the Carmelite to the servant, who abruptly entered.
"What means this disregard of my injunctions?"

"Father, the Republic!"

"Is St. Mark in jeopardy, that females and priests are summoned to aid
him?"

"There are officials of the state below, who demand admission in the
name of the Republic?"

"This grows serious," said Don Camillo, who alone retained his
self-possession. "My visit is known, and the active jealousy of the
state anticipates its object. Summon your resolution, Donna Violetta,
and you, father, be of heart! I will assume the responsibility of the
offence, if offence it be, and exonerate all others from censure."

"Forbid it, Father Anselmo. Dearest Florinda, we will share his
punishment!" exclaimed the terrified Violetta, losing all self-command
in the fear of such a moment. "He has not been guilty of this
indiscretion without participation of mine; he has not presumed beyond
his encouragement."

The monk and Donna Florinda regarded each other in mute amazement, and
haply there was some admixture of feeling in the look that denoted the
uselessness of caution when the passions were intent to elude the
vigilance of those who were merely prompted by prudence. The former
simply motioned for silence, while he turned to the domestic.

"Of what character are these ministers of the state?" he demanded.

"Father, they are its known officers, and wear the badges of their
condition."

"And their request?"

"Is to be admitted to the presence of the Donna Violetta."

"There is still hope!" rejoined the monk, breathing more freely. Moving
a