ger leaned over his bed to be assured
that he was asleep. La Felina looked at him for some time in silence,
with pity in her eyes. "Why does he love me?" said she; "what have I
done? why should this poor lad love one who scarcely knew him?"

Rovero moved. "Heavens! is the effect of the narcotic over? Will he
awaken?"

"Felina!" murmured Taddeo.

"My name ever on his lips and in his heart. Yes! I was right in avoiding
another interview: this letter tells all." She took a paper from her
bosom. "But if he resist my prayer, if he shrink from the duty imposed
on him by honor and humanity! He alone can accomplish it--all my hope is
in him!"

She approached the table, and by the pale moonlight looked at the flask
of Massa wine. A single glass had been taken from it. "_One glass!_"
said she, "_only one glass?_ His sleep cannot be long. This torpor will
terminate before any one enters his cell. But Lippiani the turnkey is
devoted to me, and will see nothing."

Drawing near the bed she took out of her fine hair a long gold pin, with
which to fasten the letter on his pillow, so that his eyes would rest on
it when he awoke. While Felina's face was near Rovero's as she put the
letter beneath his head, her warm breath hung on his lips; they pressed
hers, and, terrified, she sprang from his side.

The prisoner dreamed of happiness, and doubted not that his fancy was
realized. Whether this kiss had overcome his torpor, or whether, as La
Felina thought, the narcotic had been taken in such small quantity that
it had produced but a slight effect, Taddeo tossed on his bed. The
singer, terrified at these signs, which were the precursors of his
awakening, disappeared by the secret passages through which she had
entered. An hour rolled by before Taddeo could triumph over his sleep.
His heavy eyes shut together in spite of himself, and his eyelashes
rested on each other. All sensation was lost in general lassitude. In
the first disorder of his mind, he asked himself if he had not again
dreamed of the appearance of La Felina. Had he not seen her approaching
his bed just as he sunk to sleep, he would have been sure of it. He
shuddered at the thought that he had lost the opportunity so anxiously
expected. At last he recovered his strength, and attempted to rise. As
he did so, his hand touched La Felina's letter on the pillow. When he
drew out the diamond-headed pin which fastened it, he no longer doubted
that he had actually seen her. Havi