Antonio turned round in an agony of terror, while his master, with two guards, walked into the room, having entered by means of a private gallery which was unknown to his secretary, and with which the palaces of the Italian grandees abounded.

"Seize the traitor!" said Visconti to his soldiers.

The monk, seeing that escape was impossible, allowed himself to be made a prisoner without making any attempt at resistance, and his presence of mind returned when he saw clearly the nature of the danger which threatened him.

"My gracious master!" he exclaimed, with well-feigned astonishment, "may I request you to inform me of my offence?"

Visconti appeared about to reply, but pride and scorn checked the angry response which was trembling on his lips; and he threw the billet which disclosed his secretary's guilt on the table before him, without speaking a word.

Antonio turned pale at this unlooked for evidence of his treachery. He made no attempt,

VOL. II.

H

however, to avert his fate, but stood in sullen silence, awaiting the determination of his master.

"Away with him, to the dungeons of the Santa Margarita, there to await my orders," said Visconti, in a tone which left no hope for the prisoner.

"Rodolph," he continued, as they were leaving the room, "do you and your comrade keep watch to-night before my chamber-let no one enter, at your peril; and should you hear the slightest noise outside the palace, alarm the guard that instant."

"Treason within the camp," said he to himself, after they had left the apartment—“rebellion without; this is no child's play-by my father's bones. I know not whom to trust, or whom to fear; or whom to place beyond both trust and fear. Yonder island mastiff turned upon me, too, at the very time I most required his services-gone over to my enemies, with all his stalwart troopers at his back. Yet why should I despair? Have I not still at my command Alberic di Barbiano, Conrad of Montserrat, Carlo Malatesta, the faithful Jacopo—all the

choice mettle of my native land? Must I throw up my game because yonder proud Englishman has left me in the spleen, or a pampered monk has proved himself a villain? If the tide of fortune turns, it is but for a time; but breast the billows gallantly-courage and skill will weather any storm.'

He sat down as he spoke, and began to examine the papers of his secretary with the minutest attention.

CHAPTER X.

I have set my life upon a cast,

And I will stand the hazard of the die.

RICHARD III.

ALFRED, who staid in Milan during his friend's absence, waited with impatience for the period of his return, apprehensive lest his journey should give rise to the jealousy of the authorities. He remained, meanwhile, at the hostelry where he had lodged on his first visit to the city.

On the morning following the events we have detailed in the preceding chapter, he was no less surprised than pleased to hear that his countryman had taken his departure for Florence, as

by all he had yet seen and heard, he was by no means prepossessed in favour of the Lombard princes, and least of all of the Visconti. He resolved, therefore, after first ascertaining the result of Manfredi's perilous enterprise, to follow his leader immediately into Tuscany.

He was sitting in the public room of the inn, watching the various groups who went and came, when his attention was attracted by the entrance of a person whose features he instantly recognized. It was the father of Louise, the leader of the band, who had escaped, seemingly by a miracle, from the destruction of his haunt. He was accoutred as a military adventurer, and entered the room with a careless swaggering air, in accordance with the character he assumed, stared broadly at every one who looked at him, and called aloud for some refreshment.

The blood mounted to Alfred's cheeks as he saw before him the father of her, who, from the first moment he beheld her, had exercised so powerful an ascendancy over his fancy; and he hesitated whether he should address him, or avoid his observation. Anxiety for her fate was