rag of clothes under his student's gown, nor a
pair of shoes, barring the boots that the sub-rector lent him; without a
shirt to his back, or a cross in his pocket; may at a minute's warning
be sent away from the college by reason of his great distress--having no
home to go to, nor any way to live, but to starve and die in nakedness,
bringing everlasting disgrace on your royal house, and more misery to
her who subscribes herself in every humility and contrite submission,
your Royal Highness's most dutiful, devoted, and till death release her
from sorrows, ever attached servant, Mary Fitzgerald."

'I didn't put any address,' said the Fra, 'for, you see, this isn't one
of the genteelest quarters of the town. Here they are, Mrs. Mary--here
they are!' cried he suddenly, and while he spoke, the hasty tramp of
many feet and the discordant voices of many people talking noisily was
heard from without.

'Sangue dei Santi!' shouted a rude voice, 'is this a fortress we have
here, or a public tavern?' and at the same instant a strong hand seized
the table in the doorway and flung it on the floor.

The fellow who thus made good his entrance was tall and muscular, his
stature seeming even greater from the uncouth covering of goat-skins,
which in every conceivable fashion he wore around him, while in his hand
he carried a long lance, terminating with a goad, such as are used by
the cattle-drivers of the Campagna.

'A hearty reception, truly, Signora Maria, you give your customers.'
cried he, as he strode into the middle of the chamber.

'It was a barrier against the storm, not against our friends------'

'Ha! you there, Fra Luke!' shouted the other, interrupting him, while he
burst out into a fit of coarse laughter.

'Who could doubt it, though?--wherever there's a brazier, a wine-shop,
and a pretty woman, there you will find a Frate! But come in, lads,'
added he, turning once more toward the doorway; 'here are only
friends--neither spies nor Swiss among them.'

A ragged group of half-starved wretches now came forward, from one
of whom the first speaker took a small leathern portmanteau that he
carried, and threw it on the table.

'A poor night's work, lads,' said he, unstrapping the leather fastenings
around it; 'but these travellers have grown so wary nowadays, it's rare
to pick up anything on the Campagna; and what with chains, bolts, and
padlocks around their luggage, you might as well strive to burst open
the door of th