ostrate. As for Francisco, he could not
help thinking that the invasion of Italy by the Turks was connected with
the succor so mysteriously, but confidently promised by Wagner; although
he was not only ignorant of the relationship subsisting between the
grand vizier and his beloved Flora, but was even unaware of the fact
that this high functionary was the same Ibrahim whose prisoner he had
been for a few hours on a former occasion in the Island of Rhodes.

The council of state assembled to deliberate upon the proper course
which should be adopted at so critical a moment; but when the resources
of Florence and the means of resisting the invaders were scrutinized,
when it was discovered that there were not three thousand soldiers to
defend the place, nor arms sufficient to equip more than fifteen hundred
volunteers in addition to the regular force, all idea of attempting to
make a stand against an army which was in reality twenty thousand
strong, but which the exaggerations of fear had trebled in amount, was
ultimately abandoned.

The sun went down, and was succeeded by no illuminations that night.
Florence was in mourning. A spell had fallen upon the City of Flowers;
her streets were deserted; and within the houses, those who possessed
wealth were busily engaged in concealing their gold and jewels in
cellars, holes dug in the ground, or at the bottom of wells. The general
consternation was terrific indeed; and the solemn stillness which
prevailed throughout the town so lately full of animation and happiness
was even more dreadful than that which had accompanied the plague two
centuries before.

It was near midnight when messengers from the grand vizier, who was now
within three miles' march of the city, arrived at the western gate, and
demanded admission, that they might obtain an immediate audience of the
duke. The request was directly complied with, and the envoys were
conducted to the palazzo, where the prince immediately assembled the
council of state to receive them, himself presiding.

The audience was in other respects strictly private; but the nature of
the interview was soon proved to have been most unexpectedly pacific;
for two hours after the reception of the envoys, criers proceeded
throughout the city, proclaiming the joyful news that the grand vizier
had of his own accord proposed such terms as the council of state had
not hesitated to accept.

Thus, at two o'clock in the morning, were the Florentines