ffectionately; she thought also of her brother Eugenio, who had ever
been so devoted to his sister. But she kept her promise faithfully for
five years; until that fatal day of April, 1500, which our father has so
emphatically mentioned in his narrative. It was in the garden belonging
to the ducal palace that she suddenly encountered her brother
Eugenio----"

"Her brother!" ejaculated Francisco, joyfully. "Oh! I knew, I felt
certain that she was innocent."

"Yes, she was indeed innocent," repeated Nisida, "But let me pursue my
explanations as succinctly as possible. It appeared that the old
man--the executioner of Naples--was no more; and Eugenio, possessing
himself of the hoardings of his deceased father, had fled from his
native city to avoid the dread necessity of assuming the abhorrent
office. Accident led the young adventurer to Florence in search of a
more agreeable employment as a means whereby to earn his livelihood, and
having formed the acquaintance of one of the duke's valets, he obtained
admittance to the gardens on that memorable evening when the grand
entertainment was given. In spite of the strict injunctions he had
received not to approach the places occupied by the distinguished
guests, he drew near the arbor in which our mother had been conversing
with other ladies, but where she was at that moment alone. The
recognition was immediate, and they flew into each other's arms. It
would have been useless, as well as unnatural, for our mother to have
refused to reveal her rank and name; her brilliant attire was sufficient
to convince her brother that the former was high, and inquiry would
speedily have made him acquainted with the latter. She accordingly drew
him apart into a secluded walk and told him all; but she implored him to
quit Florence without delay, and she gave him her purse and one of her
rich bracelets, thereby placing ample resources at his disposal. Five
years passed away, and during that period she heard no more of her
brother Eugenio. But at the expiration of that interval she received a
note stating that he was again in Florence--that necessity had alone
brought him hither, and that he would be at a particular place at a
certain hour to meet either herself or some confidential person whom she
might instruct to see him. Our mother filled a bag with gold, and put
into it some of her choicest jewels, and thus provided, she repaired in
person to the place of appointment. It grieved her generous