ot of that nature," replied the count. "I, however,
thank you cordially for your well-meant advice. But you appear to
connect the disappearance of Flora Francatelli," he added, very
seriously, "with the dreadful deed supposed to be committed by Signor
Wagner!"

"I merely conjecture that this Wagner is associated with that lawless
horde who have become the terror of the republic," answered the
physician; "and it is natural to suppose that these wretches are guilty
of all the enormous crimes which have lately struck the city with
alarm."

Francisco turned aside to conceal the emotions which these remarks
excited within him; for he began to apprehend that she whom he loved so
fondly had met with foul play at the hands of the bravoes and banditti
whom Stephano was known to command.

Dr. Duras seized that opportunity to approach Nisida, who was standing
at the window; and as he thrust into her hand a note, which was
immediately concealed in her dress, he was struck with surprise and
grief at the acute anguish that was depicted on her countenance.

Large tears stood on her long, dark lashes, and her face was ashy pale.

The physician made a sign of anxious inquiry; but Nisida, subduing her
emotions with an almost superhuman effort, pressed his hand violently
and hurried from the room.

Dr. Duras shook his head mournfully, but also in a manner which showed
that he was at a loss to comprehend that painful manifestation of
feeling on the part of one whom he well knew to be endowed with almost
miraculous powers of self-control.

His meditations were interrupted by Francisco, who, addressing him
abruptly, said, "In respect to the missing young lady, whose absence
will be so acutely felt by my sister, the only course which I can at
present pursue, is to communicate her mysterious disappearance to the
captain of police."

"No time should be lost in adopting that step," responded the doctor. "I
am about to visit a sick nobleman in the neighborhood of the captain's
office: we will proceed so far in each other's company."

The young count summoned his page to attend upon him, and then quitted
the mansion in company with the physician.

In the meantime Nisida had retired to her own apartment, where she threw
herself into a seat, and gave vent to the dreadful emotions which had
for the last hour been agitating within her bosom.

She wept--oh! she wept long and bitterly: it was terrible and strange to
think how that woman of