n the
walls of Rhodes!"

"The motive of the grand master was a humane one," observed Ibrahim; "he
has agreed to capitulate, to put an end to the terrific slaughter that
is going on."

"Doubtless the lord general acts in accordance with the dictates of a
matured wisdom!" exclaimed the Count of Riverola.

"Your lordship was the leader of the Italian auxiliaries?" said Ibrahim,
interrogatively.

"Such was the honorable office intrusted to me," was the reply. "When
messengers from Villiers of Isle-Adam arrived in Florence, beseeching
succor against this invasion, which has, alas! proved too successful, I
panted for occupation to distract my mind from ever pondering on the
heavy misfortunes which had overtaken me."

"Misfortunes!" exclaimed Ibrahim.

"Yes--misfortunes of such a nature that the mere thought of them is
madness!" cried Francisco, in an excited tone. "First, a beauteous and
amiable girl--one who, though of humble origin, was endowed with virtues
and qualifications that might have fitted her to adorn a palace, and
whom I fondly, devotedly loved--was-snatched from me. She disappeared I
know not how! All trace of her was suddenly lost, as if the earth had
swallowed her up and closed over her again! This blow was in itself
terrible. But it came not alone. A few days elapsed, and my sister--my
dearly beloved sister--also disappeared, and in the same mysterious
manner. Not a trace of her remained--and what makes this second
affliction the more crushing--the more overwhelming, is that she is deaf
and dumb! Oh! Heaven grant me the power to resist, to bear up against
these crowning miseries! Vain were all my inquiries--useless was all the
search I instituted to discover whither had gone the being whom I would
have made my wife, and the sister who was ever so devoted to me! At
length, driven to desperation, when weeks had passed and they returned
not--goaded on to madness by bitter, bitter memories--I resolved to
devote myself to the service of the cross. With my gold I raised and
equipped a gallant band; and a favoring breeze wafted us from Leghorn to
this island. The grand master received me with open arms; and, forming
an estimation of my capacities far above my deserts, placed me in
command of all the Italian auxiliaries. You know the rest; I fought with
all my energy, and your sultan was within the grasp of death, when you
rushed forward and saved him. The result is that I am your prisoner."

"So young--and