tive to the reputation of the Lady
of Arestino."

"Thanks, charming Flora, for that explanation!" cried the young count.
"Let us now hasten to thine aunt; and in her presence will I renew to
thee all the vows of unalterable and honorable affection which my heart
suggests, as a means of proving that I am worthy of thy love."

And, hand-in-hand, that fine young noble and that beauteous, blushing
maiden proceeded to the cottage.

Two persons, concealed in an adjacent grove, had overheard every
syllable of the above conversation. These were the valet Antonio, and
his mother, Dame Margaretha, at whose dwelling, it will be recollected,
the unfortunate Agnes had so long resided, under the protection of the
late Count of Riverola.

"This is fortunate, mother!" said Antonio, when Francisco and Flora had
retired from the vicinity of the grove. "You are spared the trouble of a
visit to the old Signora Francatelli; and I have learned sufficient to
enable me to work out all my plans alike of aggrandizement and revenge.
Let us retrace our way into the city; thou wilt return to thy home--and
I shall hence straight to the Lord Count of Arestino."

CHAPTER LII.

THE GREEK PAGE--SONG OF THE GREEK PAGE--A REVELATION.

Three months had now elapsed since Ibrahim-Pasha had risen to the
exalted rank of grand vizier, and had married the sister of Solyman the
Magnificent. The sultan daily became more attached to him; and he, on
his part, acquired influence over his imperial master. Vested with a
power so nearly absolute that Solyman signed without ever perusing the
hatti-sheriffs, or decrees, drawn up by Ibrahim,--and enjoying the
confidence of the divan, all the members of which were devoted to his
interests,--the renegade administered according to his own discretion,
the affairs of that mighty empire. Avaricious, and ever intent upon the
aggrandizement of his own fortunes, he accumulated vast treasures; but
he also maintained a household and lived in a style unequaled by any of
his predecessors in office. Having married a sister of the sultan, he
was not permitted a plurality of wives;--but he purchased the most
beauteous slaves for his harem, and plunged headlong into a vortex of
dissipation and pleasure.

For some weeks he had manifested the most ardent and impassioned
attachment toward Aischa, who, during that period, was happy in the
belief that she alone possessed his heart. But the customs of the East,
as well as the d