iate all thy tender affection toward me. But--I can conceal it
from myself and from thee no longer--I am overcome with the monotony of
this isle. Unvaried sunshine during the day, unchanging calmness by
night, pall upon the soul. I crave variety, even the variety that would
be afforded by a magnificent storm, or the eruption of yon sleeping
volcano. My thoughts wander in spite of myself toward Italy; I think,
too, of my brother--the young and inexperienced Francisco! Moreover,
there is in our mansion at Florence, a terrible mystery which prying
eyes may seek to penetrate,--a closet containing a fearful secret,
which, if published to the world, would heap loathing execrations and
disgrace on the haughty name of Riverola! And now Francisco is the sole
guardian of that mystery, which he himself knows not, or at least knew
not, when last we were together. But it requires a strong and energetic
mind, like my own, to watch over that awful secret. And now, Fernand,
dear Fernand, thou canst not blame me, thou wilt not reproach me, if I
experience an irresistible longing to return to my native land?"

"And know you not, Nisida," said Wagner, in a tone of mingled
mournfulness and reproach, "that, even if there were any means for thee
to return to Florence, I could not accompany thee? Dost thou not
remember that I informed thee, that being doomed to death, I escaped
from the power of the authorities--it matters not how; and that were I
to set foot in Florence, it would be to return to my dungeon?"

"Alas! all this I remember well--too well!" exclaimed Nisida. "And think
not, my Fernand, that I feel no pang, when I lay bare to thee the state
of my soul. But if it were possible for us to go to Italy, thou couldst
dwell secretly and retiredly in some suburb of Florence, and we should
be together often--very often!"

"No--Nisida," answered Wagner; "that were impossible! Never more may I
venture into that city--and if thou couldst even find the means to
revisit thy native clime, thither must thou go, and there must thou
dwell _alone_!"

For Wagner knew full well that were the lady to return to Florence, she
would hear of the frightful incidents which marked his trial and also
the day of his escape; and, though he had at first inclined to impart to
her the terrible secret of his fate--yet subsequent and more calm
deliberation in his own mind had convinced him of the imprudence of
giving her love a shock by such a tremendous--such an