an a mere mortal--a being gifted
with powers which, in the hands of such a one as thou, would throw the
entire world into convulsions; for there is much in thee after my own
heart, beauteous Nisida of Riverola."

"Ah! thou art even acquainted with my name," cried Nisida, again
shuddering violently in spite of her powerful efforts to appear calm and
fearless.

"I am acquainted with thy name, and with all that concerns thee and
thine, Nisida," replied the fiend; "ay," he added, with a malignant
chuckle, "even to the mystery of the closet in thy late father's
chamber, and the contents of the terrible manuscript which taught thee
such dreadful secrets! I know, too, all that thou hast done to serve
thine aims--thy simulated deafness and dumbness--the assassination of
Agnes--the imprisonment of Flora in the convent----"

"Then art thou indeed some superhuman power," interrupted Nisida, in a
tone of inexpressible alarm; "and I dare hold no further converse with
thee."

"One moment--and thou wilt think differently!" exclaimed the demon. "But
I will give thee an evidence of my power. Here, take this
instrument--'tis called a telescope--and use it for a single minute.
Glance across the waters, and thou shalt behold a scene which will
interest thee somewhat, I trow."

The fiend handed her a telescope and directed her to apply it to her
eyes. She obeyed him, though reluctantly; but intense curiosity overcame
her scruples, and, moreover, her extraordinary strength of mind aided
her in supporting the presence of one whom she knew to be invested with
superhuman powers--but of what nature she feared to guess. Nisida turned
toward the sea, and used the magic telescope as directed, while the
demon stood behind her, his countenance expressing a diabolical triumph,
mingled with blighting scorn.

But ah! what does Nisida behold? The moment she applies the telescope to
her eye, she is transported as it were to her own native city. She is in
Florence--yes, in the fair capital of Tuscany. Every familiar scene is
presented to her again; and she once more views the busy crowds and the
bustling haunts of men. She sweeps them all with a hurried glance; and
then her look settled upon a young couple walking together in a secluded
place on the banks of the Arno. But oh! how terribly flashed her
eyes--how changed with wrath and concentrated rage suddenly becomes her
countenance! For in that fond pair, wandering so lovingly together on
the Arno