until after sunset, which arrangement will afford you two full hours to
accomplish the mission which I now trust to thee."

Yakoub bowed, and hastened to obey the commands which he had
received--speeding toward Florence, attended by two soldiers and two
slaves. Demetrius then ordered his party to dismount and rest for a
short space upon the banks of the Arno. Some of his slaves immediately
pitched a tent, into which he conducted Nisida; and refreshments were
served to them.

When the repast was concluded, and they were left alone together for a
few minutes, Nisida's manner suddenly changed from calm patrician
reserve to a strange agitation--her lips quivered, her eyes flashed
fire;--and then, as if desperately resolved to put into execution the
idea which she had formed, she seized Demetrius by the hand, bent her
head toward him, and murmured in the faintest whisper possible, "Start
not to hear the sound of my voice! I am neither deaf nor dumb. But this
is not the place for explanations. I have much to tell, you much to
hear--for I can speak to thee of Calanthe, and prove that he whom thou
servest so zealously is a wretch meriting only thy vengeance."

"My God! my God!--what marvels are now taking place!" murmured the
Greek, surveying Nisida in profound astonishment not unmingled with
alarm.

"Silence--silence, I implore you!" continued she, in the rapid, low, and
yet distinctly audible whisper, "for _your_ sake--for _mine_, betray me
not! Deaf and dumb must I appear--deaf and dumb must I yet be deemed for
a short space. But to-night, at twelve o'clock, you will meet me,
Demetrius, in the garden of the Riverola mansion;--and then I will
conduct you to an apartment where we may confer without fear of being
overheard--without danger of interruption."

"I will not fail thee, lady," said the Greek, scarcely able to recover
from the amazement into which Nisida's sudden revelation of her power of
speech and hearing had thrown him: then, as an oppressive feeling seized
upon his soul, he demanded, "But Calanthe, lady, in the name of heaven!
one word more and let that word give me hope that I may see my sister
again!"

"Demetrius," answered Nisida, her countenance becoming ominous and
somber, "you will never behold her more. The lust of Ibrahim Pasha--nay,
start not so violently--brought destruction and death upon Calanthe!"

The features of the young Greek were at first distorted with anguish,
and tears started from h