ks. A few stifled cries--and all was over! Thus perished
the wretch Antonio--one of those treacherous, malignant, and avaricious
Italians who bring dishonor on their noble nation,--a man who had sought
to turn the vindictive feelings of the Count of Arestino to his own
purposes, alike to fill his purse and to wreak his hateful spite on the
Riverola family! Scarcely was the tragedy enacted, when Demetrius
ordered the four bodies to be conveyed down the steps disclosed by the
trap-door; "for," said he, "we will endeavor so to direct our
proceedings that not a trace of them shall be left upon ground; as the
Florentines would not be well-pleased if they learnt that foreign
soldiers have undertaken the duties which they themselves should
perform." Several of the Ottomans accordingly bore the dead bodies down
the steps; and Demetrius, accompanied by Francisco, followed at the head
of the greater portion of the troops, a sufficient number, however,
remaining behind to constitute a guard at the entrance of the
stronghold.

While they were yet descending the stone stairs, Demetrius seized the
opportunity of that temporary lull in the excitement of the night's
adventures, to give Francisco hasty but welcome tidings of his sister;
and the reader may suppose that the generous-hearted young count was
overjoyed to learn that Nisida was not only alive, but also once more an
inmate of the ancestral home. Demetrius said nothing relative to Flora;
and Francisco, not dreaming for a moment that his deliverer even knew
there was such a being in existence, asked no questions on that subject.
His anxiety was not, however, any less to fly to the cottage; for it
must be remembered that he was arrested first, on the 3d of July, and
had yet to learn all the afflictions which had fallen upon Flora and her
aunt--afflictions of the existence whereof he had been kept in utter
ignorance by the banditti during his long captivity of nearly three
months in their stronghold. But while we are thus somewhat digressing,
the invaders are penetrating further into the stronghold. Headed by
Demetrius and Francisco, and all carrying their drawn scimiters in their
hands, the corps proceeded along a vast vaulted subterrane, paved with
flag-stones, until a huge iron door, studded with nails, barred the way.

"Stay!" whispered Francisco, suddenly recollecting himself, "I think I
can devise a means to induce the rogues to open this portal, or I am
much mistaken."