dense foliage, and the gurgling of a noisy brook was heard at no great
distance. Suddenly they made an abrupt turn, coming in sight of a small,
neat-looking cabin, covered with clustering vines and embowered in
verdure. The brook dashed along within a few yards of it, the fresh odor
of the water mingling gratefully with the perfume of honeysuckles and
the aromatic scent of the surrounding forest. It was, indeed, a
beautiful and highly romantic spot, a cosy, sequestered nook, such as
that in which King Henry hid away his love, the Fair Rosamond, from the
prying glances of the inquisitive world. Esperance gazed at it with
rapture, and even Giovanni, wounded and exhausted as he was, could not
refrain from uttering an exclamation of astonishment and admiration. The
cabin was closed and not a sign of life was visible.

"We have arrived," said the peasant, in a low voice. Quitting his
companions, he went to a window, against which he gave three distinct
raps.

The signal was almost immediately answered by three similar raps from
within; then the window was thrown open and a woman's head appeared. The
moonlight fell full upon her face, and both Esperance and Giovanni
suddenly started as they recognized Annunziata Solara, the bewitching
flower-girl of the Piazza del Popolo.

"It is she--it is Annunziata!" whispered the young Viscount in his
comrade's ear.

"Hush!" returned the latter, in a guarded undertone. "Do not betray
yourself! She will never recognize us, disguised as we are! Besides, our
guide's suspicions must not be aroused! He might yet refuse us shelter!"

"You are right, as you always are," answered Massetti. "We must maintain
our incognito, at least until we are sure of our ground."

Meanwhile the peasant was speaking hastily with Annunziata.

"Sister," he said, "I am not alone; two travelers, peasants like
ourselves, are with me. They were attacked by Luigi Vampa's men, and one
of them is sorely wounded."

"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the girl, evidently filled with terror.

"They claim our hospitality for the night and our assistance until aid
can be procured from Rome. In my father's name I have accorded them
shelter. Open the door and admit us."

The girl disappeared from the window and in another instant had flung
the door open. As she stood there in the silverly light, the state of
her garments and hair indicating that she had hurriedly risen from her
couch, her bright, picturesque beauty was vastly h