ong
the audience the Court officers were powerless to suppress the
expressions of horror and enthusiasm. Had the shepherd not been closely
guarded by the soldiers he certainly would have been torn to pieces and
trodden under foot, so great was the tide of popular indignation against
him. At last, however, the tumult subsided and Cardinal Monti,
addressing the brigand chief, said:

"Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, you have heard the testimony. What
have you to say in your defense?"

Vampa forced to his feet by the policemen replied, doggedly and
sullenly:

"Nothing!"

Cardinal Monti then turned to his associates on the judicial bench and a
brief conference ensued, after which he arose and facing Vampa said,
solemnly:

"Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, the judgment of the Papal Court is
that you are guilty, first of the murder of Lorenzo Solara, though as he
attacked you the crime has been placed in the second degree, second of
the abduction of Annunziata Solara, and third of conspiracy to indelibly
blacken the character of a worthy Roman nobleman, the Viscount Giovanni
Massetti. Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, the sentence of the Papal
Court is that you be taken hence back to your dungeon in the Castle of
St. Angelo, there to undergo solitary imprisonment for life. As this
sentence renders it unnecessary to proceed to an examination of the
other and less important charge against you, that of robbery on the
public highways and of maltreating your captives, your trial is now at
an end. Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, may God have mercy upon you
and bring you to repentance and ultimate salvation!"

Cardinal Monti resumed his seat amid loud murmurs of applause and
satisfaction. When these died away the clerk declared the Court
adjourned, the convict was removed and the audience slowly dispersed.

Mme. de Rancogne and Annunziata Solara immediately returned to the
Refuge in Civita Vecchia, where the poor girl lay prostrated for many
weeks. After his confession of his infamous deeds she had no further
desire to see her despicable and degraded father.

Monte-Cristo and his party rode joyously back to the Hotel de France in
the Count's barouche.

That evening no happier persons existed upon earth than Giovanni and
Zuleika.

CHAPTER XXX.

JOY UNBOUNDED.

The news of the result of Luigi Vampa's trial spread with the utmost
rapidity throughout Rome and occasioned the wildest rejoicing, still
further