olemnity that said how deeply he felt for his own safety.

"This discussion is lasting too long," said Frank, impatiently. "I
cannot coerce your humanity, but I can demand as a right that a soldier
of your Emperor shall receive shelter and succor."

"I told you so," said the tall man, still addressing the lady in
English; "first the entreaty,----then the menace."

"And what are we to do?" asked she, anxiously.

"Let them occupy the boat-house; there are beds in the lofts. Jekyl will
see that they have whatever is necessary; and perhaps by to-morrow we
shall get rid of them." Turning towards the youth, he spoke to him for a
few minutes rapidly, and the other replied, "You are right I 'll look
to it." He arose as he spoke, and bowing politely to Frank, pronounced
himself ready to accompany him.

With a few words of apology for his intrusion, as awkwardly uttered as
they were ungraciously received, Frank retired from the chamber, to
retrace his steps to the harbor.

Little as he was disposed to be communicative, Albert Jekyl--for it
was our old acquaintance--contrived to learn, as they went along, every
circumstance of the late encounter.

The pliant Jekyl fully concurred in the indignant epithets of cowards
and assassins bestowed by Frank upon his late assailants, deplored with
him the miserable and mistaken policy of revolt among the people, and
regretted that, as foreigners themselves, they could not offer the
hospitality of the villa to the wounded man without exposing their lives
and fortunes to an Infuriated peasantry.

"What nation do you then belong to?" asked Frank, shrewdly concealing
his knowledge of English.

"We are, so to say, of different countries," said Jekyl, smiling, and
evading the question. "The padre is a Florentine--"

"And the lady?"

"She is a very charming person, and if it were not that she is a little
over-devout, a shade too good, would be the most delightful creature in
existence."

"The tall man is her husband, I conclude."

"No,----not her husband," smiled Jekyl again; "a person you 'll like
much when you see more of him. Short and abrupt, perhaps, at first, but
so kind-hearted and so generous."

"And has the villa got a name?" asked Frank, in a voice of some
impatience at finding how little his companion repaid his frankness.

"It is called La Rocca," said Jekyl. "Had you not been a stranger in
Italy, you would scarcely have asked. It is the most celebrated on the
whole l