posal, Signor Pasquale. Make up
your mind; decide upon coming, and yield to my earnest prayers."

"Formica," lisped Pasquale, "has a capital voice; how he _would_ sing
my arias!"

"Decide on it," cried Nicolo once more, grasping the old man's legs
tighter than ever.

"You promise me," said Pasquale; "you undertake to be responsible that
I get safe home without being set upon?"

"Upon my life and honour," said Nicolo, giving the legs an extra grip.

"Done!" cried the old gentleman. "The evening after to-morrow I shall
be at your theatre."

Nicolo jumped up, and pressed the old man to his heart with such
violence that he coughed and gasped for breath.

At this juncture Marianna came in. Pasquale tried to restrain her by
casting a grim look at her, but in vain. She went straight to Musso,
and said angrily: "It is of no use your trying to entice my dear uncle
to go to your theatre again. Remember that the horrible trick played
upon me by abandoned villains who have a plot against me nearly cost my
darling uncle and his worthy friend Splendiano their lives, not to
mention myself. Never will I allow him to run such a risk again. Cease
your attempts, Nicolo. Dearest uncle! you will stay quietly at home,
will you not, and never venture outside the Porto del Popolo again in
the treacherous night, which is no one's friend?"

This came upon Signor Pasquale like a clap of thunder. He gazed at his
niece with eyes widely opened; and presently addressed her in the
sweetest language, explaining to her at much length that Signor Nicolo
had taken the responsibility of making such arrangements that there
should be no possible risk of danger on the homeward way.

"For all that," answered Marianna, "my opinion remains the same, and I
implore you most earnestly, dearest uncle, not to go. Excuse me, Signor
Nicolo, for speaking clearly in your presence, and uttering the dark
presentiment which I so strongly feel. I know that Salvator Rosa is a
friend of yours, and I have no doubt so is Antonio Scacciati. How if
you were in collusion with my enemies? How if you are tempting my uncle
(who, I know, will not go to your theatre unless I am with him) only to
have a surer opportunity of carrying out some fresh plot against him?"

"What an idea!" cried Nicolo, as if horrified. "What a terrible
suspicion to entertain, Signora! Have you had such an evil experience
of me in the past? Is my reputation such that you believe me capable of
such a