ess and
love. Fleetwood felt its benign influence, and had he before been
inclined to despair, it would have reassured him. A moon reduced to a
thin crescent was sinking towards the horizon, and casting a bright
shining line across the ocean, its light being just sufficient to throw
the tall shadows of the towers and ruins along the open ground, and to
tinge their summits with a silvery hue.

The guide every now and then stopped and listened, as if apprehensive
that some one might be abroad, and interrupt their proceedings; and then
hearing nothing, on he went again as rapidly as before; Fleetwood each
time imitating his example, and stopping also. He had scarcely before
remarked his conductor's appearance; but he now observed, while thus
stopping, that his figure was small and light, and that he wore a dark
_capote_, with the hood drawn over his head, so as completely to conceal
his features and to envelope his form. They went on till they got close
to the tower in which Ada resided, when the guide once more came to a
stop, and beckoned Fleetwood to approach.

"_Zitto_, hush!" said the guide, in the softest Italian. "I have risked
much to serve you, and her you love--my life--and even more than my
life--yours also, perhaps--and, therefore be cautious. I can allow you
only a short time to say all you long to utter; but remember what might
happen were you discovered. I will remain below to watch and warn you
of danger, and afterwards to conduct you back to your lodging, as I must
lock you in there. No one yet suspects you; but when our chief returns
I know not how that may be--therefore be advised by me; what you have to
do, do quickly. Now go--a short half-hour is all the time I can allow
you."

Fleetwood, as he listened, was certain that he knew the accents of the
voice, and that the speaker could be no other than the Signora Nina; but
he did not stay to utter empty thanks. He thought he could do that as
well on his return, but sprang towards the door, which she opened for
him, as she spoke; and again taking the lantern from beneath her cloak
showed him some steps by which he might ascend the tower.

"Be cautious," she whispered, seeing that he was about to leap up them
at the rate his impatience would have urged him to proceed. "Tread
lightly, and speak not loud, lest any one passing may hear you. Now,
go."

She held the light to show him the turnings in the stairs. He stepped
up two or three at a t