aints. Let us hear what the people have to say of
it."

Just then a Teresiano commenced a speech, accompanied by violent
gesticulations, against this insult to the Church. "How can you suffer
this heretic to be represented by you as a saint?" cried he, in a voice
of rage. "Do you not know that the Pope has excommunicated the King of
Prussia? Do you not know that he is an enemy to God, to the Church, and
to our holy Catholic religion? Away, then, with this lamp! The fires
of hell will devour him, but no holy lamp shall enlighten his darkened
soul."

"He is right, he is right," cried some among the crowd. "Away with the
lamp! Break Cicernachi's windows, for he is a Prussiano. He makes a
saint of a heretic! Put out the lamp!"

"Do not venture to touch the lamp," cried others. "Back! back! or
our fists shall close your eyes until neither the lamp nor the great
Frederick is visible to you."

"Put out the lamp, in God's name!" cried the infuriated Teresiani. And
the cry was repeated by many of his party, as they pressed forward. But
the Prussiani, amongst whom were our host and the stranger, had already
formed a wall of defence before the store, and were energetically
beating back the approaching Teresiani. And then there occurred a
tumult, such as can only occur among passionate Italians. Wild shouts,
curses, and threats were heard--eyes sparkling with rage, doubled fists,
and here and there a dagger or a knife was seen.

But the noise suddenly ceased, and a deep stillness prevailed. No sound
was heard but the quiet even tread of the solemn silent forms that stood
suddenly, as if they had risen from the earth in their midst. No one
had seen them come--no word was spoken by them, and still many retreated
timidly, fearfully from them; their presence was enough to quiet these
enraged masses, to silence their anger. Even Signor Montardo deserted
his prominent position before the lamp, and was gazing anxiously at the
dark forms passing slowly through the crowd.

"The sbirri!" whispered he to the stranger. "The servants of the Council
of Ten! Whom will they take with them?"

But it seemed as if these much-feared men only desired to cause the
people to remember them only, to threaten--not to punish. They wished to
remind the people that the law was watching over them. Completely hid by
their long mantles, they passed with bowed heads through the crowd.
Thus without addressing or noticing any one, they passed into one of the