s morning and which I purloined from her
writing-cabinet. Nay, hesitate not but read, for it concerns you
vitally." At her command he read:

"_To the Grand Duchess Christina de' Medici._

"MOST HONOURED AND DEAR SPOUSE:

"Your letter informing me of the arrival at the villa of a person
purporting to be the Earl of Essex has occasioned me great concern
inasmuch as the fellow is undoubtedly an impostor.

"His Eminence, Don Jerome Osorio, Bishop of Algarve, who arrived in
this city some five days since, asserts positively that on the date
upon which this rascal presented himself at the Villa Medici the
Earl of Essex personally conducted the sack of the town of Faro in
southern Portugal, and, having feloniously carried the bishop's
library on board the English flag-ship, he forth-with set sail for
the open ocean, evidently upon his return voyage for England.

"Imagine, therefore, my anxiety on learning that you have given
harbourage to some rascal, who having by base practises learned
that the Earl had an errand with me, now usurps his name and
credit. I send this letter by my trusty servitor, Radicofani, whom
I have charged to bring the villain with all speed to me that I may
examine him by the question and learn his motives in assuming this
disguise. If he has brought with him any papers (some of which he
may easily have stolen from the Earl of Essex) see to it that
Radicofani obtains possession of them before the rascal's
suspicions are aroused. I tremble when I think how he may have
practised upon your unsuspicious nature, and what villainies he may
already have accomplished, or rather I would thus tremble did I not
know that you inherit the resolution of the race of Lorraine,
which, even when a mistake has been committed, knows how to wring
success from disaster. Confiding thus in your courage and your
woman's wit, I remain,

"Your loving husband,

"FERDINANDO.

"P.S. For the better furtherance of my desires confide my
suspicions to no one not even to my niece, but take leave of this
caitiff with all ceremony as though he were indeed him whom he
represents."

Brandilancia paled slightly, but not at the danger in which he stood.
"The Grand Duke is correct in his suspicions," he said, "I have lied to
you, I am not the Earl of Essex."

She smiled enigm