ed for her in all
directions for three whole days without success, at the end of which
time we received a note from her, thanking us for what she was pleased
to term our great kindness, and informing us that she had taken steps to
carry out the sole purpose of her future life, which was vengeance upon
the authors of her wrongs, and the enemies of her country. We knew not
what to make of this statement at first, but we soon afterwards learned
that it meant she had formed a guerilla band at the head of which she
had placed herself--the avowed object of which is war to the knife with
the French, as long as any of them remain in Corsica.

"And most terribly has she carried out her purpose so far, for already
nearly 300 Frenchmen have perished upon the weapons of her band, and
fourteen French officers have met their deaths at her own hands.

"The adoption of so vindictive a purpose has gained for her the title of
Bell' Demonio, a title which she has accepted as perfectly appropriate,
and as indicative of the relentless vengeance which her enemies may look
for from her."

"What a terrible history of wanton wrong and of merciless retribution!"
I exclaimed, when the count had finished his narrative. "It is horrible
to think that beings claiming to be civilised can be capable of such
monstrous deeds, but it is so, as I can testify from the conversation of
the Frenchmen who took me prisoner, and by the bye that reminds me that
_you_ were the subject of their remarks. Have you any reason to suppose
yourself in any sort of danger?"

"Well, no," replied the count; "I should scarcely say that I consider
myself in absolute _danger_; of course it is only reasonable to suppose
that, since my brother has placed himself at the head of the insurgents,
I should be regarded with a certain amount of suspicion; but that
occasions me no anxiety whatever, for I have no one about me but those
whom I can implicitly trust, and even to them I confide no more than I
can possibly help, so I think I may say I am reasonably safe from
betrayal. At the same time I omit no precaution, because I have strong
reason to suppose that my actions are being watched, as I believe I have
already mentioned. But perhaps you will favour me with a recapitulation
of the remarks made by the French concerning me? I have hitherto had no
means of ascertaining exactly in what estimation they hold me, and any
light on the subject would be especially valuable just now.