iarly
together, as when lady and gallant had interchanged whispers last.

"And such," thought Adrian,--"such desolation may soon swallow up the
vestige of the unwelcomed guest, as of the vanished lord!"

At length he entered a saloon, in which was a table still spread with
wine-flasks, goblets of glass, and one of silver, withered flowers,
half-mouldy fruits, and viands. At one side the arras, folding-doors
opened to a broad flight of stairs, that descended to a little garden
at the back of the house, in which a fountain still played sparkling and
livingly--the only thing, save the stranger, living there! On the steps
lay a crimson mantle, and by it a lady's glove. The relics seemed to
speak to the lover's heart of a lover's last wooing and last farewell.
He groaned aloud, and feeling he should have need of all his strength,
filled one of the goblets from a half-emptied flask of Cyprus wine. He
drained the draught--it revived him. "Now," he said, "once more to my
task!--I will sally forth," when suddenly he heard heavy steps along the
rooms he had quitted--they approached--they entered; and Adrian beheld
two huge and ill-omened forms stalk into the chamber. They were wrapped
in black homely draperies, their arms were bare, and they wore large
shapeless masks, which descended to the breast, leaving only access to
sight and breath in three small and circular apertures. The Colonna half
drew his sword, for the forms and aspects of these visitors were not
such as men think to look upon in safety.

"Oh!" said one, "the palace has a new guest today. Fear us not,
stranger; there is room,--ay, and wealth enough for all men now in
Florence! Per Bacco! but there is still one goblet of silver left--how
comes that?" So saying, the man seized the cup which Adrian had just
drained, and thrust it into his breast. He then turned to Adrian, whose
hand was still upon his hilt, and said, with a laugh which came choked
and muffled through his vizard--"Oh, we cut no throats, Signor; the
Invisible spares us that trouble. We are honest men, state officers, and
come but to see if the cart should halt here tonight."

"Ye are then--"

"Becchini!"

Adrian's blood ran cold. The Becchino continued--"And keep you this
house while you rest at Florence, Signor?"

"Yes, if the rightful lord claim it not."

"Ha! ha! 'Rightful lord!' The plague is Lord of all now! Why, I have
known three gallant companies tenant this palace the last week, and
h