with a dislike she did not care to conceal.

"Such hath been the solicitude of your illustrious guardians, lady. As
the damsel is instructed in all that is necessary, I will intrude no
longer, but take my leave, recommending that you improve the hours,
which are now few, between this and the rising sun, that you may profit
by the morning breeze in quitting the city."

The officer glanced another look around the room, more, however, through
habitual caution than any other reason, bowed, and departed.

A profound and sorrowful silence succeeded. Then the apprehension that
Don Camillo might mistake their situation and appear, flashed upon the
mind of Violetta, and she hastened to apprise him of the danger, by
speaking to the new attendant.

"Thou hast served before this, Annina?" she asked, so loud as to permit
the words to be heard in the oratory.

"Never a lady so beautiful and illustrious, Signora. But I hope to make
myself agreeable to one that I hear is kind to all around her."

"Thou art not new to the flattery of thy class; go then, and acquaint my
ancient attendants with this sudden resolution, that I may not
disappoint the council by tardiness. I commit all to thy care, Annina,
since thou knowest the pleasure of my guardians--those without will
furnish the means."

The girl lingered, and her watchful observers noted suspicion and
hesitation in her reluctant manner of compliance. She obeyed, however,
leaving the room with the domestic Donna Violetta summoned from the
antechamber. The instant the door was closed behind her, Don Camillo was
in the group, and the whole four stood regarding each other in a common
panic.

"Canst thou still hesitate, father?" demanded the lover.

"Not a moment, my son, did I see the means of accomplishing flight."

"How! Thou wilt not then desert me!" exclaimed Violetta, kissing his
hands in joy. "Nor thou, my second mother!"

"Neither," answered the governess, who possessed intuitive means of
comprehending the resolutions of the monk; "we will go with thee, love,
to the Castle of St. Agata, or to the dungeon of St. Mark."

"Virtuous and sainted Florinda, receive my thanks!" cried the reprieved
Violetta, clasping her hands on her bosom, with an emotion in which
piety and gratitude were mingled. "Camillo, we await thy guidance."

"Refrain," observed the monk; "a footstep--thy concealment."

Don Camillo was scarce hid from view when Annina reappeared. She had the
same suspi