zed. A gleaming
poignard was placed in the assassin's hand, which descended ere he
could break from that strong hold, and was buried deep in his heart.

Guiltily two forms glided away in opposite directions, leaving Luiz,
pale and cold, lying in a stream of blood--dead!

* * * * *

It was still early when Lianor awoke; but in spite of the drowsiness
overpowering her, she hastily rose, and calling her maids, bade them
quickly arrange her toilet.

"I am restless, and cannot stay longer indoors; I wish to be out in
the fresh air," she explained to Savitre, who entered soon after.

Scarcely, however, had they arrived without the palace gates, than
Diniz Sampayo, his face pale and haggard, eyes full of fear and
anguish, came hastily to her side.

"Donna Lianor, return to your father's house; I have something to tell
you which I dare not breathe here--it is too horrible! Prepare
yourself for a great shock, my poor child! I wish some one else had
brought the awful tidings," he cried hoarsely.

Lianor stood perfectly still, and her eyes grew wide and her face
blanched with awakened fear. Clasping her hands piteously together,
she said:

"Tell me now. I am brave--can bear anything! Is it Luiz? Is he ill--in
danger? Oh, Diniz, for pity's sake tell me!"

Diniz took the trembling hands in his, and quietly bidding the others
follow, led her silently through the town, until they arrived at the
house where Luiz had taken rooms with his friend.

"Perhaps it is best you should see him. Poor Luiz! How can I break the
awful truth to you? Your betrothed--the man you loved--is dead--
murdered by a cowardly hand on his way home from your father's
palace!"

Lianor grew deathly pale.

"Dead!" she repeated, clasping her hands despairingly to her throbbing
brow. "It cannot be true! My darling dead--murdered!"

"My poor child, it is only too true! This morning he was found, and
brought home, stabbed through the heart!"

"But who could have done it?" Savitre asked in a low, hushed whisper.

"I wish I knew. But, alas! that is a mystery!"

Lianor gazed helplessly from one to the other, then, breaking from her
friend's gentle hold, staggered forward.

"Where are you going, Lianor?" Diniz asked, anxiously.

"To him. I must see for myself the terrible truth."

"Can you bear it?"

"Yes--oh, yes!"

Very tenderly Diniz took one of the trembling hands in his, and led
her toward a darkened chamber, where