tes of the proprietor. Thus, Madonnas
and saints are of frequent occurrence; and the majority of the artists
display their faith by an image of the saint whose patronage they claim.
Others exhibit some ideal conception; and a few denote their nationality
by the bust of their sovereign, or some prince of his house.

One of these buildings, a short distance from the town, and so small as
to be little more than a mere crypt, was distinguished by the chaste and
simple elegance of its design, and the tasteful ornament with which its
owner had decorated the most minute details of the building. He was
a young artist who had arrived in Carrara friendless and unknown, but
whose abilities had soon obtained for him consideration and employment.
At first, the tasks intrusted to him were the humbler ones of friezes
and decorative art; but at length, his skill becoming acknowledged, to
his hands were confided the choicest conceptions of Danneker, the most
rare creations of Canova. Little or nothing was known of him; his habits
were of the strictest seclusion,--he went into no society, he formed
no friendships. His solitary life, after a while, ceased to attract any
notice; and men saw him pass, and come and go, without question,--almost
without greeting; and, save when some completed work was about to be
packed off to its destination, the name of Sebastian Greppi was rarely
heard in Carrara.

His strict retirement had not, however, exempted him from the jealous
suspicions of the authorities; on the contrary, the seeming mystery of
his life had sharpened their curiosity and aroused their zeal; and more
than once was he summoned to the Prefecture to answer some frivolous
questions about his passport or his means of subsistence.

It was on one of these errands that he stood one morning in the
antechamber of the Podesta's court, awaiting his turn to be called
and interrogated. The heat of a crowded chamber, the wearisome
delay,--perhaps, too, some vexation at the frequency of these irritating
calls,--had partially excited him; and when he was at length introduced,
his manner was confused, and his replies vague and almost wandering.

Two strangers, whose formal permission to reside were then being filled
up by a clerk, were accommodated with seats in the room, and listened
with no slight interest to a course of inquiry so strange and novel to
their ears.

"Greppi!" cried the harsh voice of the President, "come forward;" and
a youth s