mall and shabby slip of paper, of which the
writing appeared faint and indistinct. It was dated 18--, Church of
St. Lorenzo, Capri, and went to certify that Guglielmo Stubber had been
present, on the morning of the 18th August, at the marriage of the Most
Noble Signor Massy with the Princess de la Torre, having in quality
as witness signed the registry thereof; and then went on to state
the circumstance of his attendance at the supper, and the event which
ensued. It bore the name of the writer at foot, Basilio Nardoni, priest
of the aforesaid church and village.

"Little is Glencore aware that such an evidence as this is in
existence," said Upton. "The conviction that he had his vengeance in his
power led him into this insane project. He fancied there was not a flaw
in that terrible indictment; and see, here is enough to open the door to
truth, and undo every detail of all his plotting. How strange is it that
the events of life should so often concur to expose the dark schemes of
men's hearts; proofs starting up in un-thought-of places, as though to
show how vain was mere subtlety in conflict with the inevitable law of
Fate."

"This Basilio Nardoni is an acquaintance of mine," said the Princess,
bent on pursuing another train of thought; "he was chaplain to the
Cardinal Caraffa, and frequently brought me communications from his
Eminence. He can be found, if wanted."

"It is unlikely--most unlikely--that we shall require him."

"If you mean that Lord Glencore will himself make all the amends he can
for a gross injury and a fraud, no more is necessary," said she, folding
the paper, and placing it in her pocket-book; "but if anything short of
this be intended, then there is no exposure too open, no publicity too
wide, to be given to the most cruel wrong the world has ever heard of."

"Leave me to deal with Glencore. I think I am about the only one who can
treat with him."

"And now for this dinner at Court, for I have changed my mind, and mean
to go," said the Princess. "It is full time to dress, I believe."

"It is almost six o'clock," said Upton, starting up. "We have quite
forgotten ourselves."

CHAPTER LI. CONFLICTING THOUGHTS

The Princess Sabloukoff found--not by any means an unfrequent experience
in life--that the dinner, whose dulness she had dreaded, turned out a
very pleasant affair. The Prince was unusually gracious. He was in good
spirits, and put forth powers of agreeability which had been succes