ut
when the door opened she knew it was not Monna Brigida who entered.

Since she had parted from Tito on that memorable night, she had had no
external proof to warrant her belief that he had won his safety by
treachery; on the contrary, she had had evidence that he was still
trusted by the Mediceans, and was believed by them to be accomplishing
certain errands of theirs in Romagna, under cover of fulfilling a
commission of the government. For the obscurity in which the evidence
concerning the conspirators was shrouded allowed it to be understood
that Tito had escaped any implication.

But Romola's suspicion was not to be dissipated: her horror of his
conduct towards Baldassarre projected itself over every conception of
his acts; it was as if she had seen him committing a murder, and had had
a diseased impression ever after that his hands were covered with fresh
blood.

As she heard his step on the stone floor, a chill shudder passed through
her; she could not turn round, she could not rise to give any greeting.
He did not speak, but after an instant's pause took a seat on the other
side of the table just opposite to her. Then she raised her eyes and
looked at him; but she was mute. He did not show any irritation, but
said, coolly--

"This meeting corresponds with our parting, Romola. But I understand
that it is a moment of terrible suspense. I am come, however, if you
will listen to me, to bring you the relief of hope."

She started, and altered her position, but looked at him dubiously.

"It will not be unwelcome to you to hear--even though it is I who tell
it--that the council is prorogued till the twenty-first. The Eight have
been frightened at last into passing a sentence of condemnation, but the
demand has now been made on behalf of the condemned for the Appeal to
the Great Council."

Romola's face lost its dubious expression; she asked eagerly--

"And when is it to be made?"

"It has not yet been granted; but it _may_ be granted. The Special
Council is to meet again on the twenty-first to deliberate whether the
Appeal shall be allowed or not. In the meantime there is an interval of
three days, in which chances may occur in favour of the prisoners--in
which interest may be used on their behalf."

Romola started from her seat. The colour had risen to her face like a
visible thought, and her hands trembled. In that moment her feeling
towards Tito was forgotten.

"Possibly," said Tito, also ri