ion under her eyelids of Nagen
like a shadowy devil in pursuit of men flying, and striking herself and
Vittoria worse than dead in one blow levelled at Carlo Ammiani. A sense
of supernatural horror chilled her blood when she considered again,
facing her enemy, that their mutual happiness was by her own act
involved in the fate of one life. She stepped farther than the half-way
to greet her visitor, whose hands she took. Before a word was uttered
between them, she turned to her brother, and with a clear voice said:

"Karl, the Countess Alessandra's husband, our old, friend Carlo Ammiani,
may need succour in his flight. Try to cross it; or better, get among
those who are pursuing him; and don't delay one minute. You understand
me."

Count Karl bowed his head, bitterly humbled.

Anna's eyes seemed to interrogate Vittoria, "Can I do, more?" but her
own heart answered her.

Inveterate when following up her passion for vengeance, she was
fanatical in responding to the suggestions of remorse.

"Stay; I will despatch Major Weisspriess in my own name," she said.
"He is a trusty messenger, and he knows those mountains. Whoever is the
officer broken for aiding Count Ammiani's escape, he shall be rewarded
by me to the best of my ability. Countess Alessandra, I have anticipated
your petition; I hope you may not have to reproach me. Remember that my
country was in pieces when you and I declared war. You will not suffer
without my suffering tenfold. Perhaps some day you will do me the favour
to sing to me, when there is no chance of interruption. At present it is
cruel to detain you."

Vittoria said simply: "I thank you, Countess Anna."

She was led out by Count Karl to where Merthyr awaited her. All wondered
at the briefness of a scene that had unexpectedly brought the crisis
to many emotions and passions, as the broken waters of the sea beat
together and make here or there the wave which is topmost. Anna's grand
initiative hung in their memories like the throbbing of a pulse, so
hotly their sensations swarmed about it, and so intensely it embraced
and led what all were desiring. The duchess kissed Anna, saying:

"That is a noble heart to which you have become reconciled. Though you
should never be friends, as I am with one of them, you will esteem her.
Do not suppose her to be cold. She is the mother of an unborn little
one, and for that little one's sake she follows out every duty; she
checks every passion in her bosom. Sh