The herald., 1898-10-02

away from thy side q . dreary waste
ana I live only In thy presence"
Upon hearing this pretty and well
turned sentiment, she gave me . ten.
der smile and q languishing look, and
I could have sworn that she was mine
own.
'.It IL grievously hard for me to say.
good Timoteo," she answered, by req
son Of the strictness Of the old duke.
who ever insists upon an exact account
Of all my goings and comings, ana also
by reason Of the tedious ceremony OF
the court, which eternally SURROUNDS
me with a tiresome company OF attend
ants. Nathless. assure thyself that ]
shall seize the first betting moment 10
escape them. and to inform thee OF the
time and spot where we may meet
again. For am frank to tell thee
that thy company is pleasant, ana tiny
discourse more instructive than aught
that have heard before from any
knight. And now, II thou must really
and truly 80. andate con Do"
Resuming my disguise, / now TOOK
q tender farewell Of the ingenious and
fascinating Ippolita, and wended my
way. through the still, hilarious ana
numerous company. toward the en-
trance of the palace.
In the arched and stately entrance
was Joined, to my great annoyance, ny
the ubiquitous Brother Ambrose. was
then, thought I. never to get rid OF
this pestiferous fellow? We were pre-
pairing to go forth upon the street,
when I felt my cloak lightly pulled
from behind. turned back, ana De-
hold. who should stand before me but
the comely maid who had summoned
Castruccio's daughter from me after
the sarabande.
"Who art thou" said I, in some as
constituent, land what dost thou wish
with me?"
II am Fiorella, attendant to her
ladyship. the countess. an 1t please
your Worship" she answered, with a
curtesy.
She then drew closer to me and spoke
in q lower tone.
my lady bids thee attend her. hard
upon the midnight hour. at the postern
gate Of the palace garden. An unto
ward thing has happened, Of the
which, 1t having much to do with thy
safety, she Is much minded to acquaint
thee"
And how shall I know. my comely
maiden" said I. at the same time
chuckling her Nlnder the chin, that
thou speakest sooth? The thing which
thou sayest. has much the appearance
Of rigmarole. Tell me further that
may Judge whether to believe thee"
"Knowest thou this?" she asked. pro-
ducing and handing me a costly ring
set with emeralds and diamonds, which
had that night admired upon the
taper finger Of Ippolita. This is the
token which she babe me give thee. 1t
lacks but a half hour of the time APP
pointed. Fail not to be upon the spot
where she commands thee. as the gen.
tie lady will be exceeding wroth, an
she finds thee not"
She turned without more ado. and
disappeared. A pleasant thrill passed
through me. as l pondered over this
strange and peremptory summons
from the dukes lovely daughter. I had
not thought that she would so soon
call me again to her presence. and the
clandestine and secret manner Of our
proposed meeting added still greater
charm to my anticipation Of 1t.
A diabolical chuckle from the es.
capped monk at this moment interrupt.
ed my cogitations, and I now realized
for the first time the very disagreeablt
and vexatious fact, that he had over.
heard every word Of my interview with
Fiorella, and that now, the rogue wa.
in full possession of the secret of my
relations with Ippolita.
"Ha, ha," he exclaimed, "thou art
shrewd youth, and mast played thy
part well. If thou should'st ask my
present advice. I should say to thee;
marry the noble lady at once. Aftei