rattle of oars and the buzz of many voices. Then there was a
crash upon the door upstairs, and a terrible voice roared:
"Open! Open in the name of the Emperor!"

The Emperor! It was like the mention of some saint which, by its
very sound, can frighten the demons.

Away they ran with cries of terror--Matteo, the valets, the
steward, all of the murderous gang. Another shout and then the
crash of a hatchet and the splintering of planks. There were the
rattle of arms and the cries of French soldiers in the hall.
Next instant feet came flying down the stair and a man burst
frantically into my cell.

"Lucia!" he cried, "Lucia!" He stood in the dim light, panting
and unable to find his words. Then he broke out again. "Have I
not shown you how I love you, Lucia? What more could I do to
prove it? I have betrayed my country, I have broken my vow, I
have ruined my friends, and I have given my life in order to save
you."

It was young Lorenzo Loredan, the lover whom I had superseded.
My heart was heavy for him at the time, but after all it is every
man for himself in love, and if one fails in the game it is some
consolation to lose to one who can be a graceful and considerate
winner.

I was about to point this out to him, but at the first word I
uttered he gave a shout of astonishment, and, rushing out, he
seized the lamp which hung in the corridor and flashed it in my