"Alas, alas!" cried he, "is there no one at hand who will take
compassion on the infirmity of a poor old man?"

The Doge's fair niece quitted the arbour hastily, and flew to give
assistance to the sufferer.

"What ails you, my good father?" she inquired in a melodious voice,
and with a look of benevolent anxiety.

Abellino pointed towards the arbour; Rosabella led him in, and
placed him on a seat of turf.

"God reward you, lady," stammered Abellino, faintly. He raised his
eyes; they met Rosabella's, and a blush crimsoned her pale cheeks.

Rosabella stood in silence before the disguised assassin, and
trembled with tender concern for the old man's illness; and oh, that
expression of interest ever makes a lovely women look so much more
lovely! She bent her delicate form over the man who was bribed to
murder her, and after a while asked him, in gentlest tone, "Are you
not better?"

"Better?" stammered the deceiver, with a feeble voice, "better--oh,
yes, yes, yes. You--you are the Doge's niece--the noble Rosabella
of Corfu?"

"The same, my good old man."

"Oh, lady, I have somewhat to tell you. Be on your guard, Start