minutes the tranquillity of his heart for ever.

"By Him who made me," cried he at length, "oh! thou art fair,
Rosabella; Valeria was not fairer."

He bowed himself down to her, and imprinted a burning kiss on the
pale cheeks of the beauty.

"Leave me, thou dreadful man," she stammered in terror; "oh, leave
me."

"Ah, Rosabella, why art thou so beauteous, and why am I--Knowest
thou who kissed thy cheek, Rosabella? Go, tell thy uncle, the proud
Doge--'TWAS THE BRAVO, ABELLINO," he said, and rushed out of the
arbour.



CHAPTER VII: THE BRAVO'S BRIDE.



It was not without good reason that Abellino took his departure in
such haste. He had quitted the spot but a few minutes, when a large
party accidentally strolled that way, and discovered with
astonishment the corpse of Matteo, and Rosabella pale and trembling
in the arbour.

A crowd immediately collected itself round them. It increased with
every moment, and Rosabella was necessitated to repeat what had