to prosecute his dishonest purpose, Thus he commenced carefully to
write a note addressed to Carlton, and purporting to come from
Florinda, in answer to his note of that evening. With her note open
before him, and carefully noticing its style and manner, both in
chirography and composition, he cunningly traced the following
lines:

"DEAR CARLTON:--In consequence of an unforeseen accident which I need
not now explain, I shall not be able to meet you until to-morrow
night, when I will do so at the hour named, and at the place
designated. Be careful of your own health and safety, and do not
attempt to see me until the time we meet at the gate opening on the
Borg' ognisanti.

"Affectionately thine, FLORINDA."

This he addressed after the style of Florinda's note, sealed very
ingeniously with the identical seal she had used on the note which
he had intercepted, as we have seen, and forwarded it early on the
following morning by one whom he could trust to Carlton, thus fully
carrying out his plot of deception against them both.

Petro's heart somehow throbbed strangely in his breast, and his
conscience was very ill at case. He felt that he was enacting the
coward's part in this business, and already half wished himself out
of it. But if the game was a bold and hazardous one, so was the
prize a brilliant one; and so he closed his eye to remorse, and
spurred forward.

Thus we blindly pursue the goal of our wishes, little heeding the