gentle and high-born Florinda loved the young American artist as
dearly as he did the loveliest girl of the sunny Val d'Arno.

Petro was safe in his calculation, at least as far as it regarded
his deception and stratagem with the letter between Florinda and
Carlton; for, having received the letter despatched by Petro that
morning, Carlton did not for a moment question its genuineness, but
proceeded at once to make his arrangements accordingly, supposing
that the intended elopement was only delayed for twenty-four hours
by some unforeseen circumstance which had occurred in the household
of Florinda's uncle.

This was a reasonable construction of the matter; and with this view
of it, and as she had requested him not to attempt to see her until
they met at the gate, Carlton mounted his horse and rode out of the
city, proposing a pleasure trip upon the mountains until night. We
will not deny that he was disappointed, but having implicit
confidence in Florinda's judgment, he believed that she could not
have unnecessarily delayed the appointment.

Petro had made all his arrangements with a zeal and care worthy of a
better cause. It is but too often the case that we find activity and
zeal exerted in behalf of the wrong; for the rogue, conscious of his
evil purpose, exerts every faculty to accomplish his end, and to
screen himself from the detection he constantly fears.

Here was an uncle and nephew plotting a young girl's misery-coolly
and understandingly consigning her to a lot, which, of all others,
is most to be dreaded by a female heart. She little suspected their
treachery-and where should she not have first looked for deceit,