The paper was drawn and signed, and Signor Latrezzi from that hour
became a different man; he had thoroughly repented.

"You are now content?"

"I am, my dear Florinda, and thankful to you for thus relieving my
mind."

"Say nothing about it, my dear uncle."

"I will not, save in action towards you, Florinda, who have placed
me under lasting obligations."

Though Carlton deeply regretted the fatal occurrence of that night
at the inn on the Apennines, still his conscience did not upbraid
him for the part he had enacted; for though he had taken the life of
Petro, it was done in self-defence, and the court of Florence so
decided, Carlton having given himself up to trial. It would have
gone hard with him, or any foreigner in Italy, and especially in
Tuscany, who should chance to be thus situated; but Carlton had the
all-powerful influence of the Grand Duke Leopold exerted in his
favor, and in this case justice was rendered.

True, it was some time before the American artist was again received
at court, or made his appearance at the Grand Duke's weekly cordon,
as public opinion was against him-and very naturally, too, for he
was a foreigner, and had taken the life of a citizen of Florence,
and one closely allied to the nobility and gentle blood. But after
the decision of the court-which the duke took good care to have made
in the most imposing and public form-was thoroughly understood, and