"Forgive you! He has sought for you with the blessed hope of
clasping you once more in his arms before he died-for years, O
Viola, we have all suffered deeply."

"We have, indeed, but now--" a shudder passed over her as she clung
closer to Da Vinci, on hearing a quick footstep in the hall. Another
moment and Brandini was face to face with Leonarde. We leave the
scene that followed to the reader's imagination; the torrent of rage
which Villani poured forth, together with the fatigue she had lately
undergone, caused Teresa to faint in Da Vinci's arms, when Brandini,
finding his villany was discovered, made a hasty retreat. A message
was despatched for the Duke di Castiglioni, and in an hour Viola was
in his arms, and receiving his fall and free pardon.

A week afterward the now united family were leaving Havana, the
scene of so much grief and joy. Teresa stood on the steamer's deck,
with her husband gazing at the city, when the pilot came on board.

"Quite an affair came off last night," he said to the captain; "an
Italian gentleman, Signor Brandini, who ran through a splendid
property in his own country and was a spendthrift here was found
dead-blew out his brains-it was supposed to be some love affair that
caused it."

Teresa's cheek turned very pale, as she hid her face on Da Vinci's
shoulder, who whispered:

"So ends the last scene in the dark drama of thy past. Look up, my
Viola! The clouds are passed, and sunshine is over all."