-Henry IV.

THE beauty and the aristocracy of Florence crowded the gorgeous
apartments of the ducal palace, admiring the matchless pictures now
first exhibited to the public view-the productions of the artists of
the city for the prize of the liberal monarch.

There was not one which did not draw forth high and just encomiums
for its beauty and excellence; but all paused to admire above the
rest, one which, from originality of conception and perfection of
finish, was pronounced to surpass all its competitors, and great was
the curiosity expressed as to who was the author.-Some said that
Michael Angelo himself must have arisen from the tomb to produce so
perfect a picture. Throughout the hours of the exhibition, until the
time appointed for the awarding of the prize, the superb picture
bearing the name of "The Unknown," was the constant theme of all,
and the centre of attraction.

Among that lovely collection of beauty and fashion stood Florinda,
in all the loveliness of youth and high-born beauty, "the star of
that goodly company." How different was the expression of her face
from the majority of those about her. No pride or envy could be
traced on that beautiful brow, stamped with innocence and
gentleness; those mild deep blue eyes knew no deceit, but frankly
shared the promptings of her pure, untainted soul at every glance.

She looked more like the formation of the fancy in some fairy dream
than a reality, so angelic did she seem amid that princely throng.
She did not know that Carlton had contended for the prize; he had
kept his own secret, and she expressed her unfeigned admiration of