be. I kiss your hands and am, with the most perfect esteem,

"My dear Don Francis,

"Your most obedient, faithful, humble servant,

"COUNT AMADEO GIRALDI.

"P. S.--It may be discreet in you to repair to Lucca for the summer
heats. Pray command me in any occasion you may have."

My doors were set open. The first use I made of my freedom was to escort
Donna Aurelia to her chair. Without a word spoken between us, I handed
her in and shut to the door. The chairman asked me for a direction.

"To the house of Dr. Lanfranchi the learned judge," I said.




CHAPTER XLVII

THE FINAL PROOF


Free in every sense of the term--free, of prison, free of debt (for if
Aurelia had paid me, I had now paid her husband), free of every
obligation but guilt, I was all on fire for Lucca and that service which
is perfect freedom, voluntary bondage to Virginia, whom I could now love
whole-heartedly as she deserved. Artemis! Artemis! Chaster than a fire--