muttered a few words to himself, and then addressed her aloud:--

"Isabel di Pisani, I have saved you from a great peril,--not from
dishonor only, but perhaps from death. The Prince di --, under the weak
government of a royal child and a venal administration, is a man above
the law. He is capable of every crime; but amongst his passions he has
such prudence as belongs to ambition: if you were not to reconcile
yourself to your shame, you would never enter the world again to tell
your tale. The ravisher has no heart for repentance, but he has a
hand that can murder. I have saved thee, Isabel di Pisani. Perhaps
you would ask me wherefore?" Zicci paused, and smiled mournfully as he
added: "My life is not that of others, but I am still human,--I know
pity; and more, Isabel, I can feel gratitude for affection. You love
me; it was my fate to fascinate your eye, to arouse your vanity, to
inflame your imagination. It was to warn you from this folly that I
consented for a few minutes to become your guest. The Englishman,
Glyndon, loves thee well,--better than I can ever love; he may wed thee,
he may bear thee to his own free and happy land,--the land of thy
mother's kin. Forget me, teach thyself to return and to deserve his
love; and I tell thee that thou wilt be honored and be happy."

Isabel listened with silent wonder and deep blushes to this strange
address; and when the voice ceased, she covered her face with her hands
and wept.

Zicci rose. "I have fulfilled my duty to you, and I depart. Remember
that you are still in danger from the prince; be wary, and be cautious.
Your best precaution is in flight; farewell."

"Oh, do not leave me yet! You have read a secret of which I myself was