“Signore,” he answered, “since it is your pleasure, I will return among the Augustines.  But I ask, as simple justice, that, if I am to be hunted by dogs as a beast of prey, all who were in the same circumstances as myself may become subject to the same rule.  This pilgrim and the Neapolitan came up the mountain yesterday, as well as myself, and I demand their arrest until they too can give an account of themselves.  It will not be the first time that we have been inhabitants of the same prison.”

Conrad crossed himself in submission, neither he nor Pippo raising any objection to the step.  On the contrary, each frankly admitted it was no more than equitable on its face.

“We are poor travellers on whom many accidents have already alighted, and we may well be pressed to reach the end of our journey,” said the pilgrim; “but, that justice may be done, we shall submit without a murmur.  I am loaded with the sins of many besides my own, however, and St. Peter he knows that the last are not light.  This holy canon will see that masses are said in the convent chapel in behalf of those for whom I travel; this duty done, I am an infant in your hands.”

The good Augustine professed the perfect readiness of the fraternity to pray for all who were in necessity, with the single proviso that they should be Christians.  With this amicable understanding then, the peace was made between them, and the parties immediately took the path that led back to the convent.  On reaching the building, Maso, with the two travellers who had been found in his company, were; laced in safe keeping in one of the of the solid edifice, until the return of the clavier should enable them to vindicate their innocence.

Satisfied with himself for the part he had acted in the late affair, Sigismund strolled into the chapel, where, at that early hour, some of the brother hood were always occupied in saying masses in behalf of the souls of the living or of the dead He was here when he received a note from the Signor Grimaldi, apprizing him of the arrest of his father, and of the dark suspicions that were so naturally connected with the transaction.  It is unnecessary to dwell on the nature of the shock he received from this intelligence.  After a few moments of bitter anguish, he perceived the urgency of making his sister acquainted with the truth as speedily as possible.  The arrival of the party from the Refuge was expected every moment, and by delay he increased the risk of Christine’s hearing the appalling fact from some other quarter.  He sought an audience, therefore, with Adelheid, the instant he had summoned sufficient self-command to undertake the duty.

Mademoiselle de Willading was struck with the pale brow and agitated air of the young soldier, at the first glance of her eye.

“Thou hast permitted this unexpected blow to affect thee unusually, Sigismund,” she said, smiling, and offering her hand; for she felt that the circumstances were those in which cold and heartless forms should give place to feeling and sincerity.  “Thy sister is tranquil, if not happy.”