“To the archbishop’s!  Why, you will not find one living creature there.  The good cardinal would have all the sick he could find brought to his palace, but they fell off like dried leaves; and when he was struck with the plague himself none ventured to approach it; for we all agree that the air there must be more deadly than elsewhere, since it has not even spared his eminence.  So, if it is there you are bound, Madonna, we part company; but it is just tempting Providence.”

Giulietta’s only answer was to offer the gardener a small sum for her conveyance; but to her surprise he refused it.  “No, no, you are going on a holier errand than I; keep your money; you will want it all if you stay in this city, every thing is so dear.”

A sudden thought struck Giulietta.  “I do not ask you,” said she, “to venture to a spot which seems marked for destruction; but if I meet you here to-morrow will you bring with you a small supply of provisions and fruit?  I can afford to pay for them.”

“I will come, be sure,” replied the man; “and the saints keep you, maiden, for your errand is a perilous one.”  He watched her progress till she disappeared round a corner in the street.  “I wish,” muttered he, “I had gone with her to the palace; at all events, I will be here to-morrow; she is, for all her black veil and pale face, so like my little Minetta.  Ay, ay, if this plague lasts, I shall be able to tell down her dowry in gold;” and the gardener pursued his way.

When Giulietta arrived at her uncle’s palace, she paused for a moment, not in fear but in awe, the stillness was so profound; not one familiar sound broke upon her ear.  The doors were all open, and she entered the hall; pallets were ranged on each side, and on one or two of the small tables stood cups and phials; but not a trace appeared of an habitant.  On she passed through the gloomy rooms; everything was in disorder and out of place:  it was indeed as if a multitude had there suddenly taken up their abode and as suddenly departed.  But Giulietta hurried on to her uncle’s sleeping apartment; it was vacant.  Her heart for the first time sank within her, and she leant against the wainscot, sick and faint.  “I have yet a hope,” exclaimed she, and even as she spoke she turned to seek the oratory.  She was right.  The crucifix stood, and the breviary was open on the small table, even as they were the first time she entered that room:  and on a rude mattrass beside it lay her uncle.  She sank on her knees, for he lay motionless; but, thanks to the holy Virgin, not breathless; no, as she bent over him, and her lips touched his, she could perceive the breath, the precious breath, of life:  his hand too! it burnt in hers, but she could feel the pulse distinctly.