The lady seemed relieved by this; and she now briefly explained to Nelson the substance of what the other had said.

“It may be,” she added, “they are here on that errand, concerning which we have already heard so much, and so uselessly; but I rather think not, from this account; for what interest can they feel in one who is absolutely a stranger to them?  It may be some idle conceit, however, connected with this same affair.  What is your wish, Ghita?  This is Don Horatio Nelsoni, the illustrious English admiral, of whom you have heard so much.”

“Eccellenza, I am sure of it,” answered Ghita, earnestly; “my good uncle, here, has told you who we are; and you may well guess our business.  We came from St. Agata, on the other side of the bay, only this morning, and heard from a relation in the town that Don Francesco had been seized that very hour.  Since, we are told that he has been condemned to die, for treason against the king; and that by officers who met in this very ship.  Some even say, Signora, that he is to meet his fate ere the sun set.”

“If this should be so, what reason is it that thou shouldst give thyself concern?”

“Eccellenza, he was my father’s father; and, though I never saw him, I know that the same blood runs in our veins.  When this is so, there should be the same feelings in our hearts.”

“This is well, Ghita, in appearance at least; but thou canst hardly feel much for one thou never saw’st and who has even refused to own thee for a child.  Thou art young, too, and of a sex that should ever be cautious; it is unwise for men, even, to meddle with politics in these troubled times.”

“Signora, it is not politics that brings me here, but nature, and duty, and pious love for my father’s father.”

“What wouldst thou say, then?” answered the lady impatiently; “remember thou occupiest one whose time is precious and of high importance to entire nations.”

“Eccellenza, I believe it, and will try to be brief.  I wish to beg my grandfather’s life of this illustrious stranger.  They tell me the king will refuse him nothing, and he has only to ask it of Don Ferdinando to obtain it.”

Many would have thought the matured charms of the lady superior to the innocent-looking beauty of the girl; but no one could have come to such an opinion who saw them both at that moment.  While Ghita’s face was radiant with a holy hope and the pious earnestness which urged her on, a dark expression lowered about the countenance of the English beauty that deprived it of one of its greatest attractions by depriving it of the softness and gentleness of her sex.  Had there not been observers of what passed, it is probable the girl would have been abruptly repulsed; but management formed no small part of the character of this woman, and she controlled her feelings in order to effect her purposes.

“This admiral is not a Neapolitan, but an Englishman,” she answered, “and can have no concern with the justice of your king.  He would scarcely think it decent to interfere with the execution of the laws of Naples.”