magnificence of his style of living, and from the pinnacle of his grandeur he will cast an eye of lawful pride upon Turchi dishonored and ruined!  Miserable dog that I am!  Deodati will discover that I owe him ten thousand crowns.  He will appeal to the courts of justice, and I will be condemned as a rogue; they will discover that I have spent more than I possessed.  Outraged, despised, mocked, shall I fall forever into the abyss of misery and infamy?  No, no; let him die!  His death alone can save me.  If he perishes as I have planned, I no longer owe him the ten thousand crowns; Mary becomes my wife, and I am master of her dowry.  In that case I am still the powerful, honored chief of the house of Buonvisi!  But time presses; to-morrow it may be too late!  I hear Julio coming.  Upon him rests all my hope.”

The servant entered and placed a lighted candle upon the table.

“Now, signor,” he said, “to what trial do you wish to subject my courage?  However difficult it may be, it will not be beyond my strength.”

“Close the blinds; lower the windows,” said Turchi; “sit down and listen attentively to my words.  I am about to talk to you of an important affair.”

The red-haired man regarded his master with a malicious and incredulous smile, but he took the seat indicated to him without a word of comment.

“Julio,” said Simon, “I am dejected and undecided.  There is a man who pretends to be my friend, but who has secretly been my bitter enemy.  He has always artfully calumniated and deceived me, and injured me in my fortune and honor; he has pushed his machinations to such a degree that I will soon be condemned to eternal infamy and misery, unless, by a bold stroke of vengeance, I break through the snares he has laid for my destruction.  Be calm, Julio; it does you honor to be inflamed with anger against the enemies of your master; but listen.  I discovered, three days ago, that it was this treacherous friend who paid the assassins to inflict the wound of which I still bear the scar on my face.  Thus, he first shed my blood and attempted my life; now he plans my ruin and dishonor.  Julio, what would you do in my place?”

“What would I do?  Ask my dagger, signor; if it could speak, it would tell you of wonderful exploits.”

“Then you would not hesitate to undertake a difficult task?”

“Hesitate! you insult me, signor.  I would not hesitate were twenty swords brandished over my head.”

“Understand, Julio, that had I doubted your intrepidity, I would not have spoken to you of such grave affairs.  I give you the highest proof of confidence by intrusting my vengeance to your hands.  I will tell you who is my enemy, and where you can strike him secretly.  Kill him, and you shall be liberally recompensed.”

This mission appeared unpalatable to Julio.

“Yes,” he stammered; “but that is not my way of acting.  I will pick a quarrel with your enemy, and if he dares to raise a finger against me, he is a dead man.”