of each case, but according to its own preconceived notions.  You may wonder to hear me speak thus, being so young.  I am surprised at it myself; and I perceive that if great sorrows are sometimes dumb, they are sometimes eloquent.  Be this as it may, grant me the favour I implore:  it will cost you little.  Put me at once into the street, or at least near the great church; for I shall know my way thence to the house of my parents.  But you must also swear not to follow me, or make any attempts to ascertain my name or that of my family, who if they were as wealthy as they are noble, would not have to bear patiently such insult in my person.  Answer me, and if you are afraid of being known by your voice, know, that except my father and my confessor, I have never spoken with any man in my life, and that I should never be able to tell who you were, though you were to speak ever so long.”

The only reply Rodolfo made to the unhappy Leocadia was to embrace her, and attempt a repetition of his offence; but she defended herself with hands, feet, and teeth, and with a strength he could not have supposed her capable of exerting.  “Base villain,” she cried, “you took an infamous advantage of me when I had no more power to resist than a stock or a stone; but now that I have recovered my senses, you shall kill me before you shall succeed.  You shall not have reason to imagine, from my weak resistance, that I pretended only to faint when you effected my ruin.”  In fine, she defended herself with such spirit and vigour as completely damped Rodolfo’s ardour.  Without saying a word he left the room, locked the door behind him, and went in quest of his companions, to consult them as to what he should do.

Finding herself left alone, Leocadia got out of bed, and groped about the room, and along the walls, feeling for a door or window through which she might make her escape.  She found the door, but it was locked outside.  She succeeded in opening the window; and the moonlight shone in so brightly, that she could distinguish the colour of some damask hangings in the room.  She saw that the bed was gilded, and so rich, that it seemed that of a prince rather than of a private gentleman.  She counted the chairs and the cabinets, observed the position of the door, and also perceived some pictures hanging on the walls, but was not able to distinguish the subjects.  The window was large, and protected by a stout iron grating:  it looked out on a garden, surrounded by high walls, so that escape in that direction was as impossible as by the door.

Everything she observed in this sumptuous apartment showed her that its master was a person of quality, and of extraordinary wealth.  Among other things on which she cast her eyes was a small crucifix of solid silver, standing on a cabinet near the window.  She took it, and hid it in the sleeve of her gown, not out of devotion, nor yet with a felonious intention, but with a very proper and judicious design.  Having done this, she shut the window as before, and returned to the bed, to see what would be the end of an affair which had begun so badly.  In about half an hour, as it seemed to her, the door was opened; some one came in, blindfolded her, and taking her by the arm, without a word spoken, led her out of the room, which she heard him lock behind him.