Florinda was naturally of a devotional character; and this feeling had grown and strengthened by her companionship with the late duchess, who was noted for her piety and goodness-and in fact came to her death, as is well known, by too much rigor imposed upon herself in devotional penance!

Petro, after satisfying himself that the ruse had not been discovered, sought his own apartment in the palace to read the letter he had thus possessed himself of.  He hesitated for a moment before he broke the seal-we will do him the justice to say so-even in this stage of his conduct, his sense of honor had not entirely left him.  It had not yet become so blunted as to render him entirely reckless in the debasing deed he was about to perform.  With a sort of desperate resolution-for he had never before done so mean an act-he opened the seal.  The letter was brief, and ran as follows: 

Dear Carlton:-I leave every necessary arrangement to you.  I will meet you as you propose to-morrow evening at the hour of ten.  I would for certain reasons that it might be later, but the gates of the city I am aware close at that hour.  Have a care for your own health and safety, Dear Carlton.  I will meet you with a single attendant on whom I can rely, at the appointed time, and at the gate opening upon the Borg’ ognisanti.  Affectionately thine, “Florinda.”

“So, so; the bird had nearly flown from us,” said Petro, as he read this epistle.  “Here’s a plot; and if I do not so counter-plot as to render it of no avail, other than for the furtherance of ny own design, then I am no man.  It is well that I took this matter in hand at this time.  A day-nay, an hour later might have been too late.  Singular coincidence that should have brought me to the place and the subject at the most opportune moment.  Little does this fellow think of the rod that is in pickle for him.  But I will be even with him.  I will not sleep while he pursues the game; vigilance alone must gain me my object.  No, no, Signor Artist, you cannot thus pluck this beautiful flower unchallenged; you are observed, and your object is understood, Scheming requires counter-scheming; and you shall have that to your heart’s content.  Italy against America, by the virgin; but we will make this a national quarrel, if it be necessary.”

He gazed upon the letter thoughtfully for some moments.

“Let me see,” he continued, “this is not a very difficult hand to imitate.”  And he commenced to write different words and form capitals after the style of Florinda’s note.  “I think I can do it,” he said at length.  “But the seal-how shall I manage that?  Stay, I can use this same one with a little care.  Capital!” he exclaimed.  “I’ll have this business all in my own hands.”  And Petro Giampetti laughed outright at the prospect of his success in this vile plot against his cousin.