Petro was an expert and practical penman, being, as we have said, private secretary to his uncle, Signor Latrezzi; and thus being quite an expert in the use of the pen, he was the more easily able to prosecute his dishonest purpose, Thus he commenced carefully to write a note addressed to Carlton, and purporting to come from Florinda, in answer to his note of that evening.  With her note open before him, and carefully noticing its style and manner, both in chirography and composition, he cunningly traced the following lines: 

“Dear Carlton:—­In consequence of an unforeseen accident which I need not now explain, I shall not be able to meet you until to-morrow night, when I will do so at the hour named, and at the place designated.  Be careful of your own health and safety, and do not attempt to see me until the time we meet at the gate opening on the Borg’ ognisanti.

“Affectionately thine, Florinda.”

This he addressed after the style of Florinda’s note, sealed very ingeniously with the identical seal she had used on the note which he had intercepted, as we have seen, and forwarded it early on the following morning by one whom he could trust to Carlton, thus fully carrying out his plot of deception against them both.

Petro’s heart somehow throbbed strangely in his breast, and his conscience was very ill at case.  He felt that he was enacting the coward’s part in this business, and already half wished himself out of it.  But if the game was a bold and hazardous one, so was the prize a brilliant one; and so he closed his eye to remorse, and spurred forward.

Thus we blindly pursue the goal of our wishes, little heeding the cost, though we know that retribution is sure!

CHAPTER XII.

Nephew and uncle.

A serpent heart hid with a flowering face.

-Shakspeare.

How ingenious are the expedients to which the mind will resort to justify itself, and endeavor to still the warnings of conscience.  He who commits a sin, first deceives himself, for he is led to believe that the culpable deed will be productive of a greater degree of happiness than evil to himself, else his own selfishness would deliver him from the act.  I did not mean this into evil, he will say to his conscience, as it prompts him in its own silent way.

Thus Petro, by a like process of reasoning, had brought himself almost, if not quite to the relief that the end was a justifiable one, and so did not hesitate at the means necessary to accomplish it.  Was not Florinda about to marry a heretic, an American, a mere artist, without any claim to noble blood, and against the wish of her uncle and guardian?  How cunningly did Mahomet add a new chapter to the Koran in justification of his amour With Mary the Coptic girl!  “All things are fair and honorable in love,” said Petro to himself, “even as in war; and I should be a fool if I failed to take advantage of any circumstance that chance may throw in my way.  No, no; honor is not to step in between me and my love-it shall not defeat my purposes.  I will win the battle first, and then repent afterwards.  ’Tis the only course I can pursue.”