But the enraged Petro heeded not the warning of Carlton, upon whom he was just about to throw himself, when the black throat of the pistol emitted in liquid fire its fatal contents, and when the stunning effect of its voice and the smoke had subsided, there lay the lifeless corpse of Petro upon the floor at the feet of the American.  The ball had passed through his brain; and thus, in the full tide of life, with health and strength, and, alas! with all the evil passions of his heart in operation, and his soul craving the blood of his fellow-man, he had rushed in one moment into eternity.

A fearful death, and a fearful thought; but the deed was now done, and there was no recalling it.  Its fearful consequences were inevitable, and must be borne by the actors in that scene in the drama of life.

“Holy virgin, he is dead!” said Signor Latrezzi, as he bent over the inanimate form of Petro.

“God forgive him!” said Carlton.  “He would have taken my life with that thirsty dagger!”

“By this light, you acted only in self-defence,” said the trembling landlord to Carlton.

“Quick, sir,” said Carlton, “remove all appearance of this struggle before the lady revives.”

The sad finale of the tragic scene was at once enacted by the landlord and his people, who bore the body into a private apartment.

Signor Latrezzi, who had himself to blame for the greater part of this fatal business, stood horror-struck by the sight now presented to his view.  If he was not the actual murderer, was he not the instigator of the whole business?  He put this question to his conscience, and it whispered to him in deep and thrilling tones-guilty, guilty!  He would have given everything he possessed, ay, life itself, to have been able to recall the whole transaction; but alas! it was now too late, and the consciousness of his guilt drove him almost to madness.

The servants, who had witnessed the whole affair, could testify that Carlton had acted only in self-defence in the matter, and from a conviction of this, they offered no interference.  Signor Latrezzi, after giving direction’s for the removal of the body, took his departure towards the city, without attempting to interfere with either Carlton or Florinda, whom he left to themselves unmolested.  Florinda happily was insensible of the tragic scene performed in her presence.  When she revived, all traces of the deed were removed, and she found herself in the care and protection of Carlton.

“Where am I?” she asked, as she recovered from the insensibility which had seized upon her, when she realized the treachery that had been played upon her; her eyes resting on Carlton, she clung instinctively to him for protection.  She closed them again, scarcely daring to trust their evidence, lest she should again realize that scene.

“Is it a vision or reality?” she asked tremblingly of Carlton.

There is nothing done but has been undone, dearest,” was the answer.  “You shall know more when you are more composed.”