Foremost among the priests was the good Carmelite, who had scarce known hunger or fatigue, in his pious desire to do the offices of the church in behalf of one whose fate he might be said to have witnessed.

As the Carmelite finally withdrew from the altar, previously to the removal of the body, he felt the sleeve of his robe slightly drawn aside, and yielding to the impulse, he quickly found himself among the columns of that gloomy church, alone with a stranger.

Among the latter the Carmelite hastened to take his station.

Moving aside, in a little alarm, the action discovered the figure of the shrinking Gelsomina, who had entered the cell, favored by the keepers, and concealed by the robes of the Carmelite.

"Why hast thou yielded to the weakness of nature, and entered the cell?" asked the good Carmelite, endeavoring to throw into his eye a reproof, that the pathos and kindness of his tones contradicted.

" The Carmelite sank upon the stool of the prisoner, and sat motionless, looking with an eye of horror from the countenance of the unmoved Jacopo to that of his trembling companion.

" The prisoner smiled calmly, as he reached out a hand to arrest the zealous movement of the simple Carmelite.

" "And did they refuse to repair their injustice?" exclaimed the Carmelite.

" The good Carmelite regarded this scene with eyes of interest and indulgence; tears wetted his cheeks.

The Carmelite and Gelsomina found the keepers in waiting, and when they quitted the cell its door was secured for the night.

Canst thou forget thy habits; overstep the diffidence of thy years and condition; stand and speak fearlessly in the presence of the great and dreaded?" "Reverend Carmelite, I speak daily without fear, though not without awe, to one more to be dreaded than any in Venice.

By this easy, quiet method did the Carmelite and his companion penetrate to the very ante-chamber of the sovereign, a spot that thousands had been defeated in attempting to reach, by means more elaborate.

Go, inform the Doge that the Carmelite he expects, and the youthful maiden, in whom his princely bosom feels so parental an interest, await his pleasure.

'Tell his Highness,' said the father, 'that the Carmelite he wishes to see, and the young girl in whose happiness his princely bosom feels so parental an interest, await his pleasure.'

"Did the Carmelite say more, good Marco?" he asked, after deep reflection.

When fairly in the presence, the Carmelite threw back his cowl, entirely exposing the whole of his ascetic features; while Gelsomina, awed by the rank of him who received them, shrank abashed, partly concealed by his robes.

Glancing his eye at the motionless inquisitor, as if to seek approbation, he advanced a step nearer to the Carmelite, with increasing interest in the application.

"It may not be known to one of your high condition, sovereign prince," resumed the Carmelite, "that an humble but laborious mechanic of this city, a certain Francesco Frontoni, was long since condemned for frauds against the Republic's revenue.

" "This affair needs explanation, Carmelite.

" "A prisoner, Carmelite!" "A prisoner, Prince of Venice.

"Thou hast looked in vain among the multitude for a friendly eye?" said the Carmelite, whose attention had been drawn to the convulsive movement.

" The Carmelite and Jacopo kneeled side by side, the latter bowing his head to the block, while the monk uttered a final appeal to the mercy of the Deity.

The Carmelite turned instinctively towards the palace, forgetting in the sudden impulse all but his sense of earthly justice.

The Carmelite had advanced to her side, and he motioned earnestly for silence.

"Reverend Carmelite, you will do well to follow me.