Here also had the gastaldo received, from those same patrician hands, the unfurled banner of the Nicolotti, with the sacramental words: "We consign to you the standard of San Nicolò, in the name of the Most Serene Prince and as proof that you are the chief gastaldo and head of the people of San Nicolò and San Raffaele.

The fact that he had broken his promise of secrecy did not trouble him, since it was in Marina's service, which made the action honorable; and were it not so, the little perjury was well atoned for by a keg of oil anonymously sent to the traghetto of San Nicolò è San Raffaele, "pel luminar al Madonna"; and Piero had much faith in anonymous gifts, for confessions were not always convenient for an officer of his dignity.

" A singing-bird was what Raffaele Muti proved to be.

This was the song that Raffaele Muti, plucking at his twelve harp strings, raised in the hall of the Big Hornets' Nest at twilight.

Raffaele Muti sang of a woman exalted far above him by her womanhood, which rivalled Godhood in containing all the virtues requisite for his redemption.

No, passion must never mar this shrine at which Raffaele knelt.

It was the horse-boy Foresto who, with a curious solicitude and satisfaction, lighted Raffaele Muti up to bed.

" Next day, on the sunny tower, high above the hillside covered with spring flowers, Raffaele resumed his song.

The crone was there also, pretending to doze in the shadows; and so was Foresto the horse-boy, whose dark, still face seemed now and again to mirror Raffaele's look of exultationa look that came only when Madonna Gemma gazed away from him.

But for the most part she gazed down at Raffaele's singing lips, on which she discerned no guile.

And Raffaele, for all his youth no novice at this game, believed that this dove, too, was fluttering into his cage.

His disfigured face still insolvable, Lapo Cercamorte plunged his stare into Madonna Gemma's eyes, then looked into the eyes of Raffaele.

"So you are the sister of my friend Count Nicolloto?" Raffaele, having licked his lips, managed to answer: "You mean his brother, sir.

And with his big hand suddenly he ripped open Raffaele's tunic half way to the waist, exposing the fair white flesh.

Lapo retorted, still glaring with a dreadful interest at Raffaele's flesh.

And presently Madonna Gemma, peering from her chamber window, saw her husband, with a ghastly pretense of care, lead young Raffaele Muti down the hill into the darkness from which there came never a sound.

And at last, when Lapo would have passed her on the stairs, she hurled into his face: "What did you do to Raffaele Muti?" He started, so little did he expect to hear her voice.

It was Count Nicolotto Muti, elder brother of the troubadour Raffaele.

By the fireplace, after chatting of this and that, he remarked, with his hand affectionately on Cercamorte's knee: "I am trying to find trace of my little Raffaele, who has vanished like a mist.

No sooner had Count Nicolotto regained his strong town than a shocking rumour spread roundLapo Cercamorte had made Raffaele Muti's skin into a vest, with which to drive his wife mad.

It was not strange that when Raffaele Muti presented himself you should have found him more to your taste.

He spoke as follows: "Cercamorte, this array came up against you because it was published that you had killed and flayed Raffaele Muti, and, out of jealous malignancy, were wearing his skin as a vest.

But just now a marvellous thing has happened, for at the foot of the hill Raffaele Muti has been found, freshly slain by a wandered arrow.

PONTI, Raffaele delli.

PONTI, Raffaele delli.