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272 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

"One word," said Ferrari. " Should he recognize you ? "

" It is impossible, I tell you. I have told you so a hundred times. Who could recognize the Queen of the Ghetto, the simple modest know-nothing of Czarovna, in the Countess Stravensky ? "

" I recognized you."

" But you knew the count."

" Petronovitch knew the count."

"But not as you knew him not as one of us."

11 You feel safe in this ? "

" Perfectly," she replied. " Petronovitch thinks me dead. Who that had seen me borne to the hospital could think otherwise ? "

" Who indeed, poor soul ! " said Ferrari.

" Then be of good cheer," she replied. " All will be well."

" I kiss your hand," said Ferrari, his face brightening. " You are worthy to lead the Brotherhood."

" Even the sun has its dark clouds, Andrea. I shall not play you false. Look to yourself, and put your discreet soul into the minds of Paul and his comrade. And now I must sleep."

As she said this, she drew aside a portiere opposite the vestibule and disappeared.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

SHADOWS FALL ON THE MERRY SISTERS.

IF this were a history of the Venetian fetes, the glories of the Art Exhibition, the inauguration of the Victor Emanuel Statue, the launching of Italian gunboats and the magnificent incidents of peace and war, of which these