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Rh sought by his neighbours, and their vague dread of his mysterious pursuits and supposed spiritual intercourse was merged in thankfulness for kindness and assistance. Two lovely companions had he in his solitude, his grandchildren. When he first arrived, the boy was five, and the girl nearly two, years of age. They were cousins; Guido being the child of Carrara's son, and Francesca of his daughter. More than this no one knew. The nurse who arrived with him died before she had become sufficiently confidential with any of the peasantry round to do more than hint at terrible domestic misfortunes, which had driven them from their dwelling in Padua.

The old man himself never alluded to his former life. When he went back upon the past, it was to recall honours long departed, and the deeds of an heroic house, whose splendour he often vaguely hinted he was destined to revive. There was an antique parchment, illuminated with various devices illustrative of the records of the Carrara family—there was the banner with its red fish from which they took their name—there was the celebrated Francisco, in full armour, mounted on a steed whose head was covered with white plumes—there was the likeness of the heroic Madonna Tadie—and last, not least in