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Rh loose sleeve was lined with fur, and on each arm was a bracelet. On the one, a plain massive band which matched the collar; on the other, a serpent; the tail reached nearly to the elbow, and the head rose a little from the wrist; the tongue of a ruby, the eyes of large brilliants. The costume was finished by a petticoat of broad alternate stripes of green and crimson, with a deep gold lace. The hair was plaited with bullion and red riband, and then wound round the head, something after the fashion of a turban, save that it entirely displayed the forehead.

"It is too fierce," said Louis, who, together with Mazarin, had entered the gallery.

"Such was the original," replied Mazarin; "she was the wife of a celebrated bandit in the Abruzzi; and this likeness was its artist's ransom. It was found in the old castle, which had long been the haunt of a most desperate band. Tradition says she died by her husband's side, fighting to the last."

"I cannot approve this costume for la Signora Carrara: Amazons are out of keeping in a fête. Now, I much prefer the one to the left."

They passed on to the picture which he named; singular enough, there was a resemblance in the features, and yet no likeness between the two;