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Rh which she had only just refolded. The Count dropped on his knee; when, hastily turning towards him, she bade him go to the galerie dux cerfs. He obeyed, and there he found the Chevalier di Sentinelli, the chief captain of her guards. Sentinelli is a man who never changed feature or colour in his life; and now, with the utmost coolness, he bade the unfortunate Count address himself to the priest in attendance; 'and,' added he, 'make your confession short, for my orders for your execution are immediate.'

"Monaldeschi staggered against the wall, and remained for a few minutes in a state of almost insensibility, when the Chevalier, drawing his sword, pointed to the Father, who stood nearly as pale and aghast as the man whose confession he was called upon so suddenly to receive. The prisoner sprung forwards, and throwing himself at the Confessor's feet, implored him piteously to hasten to Christina, and intercede for his life. At first, the Captain Sentinelli objected to Mantuony leaving the room with his penitent unshriven; but respect for the holy man at last induced him to allow his proceeding on what he warned him would be a fruitless mission.

"The priest found Christina in the same apartment, apparently entirely occupied with a