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Rh ladder of rope—and dropped down the stream, which Francisco knew so well as to make the darkness of no consequence, but as an advantage. The light in the window indicated the room. Cecil entered, and saw, to his astonishment, old acquaintances. We cannot guard against dangers we do not suspect; and the escape of his prisoners formed no part of Giulio's calculations.

In the mean time, the whole party proceeded in safety down the river. "We must land here," said Francisco, pausing. "I will fasten the boat to the roots of the old chestnut, and half an hour's walk will bring you to the villa." So saying, he struck a light, and, firing a torch made of the green pine-wood, led the way. Shivering with the cold night-air on the water, both ladies found the good effects of exercise; and Lady Mandeville, while she followed the dark figure of their guide, bearing the pine-splinter, whose deep red glare threw a momentary brightness over the heavy boughs and dusky path, felt all that excitement of spirits natural to one who had an innate taste for adventure, but from which her whole life had been entirely removed.