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Rh are of such weight that on the success of my enterprise depend my life and happiness. I cannot tell you more just now; in two days you shall know all."

I accepted the situation resignedly, for I was beginning to become accustomed to mystery. It was settled that we were to start at three o'clock in the morning and that we were to make no stop until we had reached Tuscan territory.

Convinced that it was useless to go to bed, having to start at such an early hour, I employed the last evening that I was to spend in Rome in paying visits at all the houses where I had been received. I went to take leave of the marquise and shake hands with her son, ceremonially and for form's sake. I could feel his hand tremble as I took it in my own. He said to me in a whisper:

"At this moment my life is hanging on the toss of a penny. When you return to your hotel you will find a letter from me. If I am not with you by three o'clock precisely, do not wait for me."

I was struck by the changed expression of his countenance, but I attributed it to a very natural emotion on his part at a moment when he was about to separate himself from his family, perhaps for ever.

I reached my lodging about one o'clock. I desired once more to pass through the viccolo of Madame Lucrèce. There was something white hanging from the window where I had beheld two apparitions of such different nature. I approached it cautiously. It was a knotted rope. Was it an invitation to go and say good-by to the signora? It looked very much like it, and the temptation was great. I did not give