The spirits of riches are the first and the meanest which yield to science; it shall be my care that they reach you in simple and ordinary channels. Speak!"
"Give me," exclaimed Leoni, "give me wealth; give me Lolah!"
A purple cloud filled the glorious hall; again stupor overwhelmed him; again he awakened, and there he was in the lonely summer-room, and Medora, with her pale child-like face and black garments, at his side; but he met the large dark eyes filled with a strange wild light, and he knew it was no dream.
"Leave me now," said Medora; "but on your life be silent. Life and secrecy are one. Farewell!"
Dizzy with expectation, Leoni returned to the boat. The clock of San Francisco's abbey struck; he had been away but one hour. Pallid and abstracted, there was something in his look that effectually silence the boatmen; nay, they remained in gloomy stillness after he had left them.
"He has met with a refusal," at length said Stefano.
"Rather say, that there is evil in yon dreary palazzo and that pale girl, and their influence is on him. The lady Medora is kind and generous, but there is a curse follows her; and when did ever gift of hers turn to good?"
"The notary Signor Grazie awaits your plea-
