"Perhaps it were best I should, and yet—do you know where I could find his Excellency?"
Lolah shook her head mournfully.
"Lady, I must then tell you all;" and he looked aside, and spoke hastily, as if unwilling to watch the misery his words must cause. "Lady, to-morrow this palace will be seized by the officers of the Inquisition, the Count—now St. Rosalie punish his enemies!—is accused of sorcery—to-morrow he will be arrested. My brother is one of their servants; but the Count is our old patron—he gave me a hint—I rowed hither—by means of a fishing-hook I fastened a rope to the balcony, and sprung up: I know every room of the palace, and thought to take my chance of meeting the Count Leoni; my boat lies below—a ship will sail from the bay at the break of day—they need sail fast, for they have better wine aboard than they would wish to have known in Palermo."
"Holy Virgin! if my husband should not return!" exclaimed Lolah, wringing her hands in agony. Stefano had not a word of comfort for such an emergency. Suddenly the Countess rose from her seat: "I will trust in the blessed saints for his return: what is the latest period that we can escape?"
"It will not be light this half hour, and I will answer for his safe pilotage while dark; but if the day once break, the fishermen will be abroad, and there will not be a chance of escape."
