"The sibyl's fateful prophecy has all been fulfilled. Yet how little I dreamed that it _could_ come true! Oh, God, how is it that I, the proud daughter of the Veres and the Arnolds, can live with the shadow of disgrace upon my head?" She dropped her face in her hands, and the "silence of life, more pathetic than death," filled the room. All was strangely still; nothing was heard but the murmurous waves of the beautiful Bay of Naples softly lapping the shore. Suddenly a slight, strange sound echoed through the room. Bonnibel sprang to her feet, a little startled, and listened in alarm. Again the sound was repeated. It seemed to Bonnibel as if someone had thrown a few pebbles against the window. Yes, it must be that, she was sure. CHAPTER XXXVI. Full of vague alarm, blent with a little trembling hope of she knew not what, Bonnibel ran to the window, which was fortunately not fastened down, pushed up the sash and peered down into the night. The moon had not fully risen yet, and there was but a faint light in the clear sky, but down in the dark shrubbery below she fancied she could see a human form and a white face upturned to the window. Yes, she was right. In a moment a low and cautious, but perfectly audible voice, floated up to her ears. "Oh! my _dear_ Miss Bonnibel," was what it said, "is that you?" Bonnibel put her hand to her heart as if the shock of joy were too great to be borne. It was the voice of the poor girl over whose unknown fate her heart had ached for many weary days--the welcome voice of faithful Lucy Moore. "Yes, it is Bonnibel," she murmured gently back, fearing that her voice might be heard by Dolores Dupont, who slept on a couch in the dressing-room to be near her mistress. "Are you alone?" inquired Lucy, softly. "Yes, quite alone," was answered back. "Miss Bonnibel, I have a rope-ladder down here. I am going to throw it up to you. Try and catch it, and fasten it to your window strongly enough for me to climb up to you." Bonnibel leaned forward silently. A twisted bundle was skillfully thrown up, and she caught it in her hands. Stepping back into the room she uncoiled a light yet strong ladder of silken rope. "Fasten it into the hooks that are used to secure the window-shutters," said Lucy's voice from below. Trembling with joy, Bonnibel fastened the ends strongly as directed, and threw the rope down to Lucy. In a few moments the girl had climbed up to the window, sprang over the sill, and had her young mistress in her arms. "One kiss, you darling!" she said, in a voice of ecstasy, "then I must pull up the rope, for I fear discovery, and I have much to tell you before I take you away with me!" Bonnibel's heart gave a quick bound of joy. "Oh! Lucy, will you really take me away?" she exclaimed, pressing the girl's hand fondly.