Suddenly, the wretch, Pedro, sprung in her path, and while with one hand he seized the trembling girl, with the other he drew his stiletto, and muttering a horrible oath, raised it as if about to strike at her innocent bosom. Mildred did not scream, she did not faint, but he eyes closed, and all power of speech and motion seemed paralized. But the threatened blow was arrested; a violent struggle ensued, during which she was clasped still more tightly to the breast of the ruffian, who seemed to be defending himself from some superior arm. Oaths and curses mingled with the clash of weapons; she was dragged, as it were, several paces through the grove, and then, after another struggle, she felt the arm of the assassin relax its grasp--she was caught to the breast of her deliverer, and then placed gently on the soft turf. "Mildred--my angel--my life--O, speak to me!" _That voice!_ Mildred knew its hateful tones; and a cold shudder crept through her frame, as if some venomous reptile had touched her, as she felt the villains lips press her brow. Recoiling, she slowly opened her eyes. "Thank God!" exclaimed Perozzi, "you are restored to me. Holy Virgin! can it be--so near death, and yet living and unhurt, I now hold you in my arms! O, blessed moment, when love guided me hither!" "I owe you my life, signor," said Mildred, freeing herself from his embrace, "but it is a thankless boon; methinks death would have been sweeter! Leave me--I am better--I am well--leave me, signor!" "Sweet angel! leave thee--leave thee thus exposed to new dangers! No--lean on me, my beloved--let me guide your trembling steps!" and he passed his arm around her. "Away!" cried Mildred, springing from him. "Away! touch me not! Monster--fiend! I hate you! Begone from my sight forever, or, in mercy, kill me!" Perozzi became livid with rage, and his eye-balls gleamed like fire in the deepening shadows, as they rested on Mildred, never more beautiful than as she now stood before him in all the majesty of outraged purity. But masking the hell in his heart with a well-feigned air of desperation, he fell on his knees before her. "Would that the assassin's knife had reached my heart!" he exclaimed. "Better for me to die than endure your scorn. Yes, _die_! By heavens! why not end this miserable existence--here--yes, here, at your feet, cruel Mildred! _It shall be done!_" and drawing a pistol from his breast, he placed the muzzle to his temple. "Hold--hold--for God's sake, miserable man, hold!" shrieked Mildred, springing forward. It was too late--the pistol exploded. "Ha--ha--ha!" shouted Perozzi, wiping his blackened brows, "that was well done!" And raising the now senseless girl in his arms he bore her to the house. When, after a long and death-like swoon, Mildred opened her eyes they rested upon the anxious countenances of her mother and Mr. Donaldson bending over her couch.