"I wish to speak to you, signora," he said, beckoning her into the corridor; and when she laid down her work and followed him, he added in a low tone, "The countess wants you in her chamber. She may say little to you in her present mood, and therefore I wish to warn you to be careful what you do. Her husband has left her some powders to take. She is doubtful of what they are, and wishes to have one of them tried upon a dog before she swallows them. Give it in some meat, and don't lose sight of the animal till you see the effect. Then return to your lady, and tell her what you have seen. But talk with her as little as possible, for she is unwell." In the meanwhile, Eloise sat alone in somewhat sad and solemn meditations. If there be sympathies between the beings of this mortal world and those unclogged with clay--if there be warnings conveyed without voice, or impulses given from a higher sphere, it is natural to suppose that they are more clearly heard, more keenly felt, when we are approaching near the world from which they come. Eloise was very sad--the lightness of her character was gone. She was serious now for once, and thoughts unwonted, undesired, had full possession of her. Who is there that can review even a few years of his past life without finding many things to regret? And oh! what a sad retrospect did the last two years afford to Eloise Visconti! How many an act worthy of penitence, if not remorse--how many a blessing cast away--how many an opportunity neglected! She tried to shake off that painful, self-reproachful mood; but it clung to her; and when the woman entered, she hardly saw her. "What are your commands, Madonna?" asked the girl. Eloise started, and then, taking one of two small packets which lay at some distance from each other on the table, she held it out, saying-- "Put that in a piece of meat, and give it to one of the dogs. Come back and tell me if it lives or dies." The girl took the paper and departed, but not without remarking that there was another packet of much the same shape and size upon the table. Eloise fell into thought again, and was soon as completely absorbed in meditation as ever. She knew not how long the girl was absent; but at length she returned, saying, with a look of some consternation-- "Madam, the poor dog fell into great agonies and died in about three minutes." "Ha!" said the young countess; "thank God! I now know what they are." "I thank God too, Madonna," answered the girl; "how can any one be so cruel?" "Cruel or kind, as the case may be, Giovanetta," replied her mistress, "when life is a burden, he is kind who takes it off our shoulders." "But oh! Madonna, for a husband to----!" said the girl. But Eloise waved her away, saying, "Go, girl, go; you know not what you talk of. Leave me!"