A long silence followed, which was broken at last by the robber; but the tone in which he spoke, and his manner, was, for the first time, strangely contrasted with the expression of his features. "My Lord!" he said, interrupting the Gonfalonière, "let us close this conference." (And his voice was steady, even to seeming unconcern; though his countenance was deadly pale, and his eye was livid and glassy, and his lips seemed to perform their office with an effort--as if some swelling in the throat choked up the utterance.) "The proof which Signor Gonsalvo demands may be furnished more easily than I had recollected. Two men of my band are now in your jails of Florence. One of them is named Vincentio Rastelli: he is the lesser offender--set him free. Let Aurelia and myself then be carried back to prison--only one demand _must_ be conceded--that our dungeon shall be the same. Let Rastelli have free access to me at will, and free passage to go and come, unfollowed and unwatched, wherever I shall send him. Promise that, my bond being kept--before I die--I shall see Aurelia at liberty. And before midnight to-morrow, Signor Gonsalvo shall have that put into his hands, which shall for ever set his mind at rest as to the fate--whatever it has been--of Lorenzo di Vasari." * * * * * It was the hour of midnight on the morrow; and Gonsalvo di Vasari sat in his library alone; and he rejoiced in the fortune of his arrangements. The robber Rastelli had been set at liberty. He had visited Arionelli in his prison. He had gone upon one mission, and had returned as unsuccessful; but at once again he had sped forth upon another. Was it possible that the outlaw might yet fail? Scarcely so! for Aurelia's sake, his strength would be put forth to the utmost. Would the agent make sure of his own safety and escape? This was not likely, for already he had once returned; and the fidelity of such people, generally, to their friends and leaders, was as well known as their enterprise and ferocity. It was not likely either that Arionelli would have taken his course, without feeling a strong reliance upon its success. A few hours then--nay, a few moments now--were to put him in possession of that evidence which would end all doubt as to his cousin's rich inheritance. For Aurelia--her safety was promised; but her liberty--this evidence obtained--might be a matter for consideration. The outlaw himself would die upon the scaffold. It was pity that so much beauty as Aurelia's should be cast away.--Meantime Gonsalvo di Vasari sat alone in his palace; and the hour of midnight was passed, and yet there was no messenger. He arose and opened the lattice--the moon shone brightly--but the streets of Florence were at rest. Was it possible that he should be trifled with! A servant was summoned. But--no!--no person had appeared.