An immense black cloud, palpitating with lightnings, had settled on the cone of Vesuvius. The sky had cleared; and the moon, changed to blood-red hues, hung like a rayless sun midway in the nocturnal heavens. Suddenly the air became hot to suffocation. For a moment deep silence reigned. Then, a sharp report as of a thunder-clap in closest proximity shook the earth. A gigantic stream of lava was belched forth from the smoke-wreathed mountain, the air was obscured by a rain of mud and brimstone, which fell far and wide in Torre del Greco and was carried to Naples. Like a thousand fiery serpents the lava coiled down the sides of the mountain; a stench of sulphur filled the air, and giant tongues of flame, leaping upward through the rugged crater, lighted the landscape to the remotest horizon. While, fascinated by the awful spectacle, Francesco and Ilaria gazed spellbound towards Vesuvius, another incident added to the terror of the night. Shrill and insistent from the summits of Astura blared the horn of the warden, waking the slumbering echoes of Torre del Greco. And suddenly a fleet of many ships came steering round the Cape of Circé, heading for the open sea; while Astura's ramparts bristled with spear points. Francesco turned to the nearest bystander, pointing to the castello. There was a great fear in the eyes of him who made reply. "Bribed by the Pontiff the Frangipani have delivered Conradino into the hands of Anjou. Behold yonder--the fleet of Charles' Admiral, Robert of Lavenna, carrying the captive king and his companions to their doom!"-- Wide-eyed, pale as death, Francesco and Ilaria stared at each other, neither trusting themselves to speak. Then a half-smothered sob broke from the woman's lips, as she leaned her head on his shoulder. A strange calm had settled over Francesco as he gazed from Ilaria towards the ramparts of Astura. There was a moment's silence between them, then he raised himself to his full height as he turned to her. "Hitherto I have served God! Now I will serve my own soul!" End of Book the Fourth. Book the Fifth THE APOSTACY CHAPTER I A LEGEND