"Signor," said he to Taddeo, at a moment when the state of the road forced them to slacken their pace, "we have arranged all: we have left the festivities and pleasures of Naples, and have nothing to say of your suffering and captivity." "Not one word, Monsieur, if you please, either of what I have passed through, or of the sufferings of my friends." "I think your mother and sister know nothing of what you have undergone. Had they, their suffering and alarm would have been great. But do not flatter yourself that the arrest of Count Monte-Leone is unknown to them. One of the Neapolitan papers informed them yesterday of that fact; and I do not hide from you, that in my presence, your mother deplored your unfortunate intimacy with one so adventurous and rash." "And what said Aminta?" asked Rovero anxiously, as if struck by a thought, which hitherto had escaped him. "Signorina said nothing," observed Maulear, with an air of surprise; "and he heard the news with the most perfect indifference." "To him she is unchanged," murmured Rovero. Low as was the tone in which this was uttered, Maulear heard it, and could not repress the question, which he put with great anxiety, "To whom is the Signorina always the same?" "To him--to the Count," said Taddeo. "I confide to you almost a family secret. Count Monte-Leone deeply loves my sister. He never told me so, but it is the case. If he be restored to liberty, as his friends hope, it will be a good match for Aminta." Every word of Rovero fell like a drop of boiling oil on the heart of Maulear. "My father," said Taddeo, "left us but a moderate fortune. Perhaps some day we may be rich--richer than the Monte-Leone--for we are the only heirs of the Roman Cardinal Justiniani, my mother's brother, who, as eldest son, inherited all the property of my maternal grandfather. As yet, however, our fortune in small, though sufficient for my tastes and ideas. But my mother and sister have other notions; and the marriage of Aminta and Count Monte-Leone would assure her a magnificent and brilliant portion." "But if your sister does not love Count Monte-Leone?" "Her refusal would make two persons unhappy; first the Count of Monte-Leone, and in the second place----" "And in the second place?" said Maulear. "Myself." "Yourself!" said Maulear, with surprise; "Are you intent on their marriage?" "Yes," replied Taddeo, with emotion; "now, all my happiness depends on it." Maulear was amazed at these singular words. Scarcely had they been uttered, when Taddeo spurred his horse sharply, and rode toward the house of his mother, which he saw a few hundred yards distant. Henri followed him, troubled, and for the first time, with a care-marked brow, paused at Aminta's door. A fond mother clasped her son to her bosom, with that pleasure which a mother only knows. Aminta, entirely recovered from her accident, kissed her brother affectionately.