"Well, let us come to terms, then, Duchess. You shall have a priest--but you do not intend to make your confession only to him, I know." "Your old ideas again, Stenio!" said La Felina. "They are not my ideas. Did you not say once when you were very sick, '_No, I will not die until I am completely avenged. I wish to know whence came the shaft which crushed him. I wish him to curse me as I have cursed him!_'" "True!" said the Duchess, who, as she listened to the Italian, seemed lost in thought. "It is true, I said all that." "Well, the time is come. You fear you are dying, and would not leave your work incomplete!" "But if I tell all," said La Felina, "do you fear nothing for yourself?" "That man is now but a shadow," said Salvatori, "and now in my strong hand I can grasp him, as he once grasped me, with his iron nerves, when he stabbed me. Besides, no one would believe him. _Is he not a spy?_" The first words of the Italian, "_That man is but a shadow_," had arrested La Felina's attention. She said, "Is he much changed? is he very sick?" She could not restrain her accent. "He? yes, indeed; he is dying. Public contempt has completely crushed the proud giant. We have effected that. Besides," continued he, "in order to make a suitable return for the touching interest you inspired me with just now, I must tell you I am going. You have made me rich, and if I were so unfortunate as to lose you--Ah, words never kill," added he, as he saw how terrified La Felina was--"I would not remain an hour in this accursed country." "Very well," said she; "give me writing materials." She wrote a few lines with a trembling hand. "To the Count," said she, giving them to Salvatori; "I expect him to-morrow." "Very well," said the Italian, sternly. "This will kill him." Scarcely had he left the room when La Felina rang her bell, and the servant who had always accompanied her entered. The Duchess drew her towards her, and placing her lips close to the ear of the woman, as if she was afraid some one would hear her, whispered a few words and sank back completely exhausted.