The lovely Italian girl listened to this announcement with the most tender interest. She received it as a proof of boundless love for her; and sweet—ineffably sweet was the glance of deep gratitude which she threw upon her lover. Richard took the _Montoni Gazette_ from the fair hand which tendered it to him, and then read, with ease and fluency, the following translation of the ducal ordinance alluded to:— "ANGELO III., BY THE GRACE OF GOD, GRAND DUKE OF CASTELCICALA, "To all present and to come, Greeting: "We have ordered and do order that which follows:— "I. The censorship of the press is restored from this date: and no newspaper nor periodical work shall be published in our dominions, without the consent of the Minister of the Interior. "II. Offences against this law, as well as all others connected with the press, shall henceforth be brought before the cognizance of the Captain-General of the province where such offences may occur, instead of before the ordinary tribunals. "III. No assembly of more than seven persons will henceforth be allowed to take place, without the consent of the local authorities, save for the purposes of religious worship and ceremonial. "IV. Our Captains-General are hereby authorised to declare martial law in their provinces, or any part of their provinces, should signs of insubordination appear. "V. Our Minister Secretary of State for the Department of the Interior will see to the execution of this our ordinance. "_By the Grand Duke_, ANGELO III. "RAPALLO PISANI, "Minister of the Interior. "_January 10th, 1840._" "The Grand Duke has thus destroyed the freedom of the press, promulgated a law to suppress political meetings, and menaced the country with martial law," said Richard, when he had terminated the perusal of this ordinance. "And it would appear, by the newspapers and by private letters which my father has received," added Isabella, "that the Grand Duke would have proceeded to extremes far more dangerous to his throne had not his amiable Duchess softened him. But even her intercessions—and I understand she is a most deserving princess—were ineffectual in a great measure." "Know you the results of that despotic ordinance?" asked Markham. "Several riots have taken place at Montoni," answered the Signora; "and the Captain-General of the province of Abrantani has proclaimed martial law throughout the districts which he governs." "Matters are then becoming serious in Castelcicala," observed Richard. "What has become of General Grachia?"