"I feared you were sped, and that another had cheated me of my office," said the grave-digger, "seeing that you returned not to the old prince's palace. You don't know me from the rest of us, I see, but I am the one you told to seek----" "Irene!" "Yes, Irene di Gabrini, you promised ample reward." "You shall have it." "Follow me." The Becchino strode on, and soon arrived at a mansion. He knocked twice at the porter's entrance; an old woman cautiously opened the door. "Fear not, good aunt," said the grave-digger, "this is the young lord I spoke to thee of. Thou sayest thou hadst two ladies in the palace, who alone survived of all the lodgers, and their names were Bianca di Medici, and--what was the other?" "Irene di Gabrini, a Roman lady. But I told thee this was the fourth day they left the house, terrified by the deaths within it." "Thou didst so--and was there any thing remarkable in the dress of the Signora di Gabrini?" "Yes, I have told thee, a blue mantle, such as I have rarely seen, wrought with silver." "Was the broidery that of stars, silver stars," exclaimed Adrian, "with a sun in the centre." "It was!" "Alas! alas! the arms of the Tribune's family! I remember how I praised the mantle the first day she wore it--the day on which we were betrothed!" And the lover at once conjectured the secret sentiment which had induced Irene to retain so carefully a robe so endeared by association. "You know no more of your lodgers?" "Nothing." "And is this all you have learnt, knave?" cried Adrian. "Patience. I must bring you from proof to proof, and link to link, in order to win my reward. Follow, Signor." The Becchino then passing through the several lanes and streets, arrived at another house of less magnificent size and architecture. Again he tapped thrice at the parlor door, and this time came forth a man withered, old, and palsied, whom death seemed to disdain to strike. "Signor Astuccio," said the Becchino, "pardon me; but I told thee I might trouble thee again. This is the gentleman who wants to know, what is often best unknown--but that's not my affair. Did a lady--young and beautiful--with dark hair, and of a slender form, enter this house, stricken with the first symptom of the plague, three days since?" "Ay, thou knowest that well enough--and thou knowest still better--that she has departed these two days; it was quick work with her, quicker than with most!" "Did she wear any thing remarkable?" "Yes, troublesome man, a blue cloak with stars of silver." {201} "Couldst thou guess aught of her previous circumstances?" "No, save that she raved much about the nunnery of Santa Maria dei Pazza, and bravos, and sacrilege." "Are you satisfied, Signor?" asked the grave-digger, with an air of triumph, turning to Adrian. "But no, I will satisfy thee better, if thou hast courage. Wilt thou follow?" "I comprehend thee; lead on. Courage! what is there on earth now to fear?"