"Ah, my sister," he said between his teeth; and Valentine, scarce knowing what she did, fled after Isotta, the page behind, closing the door upon Visconti. In the pleasant courtyard was a girl, dressed in scarlet, who rose, surprised at their disordered aspect. "'Tis only a moment gained," cried Valentine, hoarsely. "He will follow!" Isotta turned to Graziosa in an agony. "For the love of Heaven hide us--for the love of Heaven, from Visconti!" "Hide us!" said Valentine bitterly. "Hide us from Visconti!" And Graziosa thought of the secret passage. "I will help you," she said. "I and my father do not love Visconti----" "Quick, maiden," cried the page. "I see the spears are motionless outside. I will guard the door." "They will kill thee," cried Isotta. "Thou art too young." But Valentine turned to the boy and gave him her beautiful hand. "Guard the door, gain us a moment, Adrian--for me," she said, and hurried across the sunny courtyard, followed by Graziosa and Isotta. "For me!" repeated Adrian, and set himself before the door proudly, with flashing eyes and dagger drawn. He was only a boy, a page, she a princess, but he could set his life against her smile, and think himself well paid. Graziosa, panting with excitement, hurried them into the house, and into the lower room from which the secret passage opened. The pleasant little home was still half dismantled from the recent attack of the Germans, the neat trimness of the cool chambers gone. At their entrance Agnolo came forward in alarm, but at his daughter's hurried explanation, turned willingly to the secret door he kept well concealed. For the little painter took no thought of what it must mean to shelter any from Visconti's wrath. "Quick!" cried Valentine imperiously. "How long can one page keep that door?" "The poor boy!" moaned Isotta, hanging half lifeless upon Valentine's arm. "Unhappy boy--they will kill him!" Valentine looked at her with scorn. "Canst thou think of a page now?" she cried. "Think of Della Scala. Quick!" But the door would not yield, and while Agnolo struggled with the spring, a crash was heard, a cry, the ring of armor and the tramp of feet. "The door is down," said Valentine. "We are lost." "I cannot move the spring," cried Agnolo. "Quick! quick!" shrieked Graziosa, but even as she spoke, the chamber door burst open and a man stepped in; there were others at his heels, but he entered alone. Agnolo, starting back, dropped his concealments into place and trembled for his secret and these poor folk who had not escaped Visconti. The man who entered was in black, it was all that could be seen in the dark, disordered chamber, but Valentine needed no light to tell her who it was. Isotta sank to the ground, shrieking wildly. "Oh, father, father!" cried Graziosa, agonized, "save them!" The newcomer laid his hand on Valentine's shoulder, she standing calm and erect, and turned his face to Graziosa.