It was the night on which commences our story, and Zara is gazing out upon the sea, and the evening breeze that comes in through the lattice, lifts her dark hair and caresses her cheek, as if conscious of the beauty around which it played. The scene through which she had passed, and which had resulted so bitterly to one, had vanished entirely from her mind. The stars were looking down from an unclouded sky, and the waves made music as they broke upon the shore, but both were equally unmarked by her. She thought of her lover beyond the sea, she watched him in all the hazards of a fierce contest, she heard his voice, nerving with confidence his fainting friends and sending dismay into the ranks of the enemy. She saw him driving the Moslem before him, now he is among the thickest of the foe, he struggles valiantly, the infidels hem him in on every side, Holy Virgin preserve him, he is down!--she was suddenly aroused from her painful thoughts. A light boat, containing a single individual, shot rapidly round a curve of the shore, and glided into the dark, smooth water of the little bay that lay beneath her window. A moment after a rich, manly voice rose gaily on the air:-- Lady, from thy lofty bower Look not out so tearfully, Lady know, this joyous hour, From beyond the star-lit sea Brings thy lover back to thee, Brings him, love, to life and thee! That voice! it was Antonio’s--a moment more and she is in his arms. “Ah recreant!” said she, smiling fondly upon him, “is this your boasted patriotism? What sends you from your post in the hour of danger?” “Can you ask, Zara, and do you forget, that it is a whole year, an age since I have seen you?” “It is indeed a long weary time, and it has changed you much, Antonio.” “In all things else, perhaps, but not in my devotion to you. But you are paler, Zara, than when we parted, and your voice is more low and melancholy than I have ever heard it. I fear you have not lived happily as you were wont. A soldier’s mistress should never repine at his absence.” “I could not be gay, while Greek swords were striking for liberty, and while you, Antonio, were hazarding your life; but now that you are here, and I listen to you and see you.”---- ----“And feel this warm kiss upon your cheek.”---- “I am happy indeed.” “You have lived too much in your own sad fancies, and while I remain I must contrive some diversion for you. Suppose we excite a conspiracy in Scio, by way of amusement.” “Oh delightful!”