Manuel d'Orsini was naturally brave, and the desperate position in which he was placed, rendered his tone and bearing so resolute--so determined, that Isaachar feared lest blood should be shed in his dwelling. "My lord--my lord," he said in an imploring tone, "depart, or conceal yourself----" "Silence, signor!" ejaculated the marquis; "and hasten to admit the captain of banditti. I have heard much of Stephano Verrina, and would fain behold this formidable chieftain." The Jew proceeded, with trembling limbs and ghastly countenance, to obey the orders of the marquis; and in a few moments he returned to the room, accompanied by Stephano Verrina. CHAPTER XXVI. A COMBAT--THE DESPISED AND PERSECUTED ISRAELITE. Isaachar had taken away the lamp with him to give admission to the bandit, and the marquis had remained for a few instants in the dark. When the Jew reappeared, bearing the light, Orsini's first and natural impulse was to cast a rapid, searching glance at the brigand captain. At the same moment this individual burst into a loud, coarse, joyous laugh; and the marquis, to his profound surprise, recognized in Stephano Verrina the person with whom he had twice played so unsuccessfully at the gambling house. "Good, my lord!" exclaimed Verrina, flinging himself upon the ottoman which the Jew had ere now occupied; "there is not in all Florence a man whom I would rather have encountered than yourself." "You are somewhat pressing for the trifle--the miserable trifle in which I am indebted to you, signor," said the marquis haughtily; "seeing that scarce two hours have elapsed since I lost the amount at the casino." "Pshaw! who alluded to the affair, save yourself?" cried Stephano. "It was for another motive----" "Yes; and I also wished to see Signor Stephano Verrina for another motive," exclaimed Manuel emphatically. "Ah! then you know me, my lord?" said the bandit. "And yet methought I was a stranger to you, although you were none to me at the casino." "You were a stranger until now," continued Orsini; "but Isaachar knew by the knock which you dealt so lustily on his door, who was his visitor." "And your lordship was desirous to see me?" "Very much so. I believe you expressed a similar wish?" "Precisely, my lord," returned Stephano. "But as you hold the higher rank in the world, precedence in the way of explanation belongs to your lordship." "It is rather an explanation which I seek, than one which I have to give," rejoined Manuel, in a cold but resolute manner. "In a word, my business with thee is touching the diamonds of the Duchess of Arestino." "And my business with your lordship is touching the countess herself," observed Verrina, also in a cool and deliberate manner. "Ah!" cried the marquis, with a sudden start. "Yes, my lord. But this is no place for explanations on that head," added Stephano, glancing toward the Jew.