Orsini glanced toward the Jew, who was now pale and trembling. "It was to make inquiries on this point," continued Stephano, "that I came here on the present occasion. And to speak truly, it was also with the intention of making the old Israelite disgorge his plunder." "Plunder!" repeated the Jew, in a tone almost of indignation, in spite of the terror with which the bandit-captain inspired him. "Did I not lend my good golden ducats upon those diamonds? and must I be blamed, if knowing--ah! knowing too well, the base artifices of which many of even the best-born Florentine nobles and great ladies are capable, must I be blamed, I say, if aware of all this, I adopted a device which the wickedness of others, and not our own, has rendered common amongst those of our race who traffic in loans upon jewels and precious stones." "Isaachar speaks naught save the pure truth," remarked Orsini, blushing at the justice which dictated these reproaches against the aristocracy whereof he was a member. "Signor Verrina," he continued, "you are a brave man--and I believe you to be a generous one. Confirm this opinion on my part, by refraining from further molestation toward the Jew, and thou wilt doubly render me thy debtor." "Be that as you will, my lord," grumbled the bandit-chief. "And now let us depart--for I have much to communicate to your lordship." "I am ready to accompany you," returned the marquis, putting on his plumed hat, and settling his cloak with his left hand. "One word, my lord," said Isaachar, in his habitual nervous and trembling tone. "Should the Countess of Arestino _really_ need her diamonds--_really_ need them, my lord--I--should not--object--that is, my lord," he added in a firmer voice, as if ashamed at the hesitation with which he was expressing his readiness to do a good action, "I will at once give them up to her, trusting to her ladyship's honor to pay me my moneys at her most befitting convenience." "Her ladyship does not require them now!" exclaimed the bandit-chief, emphatically. The marquis looked at Stephano inquiringly, for there was something ominously mysterious in his words; but the brigand stalked in a dogged manner toward the door, as if anxious to hurry the departure so long protracted, and Manuel, having renewed the expressions of his gratitude toward Isaachar ben Solomon, hastily followed Verrina from the house. CHAPTER XXVII. STEPHANO AND THE MARQUIS--THE STRONGHOLD OF THE BANDITTI. The moment Stephano and the marquis were alone together in the open street the former related all the incidents which had occurred at the Arestino Palace after the departure of Manuel himself; and the young nobleman now learned, with feelings of remorse and sorrow, that the unfortunate countess had been hurried away to the convent of the Carmelites--that species of inquisition the gates of which so seldom opened more than once for each new female victim.