"Holy God!" he exclaimed aloud, "how much wretchedness has fallen upon me in a single day! Agnes murdered--Nisida perhaps forever estranged from me--myself accused of a dreadful crime, whereof I am innocent--and circumstances all combining so wonderfully against me! But who could have perpetrated the appalling deed? Can that mysterious lady, whom Agnes spoke of so frequently, and who, by her description, so closely resembled my much-loved Nisida--can she----" At that moment the bolts were suddenly drawn back from the door of the dungeon--the clanking chains fell heavily on the stone pavement outside--and the jailer appeared, holding a lamp in his hand. "Your brother, signor, is come to visit you," said the turnkey. "But pray let the interview be a brief one--for it is as much as my situation and my own liberty are worth to have admitted him without an order from the chief judge." "With these words the jailer made way for a cavalier to enter the dungeon;" and as he closed the door, he said, "I shall return shortly to let your brother out again." Surprise had hitherto placed a seal upon Wagner's lips; but even before the visitor had entered the cell, a faint suspicion--a wild hope had flashed to his mind that Nisida had not forgotten him, that she would not abandon him. But this hope was destroyed almost as soon as formed, by the sudden recollection of her affliction;--for how could a deaf and dumb woman succeed in bribing and deceiving one so cautious and wary as the jailer of a criminal prison? Nevertheless the moment the visitor had entered the cell--and in spite of the deep disguise which she wore, the eyes of the lover failed not to recognize the object of his adoration in that elegant cavalier who now stood before him. Scarcely had the jailer closed and bolted the massive door again, when Fernand rushed forward to clasp Nisida in his arms;--but, imperiously waving her hand, she motioned him to stand back. Then, with the language of the fingers, she rapidly demanded--"Will you swear upon the cross that the young female who has been murdered, was not your mistress?" "I swear," answered Fernand in the same symbolic manner; and, as the light of the lamp played on his handsome countenance, his features assumed so decided an expression of truth, frankness, and sincerity, that Nisida was already more than half convinced of the injustice of her suspicions. But still she was determined to be completely satisfied; and, drawing forth a small but exquisitely sculptured crucifix from her doublet, she presented it to her lover. He sank upon one knee, received it respectfully, and kissed it without hesitation. Nisida then threw herself into his arms, and embraced him with a fondness as warm, as wild, as impassioned as her suspicions had ere now been vehement and fearfully resentful.