At length he stopped near where his sister was standing, and intimated to her that Flora might perhaps have repaired to the residence of her aunt. Nisida conveyed to him this answer: "The moment that I missed Flora ere now, I dispatched a domestic to her aunt's cottage; but she has not been there since Sunday last." "Some treachery is at work here, Nisida," was the young count's response. "Flora has not willingly absented herself." At this moment Francisco's page entered the apartment to announce that Dr. Duras was in the reception-room. The young count made a sign to his sister to accompany him; and they proceeded to the elegant saloon where the physician was waiting. Having saluted the count and Nisida with his usual urbanity, Dr. Duras addressed himself to the former, saying, "I have just learnt from your lordship's page that the favorite attendant on your sister has most unaccountably disappeared." "And both Nisida and myself are at a loss what to conjecture, or how to act," replied Francisco. "Florence is at this moment the scene of dreadful crimes," observed the physician. "Yesterday morning a young female was murdered by a near neighbor of mine----" "I was astounded when I heard of the arrest of Signor Wagner on such a charge," interrupted the count. "He was latterly a frequent guest at this house: although, I believe, you never happened to meet him here?" "No," answered the physician; "but I saw him at the funeral of your lamented father, and once or twice since in the garden attached to his mansion; and I certainly could not have supposed, from his appearance, that he was a man capable of so black a crime. I was, however, about to observe that Florence is at this moment infested by a class of villains who hesitate at no deed of turpitude. This Signor Wagner is a foreigner, possessed of immense wealth, the sources of which are totally unknown; and, moreover, it is declared that the sbirri, yesterday morning, actually traced the robber-captain Stephano to the vicinity of his mansion. All this looks black enough, and it is more than probable that Wagner was in league with the redoubtable Stephano and his banditti. Then the mysterious disappearance of Flora is, to say the least, alarming, for I believe she was a well conducted, virtuous, estimable young woman." "She was--she was indeed!" exclaimed Francisco. "At least," he added, perceiving that the physician was somewhat astonished at the enthusiasm with which he spoke--"at least, such is my firm impression; such, too, is the opinion of my sister." "The motive which brought me hither this morning," said Dr. Duras, "was to offer you a little friendly advice, which my long acquaintance with your family, my dear count, will prevent you from taking amiss." "Speak, doctor--speak your thoughts!" cried Francisco, pressing the physician's hand gratefully.