.

THE LOVERS.
"How came that letter to your hands ?" Valentina asked Gonzaga, when presently they stood together in the courtyard, whither the courtier had followed her when she descended.
"Wrapped round an arbalest-bolt that fell on the ramparts yesterday whilst I was walking there alone," returned Gonzaga coolly.
He had by now regained his composure.

He saw that he stood in deadly peril, and the very fear that possessed him seemed, by an odd paradox, to lend him the strength to play his part.
Valentina eyed him with a something of mistrust in her glance.

But on Francesco's clear countenance no shadow of suspicion showed.

His eyes almost smiled as he asked Gonzaga: "Why did you not bear it to Monna Valentina ?" A flush reddened the courtier's cheeks.