Oh, I would leave no means of escape untried; I would find some way out of this grim vault! How overjoyed they would all be to see me again--to know that I was not dead after all! What a welcome I should receive! How Nina would nestle into my arms; how my little child would cling to me; how Guido would clasp me by the hand! I smiled as I pictured the scene of rejoicing at the dear old villa--the happy home sanctified by perfect friendship and faithful love! A deep hollow sound booming suddenly on my ears startled me--one! two! three! I counted the strokes up to twelve.

It was some church bell tolling the hour.

My pleasing fancies dispersed--I again faced the drear reality of my position.

Twelve o'clock! Midday or midnight?
I could not tell.

I began to calculate.