I feel--and in some feelings," added Isabel, with a solemnity almost thrilling, "there is all the strength and all the divinity of knowledge--I feel that I am safe even here; but you, you, Prince di--, have brought danger to your home and hearth!" The Neapolitan seemed startled by an earnestness and a boldness he was but little prepared for.

He was not, however, a man easily intimidated or deterred from any purpose he had formed; and approaching Isabel, he was about to reply with much warmth, real or affected, when a knock was heard at the door of the chamber.

The sound was repeated, and the Prince, chafed at the interruption, opened the door and demanded impatiently who had ventured to disobey his orders and invade his leisure.

Mascari presented himself, pale and agitated.

"My lord," said he, in a whisper, "pardon me, but a stranger is below who insists on seeing you; and from some words he let fall, I judged it advisable even to infringe your commands." "A stranger, and at this hour! What business can he pretend?
Why was he even admitted ?" "He asserts that your life is in imminent danger.