The next day, Glyndon bent his steps towards Zicci's palace.

The young man's imagination, naturally inflammable, was singularly excited by the little he had seen and heard of this strange being; a spell he could neither master nor account for, attracted him towards the stranger.
Zicci's power seemed mysterious and great, his motives kindly and benevolent, yet his manners chilling and repellant.

Why at one moment reject Glyndon's acquaintance, at another save him from danger?
How had Zicci thus acquired the knowledge of enemies unknown to Glyndon himself?
His interest was deeply roused, his gratitude appealed to; he resolved to make another effort to conciliate Zicci.
The signor was at home, and Glyndon was admitted into a lofty saloon, where in a few moments Zicci joined him.
"I am come to thank you for your warning last night," said he, "and to entreat you to complete my obligation by informing me of the quarter to which I may look for enmity and peril." "You are a gallant, Mr.Glyndon," said Zicci, with a smile; "and do you know so little of the South as not to be aware that gallants have always rivals ?" "Are you serious ?" said Glyndon, coloring.
"Most serious.

You love Isabel di Pisani; you have for rival one of the most powerful and relentless of the Neapolitan princes.

Your danger is indeed great." "But, pardon me, how came it known to you ?" "I give no account of myself to mortal man," replied Zicci, haughtily; "and to me it matters not whether you regard or scorn my warning." "Well, if I may not question you, be it so; but at least advise me what to do." "You will not follow my advice." "You wrong me! Why ?" "Because you are constitutionally brave; you are fond of excitement and mystery; you like to be the hero of a romance.