From the day on which the bandit had been saved by the two young peasants, he had been enamoured of Teresa, and had sworn she should be his.

From that time he had watched them, and profiting by the moment when her lover had left her alone, had carried her off, and believed he at length had her in his power, when the ball, directed by the unerring skill of the young herdsman, had pierced his heart.

Vampa gazed on him for a moment without betraying the slightest emotion; while, on the contrary, Teresa, shuddering in every limb, dared not approach the slain ruffian but by degrees, and threw a hesitating glance at the dead body over the shoulder of her lover.

Suddenly Vampa turned toward his mistress:--'Ah,' said he--'good, good! You are dressed; it is now my turn to dress myself.' "Teresa was clothed from head to foot in the garb of the Count of San-Felice's daughter.

Vampa took Cucumetto's body in his arms and conveyed it to the grotto, while in her turn Teresa remained outside.
If a second traveller had passed, he would have seen a strange thing,--a shepherdess watching her flock, clad in a cashmere grown, with ear-rings and necklace of pearls, diamond pins, and buttons of sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.