Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 Excerpt:...jug?" and he seized upon the latter, as if about to carry it to his mouth. "No, no, my good Stefano," said the soft voice of Melanthe; "we want a letter--some writing--that was placed by the lamp." "Ah! the Signora returned," said Stefano, rising, and trying to recover his senses, so as tc recollect exactly what had happened. "Yes, I remember, Mariana was trying to read it, and I said---" "Bestia--Bestia maledetta!" cried Mariana, in no gentle tone, at the same time shaking Stefano by the shoulders; "who wants to know what you said? What have you done with the scroll?" "I done with it! why, I never saw it since---" "Now, the sweet saints grant me patience," exclaimed Mariana; "he never saw it. Look here, Signora; look here, my child; before I went to fetch that jug of wine, I placed the writing there, on that spot;" and Mariana laid her hand on the table; "the lamp there, and that useless incumbrance of a man there, upon the bench." "No, I placed myself," began Stefano. "Peace, fool! plague that thou art. It was ill enough done, whoever placed thee where common sense was wanting," cried Mariana, angrily. "Now, Signora! could the scroll have gone from the table without hands?" "Did you see any one enter?" said Melanthe, calmly, without replying to the question of her nurse. "No one, Signora." "And have you not got it, think you, in your dress?" suggested Melanthe, whose heart was sinking as she beheld the overthrow of her dearest hope. "Certainly not," said Stefano, beginning to untie his doublet; then suddenly pausing, "how could I have taken it, when I was fast asleep before Mari...