What can this portend ?" Thus soliloquising, the governor silently continued his way till he came to a door by which stood two men, masked, who saluted him with a mute inclination of the head.

The door opened and again closed, as the governor entered.

Meanwhile, the confessor had gained the palace of the Duke d' Uzeda.

Uzeda was not alone: with him was a man whose sallow complexion, ill-favoured features, and simple dress strangely contrasted the showy person and sumptuous habiliments of the duke.

But the instant this personage opened his lips, the comparison was no longer to his prejudice.