Thou art young, too, and of a sex that should ever be cautious; it is unwise for men, even, to meddle with politics in these troubled times." "Signora, it is not politics that brings me here, but nature, and duty, and pious love for my father's father." "What wouldst thou say, then ?" answered the lady impatiently; "remember thou occupiest one whose time is precious and of high importance to entire nations." "Eccellenza, I believe it, and will try to be brief.

I wish to beg my grandfather's life of this illustrious stranger.

They tell me the king will refuse him nothing, and he has only to ask it of Don Ferdinando to obtain it." Many would have thought the matured charms of the lady superior to the innocent-looking beauty of the girl; but no one could have come to such an opinion who saw them both at that moment.

While Ghita's face was radiant with a holy hope and the pious earnestness which urged her on, a dark expression lowered about the countenance of the English beauty that deprived it of one of its greatest attractions by depriving it of the softness and gentleness of her sex.

Had there not been observers of what passed, it is probable the girl would have been abruptly repulsed; but management formed no small part of the character of this woman, and she controlled her feelings in order to effect her purposes.
"This admiral is not a Neapolitan, but an Englishman," she answered, "and can have no concern with the justice of your king.