CHAPTER XIV.
"Like other tyrants, Death delights to smite What smitten most proclaims the pride of power, And arbitrary nod." YOUNG.
It is probable that Nelson never knew precisely what passed between Ghita and the lady mentioned in the last chapter.

At all events, like every other application that was made to the English admiral in connection with this sad affair, that of Ghita produced no results.
Even the mode of execution was unchanged; an indecent haste accompanying the whole transaction, as in the equally celebrated trial and death of the unfortunate Duc d'Enghien.

Cuffe remained to dine with the commander-in-chief, while Carlo Giuntotardi and his niece got into their boat and took their way through the crowded roadstead toward the Neapolitan frigate that now formed the prison of the unfortunate Caraccioli.
A request at the gangway was all that was necessary to procure an admission on board the ship.

As soon as the Signor Giuntotardi reached the quarter-deck he let his errand be known, and a messenger was sent below to ascertain if the prisoner would see two visitors, the name of the uncle being alone given.

Francesco Caraccioli, of the Princes Caraccioli, or, as he was more commonly called in English, Prince Caraccioli, was now a man approaching seventy; and, being a member of one of the most illustrious houses of lower Italy, he had long been trusted in employments of high dignity and command.