The contrivance was ingenious: the wire was so slender that it pierced to the brain, and drew but one drop of blood, which the grey hairs concealed.

The accomplice will be executed." "And Zanoni,--did he give evidence, did he account for--" "No," interrupted the count: "he declared that he had by accident visited the church that morning; that he had observed the tombstone of the Count Ughelli; that his guide had told him the count's son was in Naples,--a spendthrift and a gambler.

While we were at play, he had heard the count mentioned by name at the table; and when the challenge was given and accepted, it had occurred to him to name the place of burial, by an instinct which he either could not or would not account for." "A very lame story," said Mervale.
"Yes! but we Italians are superstitious,--the alleged instinct was regarded by many as the whisper of Providence.

The next day the stranger became an object of universal interest and curiosity.

His wealth, his manner of living, his extraordinary personal beauty, have assisted also to make him the rage; besides, I have had the pleasure in introducing so eminent a person to our gayest cavaliers and our fairest ladies." "A most interesting narrative," said Mervale, rising.