strong suspicion of the cause of Francisco's favour, held him in light esteem, thinking themselves more worthy of Sforza's confidence and favour than the man thus honoured: but the worst jealousy, and that which possessed the most power of working mischief, was that of Isabella and Marianna, the mother and sister of Sforza, toward Marcelia; neither Isabella or Marianna lost power or rank by the Duke's marriage, yet they were incensed at the influence of the Duchess over the affections of her husband, and loathed her for that beauty so much admired, and the adulation paid to her by all the court.

Marcelia's deportment was dignified: conscious of her own worth and of Sforza's attachment, she bore herself with majesty yet not with insolence; but from Isabella and Marianna she received so many marks of pride and hatred that she was compelled, for her own sake, to treat them with a degree of offended reserve, which they (not considering their own improper conduct was the occasion) called arrogance. Still she forbore all complaint to Sforza, well aware his resentment would know no bounds; and she endured their frequent insults in secret: but these were a weight on her mind which in a great degree disturbed her happiness.

On the departure of Sforza she was left at their mercy; afflicted at this her first separation, and dreading the event of his visit, she divested herself of all her costly robes, and, clad in the most simple attire, shut herself in her own apartment, spending her hours in prayers and supplications for her beloved Sforza's safety. Marianna, on the contrary, was all mirth and gaiety, and, regardless of the impending danger, assumed a levity the most indecorous and unbecoming. Resolved to insult the "pretty minion of her brother," she engaged musicians to play and dance under her windows, to disturb her devotions, and when Marcelia expressed

her displeasure and bade them depart, Marianna and Isabella, by treating her with the utmost insolence, excited her indignation. In the midst of the altercation, Francisco entered, and taking upon himself supreme authority in the absence of the Duke, ordered Isabella and Marianna into confinement, and the offending musicians, led by Graccho, a creature of Marianna's, to be imprisoned and whipped; and

so bountifully did Graccho's jailor fill his office, that the number of lashes were limited to the number of pieces drawn from his purse to purchase lenity: whilst, to increase his mortification, his disgrace was witnessed by Tiberio and Stephano, whom he had often spoken to with rudeness, and, encouraged by his mistress, had even presumed to treat with disdain; they were gratified by his disgrace, and Graccho, enraged, secretly resolved to avenge himself

on some one or other.

Marcelia, though justly incensed, yet by no means wishing that anv indignity should on her account be offered to the mother and sister of her husband, requested their liberty might not be abridged; but they disdained to be obliged by her, and proceeded to the chambers appointed for their confinement.

Márcelia expressed her warm: acknowledgments to Francisco for his protection, while he, in return, expressed his admiration and esteem of her. Supposing the animation of his language to proceed from his regard to Sforza, she was not at first alarmed; but it could not be possible long to misunderstand his meaning: he declared his passion for her in the most unequivocal terms, and advanced as his excuse, the secret hatred which the Duke entertained towards her. Marcelia resented with great asperity the presumption of Francisco's hopes, and the insult offered to her virtue; but his treacherous abuse of his master enraged her beyond all endurance: while he, to convince her of the truth of his assertion, presented her the paper, in which Sforza had given orders for her murder; without any reason assigned, only containing an imperative mandate for the execution of the deed. It was his hand; Marcelia knew the' characters too well to be deceived, and, overpowered. by the sudden shock sunk fainting on the floor.

Francisco, who really felt some portion of the love he professed, was alarmed on beholding her in a state of insensibility; the more so, as he dared not call assistance, lest on her recovery she should betray the cause of her illness. On reviving she wept

in bitterness of sorrow at the guilt and falsehood of Sforza, and his cruel requital of her pure and ardent love; but repulsed Francisco, and treated him with the utmost scorn; till he, enraged, bade her remember her life was in his power, and beware how she incensed him. She then set him at defiance, daring him to perform his utmost against her; and he had the mortification to find his schemes defeated, without the least prospect of advantage.

His fears were still further excited on learning, from his secret emissaries, that Sforza's return might be hourly expected. He flew instantly to the chambers of the Duchess, and bribed her attendant to give him admission; he was received with contemptuous reserve, but his tears, his self reproaches and assumed penitence so far wrought upon her gentle nature as to obtain his pardon, and a promise of secrecy; and he then owned his injustice towards Sforza in accusing him of hatred, when in fact, the order for her death proceeded from an excess of love, so great that he could not endure the thoughts of her outliving him, even for a single hour. Marcelia's mind was released from the dreadful idea of Sforza's hatred and duplicity, yet she felt hurt at the selfishness of his attachment in dooming her to death in the event of his own dissolution, and wounded at the idea of his supposing she ever could or would love another, should she have the affliction of losing him; her resentment was softened, but not subdued, and she resolved to punish him by bearing herself with coldness and reserve on his return.

Sforza, on his arrival, rushed to meet her with all the ardour and impetuosity of the most extravagant love; that ardour heightened by the delightful idea of imparting to her the news of safety, and that he had no longer any apprehensions for her but his impetuosity was checked by the coldness of her manner; and stopping short as he advanced towards her,

he gazed with astonishment- "Is this my welcome home?" he cried; "this the reception Marcelia offers to her Sforza ?"

"I am most happy, sir," she replied, "to witness your return in safety, but I would express my joy with modesty and duty, as may become a wife who loves discreetly."

"Gracious powers!" exclaimed the astonished Duke; "am I in a dream? Can it be Marcelia speaks? and speaks to Sforza? Moderation! love with moderation! My love to you exceeds all bounds; come, come, no more of this; I bring you welcome tidings: but greet me, sweetest; come, kiss me, love!"

Marcelia, advancing with an air of reserve offered her cheek; and, when he pressed her in his arms, she returned not the embrace. As water thrown on fire serves only to increase the blaze, so Sforza's rage broke out. Was it for this he had hastened to his home? Leaving half his task undone, he had scarcely allowed himself time for food, nor bent his steps to any shrine to offer thanks for his safe return, so eager was he to behold his wife! And this the reception his ardent love had met? What now was life? A burden not to be endured. Marcelia's coldness chilled him to the heart; yet, while it chilled, fired him into rage and indignation, and, with stern resentment, he commanded her to quit his presence.

The rage of offended love is transient. Sforza's anger soon abated; all his glowing tenderness returned; and he deputed various messengers to gue for pardon. Marcelia's heart was sorrowful as his, but her pride, her delicacy, her love, had all been wounded, and she could not easily subdue her re

sentment.

In the midst of Sforza's anxiety, he was assailed on every side; Stephano and Tiberio, on their visit to Marcelia with messages of concession from the