Page 254 (1/2)

'Noble Signor,' replied Verezzi, glad to find he had escaped Montoni's

resentold' 'Pass the goblet,' cried Montoni 'We will drink to Signora St Aubert,'

said Cavigni 'By your leave ill first drink to the lady of the

castle' said Bertolini--Montoni was silent 'To the lady of the

castle,' said his guests He bowed his head 'It nor,' said Bertolini, 'that you have so long

neglected this castle; it is a noble edifice'

'It suits our purpose,' replied Montoni, 'and IS a noble edifice You

know not, it seems, by what mischance it came to me'

'It was a lucky nor,' replied

Bertolini, s 'I would, that one so lucky had befallen ravely at him 'If you will attend to what I say,' he

resumed, 'you shall hear the story'

The countenances of Bertolini and Verezzi expressed soni, who seemed to feel none, had probably heard the

relation before 'It is now near twenty years,' said Montoni, 'since this castle came

into my possession I inherit it by the female line The lady, my