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"What is the matter? what is the matter?" repeated Agnes, holding

her firmly by the arm.

"Devil of a woman!" exclaimed Perpetua, still struggling. Then

was heard at a distance the light scream of Menico.

"Mercy!" cried Agnes also, and they both ran at full speed; the

sound of the bell, which now succeeded, spurred them on. Perpetua

arrived first, and, behold, at the door, Tony, Jervase, Renzo,

and Lucy, who had found the stairs, and, at the terrible sound of

the bell, were flying to some place of safety.

"What is the matter? What is the matter?" demanded Perpetua, out

of breath, of the brothers. They answered her with a violent

push, and fled away. "And you! what are you here for?" said she

then to Renzo and Lucy. They made no reply. She then ascended the

stairs in haste, to seek her master. The two lovers (still

lovers) stood before Agnes, who, alarmed and grieved, said, "Ah!

you are here! How has it gone? Why did the bell ring?"