202 RETRIBUTION. 



Marco knew well at a single glance. The bracelet was a 

 gift of his own to Beatrice, and hers, beyond a doubt, was 

 the hand which, instigated by jealousy and wounded pride, 

 had plunged the murderous steel into the heart of her humble 

 rival. 



In an hour after the mariner had left his father's villa, 

 Marco was closeted at the Palazzo Dona with the Duke. 

 Their interview was long ; but to the curious eave's-dropper 

 quiet as the grave. 



Marco never returned to Genoa, and fell in battle a few 

 years after, having taken service in the army of the French, at 

 that time allies and almost masters of the once proud Republic. 

 And the miserable Beatrice ! what became of her ? Never 

 did detected culprit, condemned by man's erring judgment to 

 give up life for life, suffer a penalty so dread as hers. The 

 rank and power which had served to shield her from public 

 condemnation did not stifle private suspicion : and though to 

 breathe a name like hers in conjunction with a deed of murder 

 was more, perhaps, than any inhabitant of Genoa, noble or 

 plebeian, would have dared to do, yet on the city walls, which 

 the Italians, with reference to such a use, have termed pro- 

 verbially " Fools' Paper" some daring hand had ventured, in 

 ambiguous but intelligible terms, to write up her accusation. 



But what was this to the " hand writing on the wall," which 

 above every festive board, on the frescoes of every sparkling 

 saloon, on the tapestry of her own chamber, presented itself in 

 characters of blood before the eye of Beatrice. For a season, 

 and with a view by braving to disarm suspicion, did the 

 wretched lady compel herself, or was compelled, perhaps, by 

 her noble family, to face the world ; but the colour had fled her 

 cheek ; her dark eye grew hollow, and at last she veiled them 

 from public notice in a convent of Benedictine Nuns. 



There, none were more exemplary in their vigils, their 

 penances, their prayers, than sister Agatha, the name by which 

 the once proud Beatrice Doria was known amongst the nuns. 



