THE PIRATES OF SEGNA. 351 



Strasolda," added he with a spiteful glance at the 

 maiden, who still kept her station by the window, 

 " that guardian angel, who so often steps between us 

 and our prey, was absent, and we had no need to stay 

 our hands." 



As he spoke, the door was again hastily opened as 

 softly as before, but somewhat wider, and the burly 

 figure of a monk entered the room. This was no 

 other than the Father Cipriano Guido Lucchese, 

 whom the lady had alluded to, and who, by his 

 pleadings at the papal court in favour of the Uz- 

 coques, had earned himself the honourable cognomen 

 of Ambassador de Ladri, or the Thieves' Envoy. He 

 had expiated his discreditable intercession by a so- 

 journ in the prisons of the Inquisition, which did 

 not, however, prevent his being in high favour with 

 the Archduke Ferdinand, at whose court he filled 

 the triple office of theologian, confessor, and privy 

 counsellor. 



The sleek and unctuous physiognomy of the monk 

 wore an expression of unusual care and anxiety. 

 Without bestowing a salutation or a look upon the 

 lady whose apartment he thus unceremoniously en- 

 tered, he addressed himself at once to the Uzcoque 

 Juri.ssu. 



" Away with you ! " cried he. " Out of the palace 

 and quietly, too, as your own shadow. Thumb-screws 

 are waiting for you if you linger." 



Strasolda gazed in alarm at Father Cipriano. Ju- 



