THE INTERCEPTED LETTER.
Any man that can write may answer a letter.
-Romeo and Juliet.
IN such a tale as we now tell you, gentle reader, and when written
within such limits, it is impossible to keep each portion of the
plot equally advanced, or rather not to anticipate certain results.
There is also an advantage in this mode of arrangement which perhaps
is in itself sufficient excuse for the author. It heightens the
plot, and renders it more absorbing to the reader, by suddenly
laying before him some startling tableau and seeming inconsistency,
but which the sequel of the story renders plain and reconcilable
with other portions of the story.
Having said thus much for the scene we have presented to the reader
at the roadside inn on the Apennines, we must now go back with him
to the night on which Carlton delivered his letter of arrangement to
Florinda, and thus render our tale plain to the comprehension of
all.
Carlton, as we have said perfected his plan for the proposed
elopement, and in another letter to Florinda he communicated the
particulars, delivering the missive with his own hands as
heretofore. There was a certain hour agreed upon between them, in
which Signora Florinda was to be at the balcony of her apartment
every evening; and thus, although Carlton might not be able to hold
much conversation with her, yet he could deliver any written paper
he might desire, without the fear of interruption or detection.
It was necessary to accomplish all with the utmost secrecy in order
to ensure success. Now Petro had been led to suspect by some
circumstances, that the meetings between Carlton and his cousin had
been renewed. He determined to ascertain if this was the case
through his own personal observation; and on the occasion of the
delivery of the letter in question, Petro being on the watch,
discovered Carlton in the act, and also overheard the following
appointment made by him with Florinda:
"I will call for an answer at eleven, signora; I hope you may
perfectly comprehend my plan and fully acquiesce in it."
"At eleven?"
"At eleven, signora."
"Hark, heard you not some one?"
"No, I heard nothing."
"It sounded very near to the balcony."
"In the street?"
"Yes; I am sure I heard someone."
"Some passer-by, Florinda," said Carlton.
"Pray thee be careful, Carlton, we may be watched."
"I will be discreet; do not fear."
"There, the figure is turning yonder street!"
"Ay, and pauses to observe us; I will away. You will remember."
"I will await you at that time, Carlton."
"Good night, Florinda," whispered Carlton, pressing the hand
extended to him from over the balcony, just within reach.
"Good night." And they parted from each other, not daring to hold
further conversation lest they might be observed, and their future
plans suspected and defeated by the agents of her uncle.
Petro determined to prevent this meeting, or rather to be present at
it, and he hurried from the spot without meeting Carlton, resolving
to be punctually at the terrace a little before eleven. It was
evident that he had formed some plan in which he placed much
confidence, by the revengeful smile that played about his scornful
lips.
It was near the hour of eleven that night, when Carlton drew near
the little terrace that jutted from the window of Florinda's
apartment, He saw by the pale moonlight reflected upon the clock of
the neighboring church, that it lacked yet some fifteen minutes of
the appointed time for the meeting, and humming lightly to himself,
to kill the minutes, he sat down within a shady angle of the palace
wall. His approach was noted by the watchful Petro who, as soon as
he saw him seated, determined, if possible, to obtain possession of
the answer which he knew Carlton awaited!
To accomplish this purpose, required much cunning and prudence; but
he was fully equal to the plan-for what Italian has not cunning and
intrigue in his natural disposition? In pursuance of this object, he
approached the little terrace before alluded to, and which was a
trifle higher than his head, and situated at this time within the
shadow of the moon. By a slight and almost imperceptible noise, he
essayed to attract the attention of Florinda, and led her to suppose
that he was Carlton, and there awaiting the expected answer
according to appointment, The wily Italian gathered the ample folds
of his rich cloak about his person, so as to partially cover his
face, upon which there was a most demoniac smile, picturing revenge,
hate and every evil passion, to which a heavy moustache lent
additional fierceness.
In one hand he held a keen stiletto, while he extended the other
above his head to receive the letter from the hand of Florinda. It
was necessary for her to reach some distance over the edge of the
small projecting terrace, in order to place it in his hand; this she
did, using the customary precaution, and not venturing to utter a
word as she heard footsteps approaching her room. Petro having thus
possessed himself of the letter, retired to a place from whence he
could watch the movements of Carlton without himself being observed
by the young American.
As the clock of the neighboring church struck eleven, Carlton sprang
to his feet, and assuming his place under the terrace, awaited the
coming of Florinda, little suspecting the trick that had been played
upon him. But after awaiting somewhat impatiently for nearly an
hour, he was compelled to return to his lodgings, almost trembling
with fear lest some serious accident had befallen her he loved, or
at least that their plan might have been discovered, and she
subjected to consequent ill-treatment and fresh rigor by her uncle.
All this while Florinda, as little suspecting the fraud that had
been played upon them as Carlton himself, was quite contented and
happy in the anticipated success of their plan, and dropped to
sleep, thinking of him, after humbling herself before the throne of
grace in fervent prayer-that key to the gates of Paradise.
Florinda was naturally of a devotional character; and this feeling
had grown and strengthened by her companionship with the late
duchess, who was noted for her piety and goodness-and in fact came
to her death, as is well known, by too much rigor imposed upon
herself in devotional penance!
Petro, after satisfying himself that the ruse had not been
discovered, sought his own apartment in the palace to read the
letter he had thus possessed himself of. He hesitated for a moment
before he broke the seal-we will do him the justice to say so-even
in this stage of his conduct, his sense of honor had not entirely
left him. It had not yet become so blunted as to render him entirely
reckless in the debasing deed he was about to perform. With a sort
of desperate resolution-for he had never before done so mean an
act-he opened the seal. The letter was brief, and ran as follows:
DEAR CARLTON:-I leave every necessary arrangement to you. I will
meet you as you propose to-morrow evening at the hour of ten. I
would for certain reasons that it might be later, but the gates of
the city I am aware close at that hour. Have a care for your own
health and safety, Dear Carlton. I will meet you with a single
attendant on whom I can rely, at the appointed time, and at the gate
opening upon the Borg' ognisanti. Affectionately thine, "FLORINDA."
"So, so; the bird had nearly flown from us," said Petro, as he read
this epistle. "Here's a plot; and if I do not so counter-plot as to
render it of no avail, other than for the furtherance of ny own
design, then I am no man. It is well that I took this matter in hand
at this time. A day-nay, an hour later might have been too late.
Singular coincidence that should have brought me to the place and
the subject at the most opportune moment. Little does this fellow
think of the rod that is in pickle for him. But I will be even with
him. I will not sleep while he pursues the game; vigilance alone
must gain me my object. No, no, Signor Artist, you cannot thus pluck
this beautiful flower unchallenged; you are observed, and your
object is understood, Scheming requires counter-scheming; and you
shall have that to your heart's content. Italy against America, by
the virgin; but we will make this a national quarrel, if it be
necessary."
He gazed upon the letter thoughtfully for some moments.
"Let me see," he continued, "this is not a very difficult hand to
imitate." And he commenced to write different words and form
capitals after the style of Florinda's note. "I think I can do it,"
he said at length. "But the seal-how shall I manage that? Stay, I
can use this same one with a little care. Capital!" he exclaimed.
"I'll have this business all in my own hands." And Petro Giampetti
laughed outright at the prospect of his success in this vile plot
against his cousin.
Petro was an expert and practical penman, being, as we have said,
private secretary to his uncle, Signor Latrezzi; and thus being
quite an expert in the use of the pen, he was the more easily able
to prosecute his dishonest purpose, Thus he commenced carefully to
write a note addressed to Carlton, and purporting to come from
Florinda, in answer to his note of that evening. With her note open
before him, and carefully noticing its style and manner, both in
chirography and composition, he cunningly traced the following
lines:
"DEAR CARLTON:--In consequence of an unforeseen accident which I need
not now explain, I shall not be able to meet you until to-morrow
night, when I will do so at the hour named, and at the place
designated. Be careful of your own health and safety, and do not
attempt to see me until the time we meet at the gate opening on the
Borg' ognisanti.
"Affectionately thine, FLORINDA."
This he addressed after the style of Florinda's note, sealed very
ingeniously with the identical seal she had used on the note which
he had intercepted, as we have seen, and forwarded it early on the
following morning by one whom he could trust to Carlton, thus fully
carrying out his plot of deception against them both.
Petro's heart somehow throbbed strangely in his breast, and his
conscience was very ill at case. He felt that he was enacting the
coward's part in this business, and already half wished himself out
of it. But if the game was a bold and hazardous one, so was the
prize a brilliant one; and so he closed his eye to remorse, and
spurred forward.
Thus we blindly pursue the goal of our wishes, little heeding the
cost, though we know that retribution is sure!