"A miracle! a miracle!" cried both the cicerones simultaneously. "The Blessed Virgin be praised!"
Maximilian was not less astonished than the guides, but with his astonishment joy and gratitude were mingled—joy that Giovanni was now tractable and gratitude to his noble and fearless wife who had effected the wondrous transformation. He said to himself that Valentine was, indeed, an enchantress, but a modern Circe, who, unlike her ancient prototype, employed her spells and fascinations to promote good, results. He glanced at Valentine, with a smile of encouragement and approbation, eagerly waiting for the next step she should take, for the next audacious effort she should essay.
Giovanni made no reply to Valentine's fantastic speech, and, after preserving silence for an instant, she resumed:
"I am here for your welfare, to aid you in your overwhelming misfortunes!"
"Ah! yes; I have misfortunes, but I had forgotten them," said the young man, musingly.
"I am sent to relieve you of them," continued Valentine. Then, throwing into her voice its most persuasive quality, she added, fixing a magnetic gaze upon the Viscount: "My mission is to take charge of you, to see that you are restored to health and happiness. Come with me!"
"I will follow you, sweet vision, to the very end of the earth!" said Giovanni, enthusiastically.
Valentine hastily beckoned to her husband; he hurried to her and she whispered in his ear:
"Send one of the guides for a coupé. We must not lose a single moment. Poor Massetti will follow me as a dog follows its master! While he is under my influence it is imperative that he be removed to an asylum where he can be properly looked after and if possible cured. No doubt the guides can tell you of such an institution. Use the utmost dispatch, Maximilian!"
The young soldier needed no repetition of these wise and humanitarian injunctions. He gave the requisite directions and soon the desired vehicle was in readiness without the Colosseum. Maximilian had also ascertained the address of a proper curative institution.