The Lady Adelaide started; but she suppressed all excitement, and Lucrezia began her tale—an exaggerated account of the interview she had been a witness to between the Lord of Visinara and Gina Montani. The countess listened to its conclusion, and a low moan escaped her.
"What think you now, madam, she deserves?"
"To die!" burst from the pale lips of the unhappy lady.
"To die," acquiesced Lucrezia, calmly. "No other punishment would meet her guilt; and no other, that I am aware of, could be devised to prevent it for the future."
"Oh! tempt me not," cried the lady, wringing her hands. "I spoke hastily."
"Give but the orders, madam," resumed Lucrezia, "and they shall be put in practice."
"How can I?" demanded the Lady Adelaide, once more pacing the room in her anguish; "how could I ever rest afterwards, with the guilt of murder upon my soul?"
"It will be no guilt, lady."
"Lucrezia!"
"I have made it my business to inquire much about this girl—to ascertain her history. I thought it my duty, and very soon I should have laid the whole matter before you."