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ad a wan look, and a something--I remember when young Ferdinand was wounded by the Venetian--"
"Thou answerest from the point," interrupted Manfred; "but here, take this jewel, perhaps that may fix thy attention--nay, no reverences; my favour shall not stop here--come, tell me truly; how stands Isabella's heart?"
"Well! your Highness has such a way!" said Bianca, "to be sure--but can your Highness keep a secret? if it should ever come out of your lips--"
"It shall not, it shall not," cried Manfred.
"Nay, but swear, your Highness."
"By my halidame, if it should ever be known that I said it--"
"Why, truth is truth, I do not think my Lady Isabella ever much affectioned my young Lord your son; yet he was a sweet youth as one should see; I am sure, if I had been a Princess--but bless me! I must attend my Lady Matilda; she will marvel what is become of me."
"Stay," cried Manfred; "thou hast not satisfied my question. Hast thou ever carried any message, any letter?"
"I! good gracious!" cried Bianca; "I carry a letter? I would not to be a Queen. I hope your Highness thinks, though I am poor, I am honest. Did your Highness never hear what Count Marsigli offered me, when he came a wooing to my Lady Matilda?"
"I have not leisure," said Manfred, "to listen to thy tale. I do not question thy honesty. But it is thy duty to conceal nothing from me. How long has Isabella been acquainted with Theodore?"
"Nay, there is nothing can escape your Highness!" said Bianca; "not that I know any thing of the matter. Theodore, to be sure, is a proper young man, and, as my Lady Matilda says, the very image of good Alfonso. Has not your Highness remarked it?"
"Yes, yes,--No--thou torturest me," said Manfred. "Where did they meet? when?"
"Who! my Lady Matilda?" said Bianca.
"No, no, not Matilda: Isabella; when did Isabella first become acquainted with this Theodore!"
"Virgin Mary!" said Bianca, "how should I know?"
"Thou dost know," said Ma