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"No, my lord, nothing without the advice of a physician. This is

a rapid disease, and there is no time to lose. Be tranquil. In

the twinkling of an eye, I will be here with the signor Chiodo."

So saying, he left the room.

Don Roderick followed him in imagination to the house of Chiodo,

counted his steps, measured the time. He often looked at his

side, but, horror-struck, could only regard it a moment.

Continuing to listen intently for the arrival of the surgeon,

this effort of attention suspended the sense of suffering, and

left him the free exercise of his thoughts. Suddenly he heard a

noise of small bells, which appeared to come from some of the

apartments, and not from the street. Listening again, he heard it

louder, and at the same time a sound of steps. A horrible

suspicion darted across his mind.