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He sat up, listened still more attentively, and heard a sound in

the next chamber, as of a chest carefully placed on the floor; he

threw his limbs out of bed, so as to be ready to rise; and kept

his eyes fastened on the door; it opened, and, behold, two

monatti with their diabolical countenances, and cursed liveries,

advancing towards the bed, whilst from the half-open door was

seen the figure of Griso, awaiting the success of his sordid

treachery.

"Ah, infamous traitor! Begone, rascals! Biondino, Carlotto, help!

murder!" cried Don Roderick, extending his hand under his pillow

for his pistol.

At his very first cry the monatti had rushed towards the bed, and

the most active of the two was upon him before he could make

another movement; jerking the pistol from his hand, and throwing

it on the floor, he forced him to lie down, crying in an accent

of rage and mockery, "Ah, scoundrel! against the monatti! against

the ministers of the tribunal!"