Volume I Part 30 (1/2)

When the hated Austrian unifor noise was uttered by the e threw the, for they had no weapons--they only possessed burning patriotisn oppressor

A shot now fell, and at the sa coainst a defenceless crowd of hus As soon as the students heard the shot, they surrounded the carriage of the diva again The latter tried to encourage the treh she could not understand Aslitta's absence, she was far fro the truth

Suddenly San Pietro's repulsive features appeared at the carriage , and Luciola's heart ceased beating

Had he betrayed Aslitta?

The count had arranged things well Narrower and narrower grew the circle about the patriots, and the students tried in vain to draw the carriage away from the soldiers

”Luciola,” said the count, maliciously, ”do you still think you can escapea look of contempt at the count, she cried, in loud, clear tones:

”Miserable coward!”

San Pietro uttered a cry of rage, and lifted his sword aloof

Luciola looked coolly at hirasped the jewelled hilt of a dagger

She did not intend to fall into the villain's hands alive

Suddenly, above the roar of the multitude, a voice thundered:

”Benedetto! Murderer! Escaped galley slave--beware! God cannot be mocked at! Shame over you!”

And as these words were heard, Count San Pietro, the favorite of Radetzky, trely looked in the direction from whence the words cament day On the pedestal of a nized at the Scala, who pointed threateningly at hie, pulled a pistol from his pocket and fired at Monte-Cristo When the smoke cleared away, Monte-Cristo still stood there; at the same time the crowd separated in the centre, and two harnessed horses were shoved in front of Luciola's carriage How it happened no one knew--in an instant the traces were fastened to the shafts, the negro who sat on the box whipped up the horses, and in a second the carriage rolled away

The shots fired after them did not reach them, and in a few minutes they had disappeared

”Death and thunder,” hissed Benedetto, ”this one at least shall not escape e, he threw himself upon the count

The latter let him come Benedetto put the muzzle of his pistol to the count's breast, but at the same moment the iron arm of the latter had clutched the scoundrel by the throat, and with a hoarse laugh Benedetto let his weapon fall and sank upon his knees Quick as thought the count seized the weapon, and placing it against Benedetto's forehead, said in a loud, clear voice:

”All you people who are with this villain whoht, at least, to knohoentlealley slave--he murdered his mother!”

A cry of horror cahness was proverbial, turned with horror froround, and, getting down froh the lines of the retreating soldiers

As soon as Benedetto felt hi to the crowd, he hissed:

”Do not believe him, he lied; he is an enemy of Austria! Hoill you be able to look Marshal Radetzky in the face, if you allow hiic upon the soldiers They turned pale and rushed in pursuit of Monte-Cristo

They had caught up to the count, when he suddenly vanished froaze To the bystanders it seeive him protection