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sented, to what they had formerly exhibited; the cheerful hospitality, the unbounded munificence of the late Count D'Rosonio, died with him; haughty, gloomy, and tyrannical, the conduct of his successor, rendered him

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feared by his domestics, and abhored. by his vassals.

CHAP. III.

SOLITUDE, SO delightful to the good, is beyond measure irksome to the wicked; this truth the unhappy Montalva daily experienced. Every object at the castle D'Rosonio recalled to his memory his murdered friend; he resolved to travel-and he quitted the castle in search of that peace he was destined never more to taste.

Madrid was the first place that he meant to visit, and he arrived there in safety. Change of scene had some little effect upon his spirits, and he endeavoured (by viewing the various

things so worthy of a traveller's attention in the capital of Spain) to dispel the bitter reflections which still preyed upon his mind. One evening, as he returned from vespers, he strolled along heedlessly, till he got to some distance from the city; and when he would have retraced his steps, he found himself puzzled by the intricacy of the path; a small cottage appeared at some distance, and he hastened to it to enquire his way; there was no person in it, and he sat down by a cheerful fire, which blazed on the humble hearth, to wait the return of its owner. In a few moments a woman appeared; she started at seeing him. but when he told her what he wanted,. she desired that he would wait the arrival of her husband, whom she expected every moment, and who would: accompany him a part of the way, for she was, she said, unable to direct him. Montalva consented, and his hostess busied herself in preparing sup

per. His walk had given the count an appetite, and he looked with a longing eye upon Teresa's rustic fare.

"I could wish our humble supper was such as you could partake of, sir (said she), but it is too homely to tempt your appetite.'

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Montalva replied in the negative, and Teresa flew to cover the board with part of the provisions prepared for her husband and son. Never had repast appeared more luxurious to the count, for never before had he tasted a meal sweetened by so keen an appetite. In a little time, Teresa began to wonder that her husband was not yet re

turned.

"I can't think (said she, anxiously), what can delay Jacques, I never knew him so late." While she spoke, he entered. He was accompanied by his son, a youth of about nineteen. "Oh, you are come at last, Jacques (cried his wife), in truth I began to be sadly

frightened! what can have detained you?"

Jacques and his son saluted the count, respectfully, and the former said, "Let us have some supper, Teresa, and then I will tell you our adven

ture."

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Nay, prithee, tell me now" (cried

she). My hunger must be satisfied before your curiosity, wife," (replied he), and placing himself at the board, he began his meal with heartiness.

"And now, wife, (said he, when they had nearly finished their supper), Saint Francis be praised, Tomaso has saved the life of our neighbour's son, Vincentio."

"What! that wretch (cried she), who has occasioned so much mischief, and done us, in particular, so much harm? In good faith, I would not have saved him, for many there are that would have rejoiced at his death." "Wife, wife (cried Jacques), would you then suffer a fellow-being to perish

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