Page images
PDF
EPUB

but not wholly untinctured by usiasm; with the most fervent den did she beseech the assistance er patroness, the Virgin, and she from prayer with a mind soothed -elieved.

ard, however, was her task when rto opened to her his whole heart; ecret of hers, hovered on her lips, prudence suppressed it; yet had rto no reason to complain of her viour, she did not indeed own her on; but her varying countenance, eyes, in which every emotion of her was painted, told a tale that her ue refused to utter; and Sforza ced her happiest of the happy.

welve years nearly had elapsed e Montalva had placed Isabel in the ude of St. Teresa and vainly had ought in every pursuit an antidote the remorse which preyed upon his For years past he had resided at castle of D'Rosonio, and lost in om and despondeney, he renounced

[blocks in formation]

all idea of ever again mixing with the world. One evening, as he sat lost in melancholy musing, the distant sound of laughter struck his ear, he listened, and heard it more distinctly; he summoned one of his domestics, and sternly enquired the cause of their riotous meriment.

"So please you my lord (replied Antonio), a wandering minstrel besought from us a shelter for the night, he is in truth not meanly skilled in melody, and it was one of his romances that caused the laughter which has disturbed your excellenza."

A low, but sweetly plaintive strain, at this moment arrested the count's attention; he waved his hand as a signal for Antonio to throw open the folding-doors -again the strain vibrated on his ear.

"Thou art right, Antonio, this minstrel is indeed a master of his art (said he), bring him before me."

"The delighted Antonio flew to obey the orders of his lord. From the

bitual sternness of the count, he had red a severe reprimand, for the voice mirth was rarely heard in Montalva's stle; and never had one of his doestics seen his cheek dimpled by a nile. The minstrel now entered the amber, and for a moment the eye of ontalva rested upon him with curios. y and surprise. He appeared of mide age, his countenance his countenance was fine, ough pale; and there was an indescriable expression in his dark and pierc. ■g eye, that rivetted the attention of he count. Antonio, in a low voice, bade im make his obeisance, and he obeyed ;~; ut the bow of the minstrel was not the.... wly bend of a vassal to his lord, it as slight and haughty.

"Montalva motioned Antonio to eave them, and then desired the mintrel to play again the plaintive air that ad caught his ear before he saw him; The minstrel began, and with an attenion the most profound, Montalva

[ocr errors]

human eye; say, minstrel, how came these horrors known to thee?"

By no earthly means (replied the minstrel); but speak not thus Montalva, let monks and women talk of crime, it exists but in idea; D'Rosonio stood between thee and happiness, thou did'st right to destroy him; but why doés Isabel exist?"

"What can I have to fear from her?" (cried Montalva.)

66

Every thing (exclaimed the minstrel), even now is her hand solicited by one of the noblest youths of Naples; her birth may be discovered

66

[ocr errors]

Impossible?" (interrupted Mon

talva).

"No! not impossible; I tell thee it. may be discovered (continued the minstrel), what then becomes of thee?" Montalva was silent.

"Another blow (said the subtle tempter), and all is sure."

[ocr errors]

Again imbrue my hands in blood?

(cried Montalva). Oh! no, no."
"Thou should'st have thought thus

fore thou didst imbrue thy hands in bod (said the minstrel, with a malignt smile); but mark me, Montalva, came here thy friend, why I am so is not of import to thee to know. I I thee, and thou wilt find it true, at one only means is left to hide nat thou callest thy guilt from the orld. While Isabel D'Rosonio exists ou art not safe; think of this warn-g, and if thou hast the spirit of a an, take it."

A gleam of blue and sulphurous ght flashed round the minstrel, and in n instant he vanished from before the yes of the astonished count; for some moments the greatest horror took posession of the soul of Montalva; when e could reflect, the only conjecture he hought it possible to form was, that is visitor must be a magician. He had vowed that his knowledge of Monalva's guilt was not obtained by earthly means, yet, wherefore had he for twelve years kept the secret, and why did he now urge the wretched

« PreviousContinue »