A Sicilian Romance

Ferdinand, whom the grate withheld from assisting her,

observed her situation with extreme distress. When she recovered, he

informed her that a servant of Hippolitus, sent no doubt by his lord

to enquire concerning Julia, had been lately seen by one of the

marquis's people in the neighbourhood of the castle. From him it was

known that the Count de Vereza was living, but that his life had been

despaired of; and he was still confined, by dangerous wounds, in an

obscure town on the coast of Italy. The man had steadily refused to

mention the place of his lord's abode. Learning that the marquis was

then at the abbey of St Augustin, whither he pursued his daughter, the

man disappeared from Mazzini, and had not since been heard of.

It was enough for Julia to know that Hippolitus lived; her fears of

detection, and her scruples concerning Ferdinand, instantly vanished;

she thought only of escape--and the means which had lately appeared so

formidable--so difficult in contrivance, and so dangerous in

execution, now seemed easy, certain, and almost accomplished.

They consulted on the plan to be adopted, and agreed, that in

attempting to bribe a servant of the monastery to their interest, they

should incur a danger too imminent, yet it appeared scarcely

practicable to succeed in their scheme without risquing this. After

much consideration, they determined to entrust their secret to no

person but to madame. Ferdinand was to contrive to conceal himself

till the dead of night in the church, between which and the monastery

were several doors of communication. When the inhabitants of the abbey

were sunk in repose, Julia might without difficulty pass to the

church, where Ferdinand awaiting her, they might perhaps escape either

through an outer door of the fabric, or through a window, for which

latter attempt Ferdinand was to provide ropes.

A couple of horses were to be stationed among the rocks beyond the

woods, to convey the fugitives to a sea-port, whence they could easily

pass over to Italy. Having arranged this plan, they separated in the

anxious hope of meeting on the ensuing night.

Madame warmly sympathized with Julia in her present expectations, and

was now somewhat relieved from the pressure of that self-reproach,

with which the consideration of having withdrawn her young friend from

a secure asylum, had long tormented her. In learning that Hippolitus

lived, Julia experienced a sudden renovation of life and spirits.

From the languid stupefaction which despair had occasioned she revived

as from a dream, and her sensations resembled those of a person

suddenly awakened from a frightful vision, whose thoughts are yet

obscured in the fear and uncertainty which the passing images have

impressed on his fancy. She emerged from despair; joy illumined her

countenance; yet she doubted the reality of the scene which now opened

to her view. The hours rolled heavily along till the evening, when

expectation gave way to fear, for she was once more summoned by the

Abate. He sent for her to administer the usual necessary exhortation

on the approaching solemnity; and having detained her a considerable

time in tedious and severe discourse, dismissed her with a formal

benediction.