A Sicilian Romance

The hour of celebration arrived, and he entered the church with a

proud firm step, and with a countenance which depictured his inward

triumph; he was proceeding to the high altar, when he was told that

Julia was no where to be found. Astonishment for awhile suspended

other emotions--he yet believed it impossible that she could have

effected an escape, and ordered every part of the abbey to be

searched--not forgetting the secret caverns belonging to the

monastery, which wound beneath the woods. When the search was over,

and he became convinced she was fled, the deep workings of his

disappointed passions fermented into rage which exceeded all bounds.

He denounced the most terrible judgments upon Julia; and calling for

Madame de Menon, charged her with having insulted her holy religion,

in being accessary to the flight of Julia. Madame endured these

reproaches with calm dignity, and preserved a steady silence, but she

secretly determined to leave the monastery, and seek in another the

repose which she could never hope to find in this.

The report of Julia's disappearance spread rapidly beyond the walls,

and soon reached the ears of the marquis, who rejoiced in the

circumstance, believing that she must now inevitably fall into his

hands. After his people, in obedience to his orders, had carefully searched

the surrounding woods and rocks, he withdrew them from the abbey; and

having dispersed them various ways in search of Julia, he returned to

the castle of Mazzini. Here new vexation awaited him, for he now

first learned that Ferdinand had escaped from confinement.

The mystery of Julia's flight was now dissolved; for it was evident by

whose means she had effected it, and the marquis issued orders to his

people to secure Ferdinand wherever he should be found.