A Sicilian Romance

Absorbed in the melancholy reflections which the late intelligence

excited, he gave the reins to his horse, and journeyed on unmindful of

his way. The evening was far advanced when he discovered that he had

taken a wrong direction, and that he was bewildered in a wild and

solitary scene. He had wandered too far from the road to hope to

regain it, and he had beside no recollection of the objects left

behind him. A choice of errors, only, lay before him. The view on his

right hand exhibited high and savage mountains, covered with heath and

black fir; and the wild desolation of their aspect, together with the

dangerous appearance of the path that wound up their sides, and which

was the only apparent track they afforded, determined Hippolitus not

to attempt their ascent. On his left lay a forest, to which the path

he was then in led; its appearance was gloomy, but he preferred it to

the mountains; and, since he was uncertain of its extent, there was a

possibility that he might pass it, and reach a village before the

night was set in.

At the worst, the forest would afford him a shelter

from the winds; and, however he might be bewildered in its labyrinths,

he could ascend a tree, and rest in security till the return of light

should afford him an opportunity of extricating himself. Among the

mountains there was no possibility of meeting with other shelter than

what the habitation of man afforded, and such a shelter there was

little probability of finding. Innumerable dangers also threatened him

here, from which he would be secure on level ground.

Having determined which way to pursue, he pushed his horse into a

gallop, and entered the forest as the last rays of the sun trembled on

the mountains. The thick foliage of the trees threw a gloom around,

which was every moment deepened by the shades of evening. The path was

uninterrupted, and the count continued to follow it till all

distinction was confounded in the veil of night. Total darkness now

made it impossible for him to pursue his way. He dismounted, and

fastening his horse to a tree, climbed among the branches, purposing

to remain there till morning.

He had not been long in this situation, when a confused sound of

voices from a distance roused his attention. The sound returned at

intervals for some time, but without seeming to approach. He descended

from the tree, that he might the better judge of the direction whence

it came; but before he reached the ground, the noise was ceased, and

all was profoundly silent. He continued to listen, but the silence

remaining undisturbed, he began to think he had been deceived by the

singing of the wind among the leaves; and was preparing to reascend,

when he perceived a faint light glimmer through the foliage from afar.

The sight revived a hope that he was near some place of human

habitation; he therefore unfastened his horse, and led him towards the

spot whence the ray issued. The moon was now risen, and threw a

checkered gleam over his path sufficient to direct him.