A Sicilian Romance

The room was dark and empty; but the traces of blood were visible on

the floor; and Julia, though ignorant of the particular apprehension

of Hippolitus, almost swooned at the sight. On quitting the room, they

wandered for some time among the ruins, without discovering any thing

extraordinary, till, in passing under the arch-way by which Hippolitus

had first entered the building, their footsteps returned a deep sound,

which convinced them that the ground beneath was hollow. On close

examination, they perceived by the light of their torch, a trapdoor,

which with some difficulty they lifted, and discovered beneath a

narrow flight of steps. They all descended into a low winding passage,

where they had not been long, when they heard a trampling of horses

above, and a loud and sudden uproar.

The officers apprehending that the banditti had overcome the guard,

rushed back to the trapdoor, which they had scarcely lifted, when they

heard a clashing of swords, and a confusion of unknown voices. Looking

onward, they beheld through the arch, in an inner sort of court, a

large party of banditti who were just arrived, rescuing their

comrades, and contending furiously with the guard.

On observing this, several of the officers sprang forward to the

assistance of their friends; and the rest, subdued by cowardice,

hurried down the steps, letting the trapdoor fall after them with a

thundering noise. They gave notice to Hippolitus of what was passing

above, who hurried Julia along the passage in search of some outlet or

place of concealment. They could find neither, and had not long

pursued the windings of the way, when they heard the trapdoor lifted,

and the steps of persons descending. Despair gave strength to Julia,

and winged her flight. But they were now stopped by a door which

closed the passage, and the sound of distant voices murmured along the

walls. The door was fastened by strong iron bolts, which Hippolitus vainly

endeavoured to draw. The voices drew near. After much labour and

difficulty the bolts yielded--the door unclosed--and light dawned upon

them through the mouth of a cave, into which they now entered. On

quitting the cave they found themselves in the forest, and in a short

time reached the borders. They now ventured to stop, and looking back

perceived no person in pursuit.