A Sicilian Romance

At these words every nerve of Ferdinand thrilled; he let go the

marquis's hand and started back. 'Look not so fiercely on me,' said

the marquis, in a hollow voice; 'your eyes strike death to my soul; my

conscience needs not this additional pang.'--'My mother!' exclaimed

Ferdinand--'my mother! Speak, tell me.'--'I have no breath,' said the

marquis. 'Oh!--Take these keys--the south tower--the trapdoor.--'Tis

possible--Oh!--'

The marquis made a sudden spring upwards, and fell lifeless on the

bed; the attendants were called in, but he was gone for ever. His last

words struck with the force of lightning upon the mind of Ferdinand;

they seemed to say that his mother might yet exist. He took the keys,

and ordering some of the servants to follow, hastened to the southern

building; he proceeded to the tower, and the trapdoor beneath the

stair-case was lifted. They all descended into a dark passage, which

conducted them through several intricacies to the door of the cell.

Ferdinand, in trembling horrible expectation, applied the key; the

door opened, and he entered; but what was his surprize when he found

no person in the cell! He concluded that he had mistaken the place,

and quitted it for further search; but having followed the windings of

the passage, by which he entered, without discovering any other door,

he returned to a more exact examination of the cell. He now observed

the door, which led to the cavern, and he entered upon the avenue, but

no person was found there and no voice answered to his call. Having

reached the door of the cavern, which was fastened, he returned lost

in grief, and meditating upon the last words of the marquis. He now

thought that he had mistaken their import, and that the words ''tis

possible,' were not meant to apply to the life of the marchioness, he

concluded, that the murder had been committed at a distant period; and

he resolved, therefore, to have the ground of the cell dug up, and the

remains of his mother sought for.

When the first violence of the emotions excited by the late scenes was

subsided, he enquired concerning Maria de Vellorno. It appeared that on the day preceding this horrid transaction, the

marquis had passed some hours in her apartment; that they were heard

in loud dispute;--that the passion of the marquis grew high;--that he

upbraided her with her past conduct, and threatened her with a formal

separation. When the marquis quitted her, she was heard walking quick

through the room, in a passion of tears; she often suddenly stopped in

vehement but incoherent exclamation; and at last threw herself on the

floor, and was for some time entirely still. Here her woman found her,

upon whose entrance she arose hastily, and reproved her for appearing

uncalled. After this she remained silent and sullen.