A Sicilian Romance

The flame continued to direct his course; and on a nearer approach, he

perceived, by the red reflection of its fires, streaming a long

radiance upon the waters beneath--a lighthouse situated upon a point

of rock which overhung the sea. He knocked for admittance, and the

door was opened by an old man, who bade him welcome.

Within appeared a cheerful blazing fire, round which were seated

several persons, who seemed like himself to have sought shelter from

the tempest of the night. The sight of the fire cheered him, and he

advanced towards it, when a sudden scream seized his attention; the

company rose up in confusion, and in the same instant he discovered

Julia and Hippolitus. The joy of that moment is not to be described,

but his attention was quickly called off from his own situation to

that of a lady, who during the general transport had fainted. His

sensations on learning she was his mother cannot be described.

She revived. 'My son!' said she, in a languid voice, as she pressed

him to her heart. 'Great God, I am recompensed! Surely this moment may

repay a life of misery!' He could only receive her caresses in

silence; but the sudden tears which started in his eyes spoke a

language too expressive to be misunderstood.

When the first emotion of the scene was passed, Julia enquired by what

means Ferdinand had come to this spot. He answered her generally, and

avoided for the present entering upon the affecting subject of the

late events at the castle of Mazzini. Julia related the history of her

adventures since she parted with her brother. In her narration, it

appeared that Hippolitus, who was taken by the Duke de Luovo at the

mouth of the cave, had afterwards escaped, and returned to the cavern

in search of Julia. The low recess in the rock, through which Julia

had passed, he perceived by the light of his flambeau. He penetrated

to the cavern beyond, and from thence to the prison of the

marchioness. No colour of language can paint the scene which followed;

it is sufficient to say that the whole party agreed to quit the cell

at the return of night. But this being a night on which it was known

the marquis would visit the prison, they agreed to defer their

departure till after his appearance, and thus elude the danger to be

expected from an early discovery of the escape of the marchioness.

At the sound of footsteps above, Hippolitus and Julia had secreted

themselves in the avenue; and immediately on the marquis's departure

they all repaired to the cavern, leaving, in the hurry of their

flight, untouched the poisonous food he had brought. Having escaped

from thence they proceeded to a neighbouring village, where horses

were procured to carry them towards Palermo. Here, after a tedious

journey, they arrived, in the design of embarking for Italy. Contrary

winds had detained them till the day on which Ferdinand left that

city, when, apprehensive and weary of delay, they hired a small

vessel, and determined to brave the winds. They had soon reason to

repent their temerity; for the vessel had not been long at sea when

the storm arose, which threw them back upon the shores of Sicily, and

brought them to the lighthouse, where they were discovered by

Ferdinand.