A Sicilian Romance

On the following morning Ferdinand returned with his friends to

Palermo, where he first disclosed the late fatal events of the castle.

They now settled their future plans; and Ferdinand hastened to the

castle of Mazzini to fetch Emilia, and to give orders for the removal

of his household to his palace at Naples, where he designed to fix his

future residence. The distress of Emilia, whom he found recovered from

her indisposition, yielded to joy and wonder, when she heard of the

existence of her mother, and the safety of her sister. She departed

with Ferdinand for Palermo, where her friends awaited her, and where

the joy of the meeting was considerably heightened by the appearance

of Madame de Menon, for whom the marchioness had dispatched a

messenger to St Augustin's. Madame had quitted the abbey for another

convent, to which, however, the messenger was directed. This happy

party now embarked for Naples.

From this period the castle of Mazzini, which had been the theatre of

a dreadful catastrophe; and whose scenes would have revived in the

minds of the chief personages connected with it, painful and shocking

reflections--was abandoned.

On their arrival at Naples, Ferdinand presented to the king a clear

and satisfactory account of the late events at the castle, in

consequence of which the marchioness was confirmed in her rank, and

Ferdinand was received as the sixth Marquis de Mazzini.

The marchioness, thus restored to the world, and to happiness, resided

with her children in the palace at Naples, where, after time had

somewhat mellowed the remembrance of the late calamity, the nuptials

of Hippolitus and Julia were celebrated. The recollection of the

difficulties they had encountered, and of the distress they had

endured for each other, now served only to heighten by contrast the

happiness of the present period.

Ferdinand soon after accepted a command in the Neapolitan army; and

amidst the many heroes of that warlike and turbulent age,

distinguished himself for his valour and ability. The occupations of

war engaged his mind, while his heart was solicitous in promoting the

happiness of his family.

Madame de Menon, whose generous attachment to the marchioness had been

fully proved, found in the restoration of her friend a living witness

of her marriage, and thus recovered those estates which had been

unjustly withheld from her. But the marchioness and her family,

grateful to her friendship, and attached to her virtues, prevailed

upon her to spend the remainder of her life at the palace of Mazzini.

Emilia, wholly attached to her family, continued to reside with the

marchioness, who saw her race renewed in the children of Hippolitus

and Julia. Thus surrounded by her children and friends, and engaged in

forming the minds of the infant generation, she seemed to forget that

she had ever been otherwise than happy.