A Sicilian Romance

He had remained here above an hour, when he suddenly heard a voice

from below. It seemed to come from the passage leading to the tower,

and perceptibly drew nearer. His agitation was now extreme, for he

had no power of defending himself, and while he remained in this state

of torturing expectation, a blaze of light burst upon the stair-case

beneath him. In the succeeding moment he heard his own name sounded

from below. His apprehensions instantly vanished, for he distinguished

the voices of madame and his sisters.

They had awaited his return in all the horrors of apprehension, till

at length all fear for themselves was lost in their concern for him;

and they, who so lately had not dared to enter this part of the

edifice, now undauntedly searched it in quest of Ferdinand. What were

their emotions when they discovered his perilous situation!

The light now enabled him to take a more accurate survey of the place.

He perceived that some few stones of the steps which had fallen still

remained attached to the wall, but he feared to trust to their support

only. He observed, however, that the wall itself was partly decayed,

and consequently rugged with the corners of half-worn stones. On these

small projections he contrived, with the assistance of the steps

already mentioned, to suspend himself, and at length gained the

unbroken part of the stairs in safety. It is difficult to determine

which individual of the party rejoiced most at this escape. The

morning now dawned, and Ferdinand desisted for the present from

farther enquiry.

The interest which these mysterious circumstances excited in the mind

of Julia, had withdrawn her attention from a subject more dangerous to

its peace. The image of Vereza, notwithstanding, would frequently

intrude upon her fancy; and, awakening the recollection of happy

emotions, would call forth a sigh which all her efforts could not

suppress.

She loved to indulge the melancholy of her heart in the

solitude of the woods. One evening she took her lute to a favorite

spot on the seashore, and resigning herself to a pleasing sadness,

touched some sweet and plaintive airs. The purple flush of evening was

diffused over the heavens. The sun, involved in clouds of splendid and

innumerable hues, was setting o'er the distant waters, whose clear

bosom glowed with rich reflection. The beauty of the scene, the

soothing murmur of the high trees, waved by the light air which

overshadowed her, and the soft shelling of the waves that flowed

gently in upon the shores, insensibly sunk her mind into a state of

repose. She touched the chords of her lute in sweet and wild melody,

and sung the following ode: