A Sicilian Romance

They arose, when Julia, who with difficulty had supported herself, now

impelled by an irresistible fear of instant discovery, rose also, and

moved softly towards the gallery. The sound of her step alarmed the

count, who, apprehensive lest his conversation had been overheard, was

anxious to be satisfied whether any person was in the closet. He

rushed in, and discovered Julia! She caught at a chair to support her

trembling frame; and overwhelmed with mortifying sensations, sunk into

it, and hid her face in her robe. Hippolitus threw himself at her

feet, and seizing her hand, pressed it to his lips in expressive

silence.

Some moments passed before the confusion of either would

suffer them to speak. At length recovering his voice, 'Can you,

madam,' said he, 'forgive this intrusion, so unintentional? or will it

deprive me of that esteem which I have but lately ventured to believe

I possessed, and which I value more than existence itself. O! speak my

pardon! Let me not believe that a single accident has destroyed my

peace for ever.'--'If your peace, sir, depends upon a knowledge of my

esteem,' said Julia, in a tremulous voice, 'that peace is already

secure. If I wished even to deny the partiality I feel, it would now

be useless; and since I no longer wish this, it would also be

painful.' Hippolitus could only weep his thanks over the hand he still

held. 'Be sensible, however, of the delicacy of my situation,'

continued she, rising, 'and suffer me to withdraw.' Saying this she

quitted the closet, leaving Hippolitus overcome with this sweet

confirmation of his wishes, and Ferdinand not yet recovered from the

painful surprize which the discovery of Julia had excited. He was

deeply sensible of the confusion he had occasioned her, and knew that

apologies would not restore the composure he had so cruelly yet

unwarily disturbed.

Ferdinand awaited the hour appointed by the marquis in impatient

curiosity. The solemn air which the marquis assumed when he commanded

him to attend, had deeply impressed his mind. As the time drew nigh,

expectation increased, and every moment seemed to linger into hours.

At length he repaired to the closet, where he did not remain long

before the marquis entered. The same chilling solemnity marked his

manner. He locked the door of the closet, and seating himself,

addressed Ferdinand as follows:-

'I am now going to repose in you a confidence which will severely

prove the strength of your honour. But before I disclose a secret,

hitherto so carefully concealed, and now reluctantly told, you must

swear to preserve on this subject an eternal silence. If you doubt the

steadiness of your discretion--now declare it, and save yourself from

the infamy, and the fatal consequences, which may attend a breach of

your oath;--if, on the contrary, you believe yourself capable of a

strict integrity--now accept the terms, and receive the secret I

offer.' Ferdinand was awed by this exordium--the impatience of

curiosity was for a while suspended, and he hesitated whether he

should receive the secret upon such terms. At length he signified his

consent, and the marquis arising, drew his sword from the

scabbard.--