A Sicilian Romance

From the walls of the monastery, Julia now never ventured to stray. In

the gloom of evening she sometimes stole into the cloisters, and often

lingered at the grave of Cornelia, where she wept for Hippolitus, as

well as for her friend. One evening, during vespers, the bell of the

convent was suddenly rang out; the Abate, whose countenance

expressed at once astonishment and displeasure, suspended the service,

and quitted the altar. The whole congregation repaired to the hall,

where they learned that a friar, retiring to the convent, had seen a

troop of armed men advancing through the wood; and not doubting they

were the people of the marquis, and were approaching with hostile

intention, had thought it necessary to give the alarm. The Abate

ascended a turret, and thence discovered through the trees a

glittering of arms, and in the succeeding moment a band of men issued

from a dark part of the wood, into a long avenue which immediately

fronted the spot where he stood. The clattering of hoofs was now

distinctly heard; and Julia, sinking with terror, distinguished the

marquis heading the troops, which, soon after separating in two

divisions, surrounded the monastery. The gates were immediately

secured; and the Abate, descending from the turret, assembled the

friars in the hall, where his voice was soon heard above every other

part of the tumult. The terror of Julia made her utterly forgetful of

the Padre's promise, and she wished to fly for concealment to the

deep caverns belonging to the monastery, which wound under the woods.

Madame, whose penetration furnished her with a just knowledge of the

Abate's character, founded her security on his pride. She therefore

dissuaded Julia from attempting to tamper with the honesty of a

servant who had the keys of the vaults, and advised her to rely

entirely on the effect of the Abate's resentment towards the

marquis.

While madame endeavoured to soothe her to composure, a

message from the Abate required her immediate attendance. She

obeyed, and he bade her follow him to a room which was directly over

the gates of the monastery. From thence she saw her father,

accompanied by the Duke de Luovo; and as her spirits died away at the

sight, the marquis called furiously to the Abate to deliver her

instantly into his hands, threatening, if she was detained, to force

the gates of the monastery. At this threat the countenance of the

Abate grew dark: and leading Julia forcibly to the window, from

which she had shrunk back, 'Impious menacer!' said he, 'eternal

vengeance be upon thee! From this moment we expel thee from all the

rights and communities of our church. Arrogant and daring as you are,

your threats I defy--Look here,' said he, pointing to Julia, 'and

learn that you are in my power; for if you dare to violate these

sacred walls, I will proclaim aloud, in the face of day, a secret

which shall make your heart's blood run cold; a secret which involves

your honour, nay, your very existence. Now triumph and exult in

impious menace!'