The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-29

pretended and that his ankle had become
z so much swollen in the course of the night,
b that there was not the least chance Of his
: being able to put his foo, in the siirrup for
some days.
Even Emilia, although she protested to be
greatly rcjoced at an accident which PROM
ised her better acquaintance with the
agreeable stranger, could not shut her eyes
to the Inconvenience, aud probable embnr-
rasmen, which his prolonged sojourn threat
ened to entail upon them, especially in the
event OF the return of tho marclese, their
guardian; more charilahly disposed per-
son than whom, might regard with some
suspicion ths presence Of young and we'll
favored stranger at the castle under existing
circumstances.
Not choosing, however, TO participate in
her cousins feelings on the occasion,
Emilia exclaimed, Why, Bancr, what
a fuss you make about the man lie will
not eat us, aud if his stay should be pro-
longcd few days, we can appoint yonder
!, slip of page to attend upon him; and il,
on his being able 10 quit his chamber, the
common decencies Of hospitality should
compel us to any closer communication
with him, we must summon old Teresa,
the housekeeper, To play proprety ON the
occasion and she is old aud ugly enough
IN all conscience, for the duty.
Matters went on, for some days, without
any occurrence to vary the monotony which
usually prevailed at the castle the lame
guest kept, if not exactly to his chamber,
at least To the angle Of the building which
had been assigned to him while the ladies'
contented themselves by sending, every
morning aud evening, to inquire after his
health.
They were, however, mucI, struck with
the altered dencanour of their page, on all
occasions on which, the stranger was con-
cerned Alberto was faithful aud devoted
y attached To his mistress; but hc was
high-spirited, somewhat ovcrbenfing, and,
moreover, disposed to hold exceedingly
cheap nll that bore not the stamp of nobil-
ity and yet he never mentioned tho mcr-
chant guest but Ia terms of respect, amount !
ing almost to nwc.
II was on the fourth day of tho strangers
sojourn, that one Of The female dolncrtics
rushed into the apartment ia which Blanca
and her cousin were conversing together,
aud proclaimed the unwclcomc intelligence,
that band oi free -booicrs, aware, probs-
bly,, Of the absence Of the nlnrchese and
the majority Of his followers, had presented
themselves nt the gate Of the castle, and
were demanding admiitance. Their sum-
mons was backed by n threat, that, If they
were driven 10 The alternative of forcing an i
entrance, they would put every inhnbitant
to the sword.
Binncn, although, as may easily be con-
ceived, in no little alarm. did not altogether
lose her presence of mind on the occnsion.
She sent for Alberto, who ns.urcd her that
the robbers would have little difficulty in
making forciblc entry, nnd still less in
overcoming any resistance which could be
opposed to them by The few male don,es-
tics whom the marchcsc had left in charge
of the castle.
Afier n moments delibsration, Blanca
determined on requesting the presence of
the stranger guest mt their little council Of
Of war; reasonably enough arguing, thnt
If he could not mid them by their advice, ii
was but right lha, he should bc uppriscd Of
their common peril.
The merchant instantly obeycd the sum
mons, though evidently still suffering from
the effects Of his accident. lie presented
the ladies' will, the same calm,
grave, but respectful bcnring which dis :
tinguislled him in the first instance nor,
on being informed that the castle was beset
by band Of robbers, headed by chief,
who though, recently added to their number
was the terror Of the district, did his couu-
tensnce bctray any emotion, except what {
might be gail'cfsd from a sIight-very
slight elevation Of the eyebrow. g
He replied, that he did not think The 4
place would hold out for half All hour .
against the force 10y which il was beIeagucr- d
ed nnd, therefore, although the character '
Of the band was little security for their alb
stinencc from vi.lence, oven should they be /
quietly admitted, yet as resistance would
tend to bIoodshed, he should coun- '
sci nm immediate surrender.
Alberto, who, to do him justice, would q
gladly have struck blow in defence Of the
Did walls, shrugged his shoulders, and de- s.
parted to give the requisite instructions.
The windows Of The apartment in which %
he interview we have described took place y
opened upon n sort Of small lawn, or grass c
plot, over which the robbers must necessar-
y pass in their way to that part of the n
building which was occupied by the ladies l,
and their snrighted household.
The merchant, after an Intellectual At
Tempt TO calm the fears Of Blanca and 7
Emilia. stepped ont upon the lawn, rs If Il
with the intention Of pmrIeying with the as. ,
'aiIan,s on their arrival. In few minutes a.
he castle gates were thrown open, aud the d
band were no, long in finding their way to y
he spot on which RoIandi was standing.
they rushed forward, aud, regardless Of q
heir pledge for The safety ofthe iohsbisn,s c
,f the castle, expressed great indignation a
1t the delay, trifling ne it was, which had o
proceeded their admission. A shrek from .