The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-06-07
dressing gown about her, sprang towards
Claude and threw her bare and rounded

Niauuc uhu tiIeW hct pure anu TOuHueu
arms about her neck, and pressing her CO.
raj lips on her brow, said, in the most soft
and bewiiching accents. What aileth thee,
my dear sweet mistressl Oh speak -
speak why is thy cheek SO very pale 3
thy hair disordered the softness of thy
benigHant eyes rradiated!-those cold drops
of fear on thy spotless brow What does
this betoken l-Ah tell me-,ell me quick,
my honored mistress, or my full heart will
break !"
"Oh my sweet Anne" said Claude
loosing her arms about her and looking
fearfully around, 4" | have tale to tell thee
but first promise not TO mock ne with
thy laughter, for indeed it suits me not to-
night.
"Fear not, gentle lady, am not in so
amiablc n mood that l can laugh now, af-
ter being awaked from so pleasing dream
and just about being hailed as the partner
of n throne"
"But prithee hush, and listen to me-
said Claude, commanding her into silence,
"Ah! put thy hand here, dear one, and
feel this poor bursting heart;--Ah l was
SO atfrighted."
Aud what has happened my beloved
mistress' have ne'er heard Of gobllns grim
in the palace, or, l assure the, should
have armed myself for a crusade. | fear
not such unsubstantial enemies.
"Speak low, my fair child,-talk not thus
lest thou derogatc from sanctity of speech ;
and list while repeat the adventure which
has SO suddenly aroused thee from thy
slumbers. Thou knowest it 10 my nightly
custom to HE TO my sanctuary, and there,
on my bended knees, commend myself aud
all love to the protection and guidance of
, our blessed mother of sorrows. Just rs
was about TO offer up my prayers n voice
n struck my car, answering to my very
h thoughts, which had not been brea,hed te
e the winds of heaven. Struck with awe
t at the prophetick words uttered, | started to
G see from whence issued the voice, but be-
2 held no form, and fleeing like frigh,ed
y deer, rushed to thy apartment. What
a can il mean, my lovely Anne II wish
I thou couldst unravel this, my mystery.
But this is not the first time have heard
r this unearthly voice, for it has haunted me
s even in my chamber yet It breat'ed no
. prophecy before. Fear Of thy mockery has
:, alone kept me silent"
4 "Ah my dear Mistress" said Anne, III
8 a subdued tone, " indeed crave thy par
c don and hope thou will forgive my heart:
b free laughter; but there are, SO often, time,
: when gloom overshadows thee, that trus
e in its efficacy to dispel it. Think it no
e unkind, my noble lady, fer thou knowest
h love thee well. But thou art more sad ans
d unhappy since this rencounter than tho.
: art wont-come where is my lutte hop,
s its power has not fed of soothing the troub
d led spirit"
s She took it from its case and gracefully
J. throwing herself at Claude's feet, raised he
e beautiful eyes TO hers and said, "Wha
IS shall sing my honored mis,ress--shal
d be gay song of the Troubadours l-Speal
n but thy wish aud thou shall be obeyeJ."-
e Let thy song be sad and low then, m,
" Anne, twill best harmonise with this bro
e ken spirit. But thou cans't not WOO m
e melancholy with thy song, fear, tonight
Y as thou has, so oft done when these poo
Ic nerves were no, so deeply Jared"
ie Look at this wreath my noble LADY
" which in sportiyeness I bound around m
at lutte its roses are now faded, but will ne
as tear them from it as they suit well with
n, sad song"
ut She threw the chain over her neck whic
ID held her lutte in durance, and touching
he lightly she aSoke the breathing strings wit
err so mastery hand and such delicacy ofe,
d, ecution that it made even the wretche
g. Claude forget her griefs, for the momen
he in the witcbery Of the sweet sounds th'
II. bound her. Anne ni length, after the pre-
d. lude had gently died away upon the ea
. commenced an air Of the most sad an
Ie touching character and as her rich, fi
II voice burst forth in the la nguage Of passion
ul or softehed into the low breathings Of sac
ii ness, the sunny laughter of her eye wa
a. changed, and peariy tear trembled on he
e. beautiful cheek. The sounds at length ,io
,ir away into low and indisiinct rnurnurs Il
I'd they entirely ceased, while the lutte slippe
as passively from her embrace and leh her at
N sorbed in meditation. II was but momer
q. however before she turned her fair fac