The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-12-06

Marchese J! exclaimed Lorenzo, rush
ing between Blanca and her uncle, "ihink
not that will iam-ly witness the profana-
lion you would perpetrate." As he spoke
he laid his hand upon the hll Of his sword ;
but the marchese had been prepared for the
interruption, and before Lorenzo could
d'aw his weapon, he was seized from be-
hind by two Of the others myrmidons, who
dragged him from the chapel.
Blanca again inplored the protection OF
the bystanders but the marchese, as with
a look oftriumph he marked on their coun-
tenances the effect of her appeal, exclaimed.
4" Infatuated girl you might as well call
for succor upon the bones of your dead
ancestors which lie crumbling beneath you.
You are beyond the reach of human aid.
Listen then to me for the last lime. There
is the altar, and there the portal which,
once closed upon yos, you will never pass
agnin."
As lie spoke the last words, he pointed
to an arched door, closiug the entrance to
passage leading TO the western turret,
which had been used in former years as n
place of confinement, aud, according to
tradition, had been the scene of many foul
and murderous deeds.
" Lady," resumed the marchese, 1--WE
wait your election, the altar or the dun
geonl"
"The dungeon may, death itself would
be bliss compared with the fate to which
such marriage would consign me !" re-
piled, or rather shrieked the wretched girl.
" The dungeon be it tlleu," was the re-
joinder of the uarchesc. AWAY with
he.!'
In obedience to his mandate, two Of his
satellites advanced towards Blanca for the
purpose of removing her, when Emilia
rushed forward, and flinging herself upon
the neck other cousin, exclaimed, (" Blanca,
they shall not part us As we have lived,
SO will we die-togeiher."
Her feebla resistance, however, availed
little against the strength of those who knew
no law but their tyrant's will, and the cous-
ius were soon parted. Blanca was draeg ged
towards the fatal portal the door was flung
open, and though it was yet daylight, dis
closed II cavern Ms dark as Erubus. "a
torch there ~ exclaimed the marchese, who
stepped forward TO receive one at the hand.
Of all attendant, and then led the way to
The mouth of the passage; into which, how
ever, he had scarcely set his foot, when, to
the CONSERVATION of himself g. his followers,
the glare of the torch was reflected by the
weapons of a large body of men armed to
the teeth.
Treason !" exclaimed the marchesc, as
he dropped the torch and fell back upon
his party.
"Thou hast we'll said," was the rejoin-
der Of one who emerged suddenly from the
gloom, and in whom Blanca instantly re-
cognized Rolandi.
"Tne duke the duke !" was the sim
ultaneous exclam alton Of the marchesc and
his adherents while the individual whom
they thus rightly designated, advanced and
caught the sinking girl in his arms, whis-
pering, A" Said not sooth Blanca 7" Then
turning towards the dark portal, he added,
Advance, guards, and do your duty ~
The marchese and his party, however,
stopped not to try conclusions with a body
of men infinitely superior in number and
arms to themselves, aud therefore rushed
precipitately from the chapel. Fool. !!
exclaimed the duke, as he watched the re-
treat Of the traiterous band, "ye but rush
from Charybdis upon ScylIn."
Leaving the duke to conduct his charge
to her apartment, whittier Emilia had al
ready been conveyed, in a state almost oi
insensibility, by some of the female domcs-
tics, we will return to Lorenzo. The tu-
multi consequent upon The sudden appear
ancc of the ducal troops had reached his
chamber, to which he had been forced and
having soon ascertained the position Of af-
fairs, and fearing, that innocent though he
was, he should shase the fate of his guilty
associates, he rushed out with the view oi
securing a steed for his fight; but finding
that he could not accomplish his object
without the hazard Of being cut to pieces
he retraced his steps in the hope Of conceal
ing himself until The fury Of The melee had
somewhat ahaied. Unluckily, in The hurry
Of his retreat, he stumbled over the body ol
one Of the slain, and before he could regair
his legs, the sword Of one of the duke
troopers was raised above his head. Al
the very instant, however, that death ap'
peared inevitable, the soldier dropped hi
weapon exclaiming, q" Thank the gloves il
your cap, fair sir, that you ure not clover
to the chine /; the duke spares your life, bu
If you would remain safe, you must follow
me to his presence"
Lorenzo had the wisdom to take the hin,
and, after, few minutes delay. he wa
admitted to an audience Of the duke; VIII
had but i'll succeeded in calming Emelia'
apprehension for the safety Of her lover, b.
assuring her tina, the gloves, which she ma
prevailed on him to wear in the manne
described, would protect him. "Tbere,
exclaimed bis higbness, as Lorenzo enter
ed. With somewhat Of the air Of a cuIpri
said l not that he was safe I" Ther
turning to Lorenzo, he added, in q some
what graver tone. As for you, young ger
tleman, | acquit you Of any participation ]
this plot but you appear TO have read |