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

That grave shall he a icing one then,
Was the rejoinder, " il be not obeyed."
my saInted parent" returned Blanca,
" in an evil hour for his daughters peace,
made you the guardian of my wealth but
he gave you no power in the disposal of my
hand"
~ did not seud for you" responded the
other, to argue the matter, bu, to decide
it. You go not forth from this place alive,
but as the bride of your cousin Francesca.
Choose you, therefore, between sitting as
mistress of these halls, or becoming the sole
tenant of the western turret, whence-it
was once "A tradition of your famiy-none
who entered it against their will, ever came
forth alive"
" You needed not to have told me that
am in your power" was The determined
response of the damsel; "I know it, and
with that knowledge declare to you that I
would rather live the compnnion of the
newt and the toad, than the bride of your
ruffian son ~
The spirit of long line of ancestors
flashing in her indignant eyes as she thus
spoke, she turned from him, and was in the
act of quitting the apartment, when the
marchese, irterposing between her and the
door, snid, "Stay but moment, Blanca,
aud hear my resolve. am ruined and
desperate man. Your wealth alone can
save me, and will halt at no means to
make it mine. Tomorrow night, repeat,
you are the bride of my son, or prisoner
for the rest of your days. Now go to your
chamber, aud make your election"
Blanca rushed from the room, and
sought her own apartment, where, flinging
herself upon the bosom of her cousin En-
lila, she gave vent to the tears which pride
had repressed IN the presence of her tyrant
guardian, and acquainted her with the
doom which had been pronounced sgainst
her. Emilia was giddy and thoughtless,
but she was wanting neither in feeling nor
spirit; and thus her words of coincidence
with her cousin, were mingled with express
sons Of the deepest indignation against her
unmanly prosecutor.
That night was n sleepless night to the
two cousins, who rose from their beds un-
refreshed and sad
Emilia !" exclaimed Blanca, you
will think me weak and credulovs but we
have twice proved the power of our mys-
terious guest. l will test it the third time )"
and as she spoke she took the sprig of
myrtle from vase in which she had de-
posted it, and placed it on her bosom.
The day wore on; evening approached,
aud then, with every moment, fled portion
Of the hope, e,-ysgue it is ue,-wbich had
sustained her. To add to her perplexity
and grief, there came II message from the
mnrchese, expressive ofhis expectation that
she would attire herself in her bridal dress
within half an hour of sunset.
90, Emelia !" cried The girl, he r spirit
giving way under the weight of her sorrow.
% am lost, lost abandoned by heaven
and by man !"
" Heaven abandons not the innocent"
exclaimed voice, as the door opened and
disclosed to them the welcome apparition
Rolandl. did the ivy fail thee, tnat thou
shouldest distrust the myrtel" he continued.
" Behold IL am here! ~
The gravity that was wont to mark his
countenance relaxed into benevolent
expression as he spoke; and, Blanca, re-
assured by his presence, explained to him
the strait in which she was placed.
"Trust me-" responded the stranger,
vCA ~ btlit Wtliltt unu ott't OC Wti
Do as thou art bid'en array thyself as a
bride, and obey the summons to the altar,
innsmrch as resistance will only provoke
insult and outrage from those who will not
hesitate to drag thee thilher but when
there,-be firm. And now, for brief
season, farewell. Matters of import re-
quire my presence elsewhere; but trust
one whose tongue knows not the pollution
of lie, will be with thee in the hour Of
trial"
Blanca would fain have implored him TO
stay, but the movements Of the mysterious
stranger were too rapid for her; the door
closed, and, in few seconds, his light step
as he descended the stairs, ceased to be
audible. The visit, however, WAS not with
out its beneficial effects upon Blanca, whose
confidence in Rolandi was much strength
ened by the result Of the experiments
she had already made Of his mysterious in
huence.
The hour appointed for the bridal cere-
mouy arrived. and francesca, with the grin
of saiyr, presented himself to condsct
Blanca to the altar of the castle chapel.
The fair glrl shrank from the pollution Of
bis touch, aud sought the more welcome
support Of her cousin, Emilia; while the
self-elected bridegroom, having no nlterna-
live but to walk by their side, looked as
amiable as an alligator before breakfast.
On entering the chapel, they found the
priest at the altar, by the side Of which were
tine msrchese and the whole of his guests.
Blanca suffered herself to be conducted by
her uncle to- the altar; but when there, she
protested firmly and solemnIy against the
violence which had been offered to her in
clinaiion. aud appealed to the assembly for
protection. :,
"Alasl Of those to whom tha, appeal
was made, the majority had long since been
deaf to the voice Of honor; while those who