Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-04-06
FRIDAY. APRIL 6, 1888.

| the same iatc. u seemed, however, as II
misfortune had given new strength and
energy to the dropping frame of the young
| Countess. She strove TO cheer her com.
| panlon and when the WEAKNESS consc-
quent on her mental suffering ovcrpow cred
Ph'lppo, would talk of hope, that still
frightened her own spirit, though all was
dark before them. The night advanced
the last night in their dungeon; and the
two spent its hours in prayer. Till :he
younger sank into sleep, forgctful even Of
! the horrors to be heraldcd by the dawn
To Pni"n,"na death had no tcrrors. for the
energy Ola mind subjected to life long tr"
ais, lifted her above the nameless dread
that so generally accompanied the idea OF
death. She had long outllvcd the period
when externals have power to dazz'e; the
affections of her soul had centred IN hcr
royal charge and her children. Yet, no
she knew both her sons IN the power Of her
prosecutors, accused Of the same crime for
which she was to sufftr, even the prospect
of their doom was less bitter to her than
the ca|amilies she saw impending over the
head Of the Qncen-than the sight of her
companion in suffering, stretched on their
dungeon couch, and looking so pale and
lovely in her slumber. that the very hear,
OF the gaZar was melted. 'Wo is me y
she cried, Ihat this flower TOO must pershu
and, raising the masses Of dark hair, she
kissed the marble forehead of the sleeper
Slowly then she rose, and throwing man.
tie over her person moYel towards the mar.
row window of their cell
'Nho Il l. I, ~
city. The range of domes and spires were
distinctly visible, and beyond them the blue
expanse of the sea. A few lights were
yet burning in the distant apartment of the
palace and the thoughts of the captive
wandered from her own sorrow to the GER
tain anguish OF one, who, though paramount
IN dignity, had no power to save her trusted
confidant from a shameful death. Truly
has it been observed, that if no other sor.
row had ever marked the life of the Queen
Of Naples, her crown was dearly purchased
by her agony lhen--when she knew that
the playmate of her infancy. the gentle
companion of her youth, and she who had
been to her in the light of Z mother, whom
| her royal predecessors had loved and hon
ored, who had closed The eyes of SO many
Of her ancestors, wer. to perish almost be
Tore her eyes: while she, who knew their
innocence was not ony forbidden by policy
to protect them, but even to relieve Their
suffering bv her presence. Nay. 1t was in
her name lie eXecu,ioner would lift the
axe or light The torch. And Joanna knew
every tear The force of ancient affection
drew for'h--cvcry sludder of anguish at
the rupture Of ancjen, ties, TO which the
heart clings more deeply in sorrow was
watched with jealousscru'lny, was branded
as proof of her participation IN their guilt.
The whispers of suspicion aud dlsaifectlon
had been rife even witt the pala ce--open
rebellion was talked ofamong many Of The
naughty Blrons Of the realm what lie.
source had young Sovereign. thus beset,
but to sacrifice her bosom deepest feelings
to the dictates of poiicy, that involved the
welfare of her klngdom' Such was the
resolve to which Joanna Fad been driven,
to which the iofiy-mnded Catanese had
urged her on their final parrlng-when the
anguish of the unfortunate Queen prompted
her TO risk all, to her very reputation, for
ever fingers in the breast of the young
with Phippa it had been long extinct.
As the sun rose, tinglng the waves with
purple light, mellowed in the distance to
ruddy gold, and reflected from The FURNISH.
ed domes and palaces ike rays of silver,
the populace might be seen crowdlng the
mole aud the streets near the sea. shore, to
witness the horrld spectacle Of the eXamIn.
alton of the prisoners 1t had been deter
mined that this should take place IN sight
OF all: though the spectators were kept at
a distance by guarded palisades, to admit
OF their seeing all that passed without hear
ing the declarations Of the sufferers. Each
| arrangement was par, of that policy which
aimed at the destruction Of the youthful
Queen, by poisoning the minds Of her SUBJ
jects.
A slight hustle in the prison court, and
the clash of weapons, announced to the
prisoners that the hour was come, even be.
fore the door opened displaying band of
soldiers ready to conduct them. Both
were prepared but the bright, enthusas-
tic iortltude which had sustained the youth,
fol Sancha through the terrors Of her i'm
prlsonmen'. failed to nerve her fraIe for
this trying hour. Reduced by fatigue and
fear to almost inlanllne weakness, she re-
cllned languldly beside the pallet, her face
palld as marble. and her hands clasped IN
silent prayer The officer and guards up.
pointed to convey them to torture, up,
preached to bear her from the couch to the
sledge: but Ph'lippa waved them off f; and
while tears-the first that had believed in
many days that wllbered cheek slid slow y
down her face ; and the anguish of her
spirit for the child of her love was uppa-
rently in the working of her expressive
fealures-look the hand OF her grand
daughter, and led her forth, Proudly she
paused ere they crossed the threshold Of
the dungeon, and wiped away that evidence
of grief; then, d'sdalnIng all assistance
with mlen as maj este as when she moved