The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-05-16

forgotten J" and at this thought cold per-
spirotion covered my forehead.
Thus passed my first miserable dsy.
Tow ards evening felt SO much exhausted
that was obliged TO lie down. shed a
torrent OF tears ns l placed myself on the
bed ielt as II was taking possession Of
my tomb. ! laid my dog Axor at my feet,
and after long time sunk into disturb.
ed and feverish slumber.
] did not rise till nine the next morning
for TO me there was ne longer any distinc-
ton between day and night. Ny lamp was
still burning, as before went to bed had
replenislled il, for had found in a sort Of
closet near my bed, several sorts of provis-
ions that had not discovered before, with
two large bottles of oil, and several pounds
ofwnx candles.
Though l had been informed that L
should receive my supply of fresh food on
ly every other day, could not help going.
TO the wicket, aud / saw that the basket
had not yet been drawn up. had no rea-
son to expect anything, iind had moro
Than sufficient food for that day; neverthc.
less, the sight of the empty basket filed me
WIN consleraa,ion, and brought frightful
thoughts into my mind. l lrembed when
! reelected that my existence depended on
The viii OF an atrocious man, or on the me-
glect OF a nlercenary old woman.
passed the day in thinking Of my
clnId, ia lamenling my hard fate, and in
anxlously examining every part of the cay !,
ern. lifted up piece Of the mating tina,
covered the wall, and felt sensation like
Joy on discovering a vault which had not
yet seen. Again / hoped to find an outlet.
! had to descend about thirty steps to reach
the bottom Of this cnvern and before !
could resolve 10 venture down, 1 weMt back
to my chamber, where procured from tho
closet tinder-box, with flint and steel,
and two wax tapers. Then returned to
the entrance Of this new vault; and, as l
looked down into It's depth, i, seemed so
glocmy, and its walls were so black, ,haf a
feeling of terror made me stop on the first
step Of the staircase. But I summoned.
courage, and, on descending the steps, i
found nothing in this vault but deep well,
which appeared to be now dry.
returned to my chamber, where I ex-
amined all the furniture, and discovered a
nu,her closet containing drawing materials,
books. music and guitar. To offer me q
musical instrument in this dismal duDeeo
seemed like cruel mockery; however,
this guitnr became most precious TO inc in
the sequel. But was sgreeabIy surprised
to find writing implements in the drawer of
the table. ] determined Immediately to ad-
dress letter TO the Count dc Moncalde,
and place it in the basket that was to DO
drawn up next day.
In effect ] wrote to my prosecutor long
letter, in which ] imploted him to give ms
my liberty, mud restore TO me my child /:
and to send me under feigned name to
France or Italy, pledging myself never to
disclose the cause had to complaia Of him.
In this epis,lc exerted all my cIoquencc
and hoped 50 much from it, that after it
was written l became more tranquil.
went to bed early; l slept quietly, and
was awakened early by the barking Of A
zor, which announced to me that Leouora
was mt the wicket. 1 rose hastily, threw
on wrapper and rnn 10 the foot Of the
stairs, where / saw the basket alrendy let
down, and full Of provisions. emptcd IL
and put in the letter; but expected to
wait several days for an answer, and ! al.
lowed myself to hope tha, The door Of tho
cavern would be opened for me about the
end of tho week.
As the time approached when ! antici-
pated reply, ! fcl, my hopes diminish.
At last saw the basket descend, aud "a
letter in it incIoscd in nh envelope, which l
tore open, and found my own letter 10 tho
Count, still sealed, and billet from Leo
nora containing these words:-
"My Lord, the Count is ut Madrid. He
hns forbidden me to send him uny letter or
communication from you, not even tho
smallest message. lie has ordered me TO
declare 10 you, If you make any attempt Of
this Kind, tina. your fate is immovably FIX.
ed, and that nothing in the universe can
change it. lie has gone too far TO recede.
lie will not sgiye up your property, oi
which he is now in possession; nor will
lie run the risk Of setting you at liberty,
les, you should disclose what has already
passed. 1t is now believed that you and
your infant pcrished ut sea, and TINT Al
phonsine is The child Of the Flemish ser.
wants. She 10 well, and is still with them
10 the cottage. Consider her as dead TO
you, for you will never see her more"
Indignation aud resentment for while
suspended my anguish, ON reading this
cruel billet; called to mind with more
bitterness than ever, the arti6ce which had
slIursd me in entering the dungeon that had
been prepared for me, and which was des-
tined to be my tomb. shuddered on re-
fleeing how much was in tho power Of
Leonora. However it was some consoln.
ton TO me to rccollect that ] had money
with me, and some valuable jewels; and l
hoped that might bribe her 10 write to the
Count and tell him what had urged in my
letter. l resolved to speak to Leonera
through the wicket; and the day after the
nex,, / waited there at five in the morning.