The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-08-28
dark horror of his low.

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that Imagination drew her own sketch from the
rtmors and stories Of the day. II vas now
twilight. and she was hshered up the long fight
OF marble stairs--afterwards DESTROYED in the
cruel sacking of the city-and then into a cab
met, where she Remembered having played in
the days OF her childhood when her father was
living and Duke Of Mantua. IL now seemed
smaller but more gloomy, though it was well
lighted, and on the opposite side sat one
whose appearance at once marked out the
Prince. lie rose and advanced towards her rs
different being as IL was possible Ia conceive,
from all that she had previously fanced. TALL
graceful, handsome, though in his decline, and
tho sickness--perhaps viee-had worn all the
rosy lines Of youth away. and left nothing but
the shadow Of beauty behind, his appearance
was far more prepossessiug than Mary of Nan
tua had expected. Nevertheless there Vas some
thing in the expression Of his countenance--
something in the fixed aud criticising gaze with
which he looked upon the lovely creature be-
fore him, that made an involuntary shudder
pass over her frame and when he took her by
the hand, and as her nncle, kissed her cheek,
she thought OF the warning she had received,
and Of him who had given IT,
The Duke was not long ere he spoke upon
that theme which she most dreaded 10 hear
but he spoke not in the terms which might
have been most painful TO her He traced il
but as a matter Of court necessity he talked
OF his marriage with her as a thing that would
benefit the state. Princes he said must be the
slaves TO their duties, and though he doubted
not that To one so young and beautiful rs her
self, IL must be somewhat painful 10 unite her
self to man in the decline OF life, yet he was
SURE that she would make no opposition 10 that
which would set at rest for ever all the conten-
ding claims on Mantua and Montierrat.
So well nrd wisely had her unknown coun-
sellor hitherto advised her, that Mary followed
his directions in this also 10 the letter. She
showed no repugnance, but bending down her
head with the ingenious blush of modesty up
90 her cheek, she replied as he had dicta,ed.--
The Duke seemed pleased; perhaps it was
more than Ne expected, and he replied with
sangune expectation that his divorce would not
now be long delayed. after which dispensatiou u
would be easily obtained. There was one thing
which Mary besoueht him earnestly to grant,
which was, that she might return on the NOR
row to the convent where she had passed her
early days.
The Duke consented but while he spoke,
the old attendant, who had ever remained at.
tached to her, was admitted by a page. snt
bending low, he related to the Duke the adyen
turc which had befaen them on the way, an,
commented bitterly on the treachery Of the dri
yer. The Duke sent for his secretary and whis
pered a word in his ear. and as he was lead:p,
Mary TO the hall where supper waited them
there came through the windows the sound o
a loud volley and one shrill piercing cry. Th,
Duke moved gracefully on by her side without
a change Of countenance, but Mary turned
deadly pale, and on the following morning an
other servant drove the vehicle that contained
her back 10 the convent.
IL was about noon. when she arrived, and the
busy nuns surrounded her like swarm Of bees.
lhey wefe all eager TO hear iidings from, with
out out they we're soon satisfied; ; and nj the
same evening hour at which ON the day before
she had watched the lar prospects OF the Man
tua plains she again STOOD by ihe fabIe OF stone
IN ihe convent garden. and the stranger was by
her side. She thanked him eagerly, and often
gazed upon the bright and glowing countenance
that gazed win tender admiration upon her a
gain.
Have not won my reward !! he SAID.
Mary rephed not, put cast down hcf eyes
with warm blush. The stranger bent over
her, aud with the tenderness o' love- chastcned
by respect. ne pressed ms lips 10 hers'
Mary he SAID. Mary wili win thcc or
die. Three more evenings VIII stand by yon
'"i"o !" "'o u'"' ""P' VI '''"s -" "s""'
and then my footsteps must wander rom ihee
lar But leave 'bee mol unwatched' ungnard-
ed. My spirit shall hover around thee though
my body be absent and promise, swear, IN
three months more, even to day. to stand a
gain in your pfesence and win you for my
bride, or die.
There might have been many ~ Marys state
and station who would have thought the s'ran-
ger bold to believe she might be so won by an
unknown, aud inferior person, and TO talk as II
he we're born TO contend tor her hand with
princes. Bot Mary thought not so; feelings
that she had never known before were busiy
possessing themselves OF her heart and though
TO feel them there made her thru with some
thing like apprehension, yet they were so sweet
she would do nothing TO Danish them. She
fingered with nm long ana ne WIN her' sno
for three nights more they met and passed
happy hour, gilded with the dawDing bright