The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-03-25
MfSrcIl atleo tlG.
From GraRan's liagasias, for March.
THE LADY AND THE PAGE.
AsVORY OF MOORISH SPAIN.
ny MARY 6. pEASE.

~ +L+AA'- D '4''N'E'
Many years ago there dwclt, not far from SGv
lille, in a castle 50 old 1t was wonder what KEEP
it from lumbiing down, a Spanish hllalgo, remark
able for bat two lhngs--a very beautiful daugh
ter, and the very strict manner in which he seC!u
ded her from the world. In every other respec
this hjdalgo was like other IidoIgos, full of pride
sporting Il pair ofSpansl mustachlOs, aud wearn!
Il stIletlo by his side.
The wonderful beauty Of his daughter, the Don,
Isabel, had somclOwin spite Of the sociuson ii
which she was kepl--become proverblnl, and iht
fame thereof had spread from Gibraltar TO the ~,
renees. Not a cabaero of that chiyalric country
hut would have given his best slred for one glance
from the eye of the hidaIgo's daughlereyes which
shrouded under their long llSheS, were like dLl,
monds shining across the midnight Her hair was
silky und soft, dark and more glossy than the RI.
ven's wing-and in such IuNurlWnce did it grow
that she might almost have hid hcrseIfin it, as did
',bo lady Of the golden locks" in the fairy tale
ilrriace was liiiui as an April day. 1t was the
clear and faithful mirror to the walmest, puresl
heart in all Spain, Aud never Jda young heart
beat within lighter and more graceful form than
that of the Donl Isabel.
The castle whore the hdalgo resided with his
the widest parts oflhe country, Tradition said i,
had been erected hyu powerful and wealthy Moor,
from whom il Ind been conquered by the strong
arm of one of The present o3cupnnt's ances,ors.--
The father Of Isabel had resled there but rarely
until the death OF his wife, but, after the event, he
had retired almost brokcn-hemled to this wild re-
treat-liere, from early childhood, the Lady IsI-
bel had been brought mp. Wanting the care Of Il
mother, she had always been left To have her own
way, and more suli-wl,led, impetuous syph,
never dashed the dew from the wild flowers that
grew so luXuIlanliy around the Moorish castle.
One day, when the DOna Isabel had nearly al
tanned her seventeenth wear the Count dc Llcnaru,
her luther, stood within the deep enbfasure of the
richly carved corridor, absorbed in thought His
eyes were fixed on the shadows that played 50 fan
cIlaIly on the rocks below. A light step was heard
and fairy form entered the apartment.
'Belle!my dear daughter, was thinking of thee,
would speak with thee" And the gentle giri stood
beside the proud ord 'lihut wopidst thou my
father The maiden voice was low and syery
soft. Her dark eye looked up into he. fathers
with m expression soft and coniding us childhood.
One lltIe-snuw white hand rested upon his should
or, while the other nestled in his own.
How old are YOU, lsyi'
u shall be seventeen come next Michnclmas.'
IT'S even as thought. Thou art getting to be
g'eat grl, be!Ie,-i have something to say to
thee; wilt rhou lsten;'
Dear papa, thy word is my law
is II so' and the father fixed his eyes upon the
girl with look so penetrating that her own eve
fell, and the rich warm blood rushed from her
young heart and burn, upon her brow.
llenaro seated himself upon low tUrco, and
drawing his child towards him he fondly kissc her
glowing check.
'Iiear, Belle said he, putting back the world
Of curls that had fallen over her brow. ,,hy vii
hath never yet heen broken 'rho art but wild
one Count AIcaros fell into long fit of p,u.ing
The silver breathing tones Of the Donas soft voice
broke the stiffness.
'What would thou with lhy child, p1p,, NV
birds, and young flowers, even now mourn nv a6-
Iencc.'
And cnn9t thou not give one hour unto ,hy faith.
er,lsy? What will thy birds aud flower, do when |
bring thee right noble lord an angel among birds
for thine own?' wit thou then give M ull other,
unl love but only that'
'Whnt does my papa meant ,remblingy repli-
cd the maiden.
4 mean that thou art to be child no longer
But papa, all my pretty birds and =
Thou shalt have bird worth the whole, riahl
proud gallant bird. lsy, dost thou remember lhe
Marquis of Talayera?'
VIVA. orhm, dearest pnpa'
'Dost thou remember HING
Yes, papa
This Marquis hath sought thee, Belle. in mar
ringe, and have said thou shalt be hi, BRIDE
The grI started to the ground in unfeigned sur
prise
"Why, papa! lie is old encugh to be my grand
father, aud besides, be is ugly enough to-
lie Is jest the age of thy father, Isabel. His
yeats ~IIl serve TO guide thy Maynard ones. be /
Is all that Is brave aud noble, besides bens one of
the richest and most powerful lords in Soain. Yop
may know, Belle, how well thinl, of hm-he k T.
almost the only one Of my many friends that adj /
nit into this our wild retreat
But, papa
NAY, Belle, will have no butts. 1t mus, be rs
say
But, papa The Counts brow darkcnad. .Bu,
papa, do not love him.
'Love-pah!'
Papa, eanEot love him.
PAIN
Papa. wiH mol love him. and the Dono's eyos
grew bright and large.
Isabel
Dear papa mean cannct-' and the l;u-o
ady burst into tears.
Isabel - hear me- have said thou shalt no
,ome the bride Of the Marquis of Talayera. VIVA,
say never unsay-rlat thou knowest. Two
weeks from this. The day thou art seventeen--is
he day decided upon. Itmvsi, il siqH DO SOL
VIII thou do thy fathers bidding, BELIEF
The GIL answered not word, but her eve lit M
ind her little mouth was tightly compressed. Evr
ny line of her slatue-likc form expressed Grmpess
nd resolution.
'Wlt thou do thy fathers bidding, Isabe:' again
demanded the Count. II