Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-23

FaE PRISONER OF PENESTRELLA,
Or, Captivity Captive.
CHAPTEN Xvi.
nr n. D. saISrlsLe


Turin Of the departure Of the Emperor for
Alexandria. Dg. il vas fatigue rather than
encouragement which made her pause and
nothing bat the recollection that an unhap.
py captive was dependent upon her for the
accomplishment Of his only wish on earth.
would have urged her forward upon her
perlous Grand withou, regard. therefore.
TO her WEAKNESS or loss OF time, she signi.
fed to the guide her intention Of proceed
ing at once TO siexandfis.
ITO Alexandria IT'S twice as far as
Ne have come already r. cried the man.
"No matter, we must set gu, again i'm
mcdiately."
IL. Tor my part, shall not set out again
before tomorrow" replied the guide; "and
then. only to retsrn 10 Fenes,rella; so 4
pleasant journey to you, signoral'
All the arguments she could use. were
unayuiling to change his determination. -
The man. who had enveloped himself in
the iron obslinacy Of the Piedmoniese char.
acler. speedily unsaddled his horses, and
laid himself down between them in the sta.
BILE. for good nights rest
But Teresa, firmly devoted 10 her enter
prise. would not now reeede from the I'M
derlaking. Having made up her mind 10
pursue her journey, she enireaied the land
lady Of The inn in the Dora Grossa, where
she had put up. TO procure her the means
Of proceeding TO Alexandra without mo-
menl's delay; aud the hostess instantly des-
patched her walters In various directions
through the city i'd search o. a conveyance (;
but all without success From the Suza
gate to that OF the Po, from tho Poia Nuova
TO tina, OF the Palace. not a1fse. carriage,
nor cart. public OF private, was 10 be seen
all had long been engaged, in consequence
OF the approaching sc!emnizstion as Alex.
andria.
Teresa now gave herself up to despair
Absorbed in anxious thought, she stationed
herself with downcast looks on the steps Of
the inn. where luckily the gathering dark
ness secured her from recognition by the
inhabitants Of her native city. when sudden
ly, the sound Of approaching wheels became
audible, accompanied by the tinkling OF
mule-belIs; and. al the very door where she
was standing, there appeared two powerful
mules, drawing one Of those long caravans
in use among travelling merchants; of which
the boxes. closed by heavy padlocks. are
made TO open and form movable shop I;
bu, the only accommodation of which, for
passengers. consists in a narrow leather seat
in front, half under cover OF small awning
OF oil-cioih.
The man aud women, owners Of the cart
and its merchandise, having alighied, began
10 stretch their arms and yawn aloud !;
stamping with their feet by way Of rousing
themselves after long and heavy sIumber.
At length. having familiarly saluied the
hostess, they took refuge in the chimney
corner, holding out their hands and feet to-
wards the vine-stocks blazing on the hearth I;
and aiter ordering the mules to be uuhar-
messed and carefully attended to, they began
to congratulate each other on the conclu-
sion Of their tedious journey, ordered sup
per. and talked Of bed.
The hostess. too, was preparing for rest
The yawning walters closed up the doors
and window-shutters and poor Teresa,
watching with fearful eyes all these prepar-
atoms, thought only Of the hours that were
passing away. the dying flower, aud the de-
spair Of the Count de Charney
"A night, whole night p she exclaim-
ed; "a night. of which every minute will
be counted by that unhappy man while /
shall be safe asleep. Nay. even To- morrow,
IL will perhaps be impossible for me 10 find
conveyancei"
And she cast her wistful eyes upon the
two travellers, as If her last hope lay in their
assistance. But she was still ignorant Of
the road they were to take, or whether they
could or would be troubled with her com.
pany and the poor girl, unaccustomed to
find herself alone among strangers Of such
class, impelled by anxiety, but withheld
by timdi,y, advanced step towards them.
then paused, mute, trembling. and undecid-
ed when she was startled by the approach
of female servant, holding candle and
key, who pointed out TO her the room in
to which she was to retire for the night
Forced by this proposition TO take some inn
mediate step, Teresa put aside the arm OF
the giannina, and advancing towards the
couple. engaged in munching their supper,
entreaied pardon for the interruption, and
inquired what road they were 10 take on
quitting Turin. ID
"To Alexandra, my pretty maid. /" replied
the woman, starting at the question.
ITO Alexandria Twas then my guar
dian angel who brought you hiiher p cried
Teresa, overjoyed
81 wish he had picked out better road
then, signorina," cried the woman, ''for we
are all but ground to powder |"
But what do you want with usl How
can we serve your interrupted lhe man.
HUrgent bushes carries me 90 Alexan.
dria. Can you give me a casti" inquired
| Teresa. ESQ
"Onl Of the question:" said tho wife,
81 will pay you handsomely, Two pieces
Of 81. John the Baptist; that is, ten ligres
Of France"
IL don't know how we could manage il, p
observed The man. "In the first place, the
bench is so narrow that il will be scarcel,
possible to sit three though own, signo-
rna, It's no great matter OF room you viii
take up. In the next place, we are going
only as far as the Mcrcafo Of Renigano
near Asst, which is only halfway to Alex
andria.n
"No matter" cried Teresa; "convey me
only SO far as TO the gates Of Asst. But va
must set out this very night--lhis very mo
meni."
~ -. " 80. Ns" 49,. -.