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


making It's imPortunate appearance Ex-
pee,ing that every thing around her would
bear tokens Of her own agitation. she fan,
cied the whole population OF Asti must be
already astir, in preparation for journey
TO Alexandria and that amid the confusion
ofcarriages and carts about to take the road
i would be easy to secure place in some
public conveyance.
What. therefore, was her asionishmeet
on entering the town, TO find the streets
still silent and deserted and the sun scarce.
y yet high enough to shine on more than
The roofs Of the highest houses and the dome
OF the church Il occurred to her al that
moment. that one Of her maternal relations
resided at ASH. who might render her assis.
lance; and perceiying through the ground
fioor window Of mennlooking house, the
red glinlmering Of FIRE, she knocked and
veniured TO inquire her way TO the abode
Of her kinsman. A harsh voice answered
her through the window that, for the last
three months, the Individual in question
had been residing at his country house at
Monbercello; and thus disappointed, and
alone in the solitary streets Of strange
Town, Teresa began TO feel terrified and
uneasy. To reanimaie her courage, she
turned towards Madonna, before which,
in an adjoining niche. lamp was burning,
and byeaihed her morning prayer. Scarce
ly had she concluded her orison, when she
was stsrlled by the sound Of approaching
Footsteps, and a man soon made bis appear
anee. ~
Can you tell me Of a Conveyance 10 Al.
exandria y suid she, civilIy sccosting the
stranger u t
TOO late. my pretty oue every car, and
carriage has been bespoken this week pasti
he replied, and hasiened on his way.
A second man came by. TO whom Teresa
ventured to address the ssme inquiry. But
this time the answer was delivered 10 harsh
and reproving tone.
"fou want TO be running afier the
French, then, rama mal,deffa :" cried he !;
making or after his companion.
Teresa stood silent and intimidaied ~
the accusation. At last, perceiying young
workman singing as he proceeded gaiIy 10
his business. she ventured TO renew her in
quifies -. is
"Ahs. signofinap' cried he, in a tone Of
bsntefing. you must needs make one in
the bsule. ehi But there will be little
room iett yonder for pretty damsels better
stay with Us here, At Asii 'ris fete To-.
day. The dancing will begin early in the
afternoon and the drudi 6aiiapini will fall
10 breaking each Others heads, 10 have you
for partner Faith, you are worth the
trouble of eight. Eh what say you 20 a
skirnish in your honour r
And, approaching Teresa Girardi, he
was about to throw his arm round her waist (;
but, startled by her indignant glance and
exclamation, dcssied, and resumed his song
and his occupation.
A fourth, fifth, now traversed the street,
but the poor girl no longer hazsrded an in
quiry but kept watching every opening
door, and peeping into every courtyard in
hopes to find some carriage in waiting. AT
length, by especial favour, she managed TO
obtain place as far as Annone Between
Annone ard Felizano-between Felizano
and Alexandria-she was perplexed by a
thousand farther difficulties. But with
courage and perseverance, all were al length
surmounted, and she arrived happily at Al
exaudria. As she anticipated, the Emperor
had already taken his departure for Maren-
go; and without pansing moment for de-
liberation, she followed the crowd which
was pouring from the suburbs nlong the
road towards the field OF battle.
Hurried on with the multitude, pressed
aud jostlcd on all sides, watching eagerly
for openings in the crowd skirting the
outermost edges Of the road, Teresa neg
lected no opportunity Of pushing forward.
Undisturbed by the clarion OF the trumpets,
the sports Of tho merry-andrews. or the dis
courses Of the monks, she pursued her way
in the midst Of the laughing. yelling, shout
ing populace. which went lesping on in the
hest ard dust "a poor solitary stranger
apart from the sports and the Joys Of the
day, her counienance anxious, her eye
haggard, land raising her hand al intervals
TO wipe away he dew from her weary brews.
But the whole force and fortitude Of 're-
resa's mind were devoted 10 her progress.
She has scarcely even found moment for
the contemplation Of the farther means 10
be adopted. Blu, halt being suddenly
imposed upon the crowd on reaching the
outskirts Of the field, she began TO refiec.
on the uneasiness the prolongstion Of her
absence would cause TO her father (since
the guide who had deserted her at Turin
would not be permitted TO enter the PRISON..
She thought Of Charney accusing his mes
senger Of neglect and Indifference then
felt for the petition in her bosom, appre-
hensive that, by some unlucky chance, il
might have escaped her.
a.. IL. r. L.. f..l-