The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-07-07

h. was IN no way embarrassed; but, after
saluting her with kind ofrudeness which
however, did not want for grace, he re-
manned motionless and mute awaiting her
questions. 'Is is you, then,' said the duch-
ess, who have engaged to deliver up Roc
co del Pizzo to us!'
ut is, madam he replied.
4 sAnd you are certain you can fulfil your
promise?'
4 offer myself as hostage
sThus your head
sWill pay for his should I fall
'lt is not quite the same thing observed
the Duchess
q can offer no more, he answered.
), sAnd what do you require in return!'
! Ihave said that must speak with your
highness alone
! 'This gentleman is as myself said the
regent.
Ihave asked to see your highness alone,
he replied, 'it is my first condition.
leave us, Don Luys,' said the duchess.
The minister bowed and retired the strang-
er remained tetc-a-tete with the regent !;
they were only separated by her prize Deu,
on which was placed missal surmounted
by cruciix. She threw rapid glance
on him. He was man of from thirty to
thirty-fve years old, above the middle size,
and much sunburnt; his long, curling,
black hair fell over his neck, and his eager
gaze expressed both resolution and bold
ness; he was like most mountaineers, ad-
mirably well made, and his whole bearing
bespoke elasticity and strength. who
are you, and from whence do you Gomez
she asked.
'What is my name to you, MADAME he
answered, COR what matter which village
saw my birth. am Calabrian; that is
to say, slave to my word that is all that
you need know, is it not'
Sand you promise to deliver up Rocco
del Pizz to meg
q promise.'
'And what do you require in return?'
sJustice.'
Justice? Duty bids me give you that.
1t is no reward
Eyes, ] know that is an idea among you
severe gns; you think you are as upright
Judges as Solomon unfortunately; your JUS
tice has two weights and two measures
'How!'
Eyes, yes; heavy for little folks, weighty
for the great continued the stranger; such
is your JUSTICE
'You are wrong replied the regent
'my justice is alike for all, will prove it
to you. Speak for whom do invoke it?'
'For my sister who has been basely de-
ceived.'
'By whoml'
by one CT your courtiers.'
sWhich!'
ooh! by one of the youngest, the hand
soonest, the noblest. All! your highness
hesitates already
sNo. only desire to know what he
has done.'
And ifhe has deserved death, shall have
his head for Rocco del Pizzo's!'
sBut,' asked the duchess, 'who shall
Judge his crime!'
The stranger hesitated a moment and
then, fixing his ardent gaze on the regent,
'your highness's conscience, he replied.
Chen you will rely on itP
ENTIRELY; and if your highness consid-
ers his capital crime, you will give me
his head for that of Rocco del Pzzo?'
q swear it on this gospel and this Christ
'Then listen to me, madam; my story is
long.-Our family inhabited little iso-
lated cottage about halfa league from the
village Rosario, and situated between Co
senza and St. Euphemla; it consisted of
my father and mother, myself, and my
sister Costanza. All around us extend the
domains of powerful nobleman, on whose
estates We were born and whose vassals
we consequently are
sWhat is his namep interrupted the re-
gent.
4 will tell you his crime first, his name
afterwards
1T is well !; go on
sOur young master is brilliant lord,
bold, handsome, noble, rich, generous; and
yet with all that, hated and feared; for
when he approached there was not hus-
band, father, or brother but trembled for his
wife, daughter and sister. 1 must own
though that the i'll he did was prompted
by his evil genius, who whispered deeds
of hell to him. This evil genius was his
natural acknowledgement the Bastard
Raymond the Bastard!' cried the
duchess, he was murdered this nightv
sThe same'
do you know his assaasinF
1T is L.
1T was not Rocco del Pizzo!' she ask.
ed.
1T was t. he calmly answered.
'But you have helped yourself 10 JUS
tice.'
4 asked for it three days ago and it
was refused me-
snnd what do you require now!'