The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-06-28

y
was faithfully reported to the Duke of
Santa Cruz. 1t caused a keen pang of
jealousy, but the fault in consideration
was comparatively venial, and besides, his
power was too great to cause much fear of
any result He therefore repressed his
rage, and contented himself with prohibit
ing the duchess from approaching the out
er windows of the palace. As the motive
Tor this new severity was not apparent,
Isabella supposed that her husband, prey
to the attack of some new distrust, wished
to allay his fears by the exercise of extra
ordinary watchfulness over her. There
was enough, however, in the rash under
taking of the young Frenchman to cause
her the greatest alarm; but it now too late
to find means to dissuade him from his
enterprise. The letter of the marquis
plunged her into a state Of the most fear
ful anxiety. Although flight from this i'll
omened dwelling, where her youth and
beauty were alike wasting unheeded, was
from repugnant to her breast, the PROPOSE
ton had been SO suddenly made, that she
experienced the keenest agitation. She
finally resolved to visit the rendezvous in
dlcated by the marquis, at midnight, mere
ly to induce him to renounce project SO
rash and dangerous.
The evening passed slowly like CEN
tury. Far from becoming calm, reflection
only increased her agitation, and when the
midnight hour sounded, she hardly posses
sed sufficient strength to stand upright
Meanwhile, all was in apparent repose in
the palace of Santa Cruz; the lights were
extinguished, and the most perfect silence
reigned throughout Isabella, having
summoned her resolution, glided noiseless-
ly to the fatal window; she hesitated for
an instant, then recovering her courage,
sprang upon the balcony.
The marquis was already there.
'Senora,' cried he Il love you, and come
to save YOU
Speak lower replied the duchess,
pressing his mouth with her hand, sand if
you love me, withdraw. Here, your life
is in danger
Il know how to defend it,
y our courage is VAIN
BE itso. My death at least will be of
service to you. You are the victim, Sc
nora, of an odious tyranny; do not refuse
the opportunity now offered for escape;
all is ready for your flight; follow me-.
Il cannot. L dare not.
'What can you fear more dreadful than
your present state of suffering! In the
name of heaven, do not refuse! You have
not moment to lose. Hasten
Saying these words, the young man COW
cred the hand of the duchess with kisses.
She, weak and exhausted from the conflict
OF emotions, offered but feeble resistance,
and suffered herself, almost mechanically,
to be drawn forward by the marquis
Suddenly dark shadow appeared behind
the window.
Fly! exclaimed Isabella, uttering
fearful shrek as she recognized her hus-
band and fell fainting on the floor.
Taken thus unawares, the marquis pre-
cipitately descended the wall.
'Quick!' shouted the old duke, from a
bove: 'and, remember, no mercy
Then, hastily closing the window and
re-entering the apartment, he drew his
sword and ran to join his domestics, who,
rushing in a crowd from the palace, had
already commenced vigorous attack on
the people of the marquis. He, however,
had already had time to re-ascend the bal
cony and conceal himself behind the bal
ustrade. The noise of the contest soon
ceased, and silence the most profound en-
sued. But almost Immediately new
sounds were heard in the interior of the
palace. The young Frenchman lent an
attentive ear, for he fully comprehended
the danger which impended over Isabella.
A bright light suddenly appeared in her
chamber, and rendered every object which
1t contained visible to the marquis. He
beheld the duchess led in, gagged in such
manner as to prevent her from uttering
single cry, and held in the grasp cf two
powerful Wallets. The Duke of Santa
Cruz lltwas evidently him, judging from
ms thick white moustaches ind rich Span
lsh garb, which he pertinaciously retained,
despite the orcers of the court, from hatred
to the french,) followed behind, with his |
naked sword in his hand. He indicated
particular chair, by glance of his eye, to
the two domestics, sign which they ap-
parently understood, for they instantly !
piaced Isabella in it, and carefully bound |
her with cords. The old duke, by a ges-
lure, then ordered all the domestics to re-
ure, and turning towards third, who, up |
10 ihis time, had remained apart and with |
ora Wn IN an embrazure of the window
Domingo said he, $50 instantly for
master Pedro
AT the name of master Pedro the Mar
gus trembled, his hair stood on end, and /
an icy sweat imbued his forehead; he leap
ed from the balcony. After few steps
nc Sff l, 4