The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-16

Indemnify nia 6. sy5z the
want OF subsidies which the States
of the Languedoe have dared tore
fuse him. "gsls3 gs5h 9}ss. lstif'},
4 The soldiers rushed on the old
man, who, half atrangled and wholly
desperate, could scarcely believe that
he was not the sport Of some fright
full dream for the secret of the con-
templated measures had been well
kept, ant none but those entrusted
with their execution, knew anything
of them till the unforeseen qblowjfell
like thunder-bolt on the unfortu-
nate victims. Diana sat motionless
where she had cast herself 4, down,
needless of the icy wind which
pierced her thin covering, and of the
dead cold of the bare flags which
froze her little feet. Her black,
dilated eyes were fixed on Jean, and
it was only when she heard sharp
cry from her father, that the gaze
wavered even for an instant.
"Heaven have mercy on us! What
is to become of us?" cried the old
man.
'T can tell you that, replied Jean.
"You, as the head of the family,
are to be shut up in a dungeon with
all the Lombards of the country.
where you can moan and die toge-
ther, unless at some distant time it
may please the king to change his
mind"
''And my house!' cried the old
man, writhing. 'sWhat will become
OF my house? And my treasures!
and my merchandise! When I am
away, what will become of them?"
''I can satisfy you there, also"
said Jean. eve are going to take
your keys, make an inventory, and
lock all up. Oh! be at peace as to
your boards. The kings agents will
find out and take good care of every
thing"
Misfortune seemed to succeed each
other so rapidly, that the miserable
old man had not till this moment
thought again of his daughter. With
start, as if he had received O sudden
wound, he turned towards her.
'Just Heaven!' he exclaimed.
"And my child? my daughter?"
"She will be hunted from the city
with the wives and daughters of your
brethren.
"Hunted!" cried the old man,
struggling in his bonds.
eyes, hunted; and this very hour,
hunted like dogv" replied Jean.
These words seemed to rouse Diana
from her stupor. She rose suddenly,
and, grasping the officers arm, look
ed into his face"
"Ah, you are young. You cannot
be quite heartless!" she said, in her
rich, passionate voice. "Where will
Joez find me, if you hunt me away
this night?"
Jean looked at her. He had scarce
ly noticed her before, and he now
saw that she was lovely young crea-
ture, with all the beauty of her
Italian blood. Her long black hair
waved over her bare shoulders and
fell below her waist-a regal mantle;
her slight but grandly outlined form
was scarcely concealed by the thin
linen drapery she wore; q hectic spot
burned on her cheek, and her white
face, pure in its lines as that of an
antique statue, was a wild prayer for
mercy.
"By my faithl Joez may find you
where he cap," answered one of the
soldiers, fearing, from the expression
of his officers face, that he was about
to relent. Remember, Sieur Jean,
that we have thirteen visits like this
to pay tonight, and we shall never
have done if we allow ourselves to be
melted by the tears and prayers of all
the Lombard women we have to turn
out"
"You are right" said Jean, slowly
and sadly. "Go, my girl-make
yourself ready. You are to be seen
beyond the gates of the city"
" Mercy for her at least. my lord!'
shrieked Lubiane. "Mercy for my
tender child! The snow is falling.
To turn her out into the open coun-
try, in the darkness of night, and at
this season, will be to murder her.
Do not hunt her from the CITY,"
"Oh, do not! do not! for your mo-
theirs sake!' cried Diana, kneeling.
"Leave me this night in Nabonne. ]
shall sit on the door step of our de-
serted house, dumb and motionless
as a corpse. will speak to no one,
say nothing. nor stir once, till my