Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-25

grotto, followed In a rocky,
woody hill, connected by a mar
row corridor with the wing of
the pavilion occupied by the
princess. The aperture which
served to admit light and air to
this. subterranean grot, was over
grown with wild vines and
brambles, and the door Of en-
trance, long disused, hadrusted
upon its hinges. Love, which
discovers all, indicated this
cavern to Sigismonda. Secretly
for days she occupied herself,
and after many efforts succeeded
in gaining the interior Of the
rocky, moss-grown chamber
"The time, the place, the maener how
Were all in punctual order plainly writ"
Attached to Tancred's house
hold was an aged priest, Benig-
Mo by name, who had known
Sigismonda from her infancy !;
was almost father and indeed a
friend. To him she confded the
secret Of her love for the young
squire and design to wed him,
demanding that Benignio
should perform the marriage
rites.
"Thus all prepared, the promised hour
So long expected and so we'll contrived."
Guichard had prepared a
stout, knotted cord, land covered
himself with a suit of leather to
protect him from the thornsand
brambles which concealed the
aperture of the grotto.
Sigismonda, as was her GUS
tom, after the noontide repast,
dismissed her attendants and
retired to her chamber.
Tripping along the passage
to the chapel she found the
priest who was awaiting her.
Grasping the old man by the
hand, she conducted him slowly
down the dark, stone staircase,
through the obscurity of the
corridor into the grotto,
Guichard true to the moment,
attaching the cord to the trunk
Of an adjoining tree, crashed
boldly into the brambles and
descended into the cavern.
Sigismonda graciously and
tenderly welcomed him, and
with a sign from the.aged friar,
they both knelt, while he blessed
them as one flesh.
Guichard made frequent visits
to the apartments of the
princess, always conducted
thlther through the corridor by
Sigismonda. They were happy,
and imagined themselves secure;
but
"Fortune, having no higher favor to grant,
Took malicious pleasure to destroy"
Tancred took delight in con-
versing with his daughter, and,
in his leisure hours, would
sometime seek her pavilion and
tell over the events Of the day.
One sultry afternoon, being
unable to amuse himself, he
strolled to the apartment Of
Sigismonda but from the VIM
dow he observed her walking
with her train of ladies, under
the outrageous shadow of wild
chestnut trees. Unwilling to
interrupt the recreation OF the
princess, he composed himself
upon the cushioned window
seat, and, drawing the drapery
about him, fell asleep.
Soon after, Sigismonda dis
missed her maids of hon or,
knowing it was the hour of rem
devious, and retired to her
chamber. Quickly she nbolt-
ed The iron door of the corridor
and in an instan Guichard was
with her.
After having slept some time,
Taucred awoke; he saw and
heard what passed. His aston
ishment was only equaled by
his anger. At first he thought
to summon his household, and
before them take quick ven
geance upon the culprits, but
he restrained himself, Judging
he might better revenge this
disgrace more secretly, with less
dishonor to both himself and
daughter. In an agony of rage
he clenched his teeth and held
his breath.
The time of separation arriv-
ed, and, without perceiving the