The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-10
CHAPTER XII.
THE DUKES PLEA.

The departure of old Madelon left Zanoni
in a state and condition of mind not to be
easily described. He wished, after she had
gone and the full crash of the possible
calamity had fallen, that he had cast aside
all reserve and questioned her more closely.
As it was, he knew next to nothing. To be
sure, the Princess had sent to him a hope
full, cheering word. He would have sent the
same to her, though horrors untold had
stared him in the face, and he knew that
she was as brave as he was himself, SO he
could not build upon her show of courage.
He stood for long time in the self-same
spot where the duenna had left him, gazing
into vacancy, the picture of terror and con-
sternation. More than once, when his
thoughts had returned to him, was he
strongly tempted to rush after the old
woman and call her back, but the sober
second thought restrained him. She knew
nothing as yet of the love between the
Princess and himself. She suspected it {;
she may have become morally convinced
that such, in truth, was the situation; but it
was very evident that Isabel had said moth
ing to her on the subject, and he felt that
he had no right to do 50. No, he could not
seek further Information at the hands of
Madelon.
At that moment he wished the Duke
would come to him. Anything would be
better than this terrible, heartrending, soul
narrowing suspense. Moreover, he was not
at heart in fear of the man. There was
something, he thought, too generous, too
naturally just and noble in the heart and
disposition of Antonio Farnese to suffer him
to be feared by any honest, well-meaning
man. Yet he could not put away certain
dread of meeting the Dukes benignant face
with a look upon it of panied surprise, and,
perhaps, of bitter blame.
AYE" he said to himself, as these
thoughts occupied his mind; 'he has the
right to blame me. l am the stronger
party, and by far the elder. / am strong,
experienced man; she a young, tender
hearted, urustful, inexperienced maiden. 1t
should have been my part to hold my
peace. l know the law, and, though the ex-
tremest penalties Of former times have been
expunged from the statutes of the realm,
yet the prohibition still exists In its old time
force. A patrician may not marry with
pebeian in Parma, nor IN Milan, nor in
Venice, nor in Genoa. In fact, not any
where in Italy is the deed legally permissi-
BILE o. what shall be the end?
"Isabell My love! MY life If / could
know how it is with thee at this moment!
What has the Duke said? What has Stef-
fano donep
AS that last name fell from his lips he
started as from an electric shock, and
straightway began to pace to and fro. He
could not stand still with thoughts Of that
sinister visaged man in his mind.
"As live he said, 81 believe the scoun-
drel has deep in his plotting heart plan for
the winning Of Isabel's hand for HIMSELF l
am convinced it is so. But can the Duke
suffer such thingg 1t does not seem posi-
BILE etn-after u lengthy pause-''it may
not be impossible. Antonio is likely to die
childless He cannot, at all events, leave a
son old enough TO assume the scepter at his
death Steffano is his only near relative:
and villain as he is, / verify believe he
would command large following amongst
the mobiles of Parma. He would pander to
their worst vices, and wink at their wick
edneSs Aye-in all that was low and vile,
and dissolute, he would join with all his
heart.
"Ol Heaven help the honest, pure-minded
woman who shall fall into his lifelong com
panionshipl l would bear the dear one to the
ut5ermost part of the earth before / would
see her consigned to such a fate.n
At this iuncture he stopped In his walk,
happening to stand as he did 50 directly be-