other forms, to move, totter, and finally to disappear | An episodical chapter gives us an insight into her hisentirely. Those who looked toward the west, saw the tory. She had been in her youth betrothed to Marco sky yet crimson with the rays of the sun, but glancing Visconti, in opposition to the wishes of her father, who downward from the highest peaks along the mountain wished to compel her to marry the Count di Balzo. An slopes to the shore of the lake, no longer perceived the attempt was made by her lover to carry her off; but houses, the shrubs, or the trees. Every prominence her fear of her father's displeasure prevented its success. had disappeared, and the whole mountain showed only Afterwards she had resisted every endeavor to induce an immense shadow in relief against the sky. Gradu- her to marry another, till convinced of the inconstancy elly even the shadow grew indistinct, faded, and van- of Marco by a letter from him renouncing all claim to ished entirely; the darkness became yet more dense, | her hand, and returning half a chain of gold which had and our shipwrecked friends were soon wrapped in been broken between them as a pledge of faith. Some such gloom, that it was impossible to distinguish each time after her marriage Ermelinda, one day while huntother. Upen the changeful bosom of the lake, evening, met a knight armed, with his visor down, who dethrough the darkness, could be seen afar the infuriated manded the chain, which she still carried in her bosom. waves, which, struggling as they swelled upwards, burst | Having received that and the letter addressed to her, he into white foam, relling tumultuously in chase of each other, and lashing the rock as if they threatened to swallow it up, roaring for the prey that had escaped their fury.

pronounced the letter a forgery, alleging that the chain had been stolen from him; and abruptly bidding her farewell, rode out of sight. Since then she had never seen the lover of her youth, who had highly distinguished himself, and obtained almost sovereign power in Italy. The following is the first description of this singular personage:

"The uncommon paleness of his face was rendered yet more striking by his thick dark beard, and a pair of heavy well defined eyebrows, and eyes of excessive brilliancy; while the deep color that now and then suffused his cheeks, gave testimony of strong internal emotions. In those moments he seemed younger; the fleet

with a certain singular mixture of pride and bashfulness.

“All was silent, save that amidst the warring of the surge and the wind, might be heard the low, monotonous, continued tones of poor Michel, telling his beads over the corpse of his son. "Marco was above the middle height; his age about “Ottorino was holding Bice's hand, which, in the forty-five. The hardships of a troubled and tempestumoment of her terror, she had suffered him to take, feel-ous life, if they had robbed his countenance of its first ing reassured by the vicinity of one who could protect freshness, its first fire, of its juvenile expression of lighther. Her father, who, seated on the other side, had heartedness and daringness, had substituted a severe stooped his head between his knees, his teeth chattering yet gentle gravity, an air of self-possession and hauteur, with fear and cold, could not contribute much to her an indefinite expression of melancholy, which displayed feeling of security. Her long locks, blown about by habitual discontent of mind, yet without the slightest the wind, were swept against the young man's face; mixture of bitterness. and even in that desolate condition, surrounded by so many objects to awaken fear or compassion, he would not have given that moment for the happiest in his life." Lupo soon brings boats to their assistance, and they are conveyed ashore. Ottorino is invited to pass some days at the castle, and as might be expected, falls in love with its beautiful heiress, who becomes equally at-ing crimson gave to his countenance its primitive beauty, tached to him. Ermelinda, the mother of Bice, is not slow to perceive the turn affairs are taking, and is sorely troubled at the discovery, knowing the design of Marco "But he who saw that countenance when the lightVisconti, the kinsman and patron of Ottorino, to wed ning of wrath transformed it in an instant, when its his young protege to a daughter of Rusconi. Having habitual paleness grew yet deeper, and the brow conascertained that negotiations have actually been com-tracted, and the eyes became darker as they flashed fire, menced for the hand of that lady, the prudent mother warns her daughter against the impropriety of suffering the elegant stranger to make any impression on her heart. But, as it too often happens in such cases, the advice comes a little too late, and only produces the effect of plunging the enamored girl into a sea of disappointment and vexation, and causing her to wear a chilling aspect of reserve towards her lover, on the day previous to his departure for Milan. The knight, who "His head was uncovered, and his dark hair, parted is much grieved at her sudden change of manner, fail-over an ample and majestic forehead, hung on both ing in his attempt to seek an explanation from herself, sides as low as the ear, following the contour of his contrives to hide a letter between the leaves of her face." Dante, which it seems she read by stealth at night. In this he avows his passion for her, and his determination to seek her hand, at the same time confessing the unfortunate entanglement prepared for him by his friend Marco. This letter is duly carried by the dutiful maiden to her mother.

Ermelinda is a favorite with our author; she is represented as possessing every matronly grace, sensible, dignified, and in every way superior to her husband,

would have likened it to the lake, whose tranquil and polished surface, by the sudden onset of the wind, is stirred to the tempest's fury.

"He wore a robe of black velvet, open before, and lined with grey nimiver, over a silken vest confined with a girdle, fastened by a rich golden buckle; in the girdle was a long dagger with the handle studded with rubies.

The wise politician had already begun to foresee the issue of his support of the anti-pope Nicholas. "You well understand,' (he says to his kinsman,) that the legitimate pope is he of Avignon. He has persecuted my father, all my family, all our friends; has excommunicated us, taken the cross from us, and done his worst against us; yet for all that has he not ceased to be the true pope. Do you believe that, so many years as I have been his enemy, I have been at VOL. III.-18

in Limonta!' exclaimed he, and hastened towards the spot, to give what aid he might. His wife only called after him, 'Take care of yourself!' and returned to her cottage to pray for the distressed.

peace with my own conscience, knowing myself under another dog, belonging to the fisherman; he ascended ban of the church?" a small knoll behind his hut, and looking towards the But we have no room to notice the political plans, town, saw the sky in that quarter crimsoned, and the manœuvres and events, which are so skilfully inter-rocks illuminated with a fitful and lurid glare. 'Fire woven in these volumes with the incidents of more domestic interest. There are many striking and graphic scenes, in which the multitude play a part, as well as the higher personages. The tumult before the church in Monza, and other pictures of a similar kind, are most spiritedly described, and remind us, without being imi-direction and from the mountain, at first so distinct tations, of like exhibitions in some of Scott's novels. As much previous explanation would be necessary to render these passages interesting, we shall only follow the fortunes of the individuals with whom we have already made acquaintance, separating the thread of the narrative from the web which surrounds it.

"Michel as he went on heard other cries from that

that he could have pointed out the dwelling from which they came; but gradually increasing they mingled with each other, till all became general confusion.

"Michel had mounted a hill, and could ascertain that the fire had been purposely kindled, as he saw burning at once two houses at opposite ends of the hamlet. The Count di Balzo and his family are summoned by Listening attentively, he could distinguish amidst the Marco to Milan; and leave Limonta without reluctance, confused tumult voices of menace and blasphemy; as a residence in that district has become dangerous could see in the disorder the flashing of breastplates from the disturbances among the people, and the appre-and of lances. It was then he first suspected the real hension of severe revenge on the part of the new Ab-state of the case. bot, for their disregard of the dignity of his agent, and "Meanwhile the fire increased; in a moment the contempt of his orders. Lupo is despatched thither by ground seemed to be covered with flame. The lake Ottorino, to warn his fellow-townsmen against the ef- reflected the lurid light, and several small boats were fects of the Abbot's wrath. The Count, therefore, who seen detached from the shore and urged across the is cowardly, vacillating and selfish by nature, and has waters. These crafts and those within them were at all his life scrupulously avoided committing himself by first clearly visible in the glare; but the light gradusiding with either party, is well pleased to quit so peril-ally fell from them as they receded, now scarcely disous a vicinity for the protection of the noble and pow-tinguished, now strongly illuminated as they shot into erful Marco; besides that his vanity is flattered by the a sudden stream of light, till they disappeared in the invitation to Milan, and the chief's intimation that he deep darkness around them. might become necessary to him. Marco's principal reason for this attention is a curiosity to see the daughter, of whom Ottorino had given so glowing a description. They are invited to a magnificent banquet at his palace on their arrival, which the Countess Ermelinda, | from motives of delicacy, of course declines attending. At this sumptuous feast, minutely and gorgeously described, at which the guests arrange a tournament in honor of the election of Azzo Visconti, nephew of Marco, to the office of Imperial Vicar, the stately host devotes his attentions to Bice, whose strong resemblance in voice and person to her mother, calls up again all the emotions of his youth. This pleasing excitement he experiences in her presence determines him to cultivate her intimacy.

The scene then changes to Limonta, where we follow our friend Lupo. In the hut of the poor waterman, Michel and his wife sit down in desolate sorrow to their lonely evening meal; and the utter misery of the bereaved parents is pathetically depicted. The silence of the cottage is soon disturbed.

"It was late; nothing was heard except the low moaning of the lake, and now and then the surging of the wind among the chestnut boughs which concealed the waterman's hut. Then suddenly the dog (by the way, this dog, which had belonged to Arrigozzo, is the hero of a most touching little episode) which had been snugly reposing on the bed, started up, pricking up his ears and uttering a low growl; then leaped down and ran towards the door barking most furiously. Michel and his wife listened; but they could hear nothing, save the accustomed murmur of the waves. The waterman unbarred the door, and going out, distinguished in the distance on his right, towards Limonta, the barking of

|

"The waterman halted as he was about to plunge into the midst of the fray; withheld by the thought of her he had left alone in her wretched hut.

"While he stood, he heard a noise as of something living approaching; and retired behind the trunk of an old olive, discerned by the light of the flames, reaching even to that spot, a woman with a child in her arms, and another clinging to her dress, who was driving a cow before her. The reluctant animal cast a backward glance at the hamlet, and stimulated probably by regret for the loss of comfortable stable accommodations, bellowed mournfully; the lament was responded to in various directions, and from various distances, from other unfortunates who found themselves in the same condition of exile.

"Michel recognized the woman, came forward, and addressing her by name 'What has happened?' he asked. 'Tell me, can any help be afforded?'

""The soldiers of the monastery have set fire to our homes,' answered the frightened fugitive, and murdered those who fell into their hands; we are undone ! we are lost utterly! Oh misericordia! that I should see this night! 'tis the last night for Limonta; the Lord is chastising us for some great sin. Michael,' she added in an imploring tone, 'since Providence has sent you here, have the charity to help me drag forward this beast, which is all remaining to me to support my poor children.'

"The waterman took the cord in his right hand, carrying on his left arm the little girl who had followed crying in her mother's steps; and accommodating his pace with that of the terrified woman, they all turned towards Bellagio.

"The Lord show to you and the dead,' said the

woman, 'the pity you have shown to the poor widow; I said, he led him into the little church where was gathyou will find your reward in another world, and your good deed shall be so much for the soul of your Arrigozzo. Ah, Michel! you have the compassion of all the village; they have spoken of nothing but your misfortune; but to-morrow, the many who will have to mourn for their sons, will envy you for having lost yours in the manner you did.'

"Michel went on in silence, casting a glance, now at the burning village, now at his own dwelling. Having placed the widow and her family in safety, he returned hastily to his hut.

"Hardly had he stepped in, when he saw a man coming towards him, partly armed; and believing him one of the ruffians from Limonta, he laid hold of the iron bar he used for fastening the door, and resolutely advanced; but the soldier cried out quickly"Michel, do you not know me?'

ered the poor booty rifled from the peasantry, and where stood, with their hands tied behind them, the seven wretches who had fallen alive into the hands of the licentious soldiery, and were only spared for insult. The Liniontine immediately recognized the priest among the captives, whom he saw receive a blow on the head, at the moment of his entrance.

"Here is Bellebuono," said the man who had conducted Michel thither, pointing to the soldier who had struck the curate. Our waterman approached him; and the captain, who looked at the first glance as if he would devour him alive, soon softened at the sound of certain words whispered in his ear. They spoke together some time in a low tone, and then the captain of the sixty lances took with him four of the soldiers, and departed, guided by the Limontine towards a small house at some distance from the hamlet, near the valley

"Ah! it is Lupo! Are you also come with these of Roucate. dogs?'

"God keep me from it! I came to liberate you; but it was too late; the soldiers had already taken the ground, and all was in flames, and our friends either murdered or fled. Now, since force cannot avail, we must betake ourselves to invention, to prevent the evil not already done; to get from the claws of these devils, those prisoners they have taken alive, and will hang to-morrow, as Stefano the fisherman told me, whom I met on the shore of the lake in coming hither.'

"Santo Dio! for me--I would see-but--and then, what can we do, two against so many?' said the waterman.

"For more than three hundred florins? thou hast said?' demanded Bellebuono of his guide, as the two walked on eight or ten paces in advance of the four soldiers in company.

"Certainly,' was the reply; 'it is the treasure of the church saved for perhaps twenty years.' "But the house of the parish priest-is it not that near the belfry?'

"This to which I lead you is that of his kinsman; and the treasure is here.'

"Diavolo! is it not possible that some of my soldiers have found it in the search they have made every where to-night?'

"We are not quite alone; there are some others waiting for us, and I have already thought of a strata-ing in the place I have mentioned to you?' gem; but I have need of your help, and have therefore come to seek you, knowing you a man of courage.' "Santo Dio! exclaimed Michel; you see very well

"Quite impossible! who would ever think of search

"But his wife, guessing the kind solicitude that made him waver, said quickly-'Think not of me! our guardian angel will watch over this house, and if—ifIt is charity to our neighbor-and we are boundgo-go!'

"Michel only answered, 'The Lord protect you!' and hastened away in company with Lupo, who on the way opened to him his project; they devised some amendments of it together, and each prepared himself for the part he was to act. When they reached the village, Lupo, taking a by-path, went to gather three or four other Limontese, armed with hatchets and knives, who lay waiting for him in a cellar; and Michel quite unarmed, not even with a stick, kept his way directly towards the chapel, where the soldiers of the monastery were assembled. Hardly had he made his appearance, when one of them ran towards him with his sword raised to strike him; but the waterman holding up his hands, before he came up with him, called out-'I seek for your captain; is he not named Bellebuono ?'

"Meantime they arrived in front of a house situated on the declivity; and Michel said-'It is this.'

"You, Ribaldo, and you, Vinciquerra,' then said Bellebuono, 'stand here on guard without; let no one come out who is not with me; and at my first call you must shout for assistance if it be necessary. You others come on.'

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"One word,' said the waterman to the chief who had delivered the order, speaking in a loud voice, so as to be heard by all the four-"Then you promise me to liberate unhurt all those you have made prisoners?'

"Yes-I promised you; I will give you all except the curate, who has so disgusted me with his cursed sermons, that I have a mind to see if the coward will preach when he has a rope under his neck.'

"Nay-nay,' insisted Michel; 'all-you told me so.' "Well then; I will give you also the curate, provided what you show me be worth more than the fool's life.'

"Those who had received the command remained on guard at the entrance; Bellebuono, Michel and the other two ascended a small staircase, and found themselves in a passage, opposite which there was another door.

"If you will let me go down with you'—said the Limontine to the captain, 'I will show you the spot.'

"I have a secret-come-show me where he may be found something of benefit to you—and to him.' "Ah knave!' was the answer, 'there may be some “Alla peggio,' said the soldier to himself; it is cheating in this business; no-no-remain here with another loggerhead come to be strung up; it will be a these two good friends who shall bear thee company. wax taper the more for the feast to-morrow. Come, Soldiers, whatever should happen, let him not escape then,' said he aloud, ‘villano, come with me;' and this ❘ till I return.'

"Maladetta! exclaimed a third, we soldiers are not wont to see the like; and we had the trouble"He said he meant to share with us all, did he not?" demanded the first of Michel.

"Exactly,' was the answer; 'one half he means to keep for himself, and the other he will divide among you four.'

"Brave countryman,' cried the first, 'nor must thou remain with an empty palm, for thou art a good fellow and a friend to bold soldiers.'

"For me, I ask nothing else but what your captain promised me, and if you give me aught else it will be so much charity.'

"But while Michel hastened towards the mountain with the freed captives, who in extasies of joy inun"Let us go. But no-he told us to wait here for dated him with questions, the news of their release had him.'

gone abroad, and a crowd of soldiers ran to prevent the departure of the prisoners.

"It is not true! they cried impetuously; 'it is not true! Bellebuono could not have given such an order.' "He did, he did he gave it to me! he gave it to us,' shouted the four.

"No, no! it is all a trick" exclaimed another more loudly; 'going hence but a short time ago in company with you all, the captain stopped a moment to whisper in my ear, bidding me have ready yet another rope to re-accommodate this villain, as soon as he had returned.”

whom—

"We will not talk of his squires, if you please,' interrupted Marco; 'we talk of himself a little.' "At this moment the maiden, who, conducted by her companion, had entered a spacious apartment at the end of the banqueting rooms, turned accidentally

assisting his ascent, and rendering every courtesy in | timidly looking down; 'indeed, he has a squire, for his power, and said, he might now turn back, as they were in safety. All the rest crowded round the supposed Bellebuono, professing themselves indebted to him for their lives. Then he, taking the helmet from his head, discovered his face to them. My readers have already guessed the masker-it was Lupo. "All that night, the next day, and the next, the sol-round, and saw her father placing his finger on his lips diers waited the return of Bellebuono from the mountain; when the four who had accompanied him on his last expedition, returning to the house, descended the staircase down which they had heard him go, passed into a small subterranean apartment, thence into a cel-things-at listening to words seemingly designed to lar, and another apartment, where they found him lying dead upon the ground.

"Then was explained the treachery of the villano, as they called him. They understood that there had been enemies hidden in the cellar, and even found an absolute proof, as is said, in a coat of mail and a trooper's cloak, which one of the captain's murderers had left behind, when he assumed the dress of the ruffian, and in this disguise deceived, as we have seen, the soldiers of the monastery."

with a significant gesture, an earnest signal for her to be silent. This increased greatly her embarrassment and apprehension, already great, at finding herself alone with a person of whom she had heard such

search into the most hidden secret of her heart-and at her sense of awe, when upon the point of preferring a request of so much importance. Calling back, with an effort, all her feminine courage, which diminished not in such moments, she began with a trembling and imploring voice.

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"Have you not accepted me for your cavalier and vassal?' answered Marco; how then becomes you such language to me? You have not to petition, but only to signify your will.'

"Bice was silent for an instant; and in the meanwhile they had crossed three or four rooms, and entered a saloon separated from the view of the other guests. Neither the maiden, fully occupied with the object she had in view, nor Visconti, fired with a passion which completely overpowered his discretion, seemed conscious of the singularity, and even impropriety of their conduct, in thus separating from the company, or perhaps neither was aware that they had done so. "When Bice found herself alone with her companion,

Poor Lupo is destined to pay for his gallant interference in behalf of his captured fellow townsmen. Lodrisio and the Abbot of St. Ambrose ask leave of Marco to punish the brave youth as a traitor to his liege lord; and Visconti, not now disposed to protect a retainer of his cousin Ottorino, giving consent, the armor-bearer is arrested and condemned to die. Ottorino, who is under the displeasure of Marco, awakened by feelings of jealousy, and cannot obtain admission to plead for the life of his follower, entreats the Count to use his influence to obtain this grace. His request is seconded by the prayers and tears of the father, mother, and sister of Lupo, who are all domestics in the | she looked about her, and at first seemed bewildered; Count's family; and Bice promises to unite her entreaties. They are invited to a banquet at the palace of Marco, given on the eve of his departure for Tuscany. The cautious Count, while preparing the way for a petition in favor of the doomed youth, is alarmed by an intimation from his host that he has provoked the hostility of Rusconi, by allowing the visits of Ottorino to his daughter, and risked also the displeasure of his noble friend. He is too much frightened to pursue his request, and abandoning Lupo to his fate, hastens to give the assurance that he will forbid his house to the lover of his daughter. Bice is more earnest and suc-by turns to pity, love, and his confusion at beholding cessful. Marco offers her his arm, leads her through the crowded rooms, and shows her the knights who are to engage in the approaching tournament. We will translate part of the ensuing scene.

"The combatants are twelve in number, as you know,' said Visconti to the young lady, as he led her through the apartments; 'eleven I can show to you, as they are here; but the twelfth you will not find. Yet there is no necessity that I should point him out, since I believe you are already acquainted with him; is it not so?'

but immediately, sinking on her knees before him who stood at her side, she exclaimed, sobbing-'One word of yours can save him; have compassion on a desolate family! Oh, if I could weep as his poor father wept but just now !-if God would put his words in my mouth!—I am sure you could not refuse me!'

"She spoke thus, in the belief that her father had already informed Visconti of every thing; but he, who knew nothing of the matter, hearing her beseech him with so much emotion, and wholly unable to guess her meaning, stood at first in amazement; then yielding

in so servile an attitude the queen of all his thoughts, forgetful of every thing else, he stooped to raise her, saying in hurried accents, 'What is this? No-no— rise! You prostrate yourself before a human being? You?' But she maintained her position, and continued to implore, clasping her hands, and lifting up to him her tearful eyes, till Visconti almost believed he actu ally beheld in the kneeling girl her mother, as thus prostrate at his feet, so many years before, she had supplicated him the night he came to take her from her father's house. The tide of emotion almost overpowered him; he lifted up by force the trembling girl, and led her to a seat, while Bice, covering her face with both hands, wept for anguish, confusion and fear, till the tears flowed from between her slender fingers. 'Tell me,' continued Marco, without daring to approach "Yes-yes-I know him,' said the young girl, nearer, "Tell me your wish, and I swear, as my hope

"Bice colored deeply, but remained silent.

"I saw that you saluted him with much courtesy the day we passed your house together; and then I know he was at Limonta a long time, and that even

now—'