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determined to be the joint harbingers of this consoling news." cannot describe the thanks which we all four poured forth upon our preservers. We desired the chaplain to return to the Governor, and express to him our most fervent attachment, which we should ever cherish towards him.

Shortly after they were gone, came the provost-martial, who knew nothing of the grace that had been extended towards us. With a look of solemn grief, he said: "If the Governor should not allow your appeal, and you should have to undergo your sentence, I beg you will not forget to leave me something, as I have a wife and six children." We all began to laugh among ourselves on hearing him talk in this strain in the belief that we might make him our executor. I said that ere we died we should remember him and his family in our will; meantime we desired him to procure us some wine, brandy, and victuals, that we might perform that important act with becoming spirit. The provost instantly brought us refreshments, together with writing materials, thinking that we really meant to settle all our worldly affairs. When he saw us all laugh and begin to eat heartily, he was quite astonished, and could not at all guess the reason of our mirth; but as we continued to eat, and manifested no intention to write down our testamentary dispositions, he left us.

Four days afterwards our defender came again, for the purpose of telling us that the General had called together another Commission; had annulled the sentence of death; and had doomed us to a month's imprisonment in a worse dungeon than that which we then occupied. He exhorted us to endure this confinement patiently, in the assurance that if the Governor might have acted as he chose he would have set us at liberty; but then what would have been said by the garrison? "I can assure you," he added, "that it gave his Excellency much pain to sign this second sentence." In the evening came the provostmartial with a look of cheerful alacrity and said: "You must think no more of dying, but you are to move to other quarters." We were certain that he was sorry for the favour extended to us, having hoped to become master of all we possessed. We were taken into a deeper dungeon, which received only a faint gleam of light through a mere loophole. There were some tresseis absolutely bathed with damp, and with water that flowed under them. By means of money we procured a large quantity of straw, and accommodated ourselves as well as we could, quite certain, however, that in a few days we should fall sick from the excessive humidity. Though we took copious draughts of brandy, and ate very heartily, we felt the damp penetrate to our very bones, and in eight days my companion was attacked with fever, and his limbs began to swell. The doctor being called in, immediately decided on sending him to the hospital. He was very sorry to leave us, but we assured him that in a few days we should have to join him. In fact, not a week had elapsed ere one after the other had fallen sick, and we were all carried to the hospital. My companion, already convalescent, rejoiced in our illness, because it had delivered us from that detestable dungeon. The two Parisians recovered first, and were sent to the battalion. We found ourselves so much better off in the hospital than at the fort, that we persuaded our medical friend to protract the term of our present abode as much

as possible. We lived in the midst of plenty and of cleanliness, while, by means of a little money, which we disbursed, all the little comforts that we could wish for were supplied.

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One morning the doctor came, and told us that Napoleon had abdicated, and that Louis XVIII. had returned to the throne. The first time that Napoleon lost his kingdom I was grievously disappointed; the second time, (such, I must confess, was my weakness and inconstancy,) I was supremely satisfied, for I regained my liberty. In three days, affairs having been re-established on the former system, we waited upon the Governor to thank him, in the first instance, and then to request that he would give orders for our release. The old mau welcomed us like a father, and told us we were both on equal terms: "You," said he to me, as an Italian, are now free; and in regard to your friend, I shall have to write to Paris, and I have no doubt of receiving a favourable answer." We entreated the General to let my companion remain at the hospital, as he was not yet completely recovered. I returned to my former lodgings, threw off my military dress, and put on my own clothes. The Governor gave me my discharge, and a passport, available whenever I chose to go. I went to thank the commandant, who no sooner saw me, than he fell on my neck, uttering a multitude of congratulations on seeing me again. As our conversation gradually digressed to indifferent topics, he informed me that a Portuguese vessel had been taken. Her commander, not well acquainted with the navigation of these seas, had taken a pilot on board from an islet near Belleisle. This pilot approached the island; the forts, seeing a strange ship near at hand, and apprehending some treachery, fired upon her-the vessel hoisted the Portuguese flag. A lieutenant, who was in one of the forts nearest to her, ordered her to strike; she refused, and carrying all sail, stood out for the open sea; another shot was fired from the fort, which carried away one of her masts; and being then compelled to lay to, she struck her flag, and the captain came ashore in his launch. He was taken before the Governor, who, after inspecting his papers, claimed him as a prisoner, because Napóleon being again in France, and Spain, Portugal, and England being hostile to his government, all ships belonging to those nations must be detained. The vessel was therefore brought into port, and information immediately sent to Paris.

The Governor told me that there were two Florentine ladies on board the ship, who excited his curiosity and interest by their elegant and accomplished manners, and by the air of deep dejection which distinguished one of them. He promised to introduce me to them, and remarked, that they would probably be more communicative to a countryman than to himself. In this he was not mistaken. Their story is so romantic, that I think my readers will not be displeased with a brief recital of it.

They were the orphan daughters of a wealthy merchant of Florence, and as they lived splendidly, and entertained a great deal of company, the young Count Palmella, who was then on his travels in Italy, was introduced at their house, and conceived a strong attachment to the elder of the two sisters, who was no less attracted by his noble and engaging qualities. She at first hesitated to accept his offers of marriage, from the fear that his family would object to his

connecting himself with a woman of inferior rank. He, however, wrote to his mother (his only surviving parent) such a letter as quieted her scruples; and in the expectation of a favourable reply, she resigned herself to the arms of her lover, whom she now regarded as her husband. Month after month, however, elapsed without bringing any answer, during which time the Count's passion continued unabated, and he employed every argument and every assurance to soothe her anxiety. At length she gave birth to a son. A few days after this event, the Count came to see her, evidently in a state of deep dejection. Two days having elapsed without her seeing him again, she began to imagine herself betrayed and abandoned, and the torture of her mind threw her into a violent fever. Her own physician happened to be absent, and she was attended by Dr. Fontana, physician to the Portuguese ambassador. Having learned from her the cause of her agitation, he told her that the ambassador had long been aware of the Count's connexion, and had been urged by his mother to send him away from Florence, but that from tenderness towards the young man, he had hitherto forborn; that he had, however, at length resolved to use compulsory measures; that he had invited the Count to supper, and immediately on his entering the room, had caused him to be arrested by two police-officers he had in waiting, telling him that a post-chaise was at the door, and that he must instantly set out for Paris, whither his own secretary should escort him. The Count replied, in the strongest expressions of grief and indignation, that he had incurred the most sacred obligations towards the young lady, whom he had induced by his promises to sacrifice her reputation, and towards his infant son; that he was master of his own actions, and would be controlled by no one. The ambassador was however inexorable, and would not even accede to his earnest petition that he might return to take leave of, and console his wife. The sympathizing physician added, that he was deeply affected by the young Count's tears and agitation, and assured his unhappy patient that she might rest confident of her husband's attachment and constancy. She determined to follow him as soon as she was sufficiently recovered; and having entrusted her child to her aunt, and the management of her property to her uncle, she set out for Paris, accompanied by her sister. As soon as she arrived, she sent to the hotel of the Portuguese ambassador, where she learned that the Count was hurried off to Bourdeaux immediately on his arrival at Paris. She instantly followed him; and, on reaching Bourdeaux, heard that he had sailed for Lisbon. Fatigue and disappointment brought on a relapse, and her life was despaired of. In a month she recovered, and proceeded to Lisbon. On reaching that city, she and her sister took up their residence at the house of the captain of the vessel in which they had sailed, who had gained their entire confidence. He behaved with great kindness and sympathy, and offered to procure immediate intelligence of the Count from his house steward, with whom he happened to be well acquainted. From this old and attached servant the ladies learned, that as soon as he reached Lisbon, his ambitious mother and uncles, after reproaching him with the meanness of his sentiments in connecting himself with a woman of inferior rank, told him that he was instantly to proceed to Brazil, where

the hand of a lady of suitable birth and fortune, and a good appointment about the court, awaited him. It was in vain that he protested against such tyranny, and swore that he would never marry any woman but her to whom he was solemnly and indissolubly bound. He was carried on board by force. The steward added, that she might rely on the strength and fervour of the Count's affection. Having heard that the Count's mother intended to remit her a sum of money, she determined to obtain an interview with her, and to convince her that she was not in a situation to be influenced by pecuniary considerations. Through the means of the steward she was introduced to the Countess, who, she said, had the air of a queen, and received her with great dignity, though at the same time with great kindness. She told her that it was in vain for her to cherish any hope of an union with the Count her son; but that she was greatly prepossessed in her favour, and intended to remit to a banker at Florence a sum of money for the child, whom she should likewise remember at her death. She denied being the cause of the violent measures which had been pursued, and ascribed them to the Count's uncle. At the young lady's departure, the Countess, repeating her regrets at her misfortunes, embraced her, and presented her with a casket, which she made her promise not to open till she should be half-way on her voyage home. She now determined to return to Florence as quickly as possible, and having written to the Count an exact narrative of all that had befallen her since they were torn asunder, she took her passage on board a ship bound to Genoa. The next day the house steward brought her bills of exchange for ten thousand crowns, and took his leave of her with many assurances of his master's love and fidelity. In three days she and her sister sailed, and had a very prosperous voyage up to the time when they were taken. She had opened the casket, and found in it a set of brilliants of great value, and a note, containing expressions of affection and interest. I felt the deepest sympathy in the sorrows of this unfortunate young lady, and continued to visit her constantly until her departure.

The captain of the vessel had memorialized not only the governor of the island, but the ministry at Paris; representing, that as Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne, and peace re-established with all nations, he was entitled to his liberty. An order for his release soon arrived from Paris, with permission for him to go where he chose. On the receipt of this news, he instantly waited upon the ladies to inform them of his intention to sail next day, and to desire that they would hold themselves in readiness to embark. The ladies made their preparations, and embarked in the evening. I accompanied them on board; and with reciprocal expressions of gratitude for the social hours we had passed together, and wishes of future happiness, we took leave of each other. I promised to visit them if ever I went to Florence.

Returning home, I resolved to call on the Governor next day, and request him to give his permission for our departure. Accordingly, having obtained an interview, I represented to him, that though the ancient order of things was not yet entirely re-established, he might take upon himself to give us the requisite permission, there being no reason why the existing government should detain a soldier against his will, in a time of general peace. The Governor, looking at me

attentively, said: "I will do as you desire, and I hope I shall not be blamed for it, as I compassionate your past sufferings; therefore, bid your companion prepare for his departure, and tell him I shall give instant orders for his release, and the restitution of his papers." Having heartily thanked the Governor, I hastened to the hospital to impart the gratifying intelligence to my friend, who, after expressing his acknowledgments to the superintendent, and to all who had shown him kindness, accompanied me home, took off his regimentals, and put on his own dress, after which we went to take leave of all who had befriended us in our misfortunes, assuring them of our eternal remembrance. We then went to thank the Governor for the kindness with which he had listened to our complaints, which we assured him we should never forget. He ordered our papers to be restored to us, and we took our leave with a thousand expressions of respect. Impatient to repair to the Continent, we determined to set out next day by the mail for Quiberon.

On our arrival there we found a number of peasants armed with muskets and cartridge-boxes, who looked like assassins; and the moment we set foot on shore, though it was broad daylight, they called out, Qui-vive? Qui-vive? We answered: "Louis XVIII." We were placed amidst some fifty of these armed men, who, without informing us wherefore, ordered us to go along with them. We left our baggage on board the mail-boat and accompanied them. We were taken to a house not far distant from the harbour, and a person who appeared to be the leader of the troop, presented us to an old man clad like a citizen, and wearing a white band on his right arm, whom our conductors represented to be the commandant of the place. The old man, with a fierce look, asked us who we were, and whither we were going? We replied that we had been soldiers, and were repairing to Paris, on our way home. The commandant, in the same tone of voice, said: "I am well aware that you are Napoleonists, but now all your hopes are at an end. However, give me your papers that I may examine them, and let me exhort you to abandon that cause." "Mr. Commandant," I replied: "I know not how you can infer that we are Napoleonists." However, we requested him to inspect our papers, as we wished to proceed that evening to Vannes. The old man, looking sternly at us, inspected our discharge and passport, and dismissed us, saying he hoped we should have good fortune. We could not comprehend the meaning of these words, but turned away without offering any salutation, and went on board. Luckily for us there happened to be a return-conveyance to Vannes, which we hired, and having stowed our baggage into it, we instantly set out, without staying to breakfast. As we journeyed along I asked our conductor what was the purpose of all those armed rustics. He told us that when Napoleon landed in France from Elba, England had armed and equipped all the peasants of La Vendée, and had sent among them many French emigrants for the purpose of directing this revolution; and they also told us that the commandants of the villages and districts in this part of France, were all emigrants, and sworn foes of Napoleon. At all the villages through which we had to pass, we were stopped by guards who conducted us to their respective commandants, teasing us with impertinent interrogatorics, and inspecting our passports while

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