Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 203: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

‘ “IVAN THE previously told. Hgad, had he heard all I did, he would need no further proof I think. How loving they were too, and how secretly and quietly they have arranged their meetings for these few weeks past ; but they were not deep enough for me. smelt a rat long ago, but the earl would not believe me.” While thus he spoke, he plunged into the forest, and went in vate of a horse he had left/tied toa tree in a concealed spot. ' He soon appeared again mounted. . He had not gone far when he heard a huntsman’s horn. He stopped. “ That must be the earl,” he said; “ he promised to go ont hunting to-day, and said he would meet me near this glade.” The thought had scarcely crossed his mind, when a single horseman came in view. Tt was the earl ! He rode upto the red-haired spy, who was all radiant with smiles. _“ Well, Morton, you have been to their trysting spot ?” “Yes, my lord.” yy RS : “What news? No further confirmation of suspicions, | suppose?” “In truth, my lord, had you been there, as you had ap- pointed, you would have heard sufficient to make your hair turn grey.” van {7 “Yes, indeed, my lord.” “What did you hear, then ?”’ ‘‘ Young Harry propose for the orphan’s hand.” your foolish * , “ Say you so?” my lord remarked, turnin g red. “ Yes, and more than that ——” ‘She did not accept him ?” “She did, in truth, my lord, and confessed her love for Harry in as bold and brazen a manner as any rustic in the land could have done.” “You do not mean it ?” TERRIBLE. “Tn truth I do.” “ Oh, the little minx,” ‘ A serpent rather,” muttered Morton. “Oh | that she should ever have entered my house.” “Ah ! ’tis sad, indeed.”’ “ And do you think, Morton, that he and marry her?” “ Yes, my lord ; astruly as the sun shines,” : Ff rae I, myself, will advise*him, now that I know the whole ruth,” ‘ ‘* He will not heed your advise.” ‘ Not his father’s counsel ?”” “No, my lord. I heard him say so.” ‘Then he must be forced to do so. What!” said my lord, in great indignation, “ ason of mine marry an untitled and penniless orphan, who would have drowned like a cat but for-his thoughtless, generous courage? Morton, the thing is impossible. It must not, it shall not be.” “How are you to prevent it, my lord ?” “TI would rather see her lying dead at my feet than have to recognize the pretty, intriguing little witch as my daughter- in-law.” “Tf you say it shall not be, my lord, the thing is settled,” said Morton, whose grey, wicked-looking eyes twinkled maliciously. ““ How mean you, Morton ?” ‘IT mean, my lord, that Z, who have ever been an honest servant in the household, will accomplish your desires, if you but trust to me, and allow my plans to have full sway, and be unchecked,” “You, Morton ?” “Yes, my lord.” * And what are orphan ; tell me?” Morton rode close up to the earl’s side and whispered for some time. will fulfil his promise your plans in regard to this wretched (To be continued.) | _ THE PRINCE AND THE FISHERMAN. (Continued from page 192.) —_—, ——— Nisida embraced her father with gratitude, and waited with impatience for the evening, when she hoped to see the stranger, and communicate to him this delightful piece of news. . The prince came in accordance with that hope; but, a3 may be expected, he was not much flatterei by the magnanimity of the fisherman towards him. He affected, however, to be much rejoiced, but avoided any Interview with Solomon, on the pretence that he could not over- come the shame of appearing in such old clothes; and that he should in one week receive a liberal supply of all he wanted for the wedding from his father, to whom he would immediately write. | While Nisida thus walked the brink of an abyss in a state of frightful security, Trespolo, in conformity with the wishes of his master, was installed in the island as a pil- grim from Jerusalem. a Ay Playing his part to a wonder he distributed powerful ‘ amulets and wood from the true cross. And these were looked upon as so much the more authen- tic from the fact, that he made no sale of them ; supporting his poverty holily, he thanked the faithful, but refused their alms. He consented, however, on account of the tried virtue of Solomon to partake of his hospitality ; but his abstinence astonished everybody; he never took his crust and water until the evening, the day being spent elsewhere in mortifica-* tions and praver ; that is, in consoling himself for his priva- tions by fuddling like a Turk and snoring like a buffalo. — On the morning of the seventh day after the promise given to Nisida by the prince, he entered the chamber of his valet, and shaking him rudely, shouted in his ear, ** Up, odious hedgehog !” : Trespolo started out of his: sleep, and, rubbing his eyes, in great terror inquired what was the matter ? The prince, after assuring him that he would have him flayed alive if he did not-overcome the execrable habit of sleeping twenty hours out of the twenty-four, sternly commanded him to listen : he then said, “You have been in the employment of an apothecary ?” Trespolo replied in the affirmative, and Brancaleone then produced a phial containing a solution of opium, at which the valet, fearing something dreadful, fell on his knees, and en- treated for mercy. ’ ‘- Rise, idiot,” exclaimed the prince, “and pay attention to what I am going to tell you. This little fool, Nisida, insists on my speaking to her father. Now, I have made her believe that Iam going away to-night to bring my papers, so there is no time to lose. You are well known to the fisherman and his daughter, and must contrive to pour this liquor into their wine; but your life shall be the forfeit if you administer either more or less than will produce deep slumber, Take care, also, that you have a good ladder ready for to-night, after which await my coming in the boat, where you will tind Numa and Bonaroux. These are my commands ; I shall have no need of your assistance in the escalade. My dagger is well tempered.” “ But, my lord,” stammered Trespolo. “No difficulties!’ cried the prince, stamping his foot violently, “or, by the death of my father, I will cure you of your scruples at once ;” and he turned on his heel, with the manner of a man who is convinced that he has taken sufficient care against any disobedience CGO elooolks.conn