Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

~~, 200 THE PRINCE AND < . The unfortuaate Trespolo fulfilled the injunctions of his master with the strictest punctuality ; but it was with a trembling hand that he complied. The supper of the fisherman passed off sadly on that even- ing, notwithstanding the efforts of the pretended pilgrim to animate them with forced gaiety. Nisida was occupied with thoughts of her lover’s departure ; and Solomon, partaking of the depression of his daughter, had only, like her, swallowed a few drops of wine, from an inability to resist the reiterated entreaties of his guest. Gabriel, too, had set out that morning, in company with Bastiano, for Sorrento, and was not expected to return for two or three days, and that circumstance augmented the melan- choly of the old man. As soon as Trespolo had retired, therefore, the fisherman, overcome by fatigue, became drowsy ; and Nisida, with her arms hanging by her sides, and her head aching and giddy, had scarcely power to reach her chamber ; where, after mechani- cally trimming her lamp, she fell upon the bed, pale and rigid us 2 Corpse. A storm now raged violently ; one of those fearful storms only to be witnessed in the south, when the gathered clouds, bursting suddenly, discharge such torrents of rain and hail that fear is entertained of a new deluge, The rolling of the thunder approached nearer and nearer, until it resembled the noise of a cannonade. The bay, usually so calm that the island seemed to survey itself as in a mirror, was suddenly darkened, and immense waves dashed themselves against the shore, so that the whole island seemed to tremble*under their terrible shocks ; but amidst the profound gloom that prevailed on the sea, the lamp which Nisida had left burning before the Madonna might still be seen. Two boats, without rudders, sails, or oars, were at this time struggling with the fury of the tempest. In each of these boats stood a man—their breasts bare, and hair streaming in the wind. They held by each other’s hands fora time to keep their boats together, regarding the sea undauntedly, and braving the storm, “Once again!’ cried one of these men, “let me try, Gabriel ; “I promise you that, with my two broken oars and a little perseverance, I shall gain Torre before morn- ing.2 4 “You are mad, Bastiano,” replied Gabriel; “it is in vain for even your strength to contend with this hurricane.” “It is the first time you ever refused to accompany me,” said the other. “My dear Bastiano, I know it,” resumed Gabriel; “ but, to-night, [feel impelled towards the island with irresistible power. The winds are unchained in order to render our rowing useless, and drive us back again ; and I own to you, though I may look silly in your eyes, I cannot help recognizing a command from heaven in this seemingly simple and ordi- nary circumstance. See you that lamp which burns in the distance ?” “T know it,” rejoined the other, stifling a sigh. “That lamp was lighted before the Virgin on the day of my sister’s birth,” proceeded Gabriel; “and for eighteen years it has been kept burning night and day, according to the wish of my mother. You do not know, you cannot know, my dear Bastiano, how many shuddering thoughts that wish recalls, My poor mother! My poor mother summoned me to her death-bed, and told me a fearful story—a horrible mystery, which weighs upon my soul like lead, and from which I can- not relieve myself by confiding it to a friend. When her frightful tale was finished, she requested to see and embrace my new-born sister, and then attempted with her own trem- bling hand to light the lamp. ‘Remember,’ she said, and these were her last words, ‘remember, Gabriel, that your sister is devoted to the Madonna; and so long as this lamp continues burning before her holy image, your sister will be free from danger.’ You may understand vow why, when we traverse this bay, my eyes are always fixed upon that lamp. I have a belief that, as long as it continues burning, no evil will befal her ; but, upon that day on which it is extinguished, will the soul of my sister take its flight to heaven.” “Well,” cried Bastiano, in a tone which peuay caeeDe, «haa! A G 6 be given away with an early Number. THE FISHERMAN. emotion of his heart, “if you prefer remaining 1 will go alone.” : “ Adieu,” said Gabriel, relinquishing the grasp of his com- rade, without turning his eyes from the lighted casement, to which they seemed drawn by a fascination which he could not explain. ae 4 Bastiano disappeared, and the brother of Nisida, assisted by the waves, rapidly approached nearer and nearer to the shore ; but suddenly he uttered a terrible cry, which was heard above the noise of the tempest. The star that guided him had diappeared—the lamp was extinguished. “My sister is dead!” and, plunging into the sea, he darted through the billows with the rapidity of a thunderbolt. The storm had redoubled its intensity ; the long flashes of lightning, tearing the clouds asunder, threw upon the sur- rounding objects a fitful splendour, and Gabriel soon perceived a ladder placed against the front of their house. He seized it with a convulsive hand, and in three bounds he was in his sister’s chamber. The prince had felt a singular emotion in penetrating to this chaste and silent retreat ; the calm and sweet look of the Madonna, who seemed to protect the repose of the young sleeping girl—the spirit of innocence which per- vaded the virginal couch—the lamp itself, watching in the midst of darkness, like a soul in prayer—all this had intro- duced an anxiety hitherto unknown into the seducer’s breast. Irritated at length, however, by what he termed a contemptible absurdity, he extinguished the lamp, and was advancing towards the bed, mutely reproaching himself, when Gabriel rushed upon him with the fury of a wounded tiger. : Brancaleone, by a bold and rapid movement, which proved him to be a man of no common bravery and address, shook off the grasp of his robust adversary, and drew a long and glitter- ing poniard. , Gabriel smiled disdainfully, plucked it from his hand, and, having broken it over his knee, felled the owner to the ground by a. tremendous blow upon the head ; then casting an anxious look upon his sistet, in the dubious giare afforded by the lightning. ; “Dead !”” he exclaimed, wringing his hands in despair; “‘ dead |” . In this frightful paroxysm, which almost choked him, he could find no other words to express ‘his rage or pour forth his grief. It wasa horrible moment ; so horrible, that he forgot the assassin yet lived. = (To be continued.) NOW READY, JOLLY DOGS OF LONDON: THE TWO ROADS OF LIFE, ~ A SPLENDID NEW LARGE PICTURE CONTAINING THE JOLLY DOGS OF LON-|THE JOLLY DOG’S WIFE, DON BY NIGHT, THE JOLLY DOG'S GIRLS, THE JOLLY DOG AT|THE JOLLY DOG’S AS- HOME SISTANT, and THE JOLLY DOG OUT, THE JOLLY DOG’S END. The Engraving and Nos. 1 and 2 for One Penny. NOTICE,—The Work will also contain the commencement of a seriea of Stories, entitled, . WORLD. TALES OF THH INVISIBLE ORDER FARLY TO SECURE COPIES. THE JOLLY DOCS OF LONDON; OR, THE TWO ROADS OF LIFE. *.° Another Engraving is in course of preparation, and will CGomichoo “S com >