The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUCHESS’S REVENGE. ee a TNE EIS ee ee eM “Springing quickly to her feet, Constantia stood defiantly before the men who advanced upon her, and, with flashing eyes and heaving bosom, faced her mistress. “I am in your power,” she cried, your mercy, but I crave it not. Strike— kill! Were I in your place, an@ you in mine, you should not live another minute. I knelt to thee! Cursed be my knees which bent — my tongue, that spoke in supplica- tion unto such a creature as thou art. Spare me, good gentlemen, for a little space—be not too anxious for your bloody work; I’m in the net, and have no escape. But I would sooner be Constantia, doomed to death, than Fiammetta. You are but a mockery, with no power but that you gain from others’ hands. I am the duchess. Your marriage was forced on by a rapacious father—forced on to a weak man, whose love for me has made him strong. He hates you, and adores me. Gentlemen, you may dothis woman’s will; but, mark me well—the duke will avenge me. When I fall, your fates are sealed!” Maddened by this speech, the duchegs or- dered Giammeito io seize the girl and carry her away. But no sooner had they grasped her wrists in their rough hands, than her fear re- turned, and involuntarily she screamed for help. “ond at In an instant aman threw a large cloak over her head, so as to stifle her screams. The next minute they had borne her down \the secret passage. When the Duchess was alone, she gazed round the room with a wild, startled look of horror. She tottered towards the sliding panel, but the _ darkness there appalled her. Hush! there were footsteps hurrying up the stairs—the household was aroused. She musi not. be seen in that state, or all would be known. Hastily crossing the room, she took one rapid glance at the mirror, then, turning round, stood with her usual haughty looks, ready to face the intruders. She had not long to wait; the door was flung | | hearts, but by ' Fiammetta loves me well, and would not stoop to open, and the trembling servants flocked into the chamber. ““See that everything is prepared for our departure to Mugnone within an hour,” said the duchess, coldly. “But, my lady,” said the major-domo, “we heard strange cries, and “And became curious. Enough, enough; I have had a strange dream, and screamed in my sleep. I thought a viper bit at me, and that I’ crushed it; but, somehow, though I killed the reptile, it turned and stung me unto death. A foolish dream—nomore. Summon my ladies, and you, good sir, see to our horses.” Leaning on the major-domo’s arm, the duchess returned to her own room, whilst the servants hastened to see her orders carried out, but not without many strange whispers as to the fearful Scream and Signora Constantia’s absence. Meanwhile, the duke and Bentivoglio had been | pushing on their way towards Mugnone. The moon had sunk behind the hills, and dark- mess spread around, making the road, which 13 was at the best of times a bad one, most dan- gerous riding, so that the horses could not proceed at much more than a walk. “Plague take the road!” quoth the duke. “On such a night as this one might easily miss one’s way. Would that we had some light to guide us.’ ‘Fear not, my lord; I know the road too well to lose myself.” ‘©T fear me that the fair Constantia will have but a sorry journey.’ “JT do not doubt, with such a goal in view, she will not mind the road.” ‘“Do you think she lovesmeP [ fain would believe it, yet cannot.” “Why should you doubt it, my lord? Con- stantia loves, but still she foarte Hi “Fears! ‘What has she to fear? I will and can protect her, even against the duchess.” ‘She fears not the duchess, but for her good name trembles.” ‘“ In heaven’s name speak not thus. love her; is not that enough P” “To many women, yes ; but not to Constantia. Her heart is pure and good.” ‘““What more'can she want? My life, my soul is hers !”’ “She wants a fair name.” “J cannot make her my wife. had the power!” “Andwhy not? Itstrikes me, my lord, that your wite would not be over squeamish in your case.” “What do you mean? Dare you breathe one word against the duchess ?” ‘“Why, look you there, my lord, if I but say one word against your wife, you start amazed; look fierce, and clap your hand upon your dagger’s hilt. Yet with this pure girl, whom you profess to love, why, her good name may go for nought so that she only stoops to be your mistress.” “I tell you, Bentivoglio, that it is not so. You know full well that I do not love my wife, and that our wedding was made not from our our family. Yet I know that Do I not Would that I such a thing as that which now you mentioned,” “I bow to the most noble duchess’s honour,” said Bentivoglio, sneeringly. “In heaven’s name, what mean you?” cried the duke. “ Nothing, my lord, nothing,” replied Benti- vogelio, in a careless tone. ‘‘ Now, by the heavens, you have some hidden meaning ; and I will have it from you!”’ ““If you command me to speak, I must obey; but blame not meif you do not like the story. Give me your word that you will pardon me, and [I will tell you all.” “You have my word, speak on, and fear not.”’ “I scarcely know how to commence my story; still, if I must, there is no help for it. Know then, my lord, that, had it not been that Iso loved you, Il should long before this have prayed to leave your court.” “Indeed, you amaze me; have I not ever proved kind to you?” Eomichboo (E(@)