she had only power to articulate, "Let us proceed as fast as possible." By this time the thickening shades of evening came on; and as they entered the forest, Eloise imparted to her companion her fears of an approaching storm, for the clouds chased each other in quick succession; and as the wind set immediately in their faces, large drops of rain proved her apprehensions were well founded; the lightning, too, penetrated at intervals through the tall trees, while the low murmurs of distant thunder filled her with agony and dismay. "CRUEL Morano," inwardly sighed the wretched mother, as she covered her infant within her cloak, "to what miseries hast thou not reduced an al ready ready too injured race? Oh, hadst thou but consigned me to the same grave with my persecuted parent, I had been blest, for that were mercy, when compared with what I have endured for thee! to the wretched, dishonoured existence to which thou hast condemned me, that had been bliss unparalleled !" TEARS now flowed fast from her eyes, while an unaccountable dizziness seized her head, and a numbness, as of death, crept through her whole frame. "OH God, that drink!" she cried, catching the arm of Guiseppe, as he rode close beside her," it has killed me!" "THAT's rather extraordinary too," answered the man, in an ironical tone, E 6 "there "there is nothing in general very pernicious in the effect of good Florence, Signiora, and I mixed it myself." THE thunder now rolled awfully, while the whistles of banditti, as they resounded through the forest, strengthened the horrors by which she was surrounded. "How far have we to go now?" said Eloise, who every moment felt her stupor increasing. "BUT two miles," answered Guiseppe; and, if it were day-light, you could now distinguish the turrets of Morano Castle rising high above the trees." "I CAN proceed no further," said Eloise, stopping her horse, as the name of "Indeed, of Morano caught her ear. GUISEPPE instantly alighted, and taking the child in his arms, lifted her, pale and trembling, from the horse, while a heaviness of the most alarming nature crept over her; and though just sensible to the misery of her condition, she had not sufficient strength to speak, or make the smallest effort. The rain now pouring in torrents, he carried her to a spot where the thick and spreading foliage formed a shelter; there he left her, as she imagined, to fetch the child, who, covered in the cloak, still slept sound and peacefully by the side of the animals. Illfated Eloise, adversity had yet another shaft in store for thee; and the wretched offspring of de Cleance never in this world was to experience cessation of calamity. calamity. Guiseppe had not been gone five minutes before a death-like slumber sealed up her her eyes, alas! only to awaken to the dreadful conviction that he was a villain, and herself deprived, by his merciless treachery, of every prospect and of every hope. "My child! my darling !" shrieked the terrified Eloise, starting from her damp pillow. Guiseppe! where is 66 my child?" but no Guiseppe answered to her call; and, half frantic, she was rushing from the spot, when the soft cry of her infant recalled her fleeting senses; and as she snatched it from the bank, where the remorseless plunderer had exposed it to all the dangers of the night, and all the fury of the tempest, her heart bounded in gratitude at enfolding its best treasure, and every other consideration was for a moment |