188 THERESA ABRUZZI. 



urge the nearness of that hour on which her destiny seemed to 

 rest. The count would hear of no opposition. 



"Respect for the dead, Theresa/* said he, "would at all 

 events oblige us to postpone the nuptials. Indeed, we stand 

 altogether in an altered situation ; if there was disparity of fortune 

 before, how much greater is it now ? " 



"You would not break faith with Marco, my father?" ex- 

 claimed Theresa faintly. 



"I am not yet called upon to keep it," cried the count pet- 

 tishly ; " when Marco claims the performance of my promise I 

 shall know how to answer him." 



Theresa shuddered ; she read in her father's eye the wavering of 

 his heart. Alas ! should Marco claim her hand at the appointed 

 day, would her father fulfil his engagement? and should he fail, 

 what must be then her part? — " to keep my oath I" she mentally 

 exclaimed ; " have I not sworn 1" 



They arrived at Rome in perfect safety; the count elated with 

 his good fortune, and Theresa proportionably depressed at the 

 probable consequences of this seemingly auspicious event. 

 There they were advised to take an armed escort to protect them 

 from the brigands who were reported to infest some part of the 

 road to Naples, and whose depredations of late had assumed a 

 more daring and atrocious character. The count, however, 

 who loved money too well to part with it, unless in a case of 

 absolute necessity. 



" I have just learned, Theresa," said he to his daughter, the 

 morning after their arrival, " that the prince of Casti will leave 

 Rome to-morrow ; and as he is said to have considerable trea- 

 sure with him he will, of course, take a proportionate escort : in 

 his company, therefore, we may travel securely. — Why, girl, 

 what are you thinking of ?" 



" Of the festival of St. Michael," replied Theresa reproachfully. 



" True, true: the time draws near — two days only, I believe: 

 the greater need, therefore, for haste, that we may reach home in 

 time for Petroni, who will certainly not grudge to tarry for us a 

 short time ; to-morrow, therefore, we start for Naples." 



They quitted Rome at sun-rise, to be in advance of the prince 

 of Casti, who, tlie count feared, would travel with greater expe- 

 dition than they could command. On reaching the house in the 

 Pontine Marshes where they were to dine, nothing, however, 

 appeared of the prince or his suite ; and after having waited some 

 hours for his arrival, the count had the mortification to learn from 



