1828.] The Convent of Catania. 69 
time elapsed for the execution of his master’s orders, and suspicion 
would be excited by their long continuance at sea. All he could do 
would be to land his prisoner on some point of the continent, and leave 
him with a recommendation to make the best of his way to Naples. 
His only condition was, that an immediate return to Catania would not 
for a moment be contemplated by him, as he valued the life of his 
benefactor. : 
This was the substance of his disclosure. Montalto, in mute gratitude, 
heard the extraordinary tale, and without evincing any change of 
deportment, watched with impatience the progress of the vessel as it 
changed once more its course in an easterly direction, and favoured 
by the wind, at last safely reached the headland on which rises the 
town of Argentina. In the interval between the above conversation and 
their arrival in the harbour, all his efforts had been applied to liberate 
Antonio, the servant of Alessi, from the thraldom of his villany. His 
endeavours proved successful. When he quitted the boat, he went 
not alone, but was accompanied by his preserver. The next in com- 
mand was charged with the safe conduct of the vessel to Catania, as 
though this had been part of a premeditated plan. And as they took their 
leave of Argentina, on the road to Naples, they could discern the white 
sail of their bark filling with the side wind and pursuing its silent way 
towards the south. Montalto’s letter was despatched from his father’s 
palace. He had entreated for permission and means to return imme- 
. diately to his love, but the old nobleman doubtfully listened, and required 
_—— 
s 
: 
that his son should serve one campaign in the wars of his country before 
his benediction could be gained for the nuptials. To this parental wish 
he had reluctantly acceded. He should for a short time, in obedience to 
his father, deviate from the path of his inclination ; but he owed some- 
thing as an equivalent for the heart which she had given to him, and his 
laurels, could he win any, might in some sort be a compensation. 
_ This was the substance of that letter which gave a revival to the hopes 
and animation to the fading beauty of Rosina. We will leave her for a 
while, and observe the proceedings of young Alessi after the night when 
he carried off Montalto. In concealment he still lurked about the neigh- 
bourhood of his father’s house, anxiously awaiting the return of his boat, 
and the announcement of his enemy’s destruction. The boat came— 
Antonio’s place was filled by another—and to their master’s almost 
delirious questions, the unwelcome answer was given, which assured him 
of all that he now for the first time forboded. His wicked mind was 
instantly agitated with schemes of fresh revenge. He despatched con- 
fidential agents to track the movements and communicate all the actions 
of Montalto; he learnt his present occupation, and in a spite that seemed 
to have no premeditated plan, he circulated, through various channels, 
a rumour that Montalto, upon the first collision with the foe, had fallen 
in the field. This, corroborated by the assent of many hired witnesses, 
did not fail to reach the ears of Rosina. Disbelief, shadowed sometimes 
with a fear of its authenticity, caused in her mind a, conflict of the most 
opposite and terrible emotions. But conviction was at length urged 
oer her, by the receipt of a despatch purporting to be from the father 
Montalto, in which all particulars of his son’s death were painfully 
detailed. For a time the poor girl’s agony broke forth in paroxysms 
which seemed to convulse her whole system. She was wild, tumultous, 
and wayward in her grief. She refused the solace of friends, she listened 
