CHAPTER XX.

GROWS DULL, EVEN IN THE KEENEST.

[God.

Father! by that dread anathema which is on our race, which has made us ALMAMEN HEARS and sees, but rEFUSES TO homeless and powerless, outcasts and BELIEVE; FOR THE BRAIN, OVER-WROUGHT, strangers in the land; by the persecution and anguish we have known, teach thy lordly heart that we are rightly punished The dawn broke slowly upon the cham- for the persecution and the anguish we ber, and Almamen still slept; and as the doomed to Him whose footsteps hallowed ray of the sun flashed in the east, it fell our native earth! The seed we sowed like a glory over a crusifix, placed in a hath brought forth the Dead Sea fruit updeep recess of the Gothic casement, and on which we feed. I asked for resignabrought startlingly before the eyes of Le- tion and for hope; I looked upon yonder lia that face upon which the rudest of the cross, and found both. Harden not thy Catholic sculptures rarely fail to preserve heart; listen to thy child; wise though the mistic and awful union of the expiring thou be, and weak though her woman anguish of the man with the lofty patience spirit, listen to me."

of the God. It looked upon her, that face; "Be dumb!" cried Almamen, with it invited, it incouraged, while it thrilled such a voice as might have come from and subdued. She stole gently from the the charnel, so ghostly and deadly sound. side of her father; she crept to the spot, ed its hollow tone; then recoiling some and flung herself upon her knees beside steps, he placed both his hands upon his the consecrated image. temples, and muttered, "mad, mad! yes, As, broken by low sobs, and in a choked yes, this is but a delerium, and I am and muttered voice, Leila poured forth her tempted with the devil! Oh, my child!" prayer, she was startled by a deep groan; he resumed in a voice that became, on the and, turning in alarm, she saw that Alma- sudden, inexpressively tender and implomen had awakened, and, leaning on his ring, "I have been sorely tried, and I arm, was now bending upon her his dark dreamed a feverish dream of passion and eyes, once more gleaming with all their revenge. Be thine the lips, and thine the soothing hand that shall wade me from it. "Speak," he said, as she coweringly Let us fly for ever from these hated lands; hid her face; "speak to me or I shall be let us leave to these miserable infidels, turned to stone by one horrid thought. their bloody contest, careless which shall It is not before that symbol that thou kneel- fall. Come! while the castle yet sleeps, est in adoration; and my sense wonders let us forth unseen-the father and the if it tell me that thy broken words expressed child. We will hold sweet communion the worship of an apostate! In mercy by the way. And hark ye, Leila," he speak!" added, in a low and abrupt whisper, "talk "Father!" began Leila; but her lips not to me of yonder symbol; for thy God refused to utter more than that touching is a jealous God, and hath no likeness in and holy word. the graven image."

wonted fire.

Almamen rose, and plucking the hands That was, indeed, a perilous moment from her face, gazed on her some moments for the young convert. The unexpected as if he would penetrate her very soul; softness of her father utterly subdued her; and Leila, recovering her courage in the nor was she yet sufficiently possessed of pause, by degrees met his eyes unquailing; that all-denying zeal of the Catholic enher pure and ingenious brow raised to his, thusiast, to which every human tie and and sadness, but not guilt, speaking from earthlier duty has often been sacrificed on every line of that lovely face. the shrine of a rapt and metaphysical pi"Thou dost not tremble," said Alma-ety. Should she desert her father, and men, at length, breaking the silence, "and would that desertion be a virtue? I have erred. Thou art not the criminal heart put an answer to both questious at I deemed thee. Come to my arms!" a breath. She approached Almamen, "Alas!" said Leila, obeying the instinc, placed her hand in his, and said, steadily and casting herself upon that rugid bosom, and calmly, "Father whithersoever thou "I will dare, at least, not to disavow my goest, I will wend with thee."

ત

Her

He

But Heaven ordained to each another he means that man's intellect can devise, destiny than might have been theirs had for preservation from my foes. Meanthe dictates of that impulse been fulfilled. while, here will rest my soul; to this spot, Ere Almamen could reply, a trumpet within one week from this period-no mat souned clear and loud at the gate. ter through what dangers I pass-I shall "Hark!" he said, griping his dagger, return: then I shall claim thy promise. and starting back to a sense of the danger I will arrange all things for our flight, and round him. "They come-my pursuers no stone shall harm thy footsteps by the and my murderers! but these limbs are way." sacred from the rack." Here Inez appeared at the door. Even that of ominous danger was al- wrung the cold hand of his child, turned most a relief to Leila; "I will go," she to the door, and, after such disguise as said, "and learn what the blast betokens; the brief time allowed him, could afford, remain here-be cautious-I will return." left the castle with his Spanish guide, Several minutes, however, elapsed, be- obeyed her injunction without wonder, fore Leila returned; she was accompa- though not without suspicion. nied by Donna Inez, whose paleness and The third part of an hour had not agitation betokened her alarm. A courier elapsed, and the sun was on the mountain had arrived at the gate to announce the tops, when Isabel arrived. approach of the queen, who, with a con- She came to announce that the outsiderable force, was on her way to join breaks of the Moorish towns in the vicinFerdinand, then, in the usual rapidity of ity, rendered the half-fortified castle of his movements, before one of the Moorish her friend, no longer a secure abode; and towns that had revolted from his allegi- she honored the Spaish lady with a comence. It was impossible for Almamen to mand to accompany her, with her female remain in safety in the castle; and the suite, to the camp of Ferdinand. only hope of escape was departing immeLeila received the intelligence with a diately, and in disguise. kind of stupor. Her inrerview with her "I have," said she," a trusty and faithful father; the strong and fearful contests of servant with me in the castle, to whom I emotion which that interview occasioned, can without anxiety, confide the charge left her senses faint and dizzy: and when of your safety; and, even if suspected by she found herself, by the twilight star, the way, my name and the companionship once more with the train of Isabel, the of my servant will remove all obstacles; only feeling that stirred active through her it is not a long journey hence to Guardix, stunned and bewildered mind, was, that which has already revolted to the Moors: the hand of Providence conducted her from there till the armies of Ferdinand suround a temptation, that the Reader of all hearts the walls, your refuge may be secure." knew, the daughter and the woman Almamen remained for some moments would have been too feeble to resist. plunged in a gloomy silence. But at On the fifth day from his departure, length he signified his assent to the plan Almamen returned to find the castle de proposed, and Donna Inez hastened to serted and his daughter gone.

give directions to his intended guide.

"Leila," said the Hebrew when left alone with his daughter, "think not that it is for my own safety that I stoop to this flight from thee. No: but never, till thou

(To be continued.)

DR. W. BAYLIS.

wert lost to me by my own rash confi- It is related of Dr. W. Baylis, that when dence in another, did I know how deer to he was first introduced as physician to the my heart was the last scion of my race, late king of Prussia, to whom much had the sole remembrance left to me of thy been said of his medical skill, the king obmother's love. Regaining thee once more, served to him, "that, to have acquired so a new and soft existence opens upon my much experience, he must necessarily eyes; and the earth seems to change as by have killed a great many people." To a sudden revolution from winter into which the doctor replied, "not so many as spring. For thy sake I consent to use all your majesty."

French Revolution,

before the file, and the door was no longer held by them: still, however, they could not force it open, it was retained On the 9th of December, seventy-two by something on the other side. A hole prisoners were condemned and thrown was made in it with a chisel, and looking into the cave of death there to await the through, they perci ved that it was tied execution of their sentence. This could by a very strong rope to a post at a little not be the next day because it was the de- distance. This was a terrible moment ! cadi. One of the prisoners, by name, They endeavored in vain to cut the rope Porral, only twenty-two years of age, of with the chisel or the file, but they could a bold and ardent spirit, profited of this not reach it. At length one of the party interval to devise a plan of escape. His hit upon an expedient: he returned to the sisters having, by means of a very large cave and begged a piece of wax-candle bribe, obtained access to this abode of of Fromental, a notary, in whose posseshorrors, began to weep around him. "It sion he remembered to have seen such a is not now a time to weep," said he, "it is thing. Fromental, half asleep, gave it to the moment to arm ourselves with resolu- him; it was lighted and tied to the end of tion and activity, and endeavor to find a stick, then thrust through the hole in the some way by which we can elude our door till it reached the cord, which in a menaced fate. Bring me files, a chisel, short time it burnt asunder. The door a tarn screw, and othor instruments; was then opened, and the adventurers bring them in abundance: bring poinards, proceeded forward.

that, if reduced to extremity, we may They found themselves in another vault, not perish without the means of defence. in the midst of which was a large slab of By this grate which looks into the Rue stone, which seemed laid there for some Lafond, you can give me these things; I particular purpose. They struck upon it, will be in waiting there the whold day to when a hollow noise came from within. recieve them." This gave them hopes that it was placed The sisters retired, and in the course of to cover the entrance of some subteranethe day, at different visits, brought a vari-jous passage; perhaps it might be one ety of tools, twelve fowls, and about sixty that led to the Rhone. They immediately bottles of wine. Parrol communicated began to employ all their efforts to rehis project to four others, bold and active move the stone, in which they at length like himself, and the whole business was succeeded, and found to their inexpresible arranged. The evening arrived; a gene- transport, that they were not deceived in supper was proposed, the last they their conjectures: that it was indeed a should ever eat. The prisoners supped subterancous passage, and they doubted well, exhorting each other to meet their not that here they should find an issue.fate the next morning with heroism; to They then tied their handkerchiefs togethbrave their tyrants with their last breath. er, and one of them, named Labatre, taThe wine was handed briskly about till the king hold of the end with one hand and heads of the company began to turn, and carrying a light in the other, descended in the end, they were all laid fast asleep. to explore the place. Alas! their hopes At eleven o'clock the asssociates began were in a moment blasted: instead of their labor. One of them was placed as finding any passage by which they could a sentinel near the door of the cave, armed escape, he percieved that this was an old with a poinard, ready to dispatch the well, dried up and heaped with rubbish. turnkey, if, at his visit of two o'clock in the Labatre returned with a heavy heart: morning, he should appear to suspect any some other means must be sought. thing particular to be going forward; the A door at the extremity of the cave others, putting off their coats, began to now appeared their only resource. On make their researches. this they set to work; but after having At the extremity of the second cave they forced the lock and hinges, still the door found a huge door, and on this they began resisted their efforts; they could not get their operations. It was of oak and double it open. They had again resource to the barred; by degrees the hinges gave way chisel, and having made a hole, they dis

covered that the obstacle now was two easily loosened, and the door opened.— pieces of stone laid against it. They But they were not yet at the end of their pushed with all their might, and at length, labors; they only found themselves in a dislodging one of the stones, it fell down, long dark passage. At the end they found and with it fell the door. another door, but listening they heard

But this led only to an other vault, which voices behind it. They looked through a served as a depot for confiscated effects crack: the glimmering reflections of a and merchandize. Among other things fire showed them some men extended on was a large trunk-full of shirts. They a heap of straw. Are these more prisonprofited by this discovery to make an ers? was the first idea that presented itself exchange of linen; and instead of the to their minds: if so we must join party elean ones which they took, they left with them and escape together; but one their own covered with filth and vermin. of the men raising himself up, they perTwo doors besides that at which they ceived that he was in the national uniform, had entered, now offered themselves to and found that the door led in fact to the their choice. They began to attack one, guard-house. This was a terrible stroke; but they had scarcely applied the file, had they then got so far, only to meet when they were alarmed by the barking with a worse obstacle than any they had of a dog behind it. A general conster- yet encountered!-must all their labors nation seized the party; the work was prove then at length fruitless? stopped in an instant; perhaps the door One only resource remained, and that led into the apartment of the jailer. This was the door they had just passed on the idea recalled to their minds that it was side of the passage, and which they had now near two o'clock, the time of his visit. not attempted because they thought it must One of the party returned towards the lead to the Hotel de Ville, and they bad cave of death, to see whether all was safe; rather found some other exit. In fact, and it was agreed to suspend their labors having forced the door, it appeared that till his return. They had indeed need of they were not mistaken-that they were some moments rest; they took advantage as the bottom of a stair-case which led of them to fortify themselves for the rest into the court.

of their work, by taking some wine. "I It was now half past four o'clock; the do not in general like wine," said one of morning was dark and cold while rain the prisoners to me, on relating the story; and snow was falling in abundance. The but never did I take any thing with great-associates embraced each other with transer plessure than that which I drank in port,and were preparing to mount the stairthis gloomy cave. At every drop I swal-case, when Porral cried, "what are you lowed, my arm seemed strengthened, my about? if we attempt to go out now all is courage fortified; wine did indeed, on overwith us. The gate is now shut, and this occasion, appcar truly to strengthen if any one should be perceived in the man's heart." court, the alarm would immediately be

When he who had been sent as a scout, given, and all would be discovered. Afreturned, he said that at his arrival in the ter having courage to penetrate thus far, cave of death, he had shuddered with hor- let us have resolution still to wait awhile. ror, at finding the turnkey there already. At eight o'clock the gate will be opened, He, however, who had been left as a sen- and the passage through the court free.tinel, had engaged him to drink with him, We can then steal out by degrees, and, and the scout joined the party; they plied mingling with the numbers that are conhim so well that he, at last, reeled off, stantly passing and repassing, we can get without much examining the cave, and away without being perceived. It is not was in all probability laid fast asleep for till ten o'clock that the prisoners are sumthe rest of the night. This was very con- moned to execution; between eight and soling news. Quitting then the door at ten will be time enough for us all to get which they had heard the dog bark, they away. We will return to the cave and applied themselves to the other. They when the time of departure arrives, each found here folding doors, one of which of us five will advertise two others of the was held by a bar of iron; the bar was means of escape offered. We shall then

be fifteen, and going out three at a time, who had excited this movement, was, with we shall pass unobserved. Let the last three others, taken and executed,

three, as they set out, advertise fifteen others, and thus in succession we may all escape," The plan appeared judicious and safe; it was unanimously agreed to, and the asociates returned to the cave,

MAURICE ELLISON.

made choice of those who should first be The principal portion of this tale has its informed of what they had done.

foundation in real events; and those of recent occurence. The catastrophe is historical.

The heart is like the sky, a part of heaven,

But changes night and day, too, like the sky; Now o'er it clouds and thunder must be driven, And darkness and destruction, as on high;

But when it hath been scorch'd, and pierc'd, and

riven,

Its storms expire in water-drops; the eye Pours fourth at last the heart's blood, turned to tears. BYRON.

Montellier, a notary, was one to whom the means of escase was offered. "I thank you," said he to him who offered it, "but I will tell you. as a secret, that I have been mistaken for my brother who has fled the country. Of this the Judges have been informed; they are convinced of their mistake, and to-morrow morning I shall be set at liberty. I would not, therefore, hazard the danger of being proscribed by an attempt to escape." Alas! On a rich morning in June, there stood how deceitful was the vision he had form- in the door of one of the numerous offices ed to himself! At noon the next day Mon-attached to the far famed State House of tellier was no more. Philadelphia, a youth of nineteen. The The ci-devan Baron de Chaffoy, a man winds of the hour were wafting his dark still in the flower of his age, was also in- hair around his forehead, and he seemed structed in the means of escape opened. to rejoice in the beauty of the day. The "No," he answers, "life has nothing now air was full of the delicious fragrance to offer, which can make it worth my from the flowering trees, which lined the acceptance; all my ties to this world are side walks on every hand. The young man broken. I have felt the sentiments of af- was evidently pleased with himself and all fection as strongly as any one; they around him. He seemed to be watching, never contributed to my happiness. I with no incorsiderable earnestness, the had an annual income of thirty thousand groups of ladies strolling in the shade, livers; I have lost it all. My father has gliding to and fro, on errands of sightbeen guillotined; it was a fate he fittle seeing and pleasure. merited. I do not believe that I merit it myself, yet I shall submit to it."

At last there passed a young girl of sixteen, at whom he gazed with such fixed The fate of the fifteen who fled was not attention, as to raise a blush upon her entirely similar; and the escape of the cheek. She was a lovely being, with lirest was prevented by the imprudence of quid blue eyes, and hair that floated above one of them. The last of the fifteen, who, them, like pure floss sunshine, twisted at quitting the cave, was, according to into whirls.' Her movements were gracethe plan arranged, previously to apprise ful as a fawn. The light of youth was fifteen others; instead of doing so, he cried, about her, like an atmosphere:

She drank the spirit of the golden day
And triumphed in existence.'

"The passage is open; let him that can escape!" This excited a great movement among the prisoners. They arose in an instant, doubting whether what they The young man followed her with his had heard could be true, or whether he eye, until she had nearly vanished among who uttered it was not mad. The noise the various persons promenading the long they made alarmed the centinel without; avenue, when he stepped within for a mohe called to the turnkeys; they hastened ment, and re-appeared with evident signs immediately to the cave perceived what of having made preparations for a morn had been done, and, closing the door ing's walk. He moved briskly along the through which the prisoners had escaped, pave.

placed a strong guard before it. Nesple, Marion Harold was the only daughter

VOL. 3.-17--3.