a benefit received, or the joy of the other in having it in his power to bestow happiness on a deserving character, would be superfluous. The language of the heart, in the first instance, and the eloquent looks which accompanied it, spoke the obligation which St. Orvillé had conferred with more sincerity than the parade of words usually adopted on such occasions. Leontine, whose heart had received a deep impression in favour of Almeria, at the same time that he acknowledged the munificence of the Venetian, declined accepting it, without St. Orville would tender him the permission to pay his addresses to his incomparable daughter, that she might be a partaker of the splendour which awaited him. This proposal was not rejected, and in the space of three months, signora St. Orvillé became marchioness de Montauban. Le ontine then took possession of his father's castle: his mother, at the particu * lar request of Almeria, still continuing to reside with them, in the enjoyment of every felicity. The first abatement to the happiness of the young marchioness was her husband's determination of entering into the Piedmontese army; and as she resolutely persisted in her intention of accompanying him through the perilous scenes of warfare, Almeria was obliged to separate herself from her son Albert, then about seven years of age, leaving him under the care of his grandmother. In a very few years the marquis rose by his merits to the rank of general; and prosperity and honour seemed to smile with benignant influence on the house of Montauban. The olive branch of peace again waved over his native land, and the hero was returning to his paternal mansion, in the hopes of passing the remainder of his life in tranquillity. Mark the reverse-scarcely had the gec 4 neral CHAP. III. When I approach Her loveliness, so absolute slie seems, As one intended first, not after made Greatness of mind, and nobleness, their seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard angelic plac'd. MILTON. IMMEDIATELY after that count Anselmo had informed Almeria of the success attendant on her mission, she com menced menced her journey to Leghorn, for the purpose of embarking for Sardinia. The grand and sublime scenes which every where presented themselves, to arrest the attention and amuse the eye of a traveller, were beheld, however, with perfect indifference by madame de Montauban, whose thoughts being so incessantly occupied on the completion of her journey, rendered her regardless of every other object. The slowness with which they were obliged to proceed through the mountainous region of the Apennines but ill-accorded with her present temper of mind. On arriving at Leghorn, and when the vessel in which she had embarked was approaching the shores of Sardinia, and the ancient towers of Oristagni appeared rising majestically to the sight, her agitation. became so excessive, as to excite fear in the minds of her attendants that delirium. would be the fatal consequence. In the evening of the third day, the vessel anchored in the cape of Cagliari ; but on the passengers preparing to land, they had the misfortune to hear that an epidemic fever raged with great violence. in the town and its environs: none, therefore, would venture to go on shore, excepting madame de Montauban, who, on offering an ample recompence, and pointing out to the sailors that her destination was not at Cagliari, but the castle of Oristagni, they consented to the proposal. In less than an hour, Almeria, the general's old faithful servant Claude, and a female domestic, who had attended their mistress to Savoy, were safely landed near the eastern turret of Oristagni. On approaching the castle, they found the drawbridge let down, and only one centinel on duty. Fears for his master now pervaded the breast of poor Claude, at not observing the usual number of soldiers which had been accustomed to guard the prison. Madame de Mont auban |