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Not against thy father; indeed, I dare not, said guide! and sometimes in thy prayers remember Theodore. Excuse me, Lady; I had forgotten. But could Matilda! I gaze on thee, and remember thou art sprung from the Theodore flung himself at her feet, and seizing her tyrant Manfred! But he is thy father, and from this lily hand, which with struggles she suffered him to kiss, moment my injuries are buried in oblivion. he vowed on the earliest opportunity to get himself A deep and hollow groan, which seemed to come from knighted, and fervently entreated her permission to above, startled the Princess and Theodore. swear himself eternally her knight. Ere the Princess could Good heaven! we are overheard! said the Princess. reply, a clap of thunder was suddenly heard that shook They listened; but perceiving no further noise, they both the battlements. Theodore, regardless of the tempest, concluded it the effect of pent up vapours. And the would have urged his suit: but the Princess, dismayed, Princess, preceding Theodore softly, carried him to her retreated hastily into the castle, and commanded the father s armoury, where, equipping him with a complete youth to be gone with an air that would not be dis- suit, he was conducted by Matilda to the postern gate. obeyed. He sighed, and retired, but with eyes fixed on Avoid the town, said the Princess, and all the west- the gate, until Matilda, closing it, put an end to an ern side of the castle. Tis there the search must be interview, in which the hearts of both had drunk so making by Manfred and the strangers; but hie thee to deeply of a passion, which both now tasted for the first the opposite quarter. Yonder behind that forest to the time. 63 The Castle of Otranto Walpole Theodore went pensively to the convent, to acquaint retreat to hermits, and were now reported round the his father with his deliverance. There he learned the country to be haunted by evil spirits. He recollected to absence of Jerome, and the pursuit that was making have heard this tradition; and being of a brave and ad- after the Lady Isabella, with some particulars of whose venturous disposition, he willingly indulged his curios- story he now first became acquainted. The generous ity in exploring the secret recesses of this labyrinth. He gallantry of his nature prompted him to wish to assist had not penetrated far before he thought he heard the her; but the Monks could lend him no lights to guess at steps of some person who seemed to retreat before him. the route she had taken. He was not tempted to wander Theodore, though firmly grounded in all our holy faith far in search of her, for the idea of Matilda had im- enjoins to be believed, had no apprehension that good printed itself so strongly on his heart, that he could men were abandoned without cause to the malice of not bear to absent himself at much distance from her the powers of darkness. He thought the place more likely abode. The tenderness Jerome had expressed for him to be infested by robbers than by those infernal agents concurred to confirm this reluctance; and he even per- who are reported to molest and bewilder travellers. He suaded himself that filial affection was the chief cause had long burned with impatience to approve his valour. of his hovering between the castle and monastery. Drawing his sabre, he marched sedately onwards, still Until Jerome should return at night, Theodore at directing his steps as the imperfect rustling sound be- length determined to repair to the forest that Matilda fore him led the way. The armour he wore was a like had pointed out to him. Arriving there, he sought the indication to the person who avoided him. Theodore, gloomiest shades, as best suited to the pleasing melan- now convinced that he was not mistaken, redoubled choly that reigned in his mind. In this mood he roved his pace, and evidently gained on the person that fled, insensibly to the caves which had formerly served as a whose haste increasing, Theodore came up just as a 64 The Castle of Otranto Walpole woman fell breathless before him. He hasted to raise ian angel. On my knees, let me thank her, but her terror was so great that he apprehended Hold! gentle Princess, said Theodore, nor demean she would faint in his arms. He used every gentle word thyself before a poor and friendless young man. If heaven to dispel her alarms, and assured her that far from in- has selected me for thy deliverer, it will accomplish its juring, he would defend her at the peril of his life. The work, and strengthen my arm in thy cause. But come, Lady recovering her spirits from his courteous Lady, we are too near the mouth of the cavern; let us demeanour, and gazing on her protector, said seek its inmost recesses. I can have no tranquillity till I Sure, I have heard that voice before! have placed thee beyond the reach of danger. Not to my knowledge, replied Theodore; unless, as Alas! what mean you, sir? said she. Though all I conjecture, thou art the Lady Isabella. your actions are noble, though your sentiments speak Merciful heaven! cried she. Thou art not sent in the purity of your soul, is it fitting that I should ac- [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |