Rule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyGaribaldi, Giuseppe
History
Rule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth Century
Garibaldi, Giuseppe
Italian fiction -- Translations into English; Rome (Italy) -- History -- 1798-1870 -- Fiction
"Where is Signor Manlio?" demanded Antilio; and Pancaldo felt the grip
of the young artist clutch his wrist like iron, and noticed his right
hand playing terribly with the dagger-hilt.
"Manlio is here," said he.
"Then release him," cried Attilio.
The terrified jailer attempted to turn the key, but some minutes passed
before his trembling hands allowed him to effect this. Attilio, pushing
him aside as the bolts shot back, dashed open the door, and called to
Manlio to come forth.
Picture the sculptor's astonishment and joy when he beheld Attilio,
and realized that he had come to release him from his cruel and unjust
incarceration. Attilio, knowing they ought to lose no time in leaving
the palace, after returning his friend's embrace, bade Muzio lock up the
guard in the cell. As soon as this was accomplished, they led the jailer
between them through the passages, passing on their way the soldiers
whom they had previously bound, who glared upon them with impotent rage,
till they gained the outer door in silence and safety. Dividing into
groups, they set off at a quick pace, in different directions. Attilio,
Muzio, and Manlio, however, retained possession a little while of the
jailer, whom they made to promenade, gagged and blindfolded, until they
thought their companions were at a safe distance. They then left him,
and proceeded in the direction of the Porta Salaria, which leads into
the open country.
CHAPTER X. THE ORPHAN
At the hour when Silvio, with despair in his soul, led the unhappy
Camilla out of the Colosseum towards her father's house, not a word
passed between them. He regarded her with tender pity, having loved her
ardently, and feeling that she was comparatively innocent, being, as she
was, the victim of deception and violence.
Onward they went in silence and sadness. Silvio had abstained from
visiting her home since it was so suddenly deserted by Camilla, and as
they neared it a presentiment of new sorrowing took possession of him.
Turning out of the high road into a lane, their meditations were broken
in upon by the barking of a dog. "Fido! Fido!" cried Camilla, with more
joyousness than she had experienced for many many months; but, as if
remembering suddenly her abasement, she checked her quickened step, and,
casting down her eyes, stood motionless, overwhelmed with shame. Silvio
had loved her too dearly even to hate her for her guilt. Or if he had
ever felt bitterly against her, her sudden appearance that night, wild
with remorse and misery, had brought back something of the old feeling,
and he would have defended her against a whole army. He had therefore
sustained her very tenderly through the walk from the Colosseum, and
had been full of generous thoughts, although silent; while she, timidly
leaning on his strong arm, had now and then learned by a timid glance,
that he was pitying and not abominating her by that silence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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