“To relieve them?” repeated the Captive; “Said you, to relieve them?”
At the same time starting from the ground, and supporting herself upon
her hands, She gazed upon the Stranger earnestly.
“Great God! It is no illusion! A Man! Speak! Who are you? What brings
you hither? Come you to save me, to restore me to liberty, to life and
light? Oh! speak, speak quickly, lest I encourage an hope whose
disappointment will destroy me.”
“Be calm!” replied Lorenzo in a voice soothing and compassionate; “The
Domina of whose cruelty you complain, has already paid the forfeit of
her offences: You have nothing more to fear from her.
A few minutes will restore you to liberty, and the embraces of your
Friends from whom you have been secluded. You may rely upon my
protection. Give me your hand, and be not fearful. Let me conduct you
where you may receive those attentions which your feeble state
requires.”
“Oh! Yes! Yes! Yes!” cried the Prisoner with an exulting shriek; “There
is a God then, and a just one! Joy! Joy! I shall once more breath the
fresh air, and view the light of the glorious sunbeams! I will go with
you! Stranger, I will go with you! Oh! Heaven will bless you for
pitying an Unfortunate! But this too must go with me,” She added
pointing to the small bundle which She still clasped to her bosom; “I
cannot part with this. I will bear it away: It shall convince the world
how dreadful are the abodes so falsely termed religious. Good Stranger,
lend me your hand to rise: I am faint with want, and sorrow, and
sickness, and my forces have quite forsaken me! So, that is well!”
As Lorenzo stooped to raise her, the beams of the Lamp struck full upon
his face.
“Almighty God!” She exclaimed; “Is it possible! That look! Those
features! Oh! Yes, it is, it is .....”
She extended her arms to throw them round him; But her enfeebled frame
was unable to sustain the emotions which agitated her bosom. She
fainted, and again sank upon the bed of straw.
Lorenzo was surprized at her last exclamation. He thought that He had
before heard such accents as her hollow voice had just formed, but
where He could not remember. He saw that in her dangerous situation
immediate physical aid was absolutely necessary, and He hastened to
convey her from the dungeon. He was at first prevented from doing so by
a strong chain fastened round the prisoner’s body, and fixing her to
the neighbouring Wall. However, his natural strength being aided by
anxiety to relieve the Unfortunate, He soon forced out the Staple to
which one end of the Chain was attached. Then taking the Captive in his
arms, He bent his course towards the Staircase. The rays of the Lamp
above, as well as the murmur of female voices, guided his steps. He
gained the Stairs, and in a few minutes after arrived at the
iron-grate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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