the castle of otranto-第16部分

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r；　you　　will　not　abandon　my　child；　will　you？〃

Theodore；　shedding　tears　over　his　victim；　and　vowing　to　guard　the　　Princess　at　the　expense　of　his　life；　persuaded　Frederic　to　suffer　　himself　to　be　conducted　to　the　castle。　　They　placed　him　on　a　horse　　belonging　to　one　of　the　domestics；　after　binding　up　his　wounds　as　well　　as　they　were　able。　　Theodore　marched　by　his　side；　and　the　afflicted　　Isabella；　who　could　not　bear　to　quit　him；　followed　mournfully　behind。



CHAPTER　IV。



THE　sorrowful　troop　no　sooner　arrived　at　the　castle；　than　they　were　　met　by　Hippolita　and　Matilda；　whom　Isabella　had　sent　one　of　the　　domestics　before　to　advertise　of　their　approach。　　The　ladies　causing　　Frederic　to　be　conveyed　into　the　nearest　chamber；　retired；　while　the　　surgeons　examined　his　wounds。　　Matilda　blushed　at　seeing　Theodore　and　　Isabella　together；　but　endeavoured　to　conceal　it　by　embracing　the　　latter；　and　condoling　with　her　on　her　father's　mischance。　　The　　surgeons　soon　came　to　acquaint　Hippolita　that　none　of　the　Marquis's　　wounds　were　dangerous；　and　that　he　was　desirous　of　seeing　his　daughter　　and　the　Princesses。

Theodore；　under　pretence　of　expressing　his　joy　at　being　freed　from　his　　apprehensions　of　the　combat　being　fatal　to　Frederic；　could　not　resist　　the　impulse　of　following　Matilda。　　Her　eyes　were　so　often　cast　down　on　　meeting　his；　that　Isabella；　who　regarded　Theodore　as　attentively　as　he　　gazed　on　Matilda；　soon　divined　who　the　object　was　that　he　had　told　her　　in　the　cave　engaged　his　affections。　　While　this　mute　scene　passed；　　Hippolita　demanded　of　Frederic　the　cause　of　his　having　taken　that　　mysterious　course　for　reclaiming　his　daughter；　and　threw　in　various　　apologies　to　excuse　her　Lord　for　the　match　contracted　between　their　　children。

Frederic；　however　incensed　against　Manfred；　was　not　insensible　to　the　　courtesy　and　benevolence　of　Hippolita：　　but　he　was　still　more　struck　　with　the　lovely　form　of　Matilda。　　Wishing　to　detain　them　by　his　　bedside；　he　informed　Hippolita　of　his　story。　　He　told　her　that；　while　　prisoner　to　the　infidels；　he　had　dreamed　that　his　daughter；　of　whom　he　　had　learned　no　news　since　his　captivity；　was　detained　in　a　castle；　　where　she　was　in　danger　of　the　most　dreadful　misfortunes：　　and　that　if　　he　obtained　his　liberty；　and　repaired　to　a　wood　near　Joppa；　he　would　　learn　more。　　Alarmed　at　this　dream；　and　incapable　of　obeying　the　　direction　given　by　it；　his　chains　became　more　grievous　than　ever。　　But　　while　his　thoughts　were　occupied　on　the　means　of　obtaining　his　　liberty；　he　received　the　agreeable　news　that　the　confederate　Princes　　who　were　warring　in　Palestine　had　paid　his　ransom。　　He　instantly　set　　out　for　the　wood　that　had　been　marked　in　his　dream。

For　three　days　he　and　his　attendants　had　wandered　in　the　forest　　without　seeing　a　human　form：　　but　on　the　evening　of　the　third　they　　came　to　a　cell；　in　which　they　found　a　venerable　hermit　in　the　agonies　　of　death。　　Applying　rich　cordials；　they　brought　the　fainting　man　to　　his　speech。

〃My　sons；〃　said　he；　〃I　am　bounden　to　your　charity　…　but　it　is　in　vain　　…　I　am　going　to　my　eternal　rest　…　yet　I　die　with　the　satisfaction　of　　performing　the　will　of　heaven。　　When　first　I　repaired　to　this　　solitude；　after　seeing　my　country　become　a　prey　to　unbelievers　…　it　is　　alas！　above　fifty　years　since　I　was　witness　to　that　dreadful　scene！　　　St。　Nicholas　appeared　to　me；　and　revealed　a　secret；　which　he　bade　me　　never　disclose　to　mortal　man；　but　on　my　death…bed。　　This　is　that　　tremendous　hour；　and　ye　are　no　doubt　the　chosen　warriors　to　whom　I　was　　ordered　to　reveal　my　trust。　　As　soon　as　ye　have　done　the　last　offices　　to　this　wretched　corse；　dig　under　the　seventh　tree　on　the　left　hand　of　　this　poor　cave；　and　your　pains　will　…　Oh！　good　heaven　receive　my　　soul！〃　　With　those　words　the　devout　man　breathed　his　last。

〃By　break　of　day；〃　continued　Frederic；　〃when　we　had　committed　the　holy　　relics　to　earth；　we　dug　according　to　direction。　　But　what　was　our　　astonishment　when　about　the　depth　of　six　feet　we　discovered　an　　enormous　sabre　…　the　very　weapon　yonder　in　the　court。　　On　the　blade；　　which　was　then　partly　out　of　the　scabbard；　though　since　closed　by　our　　efforts　in　removing　it；　were　written　the　following　lines　…　no；　excuse　　me；　Madam；〃　added　the　Marquis；　turning　to　Hippolita；　〃if　I　forbear　to　　repeat　them：　　I　respect　your　sex　and　rank；　and　would　not　be　guilty　of　　offending　your　ear　with　sounds　injurious　to　aught　that　is　dear　to　　you。〃

He　paused。　　Hippolita　trembled。　　She　did　not　doubt　but　Frederic　was　　destined　by　heaven　to　accomplish　the　fate　that　seemed　to　threaten　her　　house。　　Looking　with　anxious　fondness　at　Matilda；　a　silent　tear　stole　　down　her　cheek：　　but　recollecting　herself；　she　said　…

〃Proceed；　my　Lord；　heaven　does　nothing　in　vain；　mortals　must　receive　　its　divine　behests　with　lowliness　and　submission。　　It　is　our　part　to　　deprecate　its　wrath；　or　bow　to　its　decrees。　　Repeat　the　sentence；　my　　Lord；　we　listen　resigned。〃

Frederic　was　grieved　that　he　had　proceeded　so　far。　　The　dignity　and　　patient　firmness　of　Hippolita　penetrated　him　with　respect；　and　the　　tender　silent　affection　with　which　the　Princess　and　her　daughter　　regarded　each　other；　melted　him　almost　to　tears。　　Yet　apprehensive　　that　his　forbearance　to　obey　would　be　more　alarming；　he　repeated　in　a　　faltering　and　low　voice　the　following　lines：


〃Where'er　a　casque　that　suits　this　sword　is　found；　With　perils　is　thy　daughter　compass'd　round；　ALFONSO'S　blood　alone　can　save　the　maid；　And　quiet　a　long　restless　Prince's　shade。〃


〃What　is　there　in　these　lines；〃　said　Theodore　impatiently；　〃that　　affects　these　Princesses？　　Why　were　they　to　be　shocked　by　a　mysterious　　delicacy；　that　has　so　little　foundation？〃

〃Your　words　are　rude；　young　man；〃　said　the　Marquis；　〃and　though　　fortune　has　favoured　you　once　…　〃

〃My　honoured　Lord；〃　said　Isabella；　who　resented　Theodore's　warmth；　　which　she　perceived　was　dictated　by　his　sentiments　for　Matilda；　　〃discompose　not　yourself　for　the　glosing　of　a　peasant's　son：　　he　　forgets　the　reverence　he　owes　you；　but　he　is　not　accustomed　…　〃

Hippolita；　concerned　at　the　heat　that　had　arisen；　checked　Theodore　for　　his　boldness；　but　with　an　air　acknowledging　his　zeal；　and　changing　the　　conversation；　demanded　of　Frederic　where　he　had　left　her　Lord？　　As　the　　Marquis　was　going　to　reply；　they　heard　a　noise　without；　and　rising　to　　inquire　the　cause；　Manfred；　Jerome；　and　part　of　the　troop；　who　had　met　　an　imperfect　rumour　of　what　had　happened；　entered　the　chamber。　　　Manfred　advanced　hastily　towards　Frederic's　bed　to　condole　with　him　on　　his　misfortune；　and　to　learn　the　circumstances　of　the　combat；　when　　starting　in　an　agony　of　terror　and　amazement；　he　cried　…

〃Ha！　what　art　thou？　thou　dreadful　spectre！　is　my　hour　come？〃

〃My　dearest；　gracious　Lord；〃　cried　Hippolita；　clasping　him　in　her　　arms；　〃what　is　it　you　see！　　Why　do　you　fix　your　eye…balls　thus？〃

〃What！〃　cried　Manfred　breathless；　〃dost　thou　see　nothing；　Hippolita？　　　Is　this　ghastly　phantom　sent　to　me　alone　…　to　rue；　who　did　not　…　〃

〃For　mercy's　sweetest　self；　my　Lord；〃　said　Hippolita；　〃resume　your　　soul；　command　your　reason。　　There　is　none　here；　but　us；　your　friends。〃

〃What；　is　not　that　Alfonso？〃　cried　Manfred。　　〃Dost　thou　not　see　him？　　can　it　be　my　brain's　delirium？〃

〃This！　my　Lord；〃　said　Hippolita；　〃this　is　Theodore；　the　youth　who　has　　been　so　unfortunate。〃

〃Theodore！〃　said　Manfred　mournfully；　and　striking　his　forehead；　　〃Theodore　or　a　phantom；　he　has　unhinged　the　soul　of　Manfred。　　But　how　　comes　he　here？　and　how　comes　he　in　armour？〃

〃I　believe　he　went　in　search　of　Isabella；〃　said　Hippolita。

〃Of　Isabella！〃　said　Manfred；　relapsing　into　rage；　〃yes；　yes；　that　is　　not　doubtful　…。　　But　how　did　he　escape　from　durance　in　which　I　left　　him？　　Was　it　Isabella；　or　this　hypocritical　old　Friar；　that　procured　　his　enlargement？〃

〃And　would　a　parent　be　criminal；　my　Lord；〃　said　Theodore；　〃if　he　　meditated　the　deliverance　of　his　child？〃

Jerome；　amazed　to　hear　himself　in　a　manner　accused　by　his　son；　and　　without　foundation；　knew　not　what　to　think。　　He　could　not　comprehend　　how　Theodore　had　escaped；　how　he　came　to　be　armed；　and　to　encounter　　Frederic。　　Still　he　would　not　venture　to　ask　any　questions　that　might　　tend　to　inflame　Manfred's　wrath　against　his　son。　　Jerome's　silence　　convinced　Manfred　that　he　had　contrived　Theodore's　release。

〃And　is　it　thus；　thou　ungrateful　old　man；〃　said　the　Prince；　addressing　　himself　to　the　Friar；　〃that　thou　repayest　mine　and　Hippolita's　　bounties？　　And　not　content　with　traversing　my　heart's　nearest　wishes；　　thou　armest　thy　bastard；　and　bringest　him　into　my　own　castle　to　insult　　me！〃

〃My　Lord；〃　said　Theodore；　〃you　wrong　my　father：　　neither　he　nor　I　are　　capable　of　harbouring　a　thought　against　your　peace。　　Is　it　insolence　　thus　to　surrender　myself　to　your　Highness's　pleasure？〃　added　he；　　laying　his　sword　respectfully　at　Manfred's　feet。　　〃Behold　my　bosom；　　strike；　my　Lord；　if　you　suspect　that　a　disloyal　thought　is　lodged　　there。　　There　is　not　a　sentiment　engraven　on　my　heart　that　does　not　　venerate　you　and　yours。〃

The　grace　and　fervour　with　which　Theodore　uttered　these　words　　interested　every　person　present　in　his　favour。　　Even　Manfred　was　　touched　…　yet　still　possessed　with　his　resemblan