The Sicilian Bandit / From the Volume Captain Paul""

among all classes. Nothing was talked of in all Sicily but the brave brigand who had taken possession of the Castel Nuovo, and who, from thence, like an e

e was heard pronounced at the palace of Prince Butera, who had giv

r, exceeded in splendour the ideas of the most fertile imagination. It was like an Arabian Nights' dream, and the remembranc

r round two immense marble reservoirs, from each of which sprang up beautiful jets of water, which, from the reflection of many-coloured lamps, by which the whole was illuminated, fell like glittering showers of diamonds. From these delightful spots long alleys issued, sprinkled with golden-coloured sand, and leading to a little hill, surrounded with silver vessels, containing every refreshment that could be desired, and overhung by trees c

in splendour and singularity-each with a mask on the face or in the hand, breathing the balmy air, intoxicated with the invisible harmony, and dreaming or talking of love; but even then,

s its satellites. She had but that instant entered, accompanied by five others, who, like herself, had assumed the costume of the thirteenth century-a dress so simple and elegant, and which, at the same time, appeared to be expressly chosen to set off the f

e new surprise, they all followed the prince eagerl

cers, mandarins, and attendants, each more dazzling, fierce-looking, or droll than his neighbour. This apparition had something so Eastern and fantastic in it, that the whole assemblage, accustomed as they were to luxury and magnificence, uttered an exclamation of astonishment. They surrounded the princess, touched her robe, embroidered with precious stones, shook the golden bells in her pointed hat, and for an instant th

ountess of Castel Nuovo; "what do you thin

i is at Messina at this moment, for he might be induced, with a heart like his, out of regard for the daughter,

a Paterno, in the dress of a Calabr

id the duke, "as a connoisseur, t

pointing to the prince, "take care of your golden bells

Bruno than in that of a certain follower of Cardinal Ruffo of my acquainta

" observed the

ain bit

e de la Cattolica, "have yo

ked the Duk

no's," said

he done?" as

ey sent by the Prince of Carini

!" exclaim

your excellency will, after all

require me to have a second reck

addressed Altavilla; "Pascal Bruno only took three thousand ounces from t

attolica, who was close by the speaker-a handsome young man, from twen

laying with his yataghan; "besides, if your excellency wishes

is duty, had immediately on his arrival repaired to the Countess de Castel Nuovo's residence; but not finding her there, and hearing of th

questions; but Paolo Tommassi was, as we have seen, a bold fellow, and was not easily put ou

ewell fête; the viceroy orders me to proceed to Messina, and being a faithful subject, I shall begin my journey to-

surrounded to make good his retreat easily; he was, consequently, obliged to surrender at discre

how he had been made prisoner; how he was taken to the fortress of Castel Nuovo; how he fired at the bandit without the ball taking any

ief, with the exception of Captain Altavilla, who raised some doubts as to the veracity of the hon

what the brigadier has told us, for all the details appear to me

?" said the Prince

pany one night," replie

ere was

ur est

of a hundred horses; how he, the Prince of Butera, had offered him a company, wh

ion, Altavilla could

," said he, "that Bruno

of it," repl

any one else in this company who has seen Pascal Bruno, and who has spoken t

astel Nuovo," observed the

ry one looked at her a

said the prince, t

trembling; "but I

it," muttered

how the prince fired at him; and how the bandit, to avenge himself, entered the villa on the nuptial day and killed Teresa's husband. This history was the most terrible of all, and it produced a deep sen

s committed is in rendering this fête so melancholy; I could have pardoned him all his other misdeeds; but fo

ly, Captain Altavilla

"and I here declare there is nothing I so

sible," observed t

r me that service," said t

interrupted the young man; "I know a man w

is man?" repeated Altavilla,

I will tell you," repl

withdrew, as if he were invi

all eyes were turned upon him, and he saw that the least show of timidity w

the honour of the ladies a

a Greek is?" said the countess, with a trembli

not," said he. "Does a

oked, but no

Paolo Tommassi, carrying his

he, my brave

my lord," rep

nted away; and this incident

to his chamber, and, seated in front of his desk, w

ter, Jacomo?" a

u so, my lord," s

ou always told me?

would only encourage

mean?" asked

avilla," rep

done?" aske

our excellency will recollect I apprised you of his

on," said

excellency answered, that so long as he on

d so perfectly wel

s that he has not only taken his own, but his

," said the prince; "I must comm

paper, and wrote

being by this fortuitous circumstance deprived of the pleasure of seeing him as previously, he begs he will accept

ounces (twenty-six pounds sterling), "take this money, and

y arranging his papers when, at the end of about ten minutes, hearing a noise at the door of his room, he raised his head,

ere?" said

," replied

you?" asked

o," replied

u come for?" as

esk; "first, I have brought you the three hundred ounces you so kindly lent me: they were

your word," said the princ

nclined

silver covers, with your arms and cypher on them, which I found in t

ar they should be brought back by you;

who abused your hospitality, and which I have brought

taking the head of Captain Altavilla by the hair, he

do with such a present a

" replied Pascal Bruno, wh

head, balancing himself in his arm-chair, and whistling his favourite tune; he

in Altavilla's to-morrow morning; tear up the letter; keep