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the castle of otranto-第15章

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 there; he sought the gloomiest shades; as best suited to the pleasing  melancholy that reigned in his mind。  In this mood he roved insensibly  to the caves which had formerly served as a retreat to hermits; and  were now reported round the country to be haunted by evil spirits。  He  recollected to have heard this tradition; and being of a brave and  adventurous disposition; he willingly indulged his curiosity in  exploring the secret recesses of this labyrinth。  He had not  penetrated far before he thought he heard the steps of some person who  seemed to retreat before him。

Theodore; though firmly grounded in all our holy faith enjoins to be  believed; had no apprehension that good men were abandoned without  cause to the malice of the powers of darkness。  He thought the place  more likely to be infested by robbers than by those infernal agents  who are reported to molest and bewilder travellers。  He had long  burned with impatience to approve his valour。  Drawing his sabre; he  marched sedately onwards; still directing his steps as the imperfect  rustling sound before him led the way。  The armour he wore was a like  indication to the person who avoided him。  Theodore; now convinced  that he was not mistaken; redoubled his pace; and evidently gained on  the person that fled; whose haste increasing; Theodore came up just as  a woman fell breathless before him。  He hasted to raise her; but her  terror was so great that he apprehended she would faint in his arms。   He used every gentle word to dispel her alarms; and assured her that  far from injuring; he would defend her at the peril of his life。  The  Lady recovering her spirits from his courteous demeanour; and gazing  on her protector; said …

〃Sure; I have heard that voice before!〃

〃Not to my knowledge;〃 replied Theodore; 〃unless; as I conjecture;  thou art the Lady Isabella。〃

〃Merciful heaven!〃 cried she。  〃Thou art not sent in quest of me; art  thou?〃  And saying those words; she threw herself at his feet; and  besought him not to deliver her up to Manfred。

〃To Manfred!〃 cried Theodore … 〃no; Lady; I have once already  delivered thee from his tyranny; and it shall fare hard with me now;  but I will place thee out of the reach of his daring。〃

〃Is it possible;〃 said she; 〃that thou shouldst be the generous  unknown whom I met last night in the vault of the castle?  Sure thou  art not a mortal; but my guardian angel。  On my knees; let me thank …  〃

〃Hold! gentle Princess;〃 said Theodore; 〃nor demean thyself before a  poor and friendless young man。  If heaven has selected me for thy  deliverer; it will accomplish its work; and strengthen my arm in thy  cause。  But come; Lady; we are too near the mouth of the cavern; let  us seek its inmost recesses。  I can have no tranquillity till I have  placed thee beyond the reach of danger。〃

〃Alas! what mean you; sir?〃 said she。  〃Though all your actions are  noble; though your sentiments speak the purity of your soul; is it  fitting that I should accompany you alone into these perplexed  retreats?  Should we be found together; what would a censorious world  think of my conduct?〃

〃I respect your virtuous delicacy;〃 said Theodore; 〃nor do you harbour  a suspicion that wounds my honour。  I meant to conduct you into the  most private cavity of these rocks; and then at the hazard of my life  to guard their entrance against every living thing。  Besides; Lady;〃  continued he; drawing a deep sigh; 〃beauteous and all perfect as your  form is; and though my wishes are not guiltless of aspiring; know; my  soul is dedicated to another; and although … 〃  A sudden noise  prevented Theodore from proceeding。  They soon distinguished these  sounds …

〃Isabella! what; ho! Isabella!〃  The trembling Princess relapsed into  her former agony of fear。  Theodore endeavoured to encourage her; but  in vain。  He assured her he would die rather than suffer her to return  under Manfred's power; and begging her to remain concealed; he went  forth to prevent the person in search of her from approaching。

At the mouth of the cavern he found an armed Knight; discoursing with  a peasant; who assured him he had seen a lady enter the passes of the  rock。  The Knight was preparing to seek her; when Theodore; placing  himself in his way; with his sword drawn; sternly forbad him at his  peril to advance。

〃And who art thou; who darest to cross my way?〃 said the Knight;  haughtily。

〃One who does not dare more than he will perform;〃 said Theodore。

〃I seek the Lady Isabella;〃 said the Knight; 〃and understand she has  taken refuge among these rocks。  Impede me not; or thou wilt repent  having provoked my resentment。〃

〃Thy purpose is as odious as thy resentment is contemptible;〃 said  Theodore。  〃Return whence thou camest; or we shall soon know whose  resentment is most terrible。〃

The stranger; who was the principal Knight that had arrived from the  Marquis of Vicenza; had galloped from Manfred as he was busied in  getting information of the Princess; and giving various orders to  prevent her falling into the power of the three Knights。  Their chief  had suspected Manfred of being privy to the Princess's absconding; and  this insult from a man; who he concluded was stationed by that Prince  to secrete her; confirming his suspicions; he made no reply; but  discharging a blow with his sabre at Theodore; would soon have removed  all obstruction; if Theodore; who took him for one of Manfred's  captains; and who had no sooner given the provocation than prepared to  support it; had not received the stroke on his shield。  The valour  that had so long been smothered in his breast broke forth at once; he  rushed impetuously on the Knight; whose pride and wrath were not less  powerful incentives to hardy deeds。  The combat was furious; but not  long。  Theodore wounded the Knight in three several places; and at  last disarmed him as he fainted by the loss of blood。

The peasant; who had fled on the first onset; had given the alarm to  some of Manfred's domestics; who; by his orders; were dispersed  through the forest in pursuit of Isabella。  They came up as the Knight  fell; whom they soon discovered to be the noble stranger。  Theodore;  notwithstanding his hatred to Manfred; could not behold the victory he  had gained without emotions of pity and generosity。  But he was more  touched when he learned the quality of his adversary; and was informed  that he was no retainer; but an enemy; of Manfred。  He assisted the  servants of the latter in disarming the Knight; and in endeavouring to  stanch the blood that flowed from his wounds。  The Knight recovering  his speech; said; in a faint and faltering voice …

〃Generous foe; we have both been in an error。  I took thee for an  instrument of the tyrant; I perceive thou hast made the like mistake。   It is too late for excuses。  I faint。  If Isabella is at hand … call  her … I have important secrets to … 〃

〃He is dying!〃 said one of the attendants; 〃has nobody a crucifix  about them?  Andrea; do thou pray over him。〃

〃Fetch some water;〃 said Theodore; 〃and pour it down his throat; while  I hasten to the Princess。〃

Saying this; he flew to Isabella; and in few words told her modestly  that he had been so unfortunate by mistake as to wound a gentleman  from her father's court; who wished; ere he died; to impart something  of consequence to her。

The Princess; who had been transported at hearing the voice of  Theodore; as he called to her to come forth; was astonished at what  she heard。  Suffering herself to be conducted by Theodore; the new  proof of whose valour recalled her dispersed spirits; she came where  the bleeding Knight lay speechless on the ground。  But her fears  returned when she beheld the domestics of Manfred。  She would again  have fled if Theodore had not made her observe that they were unarmed;  and had not threatened them with instant death if they should dare to  seize the Princess。

The stranger; opening his eyes; and beholding a woman; said; 〃Art thou  … pray tell me truly … art thou Isabella of Vicenza?〃

〃I am;〃 said she:  〃good heaven restore thee!〃

 〃Then thou … then thou〃 … said the Knight; struggling for utterance …  〃seest … thy father。  Give me one … 〃

〃Oh! amazement! horror! what do I hear! what do I see!〃 cried  Isabella。  〃My father!  You my father!  How came you here; Sir?  For  heaven's sake; speak!  Oh! run for help; or he will expire!〃

〃'Tis most true;〃 said the wounded Knight; exerting all his force; 〃I  am Frederic thy father。  Yes; I came to deliver thee。  It will not be。   Give me a parting kiss; and take … 〃

〃Sir;〃 said Theodore; 〃do not exhaust yourself; suffer us to convey  you to the castle。〃

〃To the castle!〃 said Isabella。  〃Is there no help nearer than the  castle?  Would you expose my father to the tyrant?  If he goes  thither; I dare not accompany him; and yet; can I leave him!〃

〃My child;〃 said Frederic; 〃it matters not for me whither I am  carried。  A few minutes will place me beyond danger; but while I have  eyes to dote on thee; forsake me not; dear Isabella!  This brave  Knight … I know not who he is … will protect thy innocence。  Sir; you  will not abandon my child; will you?〃

Theodore; shedding tears over his victim; and vowin
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