Page:Infernal secret, or, The invulnerable Spaniard.pdf/19

19 apparent settled resolution. With deep humility he kneeled, and imploringly entreated her to spare him the commission of an act of cruelty and bloodshed. "Ah! touch me not," said the afrighted and receding Isidora, " that terrible right hand! no Montilla, no! my gratitude is wholly thine; but never ask, for thou canst never have my hand." Here to the terror of Isidora, and the more than mortal horrer of Montilla, the first sound of midnight struck. "I shall be lost," thought he; then with a desperate feeling he turned towards Isidora, and in a voice demoniacal with rage he thus addressed her, in reply to her tears and cries for her child—“Tremble, my moments now are few, the last day of my century is come; but Montilla, the dreaded one, will not fall unavenged. I now feel a savage joy to think my misery will not alone be--;" Here he was interrupted by the bell a second time. "Strike, Spalatro, strike the brat." Enough," uttered the ruffian, and the storm increased as if the elements were all at war. Juan shrieked; and a clash as if of arms and combatants in motion, was heard at Intervals only. The bell had now nearly tolled the hour of twelve, when the wretched Montilla falling on his knees, uttered, "Save me, save me, Isidora, and thy child shall be restored; Oh! recal your cruel, order-gave me thy hand, and swear that thou art mine and I am thine; the trembling mother did as she was entreated ; her hand was stretched out, and she demanded what form of words she was to utter that might save Montilla, when Theodore rushed towards her with the infant Juan in his arms, and exclaimed, “Oh! lady! barter not your faith nor harm your soul, your child is safe. I expect assistance from the family every moment to reinforce the small party already assembled, and who are now sucessfully opposing the ruffians which are now stationed above aud below." Saying