Page:Infernal secret, or, The invulnerable Spaniard.pdf/7

 by the entrance of some noblemen, who made inquries after her child, endeavouring to obtain notice and attention : but lsidora's whole soul was so wrapt in aching wonder of the past and present, that she passed directly by the noblemen: when she was gone, violent denunciations were uttered against the stranger, whose mysterious bearing alarmed every one. One nobleman, whose fancitul mask and rich domino bespoke him a grandee of the first order, exclaimed, as he drew the company together, with the air of imparting some importannt matter— "This is some signor who exhibits himself as a show, at bull feasts, carnivals and masquerades; but at an assembly of men of courage, reputation and honour he is seldom if ever to be found." "You are mistaken Signor," said a figure in the centre, whom no one recollected i have seen before. "He is always to be found when sought for;" when withdrawing his mask, he appeared before the eyes of the astoned Antaldi and the affrighted nobles to be the "Mysterious Stranger." At this moment loud cries of help, murder, assassination, were heard close upon the gate communicating with the pavillion—the stranger turned his eyes upon them, and tauntingly asked which of them chose to move, but they were all mute. Montilla cast a look of deep scorn at the nobles, and snaching a sword from the last speaker, he rushed out leaving them with opened eyes and mouths to gape and gaze at each other. Before they could recover themselves from their trance of wonder and alarm, the stranger appeared before them, bearing the suitor of Dona Isidora, the gallant Don Alphonso in his arms, pale and wounded ; on recovering, Alphonso seemed to recollect his obligation to the stranger, and extended his hand to thank him, but Montilla shrunk from him, exclaiming—" your tonch is hateful to me"—and rushed from their presence. No one pursued; and, Theodore, the domestic of Don