Page:Infernal secret, or, The invulnerable Spaniard.pdf/8

 Alphonso, now presented himself to assist his master, they each accompained the wounded gentleman to the palace of Antaldi: The wretch's limbs were quivering, and though no one was near at hand he seemed struggling with some superior being. Theodore ran to his assistance, at the request of Alphonso, who was now joined by the marquis Antaldi, to whom every information had been given, and who resolved to be present at the examination of the dying man. His mind was relieved on the score of his daughter's safety from his having observed her enter the picture room, which was nearly on a level with the ground. Thither he had ordered the wounded man to be brought, and he impatiently awaited the summons of Theodore to learn the horrid particulars of the case. We will now return to Isidora, who having seen her little son Juan attended to, and watched until he fell into a deep sleep, had wandered, full of perplexing doubts, into the picture chamber, where pausing for a moment, her hand touched the crucifix she had used to register her oath upon before the presence of her child's deliverer.—"Why" exclaimed she aloud, is my heart possessed with such perpetual fear? I quiver but to think upon my oath. this moment, her father entered with Theodore, bearing the wounded man, Isidora closely observed, in trembling silence, all that passed. The Marquis addressed the wounded wretch, by asking, who and what he was. The bleeding man replied, a dying man fast hastening to perdition, yet not sold, not sold, nor bartered. Oh, speak my lord, and tell me, cannot years of burning torture wash out the deadliest crime ? Must I be lost for ever? Speak thy crime, said the Marquis, while life permits, and we will seek some holy man, to comfort thee. A cordial was now handed to the