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Rh of their own, was the Count Riccardini, whose estates, lying in the vicinity of Castello-mara, had become involved in those troubles, which drove from their throne a weak and worthless family, but did not, therefore, establish that which he desired, for foreign rule was to him as hateful as the despotism it removed. In a great measure, he stood alone, and was not less a rebel to his king, than the defender of his country against France. He was young, enthusiastic, brave, high-minded, and virtuous; he had been loved by his tenantry to enthusiasm; the pride of his neighbours and friends; but these circumstances were of little avail, when he landed, a poor emigrant, in England, without money or credit—unknown, save as a foreigner flying from the most terrible evils that can menace the already pillaged and helpless. It soon became apparent to the count, as to many others, that he must work or starve; and when it was made known to him by a French nobleman that, at a town specified, the owner of a ladies' boarding-school would, in return for his services, offer a stipend, which at the moment appeared enormous, he declared an intention "to apply for a passport immediately"—there was none required, and the circumstance at once astonished and delighted him—"this was freedom indeed! he might travel almost two hundred miles with out answering a question." Forlorn and wretched as he had been, since he first set foot in the land, he felt it to be the land of freedom, for which he had sighed,