Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/341

Rh for them and their luggage, sometimes furiously, bloodily, I cannot comprehend. But Heaven watches over the fatherless and now sent her a protector in a gentleman of Herculean figure, who almost at the same time with herself arrived at the island in another boat, and when he happened to see the solitary young lady surrounded by the rude and savage fellows, he constituted himself her champion, delivered her by means of his cane and his strong hands from the ruffianly crowd, and conducted the trembling, but at the same time, calm and cheerful young girl safe and sound to Villa Pisani, a mile and half distance from the shore, and to me, who was not in the least expecting to see her here.

Thus we are now four inmates of Villa Pisani, and a very harmonious quartette we are, with the same drawing-room—the common piazza with its leafy arch—and the same table. The strange gentleman, who from his athletic proportions we call Hercules, is one of the Waldenses, a merchant from Turin, with the demeanor and conversation of a gentleman and man of intellect, a fine observant glance, and an expression of kindness and candor in his countenance which inspires confidence.

Mr. Waldo, as we now call him, not as yet knowing his proper name, is traveling for his own pleasure in Italy, and intends visiting the East. He appears to be about forty, and seems to have arranged his outward affairs to be at liberty to pursue his own pleasure. Although he is in his intercourse somewhat reserved, yet he is a pleasant companion, and our evenings spent together, are especially agreeable. We pass