Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/138

136 "Is there nothing you will have—nothing I can do to show my gratitude?" "I doubt," said the man, "whether your cellar be worth my risking a capture for its contents." "At least," exclaimed Beatrice, "take this;" and she poured the contents of her purse into his hand. "Four—five—six gold pieces!" replied he, hesitatingly—"I have been paid." "Take them as a gift, and God bless you for the happiness you have brought me." "A free gift!—many thanks to you, lady." A slight sound—it was but the wind in the vine-branches—startled the man; he laid his hand on his knife, and darted through the casement; in less than a minute all was as silent as before. Eagerly Beatrice opened the letter—it was from her father, and ran thus:—

"My beloved child,—The iron hand of despotism has quenched the last spark of liberty; hunted down like a wild beast, I am watching an opportunity to fly my degraded and enslaved country. Some far and foreign land must henceforth be the home of the unfortunate exile. Will my Beatrice soothe and share her parent's