Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/254

252 —shouts—rose in the direction of the court. Each started from her seat; but the walls intercepted their sight, till light and broken masses of smoke ascended, evidently from fire-arms. Faint with terror, Emily sunk against the tree. "With whom are the Neapolitans at war?" exclaimed her companion, to whose mind the idea of foreign invasion naturally rose.

The sounds grew louder—the smoke became denser and darker. "Gracious Heaven! they have fired the convent!" A glare of flame now threw a fearful and wild light against the black body of smoke which hung over it. The firing ceased;—one loud shout rose, and then sank into silence. The clashing of arms was over; but the steps sounded louder and more hurried: they could distinguish a cry for water. "At least," said Beatrice, "we will move from the fountain." With much difficulty, she half supported, half carried Emily behind a little thicket of the broad-leaved myrtle. "We are here secure from instant observation." Even as she spoke, a party of men dashed down the steps. One, who appeared their