Page:The New Monthly Magazine and Universal Register - Volume 011.djvu/222

206 servants promised they would deliver it; but giving it to the physician, he thought it better not to harass any more the mind of Miss Aubrey by, what he considered, the ravings of a maniac. Night passed on without rest to the busy inmates of the house; and Aubrey heard, with a horror that may more easily be conceived than described, the notes of busy preparation. Morning came, and the sound of carriages broke upon his ear. Aubrey grew almost frantic. The curiosity of the servants at last overcame their vigilance, they gradually stole away, leaving him in the custody of an helpless old woman. He seized the opportunity, with one bound was out of the room, and in a moment found himself in the apartment where all were nearly assembled. Lord Ruthven was the first to perceive him: he immediately approached, and, taking his arm by force, hurried him from the room, speechless with rage. When on the staircase, Lord Ruthven whispered in his ear—“Remember your oath, and know, if not my bride to day, your sister is dishonoured. Women are frail!” So saying, he pushed him towards his attendants, who, roused by the old woman, had come in search of him. Aubrey could no longer support himself; his rage, not finding vent, had broken a blood-vessel, and he was conveyed to bed. This was not mentioned to his sister, who was not present when he entered, as the physician was afraid of agitating her. The marriage was solemnized, and the bride and bridegroom left London.

Aubrey’s weakness increased; the effusion of blood produced symptoms of the near approach of death. He desired his sister’s guardians might be called, and when the midnight hour had struck, he related composedly what the reader has perused—he died immediately after.

The guardians hastened to protect Miss Aubrey; but when they arrived, it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared, and Aubrey’s sister had glutted the thirst of a !   IF the following extract of a letter from one of our young countrymen, who very laudably occupies himself, during his intervals of relaxation from severer studies, in viewing the scenery and manners of Italy, be thought worthy of a place in the columns of your entertaining miscellany, it will most probably be followed up by others of a similar description. My correspondent’s first excursion was made towards the close of last autumn, from Florence, and is thus described:

“ I received a letter from V about three weeks ago, informing me that he was very ill at Rome, and adding that the season had been so bad there, as to have affected, more or less, all the English residents in that city. He therefore determined to visit Florence vià Sienna, at which latter place he thought of staying a week, and proposed that I should meet him there, when we might pursue our studies together during the above period. I immediately accepted his invitation; and having prepared a small portmanteau, with a little wearing apparel, instruments, &c. I set off next day in a vettura, a vehicle not unlike your hackney coach of London. We started at four in the morning, and reached Sienna about six in the afternoon; having dined at Poggibonsi, which is about twenty-six miles from Florence. This road is extremely interesting, and a continued series of hilly country, interspersed with villas, hamlets, and cottages, affording many beautiful prospects. However, as you approach Sienna, the scenery becomes rather flat, and the soil more sterile. The neighbourhood of this city is also subject to frequent shocks of earthquakes; and although these counteract, in some measure, the charms of the climate, they have rarely been known to do much injury. Fortunately, on my arrival at Sienna, the innkeeper informed me, that I was just in time to witness a brilliant fête, which was to be given that very evening to the grand duke and his court. Of course, I did not fail to visit the Piazza Grande, or great square, the scene of the intended celebration. I found there an immense crowd of people assembled, not less than thirty thousand. The piazza of Sienna is peculiarly favourable to the display of such a spectacle, as there is a wide foot-way all round it, which rises by regular steps to the height of eight feet above the arena in the centre, giving to the whole very much the appearance of an amphitheatre: so that the