Part 26 (2/2)
”I deeply regret, signora, that you should have cause to coled with passion; ”but, oh!
believe me, that I am not more free than you, and act under the orders of one who has the power to compel were I to prove disobedient”
”I believe you,” said Ada; ”and now tell me, who is this person who ventures to hold me a prisoner?”
”You will know too soon, lady, but my lips must not inform you,”
returned Paolo ”However, if it can afford you any satisfaction to know it, be assured that I atch carefully over you, and that my directions are, not to quit the vessel except to accompany you on shore”
”It must be a satisfaction to those in distress to know that they have a friend who interests himself in their welfare,” replied Ada, in a softened tone, as Paolo, with an inclination of his head, withdrew
For thole days did Ada Garden and her attendant remain inmates of the vessel On the third Paolo made his appearance to announce that accommodation was prepared for theside the vessel to convey them there For the first ti been shut up so long below, the full, bright glare of the sun al objects clearly As she recovered her sight, she observed that the vessel, on board which she had spent so long a tiht guns run out on either side A few seamen in Greek costu the rigging, but none of thehtest notice of her, as Paolo handed her to the gangway, followed by Marianna At his suht up her boxes froside, into which he then assisted her and her attendant He then gave the signal to shove off, and a few strokes of the oars carried the boat to the shore Ada looked round her with surprise at the wild beauty and perfect tranquillity of the scene In the centre of the bay lay the brig at anchor, her hull and tallreflected in the calm clear water Her sails were closely furled, and no one appeared above the bulwarks to show that she was tenanted by hun of any one being on board the to the cove were drawn up on the beach, but the fishermen had deserted their nets, and not a person appeared in any direction She gazed up at the lofty cliffs, and at the picturesque ravine towards which Paolo pointed, as they landed, to indicate their path, at the saret that there were noher up it except by a litter borne by men
The perfect calmness of the whole scene, its unusual beauty, and the freshness of the air served to reassure her, and she began to experience an elasticity of spirits she had not for a long time felt Paolo led her up the path I have before described, to the platform on the summit of the cliffs on which the ruined castle stood
”This is a wild spot, lady, but not wanting in beauty; and the tower you see before you is to be your abode while you re to a tohich was nearer the causeway, and had not so extensive a view as the one I have described, but yet it overlooked the sea, and more of the interior of the island Paolo knocked at a door at the base, and it was opened by the young Greek girl Mila, who saluted the strangers with a sht of steps to an upper story, where, throwing open another door, she ushered them into a cha an exclamation of surprise; and Marianna, who had conor Paolo, clapped her hands with delight The time had, indeed, been well employed, which had, since their arrival, converted that ruined tower into so nificent an abode
The pirate must have ransacked all his stores of silks and satins to fit up the room
”The roof has probably been for the last three days,” said Paolo, as they entered
”That was the reason, lady, of your not landing before”
The style was very sis were, perhaps, richer, and the carpets ht be supposed English taste There were a greater number of tables and chairs, and there was even a book-case fastened against the wall, though the books it contained were few, and not of a very select description
There were two guitars and a music-book on one of the tables, and the walls were adorned with pictures, and afroive the room a cheerful and habitable appearance On either side were curtains across a corner of the roo theed, and furnished with the finest linen, showing that the chamber was intended for their exclusive residence, perhaps also, their prison Mila busied herself in showing the arrangements of the room, and Paolo explained that she was anxious to serve the stranger in the best way she could Ada intimated that she could not but be satisfied with the care taken for her co left alone, called Mila, and took his departure
Paolo had been gone some time, when a knock at the door was heard, and Marianna ran to open it As she did so, she started back with a cry of surprise, for there stood before her the pirate Zappa
Ada rose as she saw him, for she felt that, fronity and fearlessness of ain any influence over hiiri Cara,”
she said, bowing
”The sa you to Greece, and has had that of rescuing you froer,” replied Zappa, in hisa step only into the chamber ”He now coements made for you, and will be contented to remain an inhabitant of this island till communications can be opened with your friends, in order to restore you to them”
”I need not tell you, prince, that I a you to tell me by what means I can do so,” said Ada
”The opportunity will, doubtless, soon occur,” replied the pirate
”But, in the mean time, I have to assure you that I have taken h, for reasons which I may hereafter explain to you, not the place of your abode”