Volume VI Part 52 (1/2)

CHAPTER XIII

Rome--The Actor's Punishment--Lord Baltiatha--Medina--Albergoni--Miss Chudleigh--The Prince of Francavilla--The Swilisher ofas if a vein had been opened Betty helped me to tie a handkerchief around the wound, while Sir B---- M---- read the letter with great attention I was much pleased with Betty's action, it shewed she was confident, and sure of her lover's forgiveness

I took up e my linen, and dress for dinner Any distress at the terue with Betty was a of a troublesoht have proved fatal for me

I dressed myself, and then waited for half an hour, as I heard Betty and Sir B---- M---- speaking in English calh, and I did not care to interrupt thelish humble and mortified He said he was sure I had not only saved Betty, but had effectually cured her of her folly

”You uess that the man I found with her was her saviour and not her betrayer I thank Heaven which inspired you with the idea of catching hold of me from behind, as I should certainly have killed you the moment I set eyes on you, and at this ive me, sir, and beco him that if I had been in his place I should have acted in a precisely similaragainst the bed, and weeping bitterly

The blood continuing to flaw froeon who said that a vein had been opened, and that a proper ligature was necessary

Betty still wept, so I told Sir B---- M---- that in iveness?” said he, ”you iven her, and she well deserves it Poor Betty repented directly you shewed her the path she was treading, and the tears she is shedding now are tears of sorrow at her nizes her folly, and will never be guilty of such a slip again”

Emotion is infectious Betty wept, Sir B---- M---- wept, and I wept to keep therees our sobs and tears ceased and we became calmer

Sir B---- M----, as evidently a h and jest, and his caresses had great effect in calood dinner, and the choice Muscat put us all in the best of spirits

Sir B---- M---- said we had better rest for a day or two; he had journeyed fifteen stages in hot haste, and felt in need of repose

He told us that on arriving at Leghorn, and finding no Betty there, he had discovered that her trunk had been booked to Roed had hired a horse, leaving a watch as a pledge for it Sir B---- M---- recognized Betty's watch, and feeling certain that she was either on horseback with her seducer or in the wagon with her trunk, he immediately resolved to pursue

”I provided ood pistols, not with the idea of using one against her, for iveness; but I determined to blow out the scoundrel's brains, and I mean to do it yet We will start for Ro words filled Betty with joy, and I believe she would have pierced her perfidious lover to the heart if he had been brought before her at that moment

”We shall find him at Roland's,” said I

Sir B---- M---- took Betty in his arazed at reatness of an English heart--a greatness which more than atones for its weakness

”I understand your purpose,” I said, ”but you shall not execute your plans withoutthat justice is done you If you will not agree, I shall start for Roive the wretched actor warning of your approach If you had killed hi, but at Rome it is different, and you would have reason to repent of having indulged your righteous indignation You don't know Roivewithout my consent, or else I shall leave you directly”

Sir B---- M---- was a ht but somewhat thinner, and five or six years older; the reader will understand his character withoutit

My speech must have rather astonished him, but he knew thate

”Yes, dearest,” said Betty, ”leave vengeance to the friend whom Heaven has sent us”