Zicci | Page 7

the teeth. Thank our mercy that we spare your
lives. Go!"
The men gave way, dismayed. The driver remounted. "Cut the traces of
their carriage and the bridles of their horses," said Zicci, as he entered
the vehicle containing Isabel, and which now drove on rapidly, leaving
the discomfited ravisher in a state of rage and stupor impossible to
describe.
"Allow me to explain this mystery to you," said Zicci. "I discovered the
plot against you,--no matter how. I frustrated it thus: the head of this
design is a nobleman who has long persecuted you in vain. He and two
of his creatures watched you from the entrance of the theatre, having
directed six others to await him on the spot where you were attacked;
myself and five of my servants supplied their place, and were mistaken
for his own followers. I had previously ridden alone to the spot where
the men were waiting, and informed them that their master would not
require their services that night. They believed me, for I showed them
his signet-ring, and accordingly dispersed; I then joined my own band,
whom I had left in the rear. You know all. We are at your door."
(1) At that time in Naples carriages were both cheaper to hire, and more
necessary for strangers than they are now.

CHAPTER III.
Zicci was left alone with the young Italian. She had thrown aside her
cloak and head-gear; her hair, somewhat dishevelled, fell down her
ivory neck, which the dress partially displayed; she seemed, as she sat
in that low and humble chamber, a very vision of light and glory.
Zicci gazed at her with an admiration mingled with compassion; he
muttered a few words to himself, and then addressed her aloud:--

"Isabel di Pisani, I have saved you from a great peril,--not from
dishonor only, but perhaps from death. The Prince di --, under the weak
government of a royal child and a venal administration, is a man above
the law. He is capable of every crime; but amongst his passions he has
such prudence as belongs to ambition: if you were not to reconcile
yourself to your shame, you would never enter the world again to tell
your tale. The ravisher has no heart for repentance, but he has a hand
that can murder. I have saved thee, Isabel di Pisani. Perhaps you would
ask me wherefore?" Zicci paused, and smiled mournfully as he added:
"My life is not that of others, but I am still human,--I know pity; and
more, Isabel, I can feel gratitude for affection. You love me; it was my
fate to fascinate your eye, to arouse your vanity, to inflame your
imagination. It was to warn you from this folly that I consented for a
few minutes to become your guest. The Englishman, Glyndon, loves
thee well,--better than I can ever love; he may wed thee, he may bear
thee to his own free and happy land,--the land of thy mother's kin.
Forget me, teach thyself to return and to deserve his love; and I tell thee
that thou wilt be honored and be happy."
Isabel listened with silent wonder and deep blushes to this strange
address; and when the voice ceased, she covered her face with her
hands and wept.
Zicci rose. "I have fulfilled my duty to you, and I depart. Remember
that you are still in danger from the prince; be wary, and be cautious.
Your best precaution is in flight; farewell."
"Oh, do not leave me yet! You have read a secret of which I myself was
scarcely conscious: you despise me,--you, my preserver! Ah! do not
misjudge me; I am better, higher than I seem. Since I saw thee I have
been a new being." The poor girl clasped her hands passionately as she
spoke, and her tears streamed down her cheeks.
"What would you that I should answer?" said Zicci, pausing, but with a
cold severity in his eye.
"Say that you do not despise,--say that you do not think me light and
shameless."

"Willingly, Isabel. I know your heart and your history you are capable
of great virtues; you have the seeds of a rare and powerful genius. You
may pass through the brief period of your human life with a proud step
and a cheerful heart, if you listen to my advice. You have been
neglected from your childhood; you have been thrown among nations
at once frivolous and coarse; your nobler dispositions, your higher
qualities, are not developed. You were pleased with the admiration of
Glyndon; you thought that the passionate stranger might marry you,
while others had only uttered the vows that dishonor. Poor child, it was
the instinctive desire of right within thee that made thee listen to him;
and if my