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while, with the other sex, she was still more unfortunate, for the men usually concluded the description of some unlucky female by saying she was just such another devil as Miss Carney." Her personal appearance was not in her favour-she was tall, thin, and angular; and having reached that unhappy period of life when it is said unwedded ladies all but despair, the strange efforts she made use of to repair the damages of time, by dress and the "art cosmetique," placed her in that order of beings which in Ireland are distinguished by the title of Dusts. On this eventful evening she was attired in the very extremity of a freshly-imported fashion; her hair wreathed fancifully. with oak-leaves and flowers-roses she had in profusion, but they were confined to her head, for those which had erst bloomed upon her cheek, had absconded before the recollections of the greater part of the company could recall the memory of their existence.

Miss Carney advanced with due dignity to the table. The company were as quiet as could be expected, as the females were half tired, and the men half drunk. She surveyed

her auditory with a gracious smile, and unclosing a huge portfeuille, commenced her prefatory address:

"The short and trifling scene I am about to confide to your indulgence, is from the MS. Romance of The Awful Monitor, or the Caverns of St. Antonio.' The characters which will be introduced are, the Duca D'Urbino; Rosalvina dell' Angelicano; Annette, her Maid; the Viscounts Manfredonia, Squanderini, and Martelli; their profligate companions, Signors Contarino, Marinelli, and Scamparoni; with the Bravoes Sanguinario and Spado; the Castellan, Apothecary, Confessor, Sbirri, Gondoliris, and a part of the Banditti."

"Lord preserve us from such a brigade," cried a Yeomanry Officer. "Amen," was generally responded.

Miss Carney requested the candles should be snuffed, and then smilingly commenced—

"Night came on dark and dismally-the clouds, in thick and eddying columns, densely shaded the lofty watch-turrets of the Castello, while vivid lightning, accompanied by pealing thunder, awfully illuminated its dusky corri

dors; the demon of the storm bestrode the blast, and yet, amid the pauses of the tempest, bursts of noisy merriment ascended from the grand saloon, where D'Urbino revelled with his profligate compeers. One bosom in the Castle was undismayed, for conscious innocence cheered it. Oh! that was Rosalvina's. Alas!' sighed the sufferer, what a night is this for the guilty. Does not thy flinty bosom tremble, Duca D'Urbino?'

"The sufferer's soliloquy was interrupted by a noise, and a firm and sounding step approaching the painted chamber, resounded along the tesselated passage. The unknown stopped and knocked loudly at the door,-the sound was instantly repeated, and before our fainting Heroine could say Come in,' the portal was rudely unclosed, and the ruthless Sanguinario entered.

"Rosalvina sprang from the sofa, and with indignant displeasure pourtrayed in her fine face, demanded, Who was the mannerless intruder?"

"Donna,' replied the unblushing Bandit, it is Sanguinario, your Excellenza's very humble slave, who now intrudes on your Serene Highness, to conduct you to the expiring Duca.'

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Indignation gave way to terror, as with ashy paleness tinting her lovely features, Rosalvina gasped, 'Merciful Heaven! is he dying?' Only with love,' said the Robber, elevating his whiskered lip into a demoniac grin. "I will not go,' said the trembler ; the daughter of Angelicano holds no intercourse with inebriate Cavaliers.'

"And this is then your resolve, haughty Donna.'

"It is, man of blood,' replied the persecuted Contessa.

"Ha!' roared Sanguinario, as he paused for a moment, and gazed on her with a look of indescribable malice, this shall be remembered;' and flinging the door almost off its hinges, he strode furiously from the apart

ment.

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Scarcely had the Bandit retired, leaving our Heroine in a state of pitiable agitation, when the light-hearted Annette entered; but on perceiving the pallid countenance of her angelic mistress, the attached creature burst into tears, and exclaimed, Oh! has that terrible Sanguinario been here?'

"He has,' faintly articulated Rosalvina. "Oh! did you but know what has happened since I left your Excellenza, to get hartshorn from the new Apothecary, Pedrillo; you may know him, Donna, he wears a sooty-coloured wig, and has a turn in his left eye

"Go on, dear Annette, and never mind Pedrillo's left eye,' said Rosalvina, with a heavenly smile.

"Well, thank the Virgin, I have got the hartshorn, or you would faint past recovery. Well, as I was crossing the west corridor, to reach the spiral staircase, leading to northeast gallery, I heard a footstep rapidly following me; blessed Mary, how my heart palpitated; I could neither go back nor forward; but do not look so pale, dear Donna. On came the person, and who do you think it was?'

it t Probably Anselmo, the gardener,' said the Heroine.

"Oh, no, poor man, he has been confined in the dungeons for the last week, by order of the Duca, for being accessory to a bad sallad, although he offered to take his oath the fault lay in the dressing-'