DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0048
28
THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
Malvezzi, meanwhile, was conversing with a soldier,
who gave him some important information. The Prince
Adorno was in reality returned—report said that he was
assembling his vassals to invade Pisa—that he had sent
a messenger to Venice to inform Bianca of his arrival and
intentions. “ The lagging fool!” said Malvezzi, with
scorn 5 “ had he but been a day sooner, my plans had
fallen to nought—perhaps I might at this moment have
been crossing the Bridge of Sighs. By this time the
Council of Ten must know Bianca’s disappearance, and
be conjecturing the cause—they shall soon be informed.”
Night was now sinking, and the heavy walls of the
castle were almost towering above them. As they rode
up the rocky path, at whose summit frowned its black
battlements, the warder’s voice echoed through the pass
“ Who comes there ?”
“ A friend from Venice,” cried Malvezzi, exultingly.
“ Welcome !” said the warder ; “ you have been im-
patiently expected. By ’r Lady, your expedition is mi-
raculous.”
The heavy drawbridge dropped sullenly over the moat,
the portcullis was raised with a grating sound, and Mal-
vezzi entered, leading Bianca, trembling, with him. As
his band were following he heard a struggle behind.—
The portcullis was dropped—the drawbridge raised.—
“ Some idle quarrel,” fiercely muttered Malvezzi. “ This
garrison is the worst disciplined in Pisa.” And so say-
ing, he strode haughtily onward through the dark pass-
age that led to the great hall of the frontier garrison.
In the hall a large table was spread, and torches were
placed in the immense iron candlesticks, that shed a broad
THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
Malvezzi, meanwhile, was conversing with a soldier,
who gave him some important information. The Prince
Adorno was in reality returned—report said that he was
assembling his vassals to invade Pisa—that he had sent
a messenger to Venice to inform Bianca of his arrival and
intentions. “ The lagging fool!” said Malvezzi, with
scorn 5 “ had he but been a day sooner, my plans had
fallen to nought—perhaps I might at this moment have
been crossing the Bridge of Sighs. By this time the
Council of Ten must know Bianca’s disappearance, and
be conjecturing the cause—they shall soon be informed.”
Night was now sinking, and the heavy walls of the
castle were almost towering above them. As they rode
up the rocky path, at whose summit frowned its black
battlements, the warder’s voice echoed through the pass
“ Who comes there ?”
“ A friend from Venice,” cried Malvezzi, exultingly.
“ Welcome !” said the warder ; “ you have been im-
patiently expected. By ’r Lady, your expedition is mi-
raculous.”
The heavy drawbridge dropped sullenly over the moat,
the portcullis was raised with a grating sound, and Mal-
vezzi entered, leading Bianca, trembling, with him. As
his band were following he heard a struggle behind.—
The portcullis was dropped—the drawbridge raised.—
“ Some idle quarrel,” fiercely muttered Malvezzi. “ This
garrison is the worst disciplined in Pisa.” And so say-
ing, he strode haughtily onward through the dark pass-
age that led to the great hall of the frontier garrison.
In the hall a large table was spread, and torches were
placed in the immense iron candlesticks, that shed a broad