of this ill-omened plume would prove to gaze on that tranquil ocean which refatal to my love. The following afternoon Ianthe led me to the same spot where we had lingered the evening before; but Alexis did not accompany us; and seating herself in a fissure of the rock, she allowed me to place myself beside her, and assuming an air of calmness, intended, as I feared, to silence any expression of my feelings, she began the promised tale. "Since the death of my lamented parents, which happened in my childhood, I have lived perfectly retired in this beauti- || ful island; and the only amusement I have tasted, or even wished, has been roaming freely amidst its sublime scenery, meditating on the faded glories of my country, and anticipating, in humble hope, the period when Heaven might restore to oppressed Greece her religion and her liberties. minded me of eternity, where the brave who had sunk in its waters were enjoying endless peace. My little brother was sometimes my only companion in these rambles, though my dear grandfather often insisted on a faithful domestic's attending to guard me from danger, the more as I occasionally wear in the folds of my dress jewels of considerable value, in which portable and easily-concealed form the Greeks often place that wealth they fear openly to exhibit. For my part, fearless of insult, and beloved by my countrymen, I was too neglectful of caution, and loved to wander at sunset to this rock, to behold from the cliff the glorious sight. One evening, about eight months since, I directed my steps towards my usual haunt, accompanied only by Alexis, now by my side, now deviating to cull some plant, or try some wilder path. The sun was rapidly sinking, and I perceived would nearly withdraw its beams before I reached the summit. As I was ascending the defile, already wrapt in deep shadow, Alexis suddenly exclaimed, "See, sister! there is something dark and shining on your favourite cliff." And before I recollected to forbid him, he darted away; and though I still heard his light rapid steps, his form was lost to sight round an abrupt angle in the rocks. But, oh, how can I describe the horror that thrilled my heart when, in a few moments, a piercing scream from his little voice spoke the extreme of terror and suffering, and hurried me, with a speed my fainting spirits rendered una|| vailing, towards the spot. Ere I reached it, a dreadful object checked my fruitless career, and revealed all the fatal truth to my agonized senses. "It is now about a year ago when her generous sons, as yet unassisted by any other nation, rose in a seemingly hopeless struggle to restore to their children that inheritance of freedom which was once the very charter of the air we breathe. Among their dauntless numbers was a near relation of our own-a young and amiable being in whose fate we took the deepest interest. He sometimes sent us tidings of his varying fortunes, till, alas! the most disastrous reached us. His immediate band had been intercepted, surrounded, and almost all massacred by the Turks. Their leader, whose gallant exploits recalled the brightest days of Grecian glory, and whom our relative had described as blest too with the gentlest virtues, fought with determined valour his way to the sea-shore, and, driven to the last extremity, plunged into its waves, and, pierced by Turkish shots, sank beneath them. Our beloved cousin had perished in the outset of the attack, and left but the memory of honour and patriotism to crown his silent grave. These melancholy events occupied my thoughts, and it was only in solitude, and in prayer to that Being who is the best resource of the unhappy, the sole arbiter of nations, that I could find relief from the forebod-ening recital-'twas my own Alexis! ings that oppressed me. More than ever did I love to wander amid the rocks, whose grandeur raised my mind to God, "Rising slowly on its sable wings in majestic sublimity, from the very rock where my poor little brother had observed some unusual object, one of the largest species of black eagles that frequent our mountains was about to take its fearful flight into the regions of air; and in its horrible talons I perceived distinctly it bore a child! Oh! spare me the sick "How my reason sustained the shock, I know not; but recovering instantly, I hastened on, my glazing eyes fixed, as if fascinated, on the dreadful arbiter of my brother's fate, still madly, though unconsciously, hoping it would pause with its helpless victim on some rock. And on yonder lofty cliff, whose pinnacle you pointed out the other evening to the child, there, the dreadful creature, at once fulfilling and destroying my last hope, drooped its flight for a moment, as if preparing for a loftier spring. It was then, just as I felt the boy's destruction sure, that an arrow from some unseen hand rapidly past me, and, aimed with an unerring skill, pierced the terrible bird with a mortal wound. I saw no more, but dropt lifeless on the ground. "When I recovered, a stranger was kneeling beside me in the garb of a hunter; and, as if he felt conscious that my best restorative would be the sight of that dear object which I believed for ever lost, he held in his arms, and reclining on his shoulder, the drooping but living form of my little brother. Heaven had been gracious-for there let me give the praisewhich had indeed employed a human arm in aid, and preserved my Alexis on that awful summit, whence the daring and successful stranger snatched him at the imminent hazard of his own life, before the fainting boy had suffered further injury than some severe bruises from the eagle's talons, which providentially relaxed their hold, ere, in the agonies of death, the terrific bird fell from the rock. blazed in his eye, the mild benignity of his brow, and his voice and manner, expressing at once the gentlest yet loftiest mind, there was no outward distinction above a lowly hunter. His words, indeed, were few, his manner agitated, and he appeared faint and weary. It was in vain I prest him to return with me, and partake of my grandfather's hospitality. I avoided naming him, lest his well-known rank might increase the stranger's reluctance; for, though meet to sit at the board with princes, I discovered in his manner an evident wish for concealment. "Come, Alexis,' said I, playfully, to the boy; plead with your generous preserver that he will not refuse to hear the thanks and blessings of an old man, whose beloved grandchild he has saved from a dreadful death.' "Alexis!' answered he, looking kindly at the boy,' that name belonged to one I loved most dearly.' "Yes,' said the child, and to one I loved dearly too-my poor lost cousin, Alexis Montholoni.' "Montholoni!' cried the stranger. Guardian Power of Greece, hast thou indeed conducted me to behold some of my dear friend's kindred ere I join him in better regions? Oh! blessed be the hour this arm for once did not fail my aim !— You behold in me, lady,' he continued, whilst I listened in breathless emotion'you see in me Leonzi Romano, a hunted and persecuted man; and, were I known to be in existence, not the most savage recesses of this island could save me from Turkish vengeance. I was leader of that ill-fated band which had none braver than your lamented cousin amongst it. I was with him when his gallant spirit fled, and received this last token of remembrance for his family. See,' added he,' this pledge of my mission!' and he drew from his vest a small gold hunting-horn that I myself had suspended around my lamented cousin's neck the day we parted, alas! for "Nothing could exceed the tender and respectful attention of the stranger as he watched my recovery; and the tears stood on his manly cheek when he saw myself and my little brother exchange the fondest and most joyful embraces; a sight,|| that seemed to repay his courageous efforts more than even the heartfelt thanks with which I loaded him. When I was sufficiently composed to make any observations on the preserver of my dear Alexis, I was struck by the stranger's noble and warlike air. My spirits are unequal to speak worthily of one whom Na- "Your heart, Sir," continued Ianthe, ture herself had stamped with the aspect can picture how much I was affected by of a hero; but to her he owed all his a tale that involved the stranger's fate in superiority; for his form was clad in tat- the dearest interests of my race and countered garments, his features worn and try. Many times I saw him again, being exhausted, his cheek pale and haggard, the messenger of my dear grandfather, and, but for the unconquerable spirit that || loaded with his blessings, and every as ever. proaching struggle which must peril all dear to her ;-as I beheld this, and much more, of piety and sweetness in this simple but high-minded Greek girl, my love assumed a deeper, holier characterit became more like friendship, but enlivened by a softer admiration, a tenderer solicitude than friendship ever knew. sistance he could offer his beloved boy's preserver, and the friend of our lost relative. Romano's situation was one of extreme danger. On the sad day when his brave band fell under Turkish numbers, he was thought to have found a grave in the sea; but being an expert swimmer, by diving he eluded their search for his body, and had succeeded, by means of a But as days rolled on, they brought fishing-boat, in reaching this island. With- more stormy events. Greece, like a out food, money, or friends, he must have wounded gladiator, assumed a desperate perished; but Providence blest our efforts courage to make a last and desperate for his escape. By means of some valua- struggle, in the hope that Christian Euble jewels which I gladly devoted to his rope, looking on the unequal contest, service, he bribed a vessel to carry him in might turn a pitying eye on the victim, safety to a point of reunion, where a few and raise her hand to check the exteralmost hopeless spirits yet struggle for minating glaive. But though she long liberty and Greece. Sometimes we hear vainly cherished this hope, a loftier, a of his welfare; and to him my dear grand- || truer trust, did not fail her—it was in the father looks with a confidence, I trust pro- Rock of Ages! who saveth not by man's phetic, as one of those bravest sons of our arm, and in whose might a thousand may country, fated to rescue her from the de- be chased by one. Favoured by that aid, grading bonds of civil and religious sla- the Greek might truly exclaim,— very. What you have heard," added Ianthe, deeply blushing, and fixing her eloquent eyes on the ground, "may explain the seemingly strange circumstance of my constantly wearing this plume, taken from the wing of that eagle which nearly robbed me of my little brother, in memory of his happy rescue." "For Freedom's battle once begun, "And so shall it be with Greeee!" exclaimed Ianthe, as the news of fresh successes reached us, and as she saw me preparing myself to lend my feeble arm to the good cause. "Generous Britons! who have come voluntarily to the aid of the opprest, your virtuous enthusiasm shall be hallowed by success. The God of your fathers will look down graciously on all banded to redress, not ideal grievances, or to disturb a humane government, but to uproot a tyranny that reaches every hearth, from the lofty boyar's to the poor peasant's, and to support a religion that fosters all the best feelings of our nature against one that degrades man almost to the brutes that perish! Ah! happier far to die even in such a cause-to wing your flight to Heaven from some well-fought and glorious field, in defence of injured Greece-than to repose in all the wealth and power of your own happy country." The manner of the lovely narrator, as she concluded, spoke more than words; and though she made no allusion to her own sentiments of tenderness towards Romano, yet I felt despair succeed my hopes, as the tones of her soft voice, breathing secret affection, penetrated my heart. Every sound assured me her own was irrevocably given-nor could I won- || der it were so-to the gallant preserver of her brother, the patriot of Greece, the hero of her young imagination. Yet when I observed the gentleness and delicacy with which she soothed my yet bleeding wound, and the pure and faithful devotedness that hallowed her love for the absent; as I marked her in the calm of domestic life, ministering like a consoling angel by the couch of her aged and declining grandfather; as I viewed her pen-face with a brighter bloom-the bloom of sive and heavenly countenance as, seated beside the young Alexis, she heard him read that volume which was at once the guide of her life, and the support of her anxious spirit, in contemplating that ap Her excited feelings flushed her lovely the heart; and never had she appeared so dear to me as at that moment, whilst engaged in affixing some appropriate decoration to my sword-that sword which she honoured as well as its wearer, be cause she believed both were devoted to the cause of suffering humanity. "Yes, lady,” replied I, involuntarily, "when forbidden to live for dearer hopes, || it were sweet, indeed, thus to die, and to be regretted by Ianthe!" "You will live," said she, quickly, but with a paler cheek, "to bless, and be blest; but I must give you some memorial of one you have honoured by your friendship." "One lock of those tresses," said I, ardently, "would be more precious to me than the treasures of the East; but I see I must not intreat so dear a gift. May I then implore you to entrust to me that hunting-horn which your brave cousin wore in death? The sight of it will rouse my spirit not to disgrace its former wearer's deeds; and either I will myself return it to you, the pledge of peace and freedom won, or some companion in arms will bring it as a memorial that I fell not unworthily." "It is a melancholy token, surely," said Ianthe; "but it may, indeed, remind you of a noble spirit, gentle and pious, though|| inured to war." And she brought the small golden horn, and fastened it round my neck with a chain she unclasped from her own. How precious was this relic! But I had not time to express the feelings that were painted too visibly in my looks, when the young Alexis rushed into the room, crying, "Come, sister, come and see the brave fleet in sight! They are friends-Greeks, we trust." Winged by his words, we flew to the oft-visited rock, which overlooked widely the sea, and beheld, indeed, the white sails of a small fleet studding the ocean; and from the Greek construction of the vessels, from the warlike attire of those on the deck,|| and from their shouts and joyous exclamations as they approached the shore, we knew them to be a Greek force sent for the investment and defence of the island. In the first ship that effected a landing,|| conspicuous for his lofty carriage and the noble expression of his features, and for his command of the armament, was one whom my heart told me was Leonzi Romano, even before the artless exclamations of the child he had saved, or the faint, half-represt, joyful cry of Ianthe, spoke that she beheld her lover. Let me pass rapidly over scenes that, howsoever interesting to my feelings, were painful to me then, and are so now, to dwell on. The armament that Romano commanded easily mastered the feeble Turkish force then in the island. The Greeks flew to arms, universal joy prevailed, and freedom and hope breathed in every heart and every voice. At this propitious moment, Ianthe's venerable grandfather obtained her blushing consent that her union with the brave Leonzi should be immediately solemnized, to give her a protector in case of Montholoni's death; and I was entreated to witness the ceremony ere I departed. To this I most reluctantly consented. It was on the steps of the altar I took leave of the loveliest of brides and of women-attired in snowy and flowing robes, the emblems of innocence, and adorned with splendid jewels. Yet the most touching ornament of her youth was the pure love expressed in her angelic countenance, ennobled as it was by devout and solemn feelings. My farewell scarcely admitted of words; yet, as I raised the golden horn to my lips, the dear remembrance she had given me, I said, “ This shall never be parted from me in life. Should you receive it from other hands, it will be once more as a last memorial of a friend-one who would fain prove his friendship by deeds, not words. Promise me, dearest lady, that if you or yours should be in any danger or extremity human efforts can avert, you will send me some token; and my life, my whole powers, shall be devoted to you, or to this beloved boy." And I stooped to caress Alexis, and perhaps conceal a tear. "You will not refuse this trifle, to look upon and remember an absent friend?" And I ventured to fasten in her hair a diamond clasp beneath the eagle plume, which she wore as the proudest adornment of this solemn day. We all interchanged kindly adieus; and favourable breezes soon wafted me from an island where I had known for the first time love's regrets, which have for ever marked it as "the greenest spot in memory's waste." It was at a crisis most important to Greece, that I again heard of those who A short time before the decisive action I have mentioned, in which it was my fate to bear a part, the affairs of Greece had become nearly desperate; and in the were identified with her name in my mind. After a sanguinary and successful attack on the Turkish camp, in the night, and in which the Greeks had penetrated to the tent of their commander, and sacri- || fearful struggles for life which were takficed him, and too many of their enemies, to the fury of revenge-after having been fortunate enough to distinguish myself in this just cause; yet having the happiness to sheathe a sword sanctified, I trust, by mercy, it was in the dawn of a cold and cloudy morning, that I was seeking refreshment in my tent, and indulging those awe-inspiring thoughts, which, fresh from a battle-field, will press on the mind. I thought of Ianthe, too, and her loved Leonzi, and longed to hear of the welfare of their island, for whose safety many fears were entertained. Suddenly a soldier entered, and having presented me with a packet withdrew. I started at the view of the silken covering, confined only by a long lock of auburn hair, which I recognized, by its peculiar colour and beauty, to be that of Ianthe. Hastily, and with trembling hands, I undid the fastening. It contained one token of her I loved with pure and hopeless tenderness. It was the eagle's plume, deeply stained and dabbled in blood! Words and thoughts were almost denied me as I gazed on this dreadful memento; but a cry of anguish that escaped me brought one of my attendants, who inquired whether I would see the persons who were bearers of the packet; and at a sign I almost unconsciously made, he admitted into my presence those messengers. The one was a silver-haired and venerable old man, whom I remembered too well as the confidential domestic and foster-father of Ianthe. The other was the young Alexis, alas! bereft of all, who sprung with an exclamation of sorrow, that came from the very depths of his young heart, and found its full echo in mine, to my bosom; and there vented the torrent of his grief, while my tears, streaming at sight of his, left me almost powerless to ask all that that fearful token implied. Alas! I learnt too soon the tale of horror, which, now when time has al ing place at the heart of her empire, she was forced to withdraw from the more remote extremities those armed supports she needed vitally at the centre. This necessity fell peculiarly hard on the island where Romano commanded. As he foresaw the dreadfully exposed state in which the helpless Greek population must be left by so total an abandonment, he remonstrated against it with an energy that was painfully strengthened by his own private anxieties. For the aged grandfather of his adored Ianthe lay nearly at the point of death: she could not quit him, and Leonzi was commanded to leave her, dear to him even as the country he had fought for, at the mercy of Turkish barbarism. His earnest and agonized entreaty to be allowed to retain even a small force as a resource against the enemy, should they attack the deserted island, urging the impolicy, too, of totally abandoning it, was peremptorily and harshly refused; and the authorities, from whom he asked it, being actuated by secret envy of Leonzi's reputation, added indignity to the refusal, by an insulting allusion to the young chief's selfish motives in desiring to stay with his bride, and escape a share in the central and final struggle for Greece.Stung to the soul at such injustice from the country he had bled for, hastily, and without consulting even Ianthe, or any counsellors but love and indignation, the brave Romano resigned his command, and swore he would remain to perish singly in defending his own hearth, and the dear || objects there enshrined. This fatal resolution he adhered to, and witnessed the departure of his loved and lamenting comrades, and then turned to gaze on the unprotected beauty of his wife, with feelings such as a patriot and a husband only can imagine. The name of Ianthe's family, so often distinguished by efforts in favour of her country, would be a sure passport to most healed the wound, yet can I scarcely || immediate destruction should the Turks find courage to record with the calmness of a narrator. commence hostilities. It was therefore decided that the young Alexis should be |