“I would say something more,” said Matilda, struggling, “but it may not be.  Isabella—­Theodore—­for my sake—­oh!” She expired.

A clap of thunder at that instant shook the castle to its foundations; the earth rocked, and the clank of more than mortal armour was heard behind.  The walls of the castle were thrown down with a mighty force, and the form of Alfonso, dilated to an immense magnitude, appeared in the centre of the ruins.  “Behold in Theodore the true heir of Alfonso!” said the vision; and having pronounced these words, accompanied by a clap of thunder, it ascended solemnly towards heaven, where, the clouds parting asunder, the form of St. Nicholas was seen, and receiving Alfonso’s shade, they were soon wrapt from mortal eyes in a blaze of glory.

The beholders fell prostrate on their faces, acknowledging the divine will.  Manfred at last spoke.

“My story has drawn down these judgements,” he said; “let my confession atone.  Alfonso died by poison.  A fictitious will declared my grandfather Ricardo his heir.  Ricardo’s crimes have been visited upon my head.  St. Nicholas promised him in a dream that his posterity should reign in Otranto until the rightful owner should be grown too large to inhabit the castle, and as long as male descendants of Ricardo should live to enjoy it.  Alas! nor male nor female, except myself, remains of all his wretched race!  How this young man can be Alfonso’s heir, I know not—­yet I do not doubt it.”

“What remains, it is my part to declare,” said Jerome.  “When Alfonso was journeying to the Holy Land, he loved and wedded a fair Sicilian maiden.  Deeming this incongruous with his holy vow of arms, he concealed their nuptials.  During his absence, his wife was delivered of a daughter; and straightway afterwards she heard of her lord’s death in the Holy Land and Ricardo’s succession.  The daughter was married to me.  My son Theodore has told me that he was captured and enslaved by corsairs, and, on his release, found that my castle was burnt to the ground, and that I was retired into religion, but where no man could inform him.  Destitute and friendless, he wandered into this province, where he has supported himself by the labour of his hands.”

On the next morning Manfred signed his abdication of the principality, with the approbation of Hippolita, and each took on them the habit of religion.  Frederic offered his daughter to the new Prince.  But Theodore’s grief was too fresh to admit the thought of another love, and it was not until after frequent discourses with Isabella of his dear Matilda that he was persuaded he could know no happiness but in the society of one with whom he could for ever indulge the melancholy that had taken possession of his soul.

* * * * *

EMILE ZOLA

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