Page:The Italian - Radcliffe, volume 1 (1797).djvu/189

in temper to endure jesting; his mood was grave, even to solemnity, and he yielded, though reluctantly, to the awe which, at intervals, returned upon him with the force of a magical spell, binding up all his fa­culties to sternness, and fixing them in expectation. While he was nearly regardless of defence against hu­man agency, his servant was, however, preparing for that alone; and very properly represented the impru­dence of going to Paluzzi in darkness. Vivaldi ob­served that they could not watch for the monk other­wise than in darkness, since the torch which lighted them would also warn him, and he had very particular reasons for watching before he proceeded to examine. He added, that after a certain time had elapsed, the torch might be lighted at a neighbouring cottage. Paulo objected, that in the meanwhile, the person for whom they watched might escape; and Vivaldi com­promised the affair. The torch was lighted, but con­cealed within a hollow of the cliffs, that bordered the road, and the centinelstook