Page:The Italian - Radcliffe, volume 1 (1797).djvu/203

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may be ea­sily conceived, when they found that all their efforts at the door were ineffectual. The thick wood was in­laid with solid bars of iron; and was of such uncon­querable strength, that it evidently guarded what had been designed for a prison, and appeared to be the keep or dungeon of the ancient fort.

"Ah, Signor mio!" said Paulo, "if this was a spi­rit, 'tis plain he knew we were not so, by his luring us hither. Would we could exchange natures with him for a moment; for I know not how, as mere mor­tal men, we can ever squeeze ourselves out of this scrape. You must allow, Maestro, that this was not one of the evils he warned you of; or, if he did, it was through my organs, for I entreated you."———

"Peace, good Signor Buffo!" said Vivaldi; "a truce with this nonsense, and assist in searching for some means of escape."

Vivaldi again examined the walls, and as unsuccess­fully as before; but in one cornerof

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