THE BRIGAND AND HIS WIFE. "Poor Jacopa!" sighed Ceasaria, as she stood at their evening rendezvous, "what a peaceful soul he is; but why loiter in his vineyard, and let me wait thus? I finished all my embroidery, and yet kept time. Hist, this must be he; ah! no, the Virgin shield me." Alas! she was in the arms of a brigand exquisite, the terror and admiration of all Naples. Without saying a word, he lifted her on his steed, and galloped to his mountain fastness; where confiding her to the care of an old woman, he left his prize to repose. Next day the dismayed girl was mocked by his "begging permission to pay his respects." "SigNora," began the good-looking young thief, as he entered, "if, as yet, you lament of having no friends of power to rescue you, hear me swear by the body of Bacchus, and the soul of St. Anthony, that I would accept no ransom for so fine a woman. The peasant to whom you are betrothed might have had the honor of losing his life in your defence, had he been true to his appointment. No gentleman would outrage |