The mode of life pursued at the villa was delightfully serene, diversified by interesting occupations and elegant leisure.  Every one passed the day according to his pleasure or occupation; and we all assembled in a cheerful dinner party at sunset.  It was on the fourth of November, a beautiful serene day, that we had assembled in the saloon at the sound of the first dinner-bell.  The family were surprised at the absence of the prince’s confessor.  They waited for him in vain, and at length placed themselves at table.  They first attributed his absence to his having prolonged his customary walk; and the first part of the dinner passed without any uneasiness.  When the dessert was served, however, without his making his appearance, they began to feel anxious.  They feared he might have been taken ill in some alley of the woods; or, that he might have fallen into the hands of robbers.  At the interval of a small valley rose the mountains of the Abruzzi, the strong-hold of banditti.  Indeed, the neighborhood had, for some time, been infested by them; and Barbone, a notorious bandit chief, had often been met prowling about the solitudes of Tusculum.  The daring enterprises of these ruffians were well known; the objects of their cupidity or vengeance were insecure even in palaces.  As yet they had respected the possessions of the prince; but the idea of such dangerous spirits hovering about the neighbourhood was sufficient to occasion alarm.

The fears of the company increased as evening closed in.  The prince ordered out forest guards, and domestics with flambeaux to search for the confessor.  They had not departed long, when a slight noise was heard in the corridor of the ground floor.  The family were dining on the first floor, and the remaining domestics were occupied in attendance.  There was no one on the ground floor at this moment but the house keeper, the laundress, and three field laborers, who were resting themselves, and conversing with the women.

I heard the noise from below, and presuming it to be occasioned by the return of the absentee, I left the table, and hastened down stairs, eager to gain intelligence that might relieve the anxiety of the prince and princess.  I had scarcely reached the last step, when I beheld before me a man dressed as a bandit; a carbine in his hand, and a stiletto and pistols in his belt.  His countenance had a mingled expression of ferocity and trepidation.  He sprang upon me, and exclaimed exultingly, “Ecco il principe!”

I saw at once into what hands I had fallen, but endeavored to summon up coolness and presence of mind.  A glance towards the lower end of the corridor showed me several ruffians, clothed and armed in the same manner with the one who had seized me.  They were guarding the two females and the field laborers.  The robber, who held me firmly by the collar, demanded repeatedly whether or not I were the prince.  His object evidently was to carry off the prince, and extort an immense ransom.  He was enraged at receiving none but vague replies; for I felt the importance of misleading him.