few days after Edmund's departure, when her spirits were yet saddened, and her parents were anxious to see them restored by the society of one whom she loved so well, and who was so deserving of esteem.

Stratagem was opposed to force; permission was given to Claudina to spend the day with Everilda's aunt, whom she frequently visited, and the moment she was beyond the walls of the convent, a light carriage with four horses offered freedom to her, and never stopped till she was out of her brother's jurisdiction. She was received with raptures by her friend, and in the elegant society of the Rodalvi family, began to taste of happiness, though she led a retired life, from fear of her brother, who left no art untried to bring her once more within his power: and indeed every day that she was out of it, was of consequence, as his office of guardian was limited to a certain number of years, which was now nearly expired; for his father, either repenting on his death

death-bed, the cruelty that he had shewn his daughter, or not being so charmed with his son's disposition, as to think proper to trust entirely to it, did not wish to extend the power he should give him over his sister too far. We have already related the consequences of the young ladies having imprudently lengthened their walk much further than usual; and we have now to relate other trials, as severe, and almost as fatal, which befel this unfortunate fair one, though arising from a very different source.

CHAP

CHAP. XVII.

-See

The bitter fruits of thine unhappy love!

It blossomed sweetly, and thy cheated hopes

Were promis'd, that its bloom should last for ever;

What can'st thou wish? What state of life become thee?

Go from the world, which has no corner in it

That will receive thee kindly, but that cloister,

Whence had'st thou ne'er been drawn thou had'st been happy.

VICTOR.

CLAUDINA's heart, naturally tender, lavished its sensibilities on those to whom she was indebted, with a warmth, proportioned to their paucity.

She revered the Marchese; she regarded the Marchesa as a mother, and was attached to the interesting Everilda, by every tie of friendship and gratitude, but she was soon convinced, that yet stronger sentiments

sentiments could exist in her heart; she found with mingled fear and pleasure, that she loved, and for sometime engrossed by the delights of a new and secret passion, she felt not even the necessity of participation. Every day her attachment gained strength, for every day she gazed on her preserver, and his speaking countenance, his facinating manners, his animated smile, and cultivated mind, were not to be attended to with indifference. One day he was unusually brilliant; intelligence flashed in his eyes, transport smiled on his lips, and as though common language could not express his sentiments, he breathed on his flute the most captivating melody. The susceptible Claudina was overpowered by her emotions, she left the room, and wandered trough a grove, where every gale wafted fragrance, and seemed to inspire happiness. Yes," she exclaimed, clasping her hands, and raising her tearful eyes to heaven, "yes I love! oh delightful

passion,

passion, till I knew thee, I knew not the value of existence. Ah heavens! who can renounce the world, whilst in it can be experienced feelings such as mine? And what would they have been in the convent of Sainte Frances! I love, and surely I love not alone, no, I feel also that I am loved." And now, lest our readers should think that they have caught us napping, as has been the case with greater authors than we are; or lest Clayton may be accused of inconsistancy, or Claudina of vanity, we think it incumbent on us to declare, that though she was mistaken, her mistake was very excusable.-Clayton's soul overflowed with love, and the tenderness of his accents, the sensibility of his glances, might have misled those more versed in the language of passion than Claudina was, particularly if their wish was "father to the thought." It was natural for her to imagine when in Everlida's absence, his voice trembled in addressing her, and his eyes were fixed

on