resentment against the king had subsided; he in consequence rather rejoiced than otherwise, at being prevented carrying the projects which they gave rise to into full effect.

"Another change too, of a still more pleasing nature, perhaps, to you," with a faint smile he added, "has been effected in my feelings, by my having had time for reflection. Juan, who, though deaf to the voice of humanity, was not always so to that of curiosity, if, indeed, the feelings that suggested the inquiries deserve no other appellation, informed me of all that and Don Ferdinand suffered since my supyou nosed death and so much has the information affected me, inat i no longer feel reluctant to your union."

Trembling between hope and fear, Elvina could only by tears express what she felt at this declaration; yet, notwithstanding the perturbation of her mind, she could not avoid reflecting on the happiness she should derive from it, if once relieved from her present terrors, since there was no longer any obstacle to her coming to a full explanation with Don Ferdinand; all dread of the consequences she had apprehended, from the disclosure of Dorinda's story to him, being now done away, by the commission of the crime, which rendered Don Rodolph answerable at another tribunal than that of honour for his conduct to her.

But imperfect as was the happiness the unexpected declaration of the duke afforded her, it would have

been yet less So, had she known the motive to which it was in reality owing; had she suspected that his at length avowing a disposition to sanction the addresses of Don Ferdinand was occasioned, not by any abatement of his ancient prejudices, or admiration of his exalted character, but solely by an interested wish to strengthen himself, by an alliance with his powerful

house, lest some of his frustrated projects should unfortunately come to light, fortified by such an accession of interest; and he flattered himself his enemies would in vain attempt his ruin.

If to be able to look into the human heart would save us at times from misery, the reverse would now and then be the case, since the mind of sensibility cannot perhaps experience a severer pang, than that inflicted by the detection of premeditated insincerity; by discovering that the profession or promise which afforded it delight, from the generous motive to which it was ascribed, was solely dictated by a sinister

one.

The already too heavily afflicted Elvina had not this pang to endure, from not being able to suspect the reality of her father's esteem for the noble Ferdinand, so natural to her did it seem, that his eyes should at length be opened to his exalted worth, or conceive him capable of interested views.

At length, a ray of light glimmering through a crevice in the side of the dungeon, warned them of the necessity of parting; Elvina reluctantly obeyed the warning; his unexpected restoration, and the danger he was in, endearing him still more to her filial hear. As soon as possible, he commanded her join him at night; and at length she lingeringly bade him adieu.

A a 2

REGAINING her chamber, Elvina prostrated herself, to return her fervent acknowledgements to Heaven, for the double discovery of this eventful night.

But terror soon broke in upon the ardour of her devotion. Her mind was shaken by apprehension; her mind almost died within her, when she reflected on the probability there was of the arrival of Father Jerome that day; yet a little recovering from the dread that oppressed her, she tried to hope, tried to flatter herself, in order to prevent her feelings from entirely overcoming her, that even if it did take place, her tears, her entreaties might obtain her a short respite from the violence she expected to follow it, a respite which she trusted the goodness of Providence would enable her to turn to the account she wished.

But should the reverse be the case-the suggestion was too horrible to be dwelt on for a moment; she could not without madness pause for an instant on the inevitable consequences; a parent murdered perhaps in her very sight, and the execrable Rodolph forcing her to become his.

If her present feelings were capable of aggravation, it was at the torturing reflection of the dangers by which they were surrounded being entirely the result

of the conduct of the duke himself, entirely owing to his having suffered himself to be warped from the path of integrity and honour by unjust prejudice and

evenge.

Yes, spite of the love and reverence she bore him, she could not but acknowledge to herself, that he had been highly culpable; yet, whatever were his faults, his offences, she humbly, fervently trusted, his late, his present sufferings, would be considered as a sufficient expiation of them.

Young day poured in apace, and soon the sun looked forth, in boundless majesty, shedding the shining day,

"That burnished plays,

On rocks, and hills, and towers, and wandering streams,
High gleaming from afar."

But Elvina was lost to every thing but the horrors of her situation, till startled by a knock at the chamber door; fearfully she unbolted it, and the pretended marchioness made her appearance.

Drawing back with a look of surprise, “Why, I really believe," cried she, "from your appearance, you have not been in bed all night. Mercy on me! sure this is not the way in which you expect to get better."

"If I appear to want rest so much then," returned Elvina, falteringly, "leave me now to the enjoyment of it."

"What at this hour? Oh, my lord Marquis and Don Rodolph expect you to breakfast."

"Tis impossible, impossible for me to join them," cried Elvina, retreating from the door, as if fearful of her using violence to draw her from the room.

Somewhat alarmed by the wildness of her manner, Ursula immediately withdrew to report it to Don Rodolph; and he, in consequence, fearful, if he did

not allow her harassed mind some little respite, of reducing her to a state, that would render abortive all his ambitious hopes respecting her, determined on leave her unmolested till the arrival of father Jerome, when he resolved on being decisive with her.

To dwell on the dreadful interval is unnecessary; suffice it, father Jerome arrived in the evening, and the necessity he was under of returning the following day to the convent, confirmed his abandoned son in this resolve.

Accordingly, Ursula was again despatched to the chamber of the hapless Elvina, to desire her immediate presence below, but without informing her why.

But in vain she now strove to gain admission to her. Elvina, continually on the watch, from the moment the hour drew nigh, at which father Jerome, from what she had overheard, might be expected, had ascertained his arrival, and losing, in the unutterable dismay the circumstance excited, all self-recollection, all command over herself, or power to make those efforts for the suspension of her fate, which, while the danger was more remote, she had flattered herself she should have been equal to, immediately secured the door of her apartment, and now stood leaning against it, unable to speak or move.

Finding her efforts to gain admission, or obtain an answer to her repeated demands for it unavailing, Ursula at length descended to her employers, not without an apprehension of some fatal catastrophe having taken place within the chamber, an apprehension which immediately communicating itself to them, occasioned their directly proceeding thither.

The sound of their approaching voices restoring Elvina to animation, she fled towards the inner chamber; but ere she had gained it, a sudden recollection of the dreadful, the appalling consequences likely to accrue from her seeking refuge there, made her draw