Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-04

! walls, rules and vows, could rescue man HUH
destiny.
The wear of the novitiaite expired. Giulio
pronounced his vows, he believed himself hap
DIV, and felt as if at length delivered from the
torrents he had suffered not once did an
idea of the sacrifice he had made sadden his
thoughts; but on the very evening OF that So
Tenn day, at the moment Of retiring to his cell,
he met one of the monks Of the convent, who
took his hand, pressed it aHectionately, and
said ssBrother, it isfor ever ~ The words
ssfor ever" struck Giulio. The power Of a
word over weak mind is wonderful, those
now uttered, seemed to reveal to him his
whole existence he beheld himself as one
already dead, and for whom time was no more;
he fell from thenceforth into sombre habit,
and appesred to support the weight of life
YEARLY.
Father Ambrosio beheld with compassion
the situation fthis yong man: his sole knowl-
edge of him was that he was unhappy, and he
took an interest in him; it occurred to him
that occupation might dissipate his melan-
cholv. Giulio had much eloquence, and
Am5rosio appointed him to preach: his repu-
tation was of rapid growth, multitudes focked
from all quarters to hear him, he became the
subject of variety of vague rumours, he was
young and handsome, and it is probable that
the mystery which surrounded him lent an
added charm to his words.
The time drew nigh for the celebration Of
the feast of the Convent, at which the King
ofNaples and his whole court were to assist;
Giulio was selected to pronounce the pane
gyric ofSt. Thomas, the patron of the con-
vent, and great preparations were made tor
the occasion. The day arrived, an immense
crowd filled the church, Giulio was with dit
fculty pressing through it to go to his pulpit,
when, in consequence ofshis efforts, his
cowl fell back, leaving his face exposed: at
that moment he heard the exclamation, "Hes-
vens, how handsome he is! J" Surprised and
agitated, he turned involuntarily, and beheld
a female whose eyes were fixed on him with
the most penetrating expression. Afew mo-
ments were sufficient TO revolutionze the ex-
istence ofthese two beings. Giulio pronoun-
ced his discourse, and Immediately on finding
hmsclfat liberty, immured himselfin his cell,
but he was no longer free to deliver himself
up to his ordinary meditations: pursued by
the image of the unknown female, expert
cncing sentiments which were completely
new to him, troubled, disquieted, rcDose
seemed to have abandoned him; nevertheless,
it seemed to him as though he had only be-
gun to exist from the moment when he heard
the voice the accent ofwhich had so penetra-
ted his heart. He dares not hazard glance
Nv IS ;rrerocabie! Every morning he goes to
perform mass, every morning he remarks a
yelled female on the same spot; he recogni-
yes her, and has not even wish to see her
face for then he must avoid her; but he dares
allow himself, to gaze intently on the veil; he
follows all her movements, he feels, as it
were, the pulsations of her heart, and replies
to them; too weak TO tear himself from his
danger, he trembles to examine himself, he
starts from the truth; his life is compressed in
to few rapid Notwithstanding these he ex-
lists. the rest of his days is humiliation. He
would fain hy: he promises himself, eff she is
there tomorrow, will not return and armed
with this resolution, he believes himself safe,
and feels something like return oftranquilty.
The next day he went to the church some
what earlier than he was accustomed; she was
not there; when every one had retired, he
approached her seat, aud perceivIng her
prayerbook, he seized it, opened it, and saw
written on the first page the name of Theresa,
now, then he could repeat, he could call up
on her name: "Theresa! Theresa" he muir
INJURED, in accents as low as though he feared
to be heard, though he was quite alone. Since
she did not appear, he had no scruple to re-
turn: days and weeks rolled away and There.
50 was absent.
Theresa, the wife of an old man, whom she
loved as a father was happy in the ful6lment
other duties. and suspected no other species
| ofhappiness than that which was her portion;
she saw Giulio, and her peace of mind was
gone. So ardent was the soul of Theresa,
, ,op{,rpant IanrnaI N
form the destiny of her lfe:-she adored
Giuo. Until this crises her husband hadbeen
the confdant other every thought, but she
never mentioned Giulio to him, this mystery
was painful to her, and seemed to accuse her
of her fault; she perceived there was danger
to be summed, and had the courage to alb.
stain from attending mass. In the hope OF
calming her feelings, she had recourse to con-
fcssion, and resolved, for that purpose, to re-
turn to the church of the Dominicans: she
chose the hour when she knew Glullo to be
engaged; she approached the confessional,
and on her knees acknowledged all she had
experienced since the day ofthe festival ofthe
convent, the happiness which the daily sight
of Giulio had caused her, her subsequent re-
morse, and the courage she had exerted IN
avoiding him; but confessed that she feared
her strength would soon abandon her. "What
must do" she cried: s'have pity, my father,
on poor sinner" Her tears flowed N tor
rents, her agitation was violent. Scarcely
had she concluded, than threatening voice voice.
| pronounced the words, "Unhappy wretch
what sacrilege!" Giulio, for it was ne whom
destiny had led thither, rushed from the con-
fessional. Theresa, still kneeling, arrested
his steps; she seized his robe, she duplicated
him to withhold his malediotion, she implored
him for her salvation, she implored himtor her
love. He repulsed her, but very feebly.
Theresa, Theresa" he cried at last "quit
this place! very soon my resolution will i az
mel At these words Theresa threw herself
into his arms, enveloping him, as it were, with
the atmosphere of her love- "Say," she cned
ed-"oh say that am beloved before lqui'
thee"
Giulio, terrified, beside himself, shuddering
with fear of surprise, replied for a moment
to he, caresses, and pressed her to his heart;
but on a sudden, struck by the recollection Of
the prediction, he swore to Ay from her forey,
| ar. and without any explanation, he eyacteo