The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-13

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short of distraction. ! could not but
feel that had forfeited the esteem ofthe
only woman in whom had ever felt an
interest: thought, too, of the circnm-
stances under which / had offered her
such insult-of her forlorn, disolated
condition OF her unavoidable estrange-
ment from that society which she was
born TO bless and adorn and above all,
of her intense agony which, so far from
calling forth my reverence, had, through
my pity, assailed my passions. But,
with regard to Herwaldsen-oh how I
hated him What was there, in his
mind or manner, that should so long
have blinded my judgment? His can
dour was lie-his taste cbeat-his
friendship, hypocrisy-his gentleness,
the glozing subtlety of the arch-fend
For upwards Of five days / continued
in this bewildered state, never quitting
home till nightfall, when, wrapt up in my
cloak, would steal away to the cottage,
deriving some little comfort from the idea
that was breathing the same air with
Hortense, and that but few yards lay
between us. One night, remember, 1
was rambling in this direction, when the
more than usual beauty ofthe landscape,
on which full grown virgin moon lay
asleep and naked, induced me to pause
below the Mount of Moses, and think
with still stronger emotion Of her who a.
lone could share my feelings. 1t was in
deed lovely hour Above--around--
beneath me, all was hushed as death,
when, now and then, the far-off voices of
the Baltic fishermen came softened on
the ear; or the waters of the Maclar, Just
reused by the passing breeze from their
repose, woke for un instant, rippled to-
wards the shores ofthe Sodermalm, and
then again sunk heavily to rest. But
though the scene was thus impressive in
Its character ; though the spacious and
romantic city, whose tapering church
spires pointed upwards, like guardian
spirits, to heaven though the vast and
picturesque assemblage Of vessels from
all quarters ofthe globe though the wild,
uncOuth precipice; the remote sky-top-
ped mountain; the Silly moon-lit waters
of the distant Baltic-though these va
ried objects, as they rose in mingled
beauty and grandeur OH my eye, called
forth my warmest admiration, still there
was but one that wholly absorbed it-one
little humble spot which for me had
central and engrossing interest, and from
which, ifmy eye wandered but an in.
stant over the more romantic landscape
around me, II was but to return with an
added zest. While | stood gazing up
wards at this dear secluded dwelling, a
light glanced suddenly from one of the
upper rooms, and, the next moment,
Hortense appeared at the bedroom VIM
dow. Awhile she looked abroad on the
scene, and up to the blue-studded sky;
her ringlets were hanging loose down
her neck; the covering was partially
Withdrawn from her bosom she was evi-
IDENTIFY preparing for repose. just at
this crisis, and while she was in the act
of drawing down the curtain, another
figure appeared beside her, and touching
her lightly with familiar smile on the
shoulder, caused her to blush and slight
ly tremble. could not be mistaken; it
was Herwaldsen. With wild scream,
that resembled more the meaning of
de mon than any thing human, rushed
from the detested sight all the furies of
Jealousy, and hate, and revenge possessed
me. would have cheerfully mounted
the scaffold to have plunged that instant
dagger in my rivals heart to have in
suited his dying moment, and tramped
on his carri0n corpse. Who is he that
calls love effeminate Who talks con-
temptuously of a passion which in one
short day can live the life of years can
sap the springs of life; scorch the brain
to cinders and change the whole fabric
of humanity ! BY the time / had reach
ed my lodgings, j had worked myselfup
into most unnatural frame of mind.
Fancy-that busy meddling fiend,-ex-
aggerated every part of my conduct; she
left me not single thought to fly for
refuge but piled image upon image of
annoyance, the Pelion upon the Ossa of
recollection, till the wholesome daylight
of reason was shut out. In her most
winning charms, in her most perfect
beauty, she placed the figure of fHortense
before me. She bid her smile on me
once more in kindness; she lent the en-
couraging tones of reconciliation to her
voice (; but when would have rushed for
ward to avail myself ofthe profered bait,
Herwaldsen rose in repelling s.ernness
between me and my divinity and, though
my brain fired at the sight, though my
heart beat quick and loud, and l would
have given worlds to have laid him dead
at my feet T; still there he stood, calm
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