Litchfield enquirer., 1835-08-27

4 Berenice. I Ttmay be so,' she answered sadly, if you still wish ii.' s
 If still wish it Berenice. of what are \ you .dreamine9'
 t Il am not dreaming Lncins En,ilius; 1; I
 am speaking the words of sober reality.--- I You think of me, as of the beloved child uf'
 Flavius FOrquatOs---the co-heiress of his
 wealth and honors of ono whose hand will
 confer distinction. If, on your return from
 Germany, you should find me despoiled of
 all these advantages, an alien from my fa.
 thsr's house, it may be from his heart .scorn-
 ed and forgotten by my friends, despised
 by Mankind---'
 | ou would still, replied Lucius, De 10
 me the same Berenice, whom, tn her hour
 of prosperity. I had vowed to love and to
 cherish. But what can he the meaning of l your terrible wprds7 Why do you torture yourself and nic by such uiterlv vain ima- ! ginings?' ss 1 N x ;..
 Berenice withdrew from the encircline
 arm that supported her. she leaned against
 the slight column of the vesandah her
 voice Wns softer than the sofisst whisper,
 yet every word fell with terrible clearness
 on tl,e ear of her loyer--s Lucius En,ilius, I am Christian Y Lucius went forth that night from the
 chamber of his betrothed m altered man.
 for the chill of disappointment had fallen on his pruudest and fondest hopes. He had tried all his persuasive powers to ir- duce the giri to forsake her new opinions-A he had tried in vain: 50 now nought re- mained for him to do, but 10 fnlfil tho en- gagenients in which his honor was concern ed, ,, and then to return-to love her siijl- and to project her, if necessary, with his life. He borewith him, two precious gifts, to console him in absence, as far as any thing could console dhim---ihe golden case kes and the carrier dove. Berenice was again alone -notlas here tofore, in the solitude of her own luxurioGs apartment not surrounded asshe was wont 10 be. with her books, and music. and low ers3:t she, was .alone in lhe solitude of u. gloomy prison chamber. A small apessnre near the ceiling, guarded by iron bars, ad-l
 mitted just light enough to show the dismal emptiness of, the piace---no tapestried hangings to hide the cold damp walls, no warm carpets to cover the stone floor. IT contained only , low couch, and on that ii,e maiden was seated, sometimes raising her claspod hands in the deep earnestness of prayer, sometimes covering her red and swollsnseyes, to hide, itmight Do from hers self the tears she could not restrain. Pres- and her father entered. Berenice shudder- ed, and said, Not tlis-- Oh, let mo Do spared this worst grief! Yet, no-the sa- crifice must De complete: give nc only strength to bear is sr Then she advanced, and led Flayins Torquatos to her couch, and meekly kneeling before him, .prayedll him yet once more to lay his hand upon her. and tO bless her. liitsss sF3 sl
 The old man answered, IL is not fur this come, unhappy girl. come to tell you that all my entreaties have been in vain: tho orders of the eIDperor must not be disobeyed. and his orders were, that all l of your fanaiicai sect should be exsermina. ted. Were Marcus here, the tears and prayers of his faithful old servant might a- vail buthe is beyond the Danube. To- n,orrow,.a general execution! !! Oh, Beren- ice! my child, my child! must ! live to see your blood flow forth by the hand ofa conn mon executioncr 2
 come not, as camc yesterday,' he continued, after a long pause, with tears and entreaiies to move you. Yesterday. I knelt to implore you to save your fathers
 heart from breaking --and all in vain! To-s day come with l,arshsr purpose. You. asked me but now to take yOu in my asrns and bless you, as I did when you were d little child. Berenice. if you do not sban- don your infatlation, lyon persist in bring ing eternal dishonoT on your line--- Beren- ice listen !---may the curse of your father
 The girl pressed his arm heavily ---she tried to speak. but her paried lips were white as marbles and refused to utter q sound. f IsSsrs.si si 38s s,ss sis
 The old man looked on her, and, the curse on his lips was stayed. He looked. on her, and kissed her, ere be went, for he had lenderly loved hcf mother.
 My sister 7 she faintly nIurnured, as he moved away but Flavios answered, { You will never sec her again: you would infect her with your superstition. cannot be loft child!ess in my old age. And the, old man went, and as tho last sound of his departing step died away, Berenice thD't her worst trial was over, and she withdrew her thoughts from the world, and sought to prepare her soul for death.
 Late in the following day the people of Rome assembled in the ampbitheatre. to witness the martyrdom of the Christians.