The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-06

'hS' sue suspected actual evil IN the thoughts
or wishes Of the Queen, but she deemed
her conduc, towards Francis of Foix-cov-
cred though il was by some idle idea of rela-
tionship-still bold, rash, and unwemanly.
Or the count, too, she had many doubts.
She hoped, she trusted, tha, change had
come over his feelings and his thoughts I;
she fancied that she saw the change 10 e.
very word and action; but still she feared,
and still she doubted.
Was there, also, in her bosom doubt as
to what might ever become, the feelings OF
her own heart towards HIM Z There was
and wisely she shrunk from putting into
the hands Of one who might misuse it, the
slightes, power over her future peace of
mind. She had done her duty to him, as
one fellow creature to another she had
done more than most would do; and now
she sought 10 avoid a man who she had first
reprobaied, then pitied, and now feared.
Nevertheless, she was, almost daily. forced
to be present, while Francis of Folk spent
long hours with Isabel of Valois, during
the days of his convalescence; and her
presence was to him blessing and safe
guard.
! The comparison was always before him
of good and evil, and TINT comparison was
too powerful to leave judgment to hesitate
Love, toe, was on the side Of judgment,
for love grew daily more powerful over his
heart; and, as he gazed upon Blanche of
Navarro, sitting by the side Of Isabel of
Valois, he fell ints deep tits of musing,
which the latter loved not. What was the
subject of his musing? How he might win
that radiant creature to return the love he
felt how he might change the cold and
frigld courtesy, which now clothed all her
words towards him, 10 that warmer conf
dence which alone can be the nurse Of af-
fection; how he could show her, how he
could prove TO her, that she alone of wo-
mankind possessed or ever had possessed
his heart.
, The qualities which he had before priced,
. both IN himself and others, had now sunk
low in his estimation and endowmcnts,
of more noble aud elevated character,
were gradually rising up to he wondered al
: and admired.
r He who in the pride Of naughty success
, had thought all the world, but more espe
chilly woman, born but to bow to him, ant
yield to his pleasure; now undsrvalued al
: his own powers, judged himseftoo harshly
G and thought himself all unworthy of her re-
y gard who had wrought such change ia
, him. Habit, evil habit, indeed, was polen
with him, as with other men; aud, as we
have said, with the return of buoyant health
; custom might have resumed her hold on
him; the destinations Of Isabel of Valois
, might not have been employed in vain the
f vanity aud the passions of the man might
both have been excited, when he felt him
self courted by one so high aud so beauii-
ful and strong evil might have again tri-
uDPhed over the first weak efforts of vir-
tue.
But that bright, dangerous queen had,
unwittngly, placed the antidote beside the
poison. In her proud consciousness of
beauty and of grace, Of wit, Of talent, and
OF courage, she never dreamed that the
calm and quiet princess of the small noun
tain state, the mild and unassutning Blanche
Of Navarro, could ever become her rival
where she stopped to please +; and all that
she could wish TO do was undone, before
she perceived that she had counternctcd
herself AT lepgth, however, she saw
and saw with nnger--that when she spoke,
{ Francis of Folk turned the head away, or
answered sometimes coIdly, sometimes ab-
s'raciedly; while, on the contrary, when
the voice of Blanche sounded in his car, an
instant smile spread rudient over his face,
his eyes were Glled with new light, aud his
, whole soul seemed moved to answer her.
He talked of virtue, too he praised those
calm and gentle qualities which throng
round woman in her household duties, and
! grace her more than gems.
Nay, more He seemed to feel the vir-
tues that he praised, aud to have learned
T adherence of the vices which he censured.
Sometimes, with flashing eyes and scornfuI
lip, Isabel sneerei aloud at words of purity
from surh n tongue AS his +; called up, in
angry sportiveness his errors IN the past, :
and asked, how sermons sounded from the
lips of so virtuous a mani
Twice he was silent; but at length, urg-
ed too for, replied, -" Lady, what you sny
10 true. l am often ashamed, thinking Of
the past, to speak Of the new feeling that
experience at present. The time was,
when ! should have scoffed to hear such
thoughts expressed by men far worhier
Than myself; but now, when ] venture So
} to speak, II is IN all humility, and with deep
regret, that to the ordinary errors Of mans
, youth, have added others with deliberate
; folly"
The queen laughed loud and ,auntingIy;
, but the liquid eye Of her he loved beaned
brightly on him; and he was repaid. The
: time came, however, when Isabel of yaloIs
could not laugh. His indiff.rence-far
from calming what at first was, perhaps.
!, but an idle passion, entertaincd but for the
purpose of triAing gniIy through an untitled
hour-only added fire and engerness. She
learned TO love intensity, when she began
to feel herself despised and angry Jealousy
took place Of dangerous coquetry and evil
trifling.
c.. -a,.L.I ,.ith La.r ..a. .-a.r a.