The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-04

uitts anu III IuOtucut ufOfc, tney were IN tut
middle Of the sen. Her hair rested upon the
bright waves, and played with its white spray
like the golden sunshine on the foaming caia-
ract, and her wild laugh rung through the deep
water, and died away like the silver cadence
mellow flute, and then the sea closed oyer
them, dashing its snow-crested foam ON the
'Hermit's Rock and washing the base OF the
.Lady's Leap The gondola had disappeared;
how, none could tell---certainly not by mortal
hands. But here is the Hermit's Rock
Signor.'
"A wild tradition. said Isabelle. as she
reached the summit Of the sLady's Leap and
see, there is the Holy Father himself
Al mat instant, young man in English
costume TOR the rest Of our party he was but
asojourner IN the bright land Of Italy, bounded
forward.
Il kiss your hand, fair lady, but will not
greet you, Harold, until know whether it
may be with kindly word, or lance or spear,
or as we would say in merry England,' pis-
tols--twelve paces--Hyde Park. But, Sig
nor Don and my lord Of Harold, how fares
your suit with the Lady Inezl Has her
stubborn heart melted, or is she still relent-
less =
Her heart is as hard and obdurate as the
Hermits Rock itself; and what is more,
Signor Don and Lord Of ST. Clair, not step
further in this silly masquerade do proceed.
Already ! fear I've gone too far. and this
night will prefer my own suit to Lord De-
lamere, father to the Lady Inez, uncle to the
Lady Isabelle, and pray him TO grant me the
hand of his lovely neice, and at the same time
will ], to clear my own reputation OF hckle-
ness, denounce the Lord Of St. Clair as a
lnxl., Ir,,n Ds1f IN
speak seriously, ST. Clair, you did, in my
humble opinion, step from the proud pinnacle
Of your dignity when you stopped to this ar
tifce,. and own you do it to try the strength
and constancy Of poman's lOue. Shame, st.
Clair, to doubt your brides affections, or to
place so much reliance on the malicious
whispers Of disappointed men, as to believe
that woman, when she loves truly, will ever,
ever change
Nay, nay, Harold, never doubted the
love Of lnez, and - but It's strange phan-
tasy that has taken possession of me. Grant
me but one more day and bring Inez with you
to morrow eve, to the Hermirs Rock and
enial'-and he sprang from their side. and
leaping along the ledge Of rocks, stepped into
his gondola, which was waiting for him on
the opposite side The Hermits Rock
stands nearly in the middle Of the sea- and
the Adriatic.
Once again had eve stolen on the glorious
light Of day, yelling his splendor in the softer
brilliancy Of her beauty, and once again were
the stars streaming brightly over the sleep
ing waters of the Venitian Sea- Again were
Tho eoan+aJ ,,,;nJe 81; rh;n sh~o,, fhoO ra uuo
boughs, towing among the fair flowers, and
whispering vows OF consistency to the dew
gemmed vine, and its luscious burden. Again
was the evening serenade--the music Of
thousand instruments--the light laugh Of the
dancers, borne on the bosom of the floating
air Again was love whispered-again
gondola glided over the blue waves, and again
small and graceful group stood on the Her
mips Rock The party consisted of the
Ladies Isabella and lnez, Delamere, the
Lord of Harold, and last, though not least,
monk.
We will leave you, Lady Inez,' said Ha-
rold TO the protection Of the Holy Father,
while Isabella and myself seek the entrance
OF the cavern, and before she could reply,
they had vanished. Inez had felt no sur
prise at meeting the monk, but she did feel
surprised at being left alone with him; how
ever, as she did not fear, she seated herself on
the smooth surface of the rock, and gazed in
to the sea beneath.
You look sorrowful, fair daughter said
the monk.
Inez smiled sadly, as she replied, ! have
indeed drank deeply of that bitter fount.'
'Then, | have no doubt, my daughter, you
are weary, even of this beautiful land, than
which none is fairer.'
Even so, father.
Then why not seek quiet home-a sweet
resting place within some converts sacred
walls .
Alas am hereto Here the monk
made the holy sign of the cross.
And you will not turn from your heresy.--
Is it not so 2
May | ask the nature Of your sorrow, fair
daughter 2
A faint blush tinged her fair cheek, as she
answered 1lowly and mourniully, i bear a :
widowed heart
He was silent for moment, and then re-
sumed, You should not place your affections
on things Of this earth, lady
Father, you have never looed' burst from
her lips.
You mink so, Salu the noly latbei, win
most unholy laugh, as the monkish robe fell
to his feet, and lnez was clasped in the arms
OF her betroihed.
Can this be real, or is II but the fleeing
shadows Of blissful dream ! see thee,
dearest, yet cannot believe
'lnez-my own, own Inez, you love me Z
'Can you doubt it! But why this masque-
rade, st. Clair this mystery
Only To test your faith, dear ONE pressing
his lip TO her brow
only 10 test my faith r she repeated, rising
from his arms. Only TO test my faith again