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

generous pleasure, 10 believe that an &C..
bling change had come over his soul thS
the worst passions had been crushed dow.
forever: aud that all the high aud srlsss
qualities which his mind possesssr,
now likely TO stand forth, free, bright and
unemcumbered, on the strong basis of VI,
tue.
Perhaps she might have gone farther
, still perhaps she might have owned, that
her heart beat high To see that his thoughts,
} and words and actions, were all addressed
10 her. Nevertheless she still doubted-she
still feared The words of her sister-in-law
} still rang in her ears" that with return
} ing health and strength, Francis Of Folk
I would again become what Francis of Folk
J had been" She asked herself could he re-
sist temptation, opportunity, habit, the jest
; of old companions, the seduction of new
! charms.
She asked herself all this aud she look
ed into her own heart, and saw that she
could never love one Of whom she was not
sure: or-if, to her mishop, she did love
such man-that his first evil act, that the
first word or thought which degraded him
from the high throne Of her esteem, which
removed the image sanctfied by love from
the shrine of her heart, would ruin sanctua-
ry and all, aud leave her not wreck of
happiness behind.
Such feelings, such consciousness, such
: thoughts, made her throw thick veil of
cold and distant reserve over the warmer
sensations Of her heart; made her treat him
who SO deeply interested her, ms mere caln,
acquaintance-the distant cousin Of her
brothers wife.
Ii was in vain, then, for some time, that
Isabel of Vaois watched aud Suspected
No sign betrayed that Blanche's heart WAS
touched (; no word, nor look, nor action,
showed that she gave aught like encourage
ment to passion which ench day became
more apparent.
At length, one evening in the lustrous
twilight of that splendid climate, in the
bright momcn,-for il is little more than n
momcnt--between the sinking of the gold
en- day aud the rushing conquest OF the
deep night Blanche Of Navarro stood ga
zing from the window upon the las, rays oi
b, the setting sun, as they fingered with blush
: ing love upon the high SUBMITS Of the ives
tern hias. Her heart was at war with IL.
u self, and yet the war was not painful. Sb.
:, felt u tenderness creeping over it which sh,
= would iain have banished she felt that bel
y power over her own thoughts was failing
I and she would fnin have recovered tina,
e power. But even while she struggled with
her own feelings, the voice of the enchant-
, er Hope took part against her, and told her,
S that tn yield 10 that mighty power which
. every heart must one time know, was bet
I ter than to resist. As she thus thought,
and gszed forth upon the evening sky, aud
varying mountains, aud as the deep love-
iness of that bright sceuc iD the calm twi-
light mnk into her soul with bland and sof-
tening influence, u step sounded near her.
Ere sne could turn and see whose form it
was ust crossed the windows Of the hall,
her heart had told her, and it beat quick and
high. The next moment Francis of Folk
was ty her side, but for time some over
poweing feeling seemed to tic his tongue
his w'nted eloquence wns gone; his dar-
ing courage ut an end. lie trembled like
u cir; and the heart which never had
known fear, now beat even quicker than
hers beside whom he stood
"Lady." he said, Mt length, 81 have dur-
ed to seek you: and yet, now that I am
here, scarcely know how to express my
thoughts"
There is a peculiar skill in woman to
master, even in moments of deep emotion,
the Onward display Of feeling, and to con-
ceaI the inward struggle Of the hearts mu-
tinou' garrison from every eye but Gods.
Blunthe Of Navarro felt ss If each mUment
she siould have sunk to the ground: yet
she sood firm, and ia her aspect calm, as
the bright tranquility OF her former years
still pIgned undisturbed within. She even
SO fai conquered agitation, ms to say, in
low, quiet voice." There is nothing, !
should suppose, that The Count de Foix can
have to soy TO Blunche Of Navarro which
should trouble him to speak"
Lady" he replied, "did Francis of
Folk feel as once he fell--were he the vain,
conceilcd being which once he was-did hc
believe that every woman was to be slave
to his will, or that he had powers to con-
T quer aud persuade even TO viruous love, he
might speak boldly. But alas now-now
how Is be changed Though there was a
time when he dared all aud every thing for
Gar less worthy objects, now he scarcely
dsres tn name his wishes or his hopes,
though on them depends the happiness Of
all his after lfe."
II lie paused, aud looked up for some word
or sign Of encouragement, but Blanche nn-
swered nothing. phere was dewy bright
ness IN her downcsst eye, bowever-ihere
was slight ,remor in her snow white
hand, rs II rested Oh the stpne-work of the
window, which afforded hope and Fran
CTS Of Folk continued: Lady, know
that am unworhy. II is you who hive
taught me that I am 50 aud, oh blanche
when I tell you tbs, love you--tbat love
you better than life, or any thing life con-
tains, think not that it is the lip Of the idle
libertine that speaks; for that love, that
deep, intense love, has taught me also the
4 1--we of v,rtue. . has taught me To sbkor vice.