The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-18
NEELE
(Concluded.)

NONFeSte~NNSN~'/
Leopold saw at once the drift of the vet
turino, and had no longer any doubt that he
had brought him by circuitous route to
the place in which Laura was residing. that
he might make what he thought very in.
genious compromise with his conscience.
The signor will remember said Paulo.
shat if any accident should happen to keep
him here, and prevent his going on to Ven
ice, that will Re no fault of mine
81 shall remember said the delighted
Leopold, that you are very honest fellow,
and that have every reason to be satisfied
with the way in which you have performed
your engagement
sGraz;e, signor,' cried Paulo, as he skip
ped on before Leopold, and knocked at the
gate OF the building, at which they had
now arrived. 1t was lofty edifice; but
as The night had now entirely closed in, and
the moon was on the other side of the
building, the deep shadow prevented Leo
pold from discerning its form more particu-
larly.
The door was opened by sour-looking,
thin.visaged old man, to whom Paulo told
a voluble lie, about the signor being over
taken by night on the road, unable to pro-
eeed to the next town, and in such state
Of health (having lately recovered from a
bad illness) as rendered it impossible for
him tosuass the nightin the only inn which
the neighb0rho0d contained.
The old man retired, and, in a short time,
returned. sThe lady abbess,' he said, had
given permission for the signor's lodging
in that part of the building which was set
apart for the reception of strangers
Leopold dismissed Paulo, who babe him
good night with an affectionate cordially,
and limited his wishes In an enigmatica
manner that the signor might succeed IN
his search. But | fear verv much,' he
added, with knowing grin, 'that you will
not be able to go on to Venice tomorrow.
Leopold then requested the old man to
return to the abbess, and to say that he
begged permission to wait upon her.
This was unhesitatingly granted and he
followed the old porter through the narrow
passage which led to the parlor OF the prln-
cipa
The abbess was prim, but kind-looking,
old lady. She received Leopold with an
air of stately politeness. He looked about
the room, and could have iancied that this
was not the first time he had been in it
He thought of the nunnery of Santa Croce,
but this abbess was not like the principal of
that house; besides, he was convinced OF
this being situated in different part of the
country; and, upon looking again, he saw
that, although the general plan ofthe rooms
might be the same, that in which he was
now sitting was deficient in the severe ele-
gance which characterized the paror OF
Santa Croce.
The religious embems, which are COM
mon to all such establishments, were there
the bad painting of the Madonna, and
The crucifix hung against the walls; but the
fresh-iiled hower-vases were absent, and
every description Of even allowable orna-
ment was vigorously banished.
Leopold, mastering his agitation as well
as he could, approached the abbess, and'
telling her his name, said he had come in
search of the Signora Laura, who, he had
reason 10 believe, was now within these
walls.
lassure you,' replied the abbess with a
cold and formal manner, that she is not
4 beseech you, madam said Leopold
while his features expressed the anxiety
and pain of his mind-I beseech you not
TO trlfe with the feelings of one who is al.
readyson the very verge of despair. i'm
plore you, by all that you hold sacred, not
to make two persons utterly wretched.-
This cannot be the end of true religion;
and this, perhaps worse than this, must be
the consequence of your separating me
from Laura. Our passion is mutual; our
happiness-our lives-nay, the salvation of
one of us--depends upon our being per-
mitted to meet once more
my son., replied the abbess, who, apa-
thetic as she was, could not avoid feeling
moved by the vehemence Of Leopold's
manner. sitis not any more in my power
to unite you than to increase the space
which separates you. Pray calm your emo
ton, and arm yourself with Christian pa