The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-09-06
From the World Of Fashion.
Il ii Z NJ MS ID 90 M.
BY II. sYMMEs.

mouse, WIN noth1ng to relieve the barrenness oil
the high walls, but few holes with gra,ngs. and
which bear the appearance rather of loopholes
than of windows. 1t is scarce strong enough for
prison ; does it resemble convent, from the
absence OF "A steeple. The superslructure, which
Is IN reality however, nuuery, crowns an emf
nence at the centre Of the town. There 10 some.
thing so gloomy about the Understanding so
full Of vague and awful mystery, that | shuddered
involuntarily when behed it, and when, some
time afterward, came to learn one Of the deeds
which those gloomy walls had witnessed, was al
most tempted to believe in supernatural influences
vague and chill had been tho emotion Of horror
which telt on behoding that antique building for
the first limc.
The story was related TO mo by an Did lady who,
IN her youth, had been an inmate OF this con,
vent for many years. Never shall forget the
tone and gesture with which she spoke fol.
lows
"There was a lady in our convent, who, during
the two years that had elapsed since her arrival,
had scarcely exchanged a word with any OF tie
nuns She remained constantly secluded in her
cell, except when summoned by the toring Of the
bell 10 join in the deyouons of the community in
The choir She was summed and avoided 10y the
rest of the nuns, who supposed that some terrible
gloomy despair sat upon her pale brow, and gave
n wild yet melancholy expression 10 her beautiful
aud dienlfed features. Her figure was lofty and
noble, but emaciaed with suffering. Her prayers
and religious duties repeated and performed
with usual fervor.
Gotten had remorked, with feelings Of com
miseruton, her wasted form thrown into aui-
ude OF humble and earnest duplication her pale
FL "a, Il ;n,o
ion of the poignant grief; her eyes raised to
Heaven, and dimmed by burning tears Thus she
would long remain with her arms crossed upon
her breast, and motionless as n statute, with the
convusive quivering of her lips. Suddenly she
would throw herself upon the ground in rarox,
ysm OF despair, and sob aloud pronouncrng some
inarculate words, as i! complaining CT her total
incapocty to quell the fearful tempest raised with
in her breast by the conflict of opposed and nncon
querahe feelings. Again would she strive TO
raise her heart to God but in vain. She found
no relief in prayer; and in her utter hopelessness,
finding that even Religion could not mitigate her
tormenls, she would fall ex haused, and lie extcn-
ded on the ground, deep signs rem ding her BOSOM
and invoking death to put end to her miserable
and wretched existence
"Compassionating her sufTerings, l essayed to
offer her some consolation. She was moved by
sincere expression Of my pity, and perceived that
| also was unfortunate. The similarity of our
feelings and misforiunes insunctvely drew us to-
wards each other and soon gained her friend
ship, and learnt the cause of her grief
"Her name Amelia she was the daughter
Of the Count b. Her crime had been the
forming a strong attachment towards young Off
Ger in the army-n man of strict honor and pTinci-
plcs but whose family and prospects were, unior-
tunately below the notice Of the proud Count OF
s., who would have thought himself dis
grace by such an alliance. He forbid his daugh-
ter to speak to her lover, even think Of him;
she entreated he sternly repeated his commands
and left her he was disobeyed; the enranged
Count brought her to the convent and forced her
TO take tho veil threatening if she refused, to cause
the officer to BIO asssssnated. This had delermin-
ed her and she saved her lovers life at tho sacr-
flee Of her liberty and her happiness. For two long
wears she had struggled Intellectually to forget, and
TO the God to whom she had consecrated her exis
tence, heart pure and free from all worldly aiiec
tons and regret But alas never could she sue
coed in erasing from her heart the fond memory OF
her lover which, Notwithstanding all her efforts
TO the contrary, continued to hold entire possess
ion Of her soul. His image haunted and pursued
her every where. 1t was in vain foe her to seek
consolation in prayer; her thoughts would still
wander away from her God, and dwell upon her
lover And this constant conflict between love "
religion-and the torments to which she imagined
her self to be doomed for the future was the can
ker which wore and wasted her form, and wither.
ed her strength, whilst tho burning fever within
her breast ragged undated.
stMonths flew and time but increased her suffer
ings all hope had long deserted her. one day
she remained alone in the choir after the termlna-
uon of the evening prayers she was, as usual I'm
ploring for mercy and relief. Her meditation was
interrupted by herring her name pronounced dis
tinclly, though in whisper she listened ana
heard it again she started, rose, looked up INTO
The church. and remained thrilled with emotion ;
su pported by pillar, TO which she ciung' tor she
recognised by the last CLEAN of twilig ht-yes-s she
could not be mstaken-she recognised nor lover.
Fearful of detection he threw letter into the choir,
over the lattice work and disappeared She WAS
weak enough to read l-It said, that by her faith
er's influence, he had been sent on board vessel,