The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-03-24


which STILL at this day, the traveller passes on his
road from Madrid to France; the horses stopped
before n lonely house that stood little apart
from the road, and which, from the fashion of It's
architecture, appeared of considerable antiquity
The stranger descended and knocked twice at the
door; it was opened by an old man, whose exng-
gcrated features, Bonded frame, and long beard,
proclaimed him of the race of Israel. After IL
short and whispered parley, the stranger returned
to Bcariz, gravely assisted her from the carrngc,
and, leading her across the threshold and up a
nigh, of rude stairs dimly lighted entered cham
Der richly furnished. The walls were hung with
suns of gorgeous cooring and elaborate design,
Pedcstals of the whiiest marble, placed at each
corner of the room, supported candelabra of sill
ver The sofas and couches were of the heavy
bu, sunpuous fashion which prevailed in the pal
aces OF France and Spain; and of which Venice
Uhe true model of the babarlc decorations with
which Louis the Fourteenth corrupted the taste OF
Paris) was probably the original inventor. In an
alcove beneath sken canopy was prepared Il Ia
bic laden with wines fruits, and vandS; and alto
ge,hcr, the elegance and luxury that characterized
the apartment were in strong and strange contrast
with the half ruined exterior of the abode, The
gloomy and rude approach TO the chamber, and
the mean and seryie aspect of the Jew, who stood
or rather covered by the door, as if waiting ior
further orders. With wave Of the hand the stran-
ger dismissed the Israec; aud then, approaching
| Reaz, presented TO her Fonseca's letter.
As, with IN enchanting mixture of modesty and
eagclneSs, Beatrz, half ayerling her face, bent
over the well known characters, Calderon gazcd
upon her with scrulnaing and curious eye.
| The courier was not, in this instance, altogether
the villain that, from outward appearances therea-
der may have deemed him. Ills plan was this; he
had resolved on compliance with the wishes of the
prince; his safety rested on that compliance. But
Fonseca was not to be sacrificed without reserve
Profoundly despisng womanlind and firmly per
suaded Of their constitutional treachery and deceit
CaderOn could not believe the actress that ongc
Of light and purity which she seemed to the enam-
ored Fonseca. lie had resolved to subject her To
the ordeal Of the princes addresses. If she fell
should he not save his friend from being the dupe
Of an 0rru iairiguaaie? should he not deserve
the thanks of Don Martin for the very temptation
to which Bcariz was now TO he submitted! lf he
could convince Fonscca of her C,lsehood he should
stand acquitted to his friend, while he should have
secured his interest with the prince. But il, on
the other hand, Bcairz camo spo,less through thu
trial; if The prince, stung by her obstinate virtue
should menace to sink courlship into violence, Cal
deron knew that it would not be IN the first or sec
ond interview that the novice would have any rea
danger to npprehend; and he should have leisure to
concert her escape by such means as would COM
plelely conceal from The prince his own conni,ancs
at her flight. Such was the compromise that Cal
dcron had effected between his conscience and hi,
ambition But, while he gazcd upon the novice
though her features were turned from him, and
half yelled by the heGddress she had assumed
STANCE feelings, ominous and startling, like those
romembranccs of the past which sometimes come
IN the suse Of prophecies, OF the future, lhrongcd
indl,tnct and dim, upon his breast The uncon-
scious aud exquisite grace Of her FORM its touching
youth, an air Of innocence diuscd around it, a
something helpless. and pleading to mans proec-
ton, in the very slghlness Of her beautiful but f.i.
ry.ke proportions seemed TO rcproach his lrcacl.
cry, and to awaken whatever Of pity or human
soitness remained in his heart.
The novice had read the letter; and turning in
the impulse Of surprise ard alarm TO Calderon for
explanation, for the frs, time she remarked his fea
lures and his aspect; for he had then laid aside his
cloak, and the broad Spanish hat with its heavy
plume. Twas thus that their eyes met, and, as
they did So BcGlrz, staring from her seat uttered
Il wild cry.
And thy name is Calderon-Don Rodcrgo Cal.
derOn! is it possible' lIadsi thou never another
namo'' she exclaimed; and, as she spoke, she ap-
preached him slowly and (carfully
Lady, Calderon is my name replied the mar
quis; bat his voice laltercd. But hne-thine-
is it, in truth, Beariz Coello,'
Bealriz made no reply,bu, continued to advance
till her very breath fell upon his cheek; she then
laid her hand upon his arm, aud looked up into his
face with gaze so earnest, so intent so prolonged,
CaIderon, but for strange and terrible thought
half Of wonder, half Of suspicion, which had
gradually crept into his soul, and now usurped ii
might have doubted whether the reason Of the
poor novice was not unsettled.
Slowly Bcariz Withdrew her eyes, and they fell
upon large mirror opposite which reflected in
full light thu features of CaIderon and herself It
was lhen-her natural bloom having faded into a
palenecs scarcely less s.atuelike than that which
characterized the cheek of Calderon himself, and
all the swee, play and mobility of feature that be-
long to first youth being replaced by rigid and
marble stiffness Of expresson-i, was then that
rnrna rEnlln rn .lla.a4. Iu....... - .-- -