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

| I, was midnight in the chapel Of the convent.
The moonlight shone with exceeding uslr
through the tall easements, and lighted into
ghas,ly semblance of life the marble images o
saint and martyr that threw their long shadow
over the consGcraled floor. Nothing could wei
be conceived more droary, solemn, and scpulchra
than that holy place its disaned and tine .hallow
ed walls; the impencrahc mass Of darkness tina,
gathered into those lccesscs which the moon light
failed to reach; its antique and massive on,bs
above which reoncd the scupured cllisies Of
some departed pa'roness or abbcss, who had cx-
changed living grave for the Mansions of tho
Blessed. But hcre-oh, wonderful human heart,
even there, IN thu! spot, the very homiy aud
warning against earthly affections and mortal hopes
even there couldst thou beat with rs Wild as brsh,
and as pure passion as ever heavcj the breast
and slonc in the eyes Of beauty, in he free air
that ripplcs the Guadiann, or amid the twah,
dance Of Caslilian maids.
a tall figure, wrapped from head 10 foot in n
cloak, passed slowly up the aisle. But light and
cautious though the iootstcp, it woke low, hol
low, omlnous echo, that seemed more than the
step itself, to disturb the sancity Of the place It
paused opposite 10 the confessional, which was but
diin'y visible through The shadows around it. And
then there emerged limidly female form; and a
soft voice whispered, 1T is thou ronseca!
Hist! was the answer; 'hc waits without. Be
quick; speak no,-come.
Bcatriz recoiled in surprise and alarm at the
voice ola stranger; bat the man. seizing her by
the hand, drew her hastily from the chapel, and
hurried her across the garden, through small pos
tern door, which stood ajar, into an obscure street,
bordering tie convent walls. Here stood the ex-
2ectant porter with bundle in his hand, which
he opened and took thence long cloak, such as
the women Of middling rank in Madrid wore in
the winter season, with the customary manlilla or
veil. With these, still without speaking, the s,ran.
ger hastily shrouded the form of the novice. and
once more hurried her on, till about hundred
yards from the garden gate, he came TO carriage.
into which he lifted Beatrz, whispered few
words TO the porter, seated himself by the side of
the novice, and the vehicle drove rapidly away
1t was some moments before Dealz could snr.
ilcien,'y recover from her first agitation and ter
ror to feel alive TO all the strangencss of her situa
ton. She was alone with stranger; where was
Fonseca: She turned suddenly towards her COM
pnnion.
'Who art thou she said; whittier art thou lead
ing me, and why
'Why is not Don Martin by thy side' Pardon
me, senora:I have billet for thee from ronseca;
in few minutes lhon wilt know ALL
At This time the vehicle came suddenly in the
midst Of train Of fooimcn and equipagcs that
choked up the way. There was a brilliant, enter.
talnmcnl at the French embassy, and ihilher flock
cd all the rank and chiyary of Madrid Caldcron
drew down the blinds aud hastily enioned silence
on Bearlh Ii was some minutes before the dri-
yer cNtricated himself from The 'hronr: and ,len
as if 10 make amends for the DELAY, he IN, his
horses to their full speed, and carefully selected
the most obscure and solitary ihoroughcres. A,
length the carriage entered the rangc. Of suburb,