The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-03-10

to the life of the anechamber; cannot, like the
Duke of Lerma, detest my nearest relative if his
shadow cross the line of my interests. I am of
tina race of Pelayo, not OpPas; and my profession
rather that of an ancient Persian than a modern
Spaninrd, is TO manage the seed, 10 WELD the
sword and to speak the truth
There was an earneslness and gallantry in the
young mans aspect, manner, and voice, as he
thus spoke, which afforded the stronget contrast
TO the inscrutabe brow and and artificial sofiness
of Calderon; and which, indeed for The moment,
occasioned that crafty and profound advenlurer an
involuntary feeling of ser-humalion.
But continued Fonseca, 'lc, it pass; I come
to my story and my request. DO you or do you
not know that have been for some time attached
to Beatriz Coello?'
'Bcnriz,' repeated Calderon abstractedly, with
an altered counenance; 1t is sweet name, il
was my mother's!'
'Your molher's! thought to have heard her
name was Mary Sandalen''
''rue-Nlary Bea,riz Sandalen, replied Calde-
ron, indifferenly. 'Bnt proceed. | heard, after
your last visit TO Madrid, when, owing to my own
absence in Portugal, was not fortunate enough
TO see you, that you had offended The dude by de-
string an alliance unsuitable to your birth Who,
then, is this Bea,riz Coello''
AN orphen Of humble origin and calling. In
infancy she was left to the care of II woman who,
! believe, had been her nurse; they were settled
in Seville and the old gouvernante's abors IN en-
brodery maintained them both till Beatriz was
fourteen At that time the poor woman was dis
abled by stoke of palsy from continuing her
abors; and Beatrice, good child, yearniag to re-
pay the Obligations she had received, in her turn
sought to maintain her proiecress. She possessed
the gift Oft voice wonderful for It's sweetness -
This gift came 10 a knowledge of the superin,en-
dent of the theatre at Seville; he made her the
most advantageous proposals to enter upon the
stage. Beariz, innocent child, was unaware of
the perls of that profession; she accepted eagerly
the means that would give comfort to the declin-
ing life of her only friend; she became IN actress
AT that time we were quar,ered in Seville, to heep
guard on the suspected Noricos,'
'Ah, the hnci infdesr multered Caldcron,
fercely, through his teeth.
Il saw Beairiz, and loved her at first siaht
do not say added Fonsecu, with a blush, cha,
my suit, at the nuicas,, was that which alone was
worthy Of her; but her virtue soon won my esteem
as well MS love. left Seville to seek my father,
and obtain his corscn, to u marriage with Denlriz
You know hidalso'a preiudccs they are insup-
r,Ii L., ia #,
voice of the young actress reached Madrid, and
hitherto she was removed from Seville nv Il roynl
command. To Madrd then, | FASTENED, on the
prc'enre Of demanding promotion. You, as YOU
stated, were absent in Portugal on some state
mission. sough, the Duke dc Lermn | i'm
pInred him TO give me some post, anywhere i
rocked not beneath what sky in the vast empr"
of Sp'in-in which, removed from the prcudircs
OF birth and of cl,sS, and provided with other
means less prcrarlous Than those thai depend IN
the sword, might make 'ralrz my wife. The
polished duke was more hexornhIe than the stern
hidalgn. flew 10 Bra,riz; tad her | had moth
ing but my heart aud right hand to offer. She wcpr.
and she refused me-
| 'b''cuse YOU ARE NOT rlrh 2
Shame on YOU, mo- but because she would moi
consent 10 mar my fortunes and hani.h me from
my native land The next dad rccrivec n pprrmp.
tory order to reioin The Amy, aud with thar order
came hrrvct Of promolinn Lover thnn.h hc.
! ANA sp,niari;to hive dsohnycd he order would
have hccn di.honor. Hope dawned uprn ne;
might rise. might bccome rich We exchanged
our vows OF fidelity returned To the camp. We
correspondent. AT las, her letters alarmed me
Through all her reserve, saw that she was revolt
ted by her profession, and terrified At the pcrsccu-
tons to which it exposed her; The old woman, her
sole guide and companion, was dying; she was
dcJccied and unhappy; she dcspircd of our unon
she expressed desire for the refuge Of he cIois
ter. At last came this letter. bidding me farewell
forever Her relation was dead and, with the lit
tic money she had amused, she had bough, the
entrance into the convent Of ST. Mary of the White
Sword Imagine my despair obtained leave
of absence; flew to Madrid. Bea,rz is alrcad,
lmmured in that dreary asylum; she has entered
on her npvitiatc'
rs that The letter you refer ,o'' said Calderon,
extending his hand
Fonseca gave him the letter
Hard and cold as Calderon's character had
grown there was something in the tone of this let
:er-its pure and noble sentiments, lis innocence,
ITS ailecilon-ihat touched some mystic chord in |
his heart. lie sighed rs he laid it down.
'You are, like all Of us, Don Martini said he,
with bitter smile. ',he dupe # a womnn's faith
But You wust purchase experience for Yourself:
and il. indeed, you ask my services to procure
You present bliss and future disappointment, those
services are NOnIs. II will moi. think be diff.