The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-04-26


ing thing 10 love but you, no other hap
pness than what consisted in remem-
brance-and myself--an orphan, des-
pite your existence, and confded at
two early an age to the care of hus-
band who thinks of nought but war and
blood, without resting place for my
heart, without ever having enjoyed the
blessing Of parental aifection--we have
sought in each others society that hap
piness which was SO niahy years derii-
ed US. Often have We smiled together,
but oftener wept."
"Wretch! wretch!' repeated the
miserable Catharine, necessarily, sha-
king her head madly the while, and ad-
dressing the exclamation TO herself.
"And now," added Colombo, burst
ing into sobs of anguish, know you
what they say?--that he is my lover!
"r sInfamy!' cried Catharine, pressing
her closely to her breast, and encircling
her slim and girish form with her flesh
less arms. ''Infamy! he is thy fatherr'
Forgetting that sh. .herself had shared
the popular suspicion. e .>l..f. ~
simultaneously with this gesture and
that exclamation, an expression Of un-
utterable agony distorted Catharine's S
worn features; she convulsively re-
pulsed her daughter, who hastily cried:
so mother! what is the matter! what
is the matter? .....
"Nothing," answered the superior,
resuming her former air of gloom,
"nothing-go on"
The Lady of Terrides obeyed.
Gle is my father is he not? and you
can prove it, and restore to me my no.
nor and fair name stainless and unspot-
ted?'
eyes, can attest it with an oath,"
replied Catharine, bitterly; 81 can say
that the lady of Carmain dragged her
husbands honorable name in the filthy
mire Of disgraceful passion. Yes, ]
can say that--can say that. Go, sum-
mon your husband summon him, say.
| will confess my shame to him, my
forehead buried in the dust; and you
may spurn me after, if you will, for !
deserve the wrist"
"But, MOTHER" said Colombo, with
nervous agitation, she lleady knows
the fact--it is not he who needs to be
convinced"
"Who then?" cried Catharine, impet-
uously, "who then?"
"Mother," faltered Colombo, despair
lngly, 'all the county brand me with
this Infamous accusation"
"All the county," repeated the SUI
perior, devouring her daughter with fix
ed, diated eyes. GAIL the county !
And must then proclaim 10 the whole
county that the Superior Of the Hos
pitallers-she who, by seven long years
Of maceration and constant penance,
has gained the reputation OF a saint, is
but prostitute and an adultress? o,
no, no, no! thou never, sure, couldst
hope it; if thou dldst deceive thyself,
know now | will not do i'll"
"And what then will become Of me!
o, heaven! what will be my fate!"
"To suffer-" answered her mother,
with cruel calmness; ;"ofspring of crime,
thou wilt inherit its misfortunes. Uidst
thou but know what | have sufferedw
But am innocent, innocent," cried
Colombo, wildly. 's'l .a .''
Sand guilty-guilty Of a grievous
sin. Great, however, as it is, there
must be means for expiati1g the worst;
else is not God just. Look herem she
said, and tearing open her veil, hurried
ly removing her under garment of
coarse flannel, exposed to view hair
cloth, whose sharpened points plunged
deep into the quivering flesh, which was
now torn and bleeding; for, on clasping
her daughter in her arms, and pressing
her with transport to her breast, she had
driven the atrocious disciple to the
quick. Colombo recoiled with horror
at the sight, and dared not breathe an
other word. '. ''1 ''"r .s' .'
At this moment Guy and Raoul en-.
tered ;the latter approached his mother
in-law, and said to her, in a solemn
tone: -.ti -. td tt,i.
$50 then, madam, you will make no
public confession OF what you have
Just said"
Catharine dropped her veil over her
face, and, without regarding either the
one knight or the other, answered as
she went forth: 9"iet
"None!" e '
"Oh! what shall we do?" exclaimed
Guy, in the accents Of profound des-
pair. jao-' s.i
III know" retorted Raoul with fero-
cious tranquility. And instantly sum-
Inonino about q dozen men alarms