Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-14


repeated lowy the novice stopped, looked
around, and utterng feeble cry, tottered.
Alonzo seized her hand, and placed therein
a paper, which he had prepared for the oc-
casion; then grasping it with an expression
of fervent love and deep despair, the cortege
continued, without anything to lead them to
suspect that this rash act had a single wit
ness.
Pillar (for it was indeed her, her veil could
not disguise her,) drawn against her will in
to this criminal step-harrassed between love
and duty, hesitated for long time, and threw
upon the paper which her hand still enclosed,
a look obscured by her tears, and then read
as follows =
"Piar, let me but see you for an instant,
a single instant, or shall expire, and you
it is who have killed me-"
The temptation was too strong for one
who had not yet been sufficiently fortified
by prayer and solitude, the only weapons
that can vanqush human love. She thought
she had to select between the commission of
two grievous crimes, and her heart whisper
ed TO her that the least deadly would be one
in which she herself wouldalone be the VIC
tim.
Tha ceremony was concluded. Alonzo
awaited with an Impotence and anxiety he
could not conceal, the moment whenhe might
hope for an answer. Pillar approached,
bent towards him, and in a trembling but
distinct voice, said,
As you wish it before three days you
shall sec me, or | shall be dead"
Scarcely had these words been pronounced
when an extraordinary and unlocked for
movement interrupted the solemn march of
the cortege back to their solitude Two OBJ
servers that Pillar had not remarked, ordered
her to place in their hands the paper she
had received. Pillar instantly obeyed, and
sunk to the ground in grief and shame. The
Abbess ordered her to be carried into the
convent, and the procession that was for a
moment interrupted, was resumed.
Alonzo, intoxicated with Joy, had rushed
out of the church, and had not perceived
the movement which his imprudence had
caused. However, the confusion he per-
ceived around him attracted his attention.
He heard Il confused murmur of voices
speaking of a novice caught i'll the act of
receiving letter, and of her having been
confined in her cell. lie listened trembling
ly, and for a long time doubted the reality
of the misfortune about to fall upon him.
He reflected not moment upon the part
he ought to take, but running to the convent,
he demanded admittance to the Abbcss.
lie was shown into the parlor, where, in
a few moments the door opened, and the Su-
perioress entered, her countenancc deeply
impressed with sad and recent affection.
| The young novice who accompanied her to
dio church, was sim Ia. il, - ----
ed by her veil
Madame" said Alonzo, dreadfully eX-
cited, 81 swear by your God, who is also
mine, by that cross which | vcnerate, and
by your virtue which / admire and honor,
that the young girl is innocent of the crime
of which she is accused. is | alone who
am guilty-it is | alone who deserve punish
ment, if it be Il crime to be faithful to ones
vows, and to keep the oaths which have been
solemnly sworn"
At the sound of these passionate words
the novice who accompanied the Superiores:
became nervous and agitated, but Alone
noticed her not.
"This young girl" continued he, does
not belong to you; no oath can bind her tt
you, and a thousand oaths bind us firmly tC
each other Her heart is mine, as mine il
hers and hers alone. She is my chosen
spouse before the living God, and God ha
received and accepted our plighted vows
and God Furnishes those who break the
oaths."
Good Furnishes those who break the
oaths," repeated the novice in solemn
voice; and her hand raising the veil b,
which she was covered, displayed to tn,
, eyes of Alonzo the features of Leonora
Alonzo remained immovable, as if petri
fed.
"Leonora," he at length said, 81 hav
wished to die; my blood has flowed by tn
hand of your father, and it is the divine ven
geance that has snatched me from death.
excess of misery be any expiration for eyi
done, never was victim more fully avenge,
than thou hast been. Leonora, for the low
! Of Heaven, look not thus upon me, for you
fathers steel was less terrible than thy dis
: dain."
| 81 have complained, but have pardone'
$ you" replied Leonora, with calmness, GO
have centered in God the love had for thee
} and have already found the ineilable peace
t which is ever the boon granted to this grea
} victory over human nature. AT the frs
: sight of you, | must acknowledge my hear
became disturbed but the fearful exhibition
of your wild weakness has restored to m
) my energy, and recalled me to my duties
, Again pardon and pity you"
Enough" said the Abbess, in gray
, and imposing voice; "the recollections o
/ the world must not have access here, Youn!
man, you have disturbed the peace of thi
holy house-you have broken through TIN
> sanctity of our laws, and Knocked the males
ty of our pious ceremonies shall, there
: fore, deliver you over to those who have tn,
power to punish so gross Il sacrlege; ant
before them, if you will, you may plead tlp
force of your ungoyerned passions, and the
> wild recklessness Of your depraved YOUTH
| After having pronounced these words, SIC
: arose and entered the hall Of Justice, which
you have Just passed through, where she tool
her seat, followed by the whole conmuaity
I Alonzo is also led thither, and placed in the
: tribune appointed ah such occasions
ehent most profound regned in the
and they awaited with anxiety the
rTarrieal Of the accused girl. The door open
4 ed, and young female appeared, looking
around her with perfect indifference, and
apparently unconscious of what was passing