The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-02-28

Abbess; with the unerring tact of her sex,
she managed his present mood; she would
sit opposite to him, employed at her old
fashioned embroidery frame, for an hour
without speaking; this was just what he
liked. One afternoon he had ensconced
himselfin his accustomed seat in her little
grated parlor; he scarcely observed her en-
trance, but instead of seating herself at her
frame, she stepped towards him.
"Alonzo, am glad you have come, for
| was just going to send for you"
''To send for me?" repeated he, listless-
ly.
"Yes. friend of yours has arrived at
the convent, and wishes to see you"
"a friend of mine!'
'.You recollect, l suppose, Donna Viola
de Montezuma?"
He started from his seattle shock
was electric.
'.Viola, did you say!-Donna Viola!-
recollect her!-what of her?-what of
her?''
''She has become widow"
"Go on!''
''She arrived at Lisbon Just in time to
receive the last breath of her expiring hus-
band. After the funeral, she consigned
her affairs there into proper hands, and
delayed not moment In returning 10 this
country, where they demand her instant
attention. She arrived yesterday, and re-
mains here for short time. She wishes
to see you.'
81 am ready" said Alonzo.
The Abbess left the room. This is
too-foo much!" he exclaimed aloud, rs
he paced the little parlor with hurried
steps. A slight rustling near the gate ar
rested him; it was Viola, in deep mourn
ing, looking more lovely and Interesting
than ever. She presented him her hand
through the gate-he knelt, and pressed
it to his lips, to his heart, TO his burning
forehead. '.Alonzo," she said, in the kind
est and most soothing tone, 81 hare heard
from the Abbess of your marriage, and
fear that have innocently contributed to
render that, which might have proved the
highest blessing, source Of bitter misery.
What can do but to entreat you to arm
yourself with the resolution of acting rightl
| confess that your forcing me to lose my
esteem for you, would be the greatest pain
you could infict, even although your af-
fection for me were the cause. Promise
me, Alonzo-"
He hastily interrupted her: 81 will pro-
mise nothng-nothing Heaven grant
that | may do what is right, but in the
present state of my mind, l will pass my
word for nothing
Viola sighed. "Well,' she resumed,
Il will see whether Alonzo be really what
| believed him, or not. | shall see wheth-
er he be capable of sacrificing the happi.
ness of his young and innocent wife, and
of his doating father-his own honor and
principles, to the shadow of a shade; for
such is all hope Of me. Heaven bless you,
Alonzo! and support you through this trial!
You have my prayers, my best, my warm
est wishes; deserve to be happy, and leave
the rest to Providence.
She Disappeared; he still remained kneel-
ing at the CRATE, apparently wrapt III tho't.
At length, a ray of light seemed to break
through the darkness that surrounded him;
a single spark of hope saved him from ut
ter despair. He decided that, in his first
interview with Donna Isabella, he would
reveal every secret Of his heart; he would
conjure her, as she valued their mutual
happiness, to assist him in breaking the
tie that had been made between them. He
"Oulo ICCdii W HcI IGCOllSCtlOH Tue ldtdi
hour of their union, when reluctance on
his side, and necessity of absolute force
on hers, formed but an evil omen of future
concord. Since that moment they had
never met, had never even correspondent;
he had formed elsewhere deep and seri-
Gus attachment, and so perhaps had she.
As to the debt he had incurred towards
her and her family, with little time and
indulgence it would be cleared, as the
property in Portugal was on the eve of
being restored to his father. Thus, if they
acted with determination, and in unison,
there could be no doubt of their succeed
ing in breaking the Calling fetters in which
the mistaken zeal of their relatives had
bound them. .sIf," he exclaimed, "she
be not utterly devoid of the common pride
and delicacy of her sex, there is but one
step to take; she wil-she must take 1t
and l shall become free and happy!" g
Full of this thought, he left the convent;
and, on his return home, sought Mr.. Nor
daunt. and laid his project before him.
Mr.. Mordaunt listened with the utmost
kindness and sympathy. He saw but one
objection 10 the attempt; if Donna Isabella,
in spite of all he could urge, should refuse
to enter into his views, how much wider
would it make the breach between them
how much would il diminish their chance