Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-07
TPROPRIETORS.


manded. the gentlemen prcicrrcdto break
fast, aud TO spend the morning in spy
glass was fixed here, to which, of late. the
eye Of the Marques had been often aud
anxiously applied. One morning. about
a week after the scenes just described. the
Marques seemed more than usually on
the alert, watching the approach of fine
Brazilian merchant shir. as she near the
fort l"-"herc she cs"-"she is abreast
ofit"-''now for it p and as he spoke, up
flew a private signal. The Marquess
clasped his hands. and exclaimed in half
whisper, to Mr.. Mordaunt, THANK Heaven.
there they are at last !" and the two gen
tlcmen instantly left the room.
"Well," thought Alonzo, al am not
bound to know that there they are at last,
until | am informed of it" and he tried a.
gain to rivit his attention to his study
Three iniolcrable long hours passed away;
a note was then brought to him from the
Marquess donna Isabella, her aunt,
and iithe. have arrived, and are now at
Botafogo. The two ladies are somcwha,
fitigued. and prefer not receiving you UNI
I'll the evening; therefore, between seven
and eight, MIR. Mordaunt and the carriage
will be at your door,"
Alonzo sent away his untouched dinner;
he dressed ca grdade toilette and taking
down Walter Scott last new novel, ,strovc
to fix his attention on lis delightful pages.
Alonzo had generally he power Of cxei-
cising great mastery over his mind; to an
indifferent observer he would appear ra-
ther cold, reserved, and not easily acted
uponin any way; but when his feelings
once burst their barrier il was with Vi, :
lencc proportioncd to the restraint he had
thrown over them.
AT halt-past seven the carriage drew up
to the door, and Alonzo Immediately des-
cended to it. 81 am glad to see you are
quite ready" said Mr. Mordaunt, as he en-
tered; the door closed, and they drove off.
"You have seen Donna Isabella ?" in.
quircd Alonzo.
"Ies, | have" was the iaconic reply,
with evidently wish of saying no more.
After considerable pause, Mr.. Mordaunt
asked whether he still kept to his purpose.
Certainly" said Alonzo, firmly, and no
further conversation passed.
Haitian hour brought them to their dcs-
tination; with throbbing heart Alonzo des-
cended from the carriage. They were
shown into the grand sata, brilliantly light
ed. Here were assembled Senior j osei
and Senhora Theresa, the Marquess, and
the Abbcss, with an attendant nun; the old
lady had not left her convent for many
years, but on this occasion she was deter
mined to be present.
Alonzo saluted Senior Josef and his sis.
ter with gravity, but perfect and sincere
kindness; he kissed the hand of his aunt
then, turning to his father, begged TO know
whore he might find Donna Isabella.
"Shc waits for you in her garden-room,
replied the Marques; Alonzo bowed, and
left the Sala
He struggled successfully TO continue
the same appearance of composurc, as he
passed along the corridor which led to the
garden-room; the door was ajar, he entered
and closed it.
The room was only lighted by single
Grccian lamp, suspended from the centre;
the latticed doors leading to the garden
were thrown open, and the moonbeams
quivered brightly on the rich festoons oi
flowers and foliage that twined around
them. Leaning on the harp near the far
thest door, stood lady magnifccntly dress.
cd as a bride; one hand hung hstlcssly at
her side, in the other were gathered the
folds of her veil, in which her face was
buried. Alonzo advanced, and although
somewhat prepared for favorable altera-
ton, he was struck with astonishmeDt al
the exquisitely fine and graceful form that
stood before him. donna Isabella, / be-
heve;'-no reply, and no change opposition.
He approached a little nearer, and ventur-
ed to take the unoccupied hand, whose
slight and delicate fingers We're covered
with gems, but on the arm was only sin
gle bracelet, and that was ofyiak topaz.--
donna Isabella, venture to claim few
minutes private conversation with you, on
a subject that deeply concerns the happi-
ness of us both; permit me to lead you TO a
seat" He paused--thc emotion that visi-
bly, pervaded her whole frame convinced
him that at least he was not addressing a
statue. Suddenly, she raised her head,
clasped her hands, and sunk on her knees
at his feet. Alonzo recoiled as though su-
pornatqral appearance had presented itself,
while, with tone that thrilled through
heart and brain, she exclaimed
"Alonzo, can you forgive met" 1t was
Viola! "Can you forgive me, for all the de.
ception l have practised, and caused others
to practisel May the prize | strovc for
my husbands heart-pIead my excuse! |
know It VIII"
While shespok C, Alonzoin some degree
recovered himself. He raised up the beau.
tiful suppliant, and folding her in silence
to his breast, kissed her with pure, intense
and devotedafection. He could not speak
he thought not, and cared not now it had
all been brought about; he only knew and
felt that his wife was in his arms, and that
-Mat wife uas Tioia.
The partyinthc drawing-room, to whom
the duenna was now added, were in an
agony of impatientexpectation. The Mar
guess at length led the way, and they oil
crept softly along the passage: "May we
come ing"
Come inl" said Alonzo; the first words
he had spoken since the denoucment.
Their entrance dispersed, in great
measure, the concentrated feelings of Alon-
20, and lie became attentive to learn the
mechanism by which his present happiness
had been effected. 1t appeared that the
prcpossession Isabella bad conceived for