Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-06-07

faltering; you, Veronica, will tell him
that l wait to see him here, before his de.
parture.'
'Berenice! my sister, bethink you of
our father; remember his patrician preju-
dices; surely this step
Go, dear sister, answered Berenice
mildly yet firmly; for the love that you
bear me, do me this errand. would not
any other eye should mark this weakness
fear to betray at parting with one whom my
father has commanded me to love; tell my
father l am unwell, and it is true, my
head and heart ache,-go dearest And
Veronica, unconvinced, yet persuaded by
the tears of her sister, which in truth were
flowing fast, left her alone.
Bcrenice resumed her reading, but not
for many minutes, she arose and shut the
volume, saying, Not thus, not thus, with
divided attention, and with wandering
thought, may presume to read this holy
record She placed it within a small gol-
den casket, locked it carefully, and then
walked forth into balcony, on which the
windows of the apartment opened. The
moon had Just risen and shed a soft light
on the magnificent buildings Of the eternal
city; the cool, thin air swept over the brow
of the maiden, and calmed her agitated
thoughts she had bitter trial before her,
for she was about to inhict deep wound
on the heart of one whom she loved with
all the innocent fervor of girls first af-
fection; and she trembled, as she pictured
to herself his surprise and sorrow. Then
Berenice looked up at the quiet of the eve.
ming sky, and thought of the time, when
earth's interests would be over for her 81
and, could she thus look, and thus think
and still hesitate? All, no! When she
heard the step of Lucius drawing nigh, she
plucked single flower from creeping
plant that overshaded the balcony, and,
keeping it in her hand as token to recall
her better resolutions, she advanced to meet
him.
1t was not for this, sent for you hith-
err she said, in reply to his passionate ex-
pressions of regret and love; Fyou are a
Roman soldier, Lucius, and I know it was
neither your destiny, nor your wish, to be
ever at lady's side. Believe me, have
learned to look on this parting as on thing
inevitable;' but even as she spoke, her
voice faltered.
wEEsper Of a, Tg:anion, % Of lifelong reunion
eYour father has promised, dearest he
said, that this campaign once over, the
Marcomanni once defeated, l shall be re-
warded, at my return, with the hand OF my
Berenice'
1T may be So, she answered sadly, if
you still wish it,
IF I still wish it Berenice of what are
you dreaming?
/ am not dreaming, Lucius Emilius, l
am speaking the words of sober reality
You think of me- as Of the beloved child of
Flavius Torquatus the co-heiress of his
wealth and honors; of one whose hand Will
confer distinction. lion your return from
Germany, you should find me despoiled of
all these advantages, an alien from my fa-
theirs house, it may be from his heart,
scorned and forgotten by my friends, des
pissed by mankind
you would still, replied Lucius, be tc
me the same Berenice, whom in her hour
of prosperity, had vowed to love and cher
ish; but what can be the meaning of your
terrible words why do you torture your
self and me, by such utterly vain imagin
J ings? ..--.. ;.
Berenice withdrew from the encirclinG
arm that supported her; she leaned agains
. the slight verandah her voice was sotte
: than the softest whisper, yet every wore
fell with terrible clearness on the ear OF he
? lover Lucius Emilius, [ am Chris
' tian'
f Lucius went forth that night from th
= chamber of his betrothed an altered man
d for the chill of disappointment had falle
Q on his proudest and fondest hopes. He ha
II tried all his persuasive powers to Undue
e the girl to forsake her new opinions; b
d had tried in vain so now nought for hiI
lr remained to do but to fulfill an engag
1t ment in which his honor was concerned
|, aud then returu,-to love her still, an
IL protect her,-if necessary, with his life
n He bore with him two precious glfts,-
r. console him in absence, as far as anythir
could console him, the golden casket ar
the carrier dove.
ne +
ir Berenice was again alone, not as heret
a fore in the solitude of her own luxurlo
h. apartment; not surrounded, as she W
he wont to be, with her books, and music al
H. flowers; she was alone in gloomy prls
. chamber. A small aperture near the ce
nd ing, guarded by iron bars, admitted Ju
ch light enough to show the dismal emPtlnt
RS; Of the place, no tapestried hangings to hi
ite the cold damp walls, no warm carpets
ell cover the stone floor. 1t contained only
lg- low couch, and on that the maiden "
en- seated, sometimes raising her clasped hau
lal- in the deep earnestness of prayer, son
times covering her red and swollen eyes
,er, hide, it might be from herself, the tear s
,re- could not restrain. Presently a low knC
lay was heard at the door, and her father
and tered. Borenics shuddered, and said, =
,wn this, oh, let ma be spared this worst gri
ked yet, no ! the sacrifice must be compile
give me only strength to bear it, II
il is She advanced aud led Flavius Torquatus
and her couch, and meekly kneeling before b
ling prayed him once more to lay his hand
Her on her, and bless her.
ay The old man answered, 1t is not
cart this come, unhappy girl; come to
err you that all entreaties have been in Va
the the orders Of the emperor must not be
obcyed, and his orders were that all of
low fan1tical sect shoull be exterminate,