tive purity and nobleness of this creature's mind, will never suffer become your mistress; and tord by a passion which you can r gratify nor forget, your future present the most gloomy pros

Fernando this shall not be; topurpose should I suffer you to drag In the most galling? Life has not e a single charm; my infant, for alone I wished to live, is gone to pode of bliss and peace; my huss heart is for ever alienated from alienated did I say, alas! I never ssed it; we are a strong proof how involuntary is the passion of love. sed, flattered, and admired from hildish days, by parents and relawho doated upon me, and accusd as I grew up to the voice of aduwherever I turned my steps, I y married you in the hope, or racertainty, that a very short time d render your affection equal to

my own; if I know my own heart, this idea sprung not from vanity, but love; it was however erroneous; and severely, oh! Heaven only knows how severely, have I been punished for ever enter-taining it.

"When I quitted you to visit the convent of St. Sebastiano, it was my fixed purpose never to return; you shall at least be freed from the sight of a being, who I am convinced is odious to you: I shall be henceforth dead to the world, for to the gloomy duties of a monastic life will I devote my future days; make what use of my doing so you please; a rumour of my death will never be contradicted; and should you lead to the altar another and a happier bride, never shall her felicity be disturbed by the unfortunate Corinna.

"You will, I know, think more highly of this sacrifice than it merits. Believe, me Fernando, in the solitude of a cloister,. I shall be less miserable than in your splendid palace; I shall at least

the comfort, in parting with you for to reflect that you must at last be ble how much, how tenderly you beloved; I shall also know that uture happiness of your life will be ift; and that the sacrifice which I proved myself capable of making entitle me to your gratitude; and may that sacrifice be the means of owing upon you that felicity which rever lost to

"CORINNA."

Generous, but extraordinary wo(cried Alberto, returning the letbut proceed, father."

You may suppose, my son (contithe friar), how much this letter nished me. I lost no time in endea-ing to discover the retreat of Corinbut in vain; all that I could learn that she had privately quitted the ent of St. Sebastiano; but whither had bent her steps, none knew. I rned to Rome, and sought to lose remembrance both of Corinna and

Lauretta in business, but in vain. The causes of disgust, which I had received, had ceased, but the reign of ambition was over, and its illusive splendours could not restore peace to my heart.

"I had given out that my wife was no more, but I was not yet wicked enough to think, without a pang, of giving my hand to another. The torments of my mind at length impaired my health, and by the advice of my physician, I returned to my villa.

"I will not, my 'son, repeat to you the false and sophistical arguments which I used to persuade myself that my wife had herself exonerated me from the nuptial vow. I forgot, or rather I endeavoured to forget, that no human power can sunder those whom Heaven has joined; in short, I determined to espouse Lauretta.

"My honourable proposals were received with equal modesty and gratitude. Lauretta became mine, and now said I to myself, at last I am happy. I ac

vledge the truth of that reproving ce, my son, I was indeed mistaken. who was ever otherwise, that ght happiness compatible with

my

In one year after our marriage, Lau brought me a son, and the followyear another; doatingly fond of and children. I looked forward hose honours for my boys, which I ised for myself, but Heaven had eed otherwise; both my children I within one month of each other. Lauretta yet remained, and in envouring to console her, I lost a part my own affliction. Time in some ree calmed our sorrows, and for five rs after the death of my children, ight, but for the visitations of conence, have been happy.

In the fifth year, I lost Lauretta, t being whom I adored, and for ose sake I had plunged into criines, s suddenly snatched from me, without previous indisposition: one hour,