"D'Rosonio, thou wilt never know the sex; what thou termest suspicion, I call caution; but in this instance I will own it was unnecessary. To be brief, I saw my incognita again the following night, and three hours conversation made her appear if possible more lovely in my eyes. I ventured to express a wish to know who she was, but I did it. guardedly.

"I will be frank with you, Signor

Montalva (said she); my

ank is such as I need not blush to own, but at this moment 'I know not whether we can, after a few days, ever meet again."

"Heavens signora, (said I), can you be serious? Flattered as I have been with the hope that I was not an object of indifference to you, can you determine to give me up for ever?

"Alas! (replied she), it does not depend upon myself whether we shall meet or not; but of this be assured, should I from circumstances be obliged

"I did not immediately reply; in truth I could not lovely as I had before thought her, she now appeared more charming than ever; her dress heightened her natural beauty, and her fine eyes, fixed on mine with an expression of pleasure, robbed me for a moment of all command of myself, and I pressed the lovely creature to my bosom.

"She instantly disengaged herself: 'Take care, signor (said she, in a tone of severity), or

"I did not suffer her to finish the sentence; I besought her pardon, and she granted it.

"I perceive, signor (cried she), that my name and family are not unknown' to you.'

" All Naples (returned I), are by report informed of the Signora Lupinetti's surpassing loveliness, both of mind and person.

"She bowed to my compliment, and proceeded :

"I was still very young when death

deprived me of both my parents; but the kindness of Signor, D'Orsini, my guardian, left me little reason to lament their loss. The signor had an only son, of whom he was passionately fond; and well did Alberto merit his father's love: this youth and myself grew up together, and I loved him as a brother. A warmer sentiment, however, had imperceptibly stolen into his heart, and he owned to his father, that without me he would be miserable; my guardian, who knew that my heart was disengaged, had not a doubt but I would accept of his son's hand, and lost no time in communicating to me the affection with which Alberto regarded me. I had not then (continued she), felt the power of love.' -Never, Fernando, shall I forget the look with which these words were uttered, nor the glance that accompanied them. She paused a moment, and then proceeded:

"The regard which I was conscious

I felt for Alberto, was I thought sufficient for our mutual happiness, and I

did not scruple to promise him my hand; but as his fortune was far inferior to mine, Signor D'Orsini refused to let the ceremony of our marriage be performed 'till his authority over me was at an end.'

"""Twill be said (eried he) that I have influenced your choice; and, dearly as I love my son, his happiness must not be purchased at the expence of his father's honour in less than two years you will be your own mistress, should you then prefer my son, with what delight will I join your hands!' Alberto acquiesced in this delay, though with reluctance, and nearly a year passed away. My affection for him, calm, steady, and rational, seemed to myself incapable of increase or diminution; but this regard did not satisfy the warm and impassioned heart of Alberto; ever anxious to be near me, and unhappy if any accident separated

us, even for a short time; the proofs which he daily gave me of his passion were irksome rather than pleasing.

"You do not love me, Bianca (would he frequently say); my presence creates no joy, and my absence gives no pain to your heart; your calmness, your tranquillity, are inconsistent with love; and I greatly fear, that to your regard for my father, and your friendship for me, I owe the promise of your hand. Oh, Bianca! was I sure of that, dearly as I

love

you, yet I would not call you mine ; the possession of your lovely person, without your heart, could not satisfy

me.'

1

"In vain I assured him that the sentiment I felt for him was all I was capable of feeling, and that I was conscious it was amply sufficient for my happiness.

"You do not know your own heart, Bianca (would he reply); it was made for a warmer sentiment.' These perpetual declarations, that I regarded him with indifference, made me look into