nothing, but I saw that her person was charming, and her talents and graces were the admiration of all Rome; yet, lovely as she was, I viewed her only as a creature who might, be a means of increasing that power and popularity which I sighed to obtain, and I gave her my hand without the least sensation of tenderness for her. "The temper of Corinna was, unhappily for us both, strongly tinctured with romance, and her views in marriage were widely different from mine; in short, she loved me; she was not blind to my indifference, but she hoped in time to subdue it, and she gave me her hand with a heart full of hopes that were destined, alas! never to be realized.

"Of what materials my heart was composed I cannot define; but neither the beauty nor the tenderness of my wife; neither the cheerfulness with which she bore my neglect, nor the pains she took to contribute to my happiness, not even the birth of a son, could make any

impression upon it; I treated her with cold respect, but nothing more.`

"The time, however, was approaching, when the phantom, ambition, that had hitherto dazzled and misled me, was about to lose its influence over my mind; but, alas! I was destined to exchange it for a passion that afterwards became the torment of my life.

"I grew disgusted at the treatment which I met with at court, and I retired for a short period to a beautiful villa at a little distance from Rome; thither Corinna accompanied me, and, for the first time, I began to taste of pleasure in the society of my wife, and to feel a father's tenderness warm my breast, as I caressed my infant son. Delighted at the change in my conduct, my wife exerted all her powers to gain my heart, and never surely did nature bestow on a creature so many rare gifts. I was amused and grateful; but yet, I was not more than grateful.

“One day that I had strolled to some

distance from the villa, I was alarmed with the groans of one in pain; I look-. ed around, and espied amongst the trees, a young female seated on the grass. She was chafing her leg, which was naked, and of uncommon beauty, and the expression of her countenance, while she did so, convinced me that she was suffering violent pain. At my approach, she hastily covered her leg and foot. I enquired whether she had hurt herself, and she replied, that she feared she had sprained her ancle. On attempting to rise, this opinion was confirmed, for she sunk upon the grass unable to stand. I learned that she lived in a cottage at a little distance, and I offered to carry her thither. This offer she at first. refused butat last, she was persuaded to accept of it, and I raised her in my arms. Fearful of falling, she threw her arm round me, but the next moment she withdrew it, and with a countenance covered with blushes, she said she feared that her weight was too much for me to support. How strange, how in

consistent is the human heart! I had beheld the loveliest women of Rome with indifference; yet, in one moment, this girl, who possessed, perhaps, in the eyes of a connoisseur, but few claims to beauty, inspired me with the most ardent passion.

"A few minutes brought us to Lauretta's cottage, and I was then reluctantly obliged to relinquish my lovely burthen. Her mother and herself loaded me with acknowledgments; and the simple, but touching manner of Layretta, appeared to me all grace and eloquence. I returned to the villa without making known my rank to these rustics. On entering my house, I was met by my wife.

"I have just received that music, my dear lord (said she), which you wished so much for the other day; shall I now play to you?"

"I answered yes,' without, in fact, knowing what I said; and I mechanically followed her into the saloon.

Music was always a favourite pursuit of mine, and Corinna's proficiency in the science was admired and acknowledged by the best judges. Struck by my absent and disturbed air, she tenderly inquired whether I was unwell. The question roused me from my reverie, and I replied in the affirmative, at the same time saying I would try the effect of a little rest.

"When I was alone, I reflected with wonder on the strange infatuation which had overcome my reason; but unused to combat my inclinations, I determined to possess myself of an object that appeared necessary to my peace. I did not for a moment reflect upon the inJury which I meditated doing to this innocent girl; I thought only that the riches which I had it in my power to bestow, would be a sufficient compensation for her innocence. ' Heaven has, I hope (cried he, raising his eyes to it), pardoned me for so base a thought. As I wished to possess my