One day, while he was indulging in reflections of this nature, D'Rosonio observed him attentively. "All is not right in the mind of my friend, (cried he); tell me Stephano, what disturbs thee?”

Montalva evaded the question, and the count continued, "I have thought since I have myself known the delights of domestic happiness, that thou mightest perhaps have sighed for them; forgive me, but the depression which I have for some time perceived makes me think that an attachment to some fair one, rich only in the gifts of nature, preys upon the spirits of my friend; if this is the case Montalva, thou knowest that my fortune is thine.

"I thank thee from my soul, D’Rosonio (said Stephano), but thou art mistaken; no my friend, I have done with love, the perfidy of Bianca has steeled my heart against the attractions of beauty; and should I ever marry, it must be to a woman possessed of sufficient riches to restore the fading honours

of my house. I thank thy generous friendship, already have I been but too much obliged to thee."

Soon after this conversation, a youthful friend of the countess's arrived at the castle; never had Montalva beheld such beauty, but Valeria Di Soranza was poor; to think of her as a wife was impossible; and the friendship with which the countess regarded her, made Montalva fear to endeavour to gain her as a mistress; she was an orphan and of noble birth; young, artless, and formed for love, her heart soon spoke in favour of Montalva; the graces of whose person and manners were indeed most striking. He saw, and ungenerously pursued the advantage he had gained, and the unfortunate Valeria soon became deeply attached to him.

Had Valeria been, rich, Montalva would not have hesitated to avow his passion for her, but to give her his hand, and owe to the generosity of D'Rosonio the portion of his bride, was a humilia

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tion which his pride could not submit t yet, every day her beauty and softne made a deeper impression upon him, a his manner to her became more tend The count's castle was situate at so. distance from Naples, and Montalva F prolonged his visit much beyond usual length; he did not love the co try, and he was incapable of partici ting in the happiness which the co and countess enjoyed: he was theref in general anxious to escape from th society; but now, the presence of Val acted as a spell upon his senses, and seemed to have no power to fly.

"Confusion! (said he mentally); w am I about? I will return to Naples, in the smiles of venal beauty, lose remembrance of Valeria."

He mentioned his intentions to count that day; Valeria was prese and he watched her looks while spoke of leaving the castle; she avo ed meeting his eye, but the deep suf sion of her cheek, the ashy paleness t

tion which his pride could not submit to; yet, every day her beauty and softness made a deeper impression upon him, and his manner to her became more tender. The count's castle was situate at some distance from Naples, and Montalva had prolonged his visit much beyond its usual length; he did not love the country, and he was incapable of participa ting in the happiness which the count and countess enjoyed: he was therefore in general anxious to escape from their society; but now, the presence of Valeria acted as a spell upon his senses, and he seemed to have no power to fly.

"Confusion! (said he mentally); what am I about? I will return to Naples, and in the smiles of venal beauty, lose the remembrance of Valeria."

He mentioned his intentions to the count that day; Valeria was present, and he watched her looks while he spoke of leaving the castle; she avoided meeting his eye, but the deep suffusion of her cheek, the ashy paleness that