look the ignominy of my birth, yet, never could the offspring of guilt aspire to his hand, whatever my unhappy mother may command, save only that, I will willingly obey.”

“Thou hast sealed thy doom,” (mentally exclaimed Montalva), when the abbess repeated to him the answer of Isabel.

"'Tis well, madam (cried he). This obstinacy, I own I did not expect; but

Isabel rejects the peaceful, and happy lot, which her parents have chosen for her, she must abide the consequences. In two days I depart, and she must accompany me."

"Nay, signor (cried the lady abbess), let me at least plead for a little delay."

"It is impossible to grant it, madam (replied Montalva), my orders are most strict, and Isabel shall not in every instance disobey the will of her parents."

The abbess did not venture to remonstrate, though her heart swelled at what

she considered the most tyrannical injustice. "Isabel shall know your will, signor (replied she coldly), and I doubt not of her obedience."

Montalva now departed, and the abbess prepared to undertake the ungrateful task of announcing to Isabel her approaching departure. "Good Heavens! (thought the mother of St. Teresa,) what cruelty and injustice, to tear thee, my poor child, from the happiest lot, and consign thee to one so full of misery. Shame on the weak, the guilty being, who would thus hide her fault at the expence of thy peace." While she was lost in rumination, Isabel entered. "Well, dearest mother (cried she), I heard the signor had just left you, and I felt most anxious to know what he says to the determination which I have made."

My tidings are unpleasing ones, my beloved Isabel (said the abbess, tenderly), but it is the lot of humanity to

suffer; and blessed are those who bear their sufferings with patience, a bright unfading reward awaits them."

"I understand your kind caution (cried Isabel, turning pale), you have something to say that will, you think, afflict me, and you wish to prepare me for it by degrees, but fear not my fortitude, dear and venerable friend, your child will not disgrace those instructions you have deigned to bestow upon her."'

"You recollect my child (said the abbess), the declaration of Signor Valdorno, that if you refused the veil, you were to accompany him; I grieve to say that he is about iminediately to depart,

"I must be torn from the dear abode of my infancy (cried Isabel), this is a blow, indeed. Oh! my more than mother, must I then leave you, never, never, perhaps, to see you again?" For a moment, the boasted fortitude

of Isabel gave way to grief, and she burst into tears..

"Hear me Isabel (said the abbess); was there a hope, that from your parents you would find that affection of which you are most worthy, was there a chance that your repugnance to a monastic life would induce them to allow you the liberty of returning to the world, I would not seek to alter your determination; but alas! my love, of this event there is not the smallest hope; their pride condemns you to obscurity, that the secret of your birth may never transpire, and destined as you are to a life of retirement, where you will be so fondly sheltered, as here? where your infancy was matured, and where your virtues are known; could you, my child, but resolve to remain with us."

"Oh! no (interrupted Isabel); let me at least preserve my innocence. Oh! what punishments might I not expect if, kneeling at the throne of grace, 1 presumed to offer wholly to the Al

mighty, that heart in which, alas! one ofis creatures has but too great a share; it is the first time that my secret has passed my lips (continued she, with firmness), and from henceforth it must be buried in my heart; but, oh! dearest mother, that heart has long, though unconsciously, been Sforza's; I know that I never can be his, but at least the remembrance of his affection, the delight of contemplating his virtues, may be mine; his image will follow me in solitude and obscurity, and shed a gleam of comfort over my cheerless days."

The countenance of Isabel, as she spoke, was lighted up with all the enthusiasm of pure affection, and never in the eyes of the abbess, did she appear so lovely.

"My child, my Isabel (cried she), I will not farther seek to combat your resolution; in two days I must lose and may the Virgin protect and guard

you."

you,