treatment), I have at least to thank my parents for tranquillizing my mind. In one respect, they are indeed the arbiters of my destiny, and that fate to which they destine me, I must bear; but their conduct absolves me from all duty to them, from all regret at disappointing their views."

"Ha! (thought Montalva), thou dost indeed inherit the haughty spirit: of D'Rosonio; should I ever be in thy power-my fate is sure. In thy power! : Heavens! can I bear the thought! no,, thy obstinacy is the cause of all, I do

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not seek thy life, thou forcest me to, take it."

While these reflections were pas sing in his mind, his countenance. assumed an appearance of desperate resolution that startled Isabel; and her terror increased, when, on catching her eye, he tried to smile. "Good Hea vens! (said she, mentally) into what hands am I fallen; but surely I can, have no cause for, fear-is he not myy

i

father's friend?" yet, her heart sunk as she surveyed the stern countenance of the count, and she expressed a wish to retire; Montalva did not attempt to detain her, but as he bade her " good night;" the expression of his voice and countenance, froze her innocent heart with horror.

CHAP. XI,

THE old domestic attended to light her to her chamber, and as soon as they reached it, she dismissed him, and gave vent to her feelings in a burst of tears; when she had a little relieved her full heart, she strove to tranquillize her mind, but in vain. Her apartment was large, and its gloomy magnificence, added to the depression of her spirits. She approached the bed which seemed not to have been slept in for years; at this moment Isabel regretted the choice

that she had made.

"Ah! (thought she), did my

dear abbess know the lot to which I am destined, how would her heart bleed for her Isabel. Oh! that I had been allowed to remain with her, but the terms on which such a boon would have been granted, I could not, I dared not accept them. Oh! Alberto, how could I offer to my God, a heart that thou wouldst share with him? No, let me not wish that I had purchased a secure asylum, at the expence of everlasting remorse; whatever may be my destiny, at least, the consciousness of guilt shall not be added to my sufferings."

She now prepared to undress, but the dampness of the bed prevented her; a thousand vague apprehensions filled her mind; but determining to subdue them, she threw herself on her knees, and poured out her whole soul in prayer to Heaven; nor were her prayers vain: she arose from her devotions, with a mind more tranquil, and spirits soothed, by a reliance on the justice, as well as

the mercy of that Almighty Being, at whose nod creation trembles; yet, whose loving kindness is extended even to the meanest of his creatures.

Isabel loosened the collar of her shirt, and wrapping her cloak around her, she sought repose for sometime in vain; at length, fatigue overcame her disinclination to sleep, and she sunk into a sound and tranquil slumber.

When she had retired, Montalva again reviewed his situation, and again, did the declaration of the minstrel steel his heart against the hapless Isabel. The chamber to which, by his orders, she had been conducted, had, as he well knew, a trap-door that led to vaults. beneath the castle; these vaults were known only to himself, and in them he proposed to deposit the body of Isabel. When he thought she was lost in sleep, he proceeded to her chamber; the door, as he expected, was fastened; but he knew of another in the arras, which was not easily discovered; through this, he