They had travelled near half a league, when the savage features of the

country began to soften, and gradually changed to the picturesque

beauty of Sicilian scenery. They now discovered at some distance a

villa, seated on a gentle eminence, crowned with woods. It was the

first human habitation they had seen since they embarked for Italy;

and Julia, who was almost sinking with fatigue, beheld it with

delight. The captain and his men hastened towards it to make known

their distress, while Ferdinand and Julia slowly followed. They

observed the men enter the villa, one of whom quickly returned to

acquaint them with the hospitable reception his comrades had received.

Julia with difficulty reached the edifice, at the door of which she

was met by a young cavalier, whose pleasing and intelligent

countenance immediately interested her in his favor. He welcomed the

strangers with a benevolent politeness that dissolved at once every

uncomfortable feeling which their situation had excited, and produced

an instantaneous easy confidence. Through a light and elegant hall,

rising into a dome, supported by pillars of white marble, and adorned

with busts, he led them to a magnificent vestibule, which opened upon

a lawn. Having seated them at a table spread with refreshments he left

them, and they surveyed, with surprise, the beauty of the adjacent

scene.

The lawn, which was on each side bounded by hanging woods, descended

in gentle declivity to a fine lake, whose smooth surface reflected the

surrounding shades. Beyond appeared the distant country, arising on

the left into bold romantic mountains, and on the right exhibiting a

soft and glowing landscape, whose tranquil beauty formed a striking

contrast to the wild sublimity of the opposite craggy heights. The

blue and distant ocean terminated the view.

In a short time the cavalier returned, conducting two ladies of a very

engaging appearance, whom he presented as his wife and sister. They

welcomed Julia with graceful kindness; but fatigue soon obliged her to

retire to rest, and a consequent indisposition increased so rapidly,

as to render it impracticable for her to quit her present abode on

that day. The captain and his men proceeded on their way, leaving

Ferdinand and Julia at the villa, where she experienced every kind and

tender affection. The day which was to have devoted Julia to a cloister, was ushered in

at the abbey with the usual ceremonies. The church was ornamented, and

all the inhabitants of the monastery prepared to attend. The Padre

Abate now exulted in the success of his scheme, and anticipated, in

imagination, the rage and vexation of the marquis, when he should

discover that his daughter was lost to him for ever.




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