A Sicilian Romance

'Ah, cease,' said Julia, 'to dwell upon a character of whose

worth I am fully sensible. Your kindness and his merit can never be

forgotten by her whose misfortunes you have so generously suffered to

interest you.' She paused in silent hesitation. A sense of delicacy

made her hesitate upon the decision which her heart so warmly

prompted. If she fled with Hippolitus, she would avoid one evil, and

encounter another. She would escape the dreadful destiny awaiting her,

but must, perhaps, sully the purity of that reputation, which was

dearer to her than existence. In a mind like hers, exquisitely

susceptible of the pride of honor, this fear was able to counteract

every other consideration, and to keep her intentions in a state of

painful suspense. She sighed deeply, and continued silent. Hippolitus

was alarmed by the calm distress which her countenance exhibited. 'O!

Julia,' said he, 'relieve me from this dreadful suspense!--speak to

me--explain this silence.' She looked mournfully upon him---her lips

moved, but no sounds were uttered. As he repeated his question, she

waved her hand, and sunk back in her chair. She had not fainted, but

continued some time in a state of stupor not less alarming. The

importance of the present question, operating upon her mind, already

harassed by distress, had produced a temporary suspension of reason.

Hippolitus hung over her in an agony not to be described, and

Ferdinand vainly repeated her name. At length uttering a deep sigh,

she raised herself, and, like one awakened from a dream, gazed around

her. Hippolitus thanked God fervently in his heart. 'Tell me but that

you are well,' said he, 'and that I may dare to hope, and we will

leave you to repose.'--'My sister,' said Ferdinand, 'consult only your

own wishes, and leave the rest to me. Suffer a confidence in me to

dissipate the doubts with which you are agitated.'--'Ferdinand,' said

Julia, emphatically, 'how shall I express the gratitude your kindness

has excited?'--'Your gratitude,' said he, 'will be best shown in

consulting your own wishes; for be assured, that whatever procures

your happiness, will most effectually establish mine. Do not suffer

the prejudices of education to render you miserable. Believe me, that

a choice which involves the happiness or misery of your whole life,

ought to be decided only by yourself.'

'Let us forbear for the present,' said Hippolitus, 'to urge the

subject. Repose is necessary for you,' addressing Julia, 'and I will

not suffer a selfish consideration any longer to with-hold you from

it.--Grant me but this request--that at this hour to-morrow night, I

may return hither to receive my doom.' Julia having consented to

receive Hippolitus and Ferdinand, they quitted the closet. In turning

into the grand gallery, they were surprised by the appearance of a

light, which gleamed upon the wall that terminated their view. It

seemed to proceed from a door which opened upon a back stair-case.

They pushed on, but it almost instantly disappeared, and upon the

stair-case all was still. They then separated, and retired to their

apartments, somewhat alarmed by this circumstance, which induced them

to suspect that their visit to Julia had been observed.