A Sicilian Romance

Julia accustomed herself to walk in the fine evenings under the shade

of the high trees that environed the abbey. The dewy coolness of the

air refreshed her. The innumerable roseate tints which the parting

sun-beams reflected on the rocks above, and the fine vermil glow

diffused over the romantic scene beneath, softly fading from the eye,

as the nightshades fell, excited sensations of a sweet and tranquil

nature, and soothed her into a temporary forgetfulness of her sorrows.

The deep solitude of the place subdued her apprehension, and one

evening she ventured with Madame de Menon to lengthen her walk. They

returned to the abbey without having seen a human being, except a

friar of the monastery, who had been to a neighbouring town to order

provision. On the following evening they repeated their walk; and,

engaged in conversation, rambled to a considerable distance from the

abbey. The distant bell of the monastery sounding for vespers,

reminded them of the hour, and looking round, they perceived the

extremity of the wood. They were returning towards the abbey, when

struck by the appearance of some majestic columns which were

distinguishable between the trees, they paused. Curiosity tempted them

to examine to what edifice pillars of such magnificent architecture

could belong, in a scene so rude, and they went on.

There appeared on a point of rock impending over the valley the

reliques of a palace, whose beauty time had impaired only to heighten

its sublimity. An arch of singular magnificence remained almost

entire, beyond which appeared wild cliffs retiring in grand

perspective.

The sun, which was now setting, threw a trembling lustre

upon the ruins, and gave a finishing effect to the scene. They gazed

in mute wonder upon the view; but the fast fading light, and the dewy

chillness of the air, warned them to return. As Julia gave a last

look to the scene, she perceived two men leaning upon a part of the

ruin at some distance, in earnest conversation. As they spoke, their

looks were so attentively bent on her, that she could have no doubt

she was the subject of their discourse. Alarmed at this circumstance,

madame and Julia immediately retreated towards the abbey. They walked

swiftly through the woods, whose shades, deepened by the gloom of

evening, prevented their distinguishing whether they were pursued.

They were surprized to observe the distance to which they had strayed

from the monastery, whose dark towers were now obscurely seen rising

among the trees that closed the perspective. They had almost reached

the gates, when on looking back, they perceived the same men slowly

advancing, without any appearance of pursuit, but clearly as if

observing the place of their retreat.