A Sicilian Romance

The spirit which lately animated Julia had vanished with her

words--each moment of silence increased her apprehension; the deep

brooding of his thoughts confirmed her in the apprehension of evil,

and with all the artless eloquence of sorrow she endeavoured to soften

him to pity. He listened to her pleadings in sullen stillness. But

each instant now cooled the fervour of his resentment to her, and

increased his desire of opposing the marquis. At length the

predominant feature of his character resumed its original influence,

and overcame the workings of subordinate passion. Proud of his

religious authority, he determined never to yield the prerogative of

the church to that of the father, and resolved to oppose the violence

of the marquis with equal force.

He therefore condescended to relieve Julia from her terrors, by

assuring her of his protection; but he did this in a manner so

ungracious, as almost to destroy the gratitude which the promise

demanded. She hastened with the joyful intelligence to Madame de

Menon, who wept over her tears of thankfulness.