A Sicilian Romance

When they reached the high altar, the bier was rested, and in a few

moments the anthem ceased. 'The Abate now approached to perform the

unction; the veil of the dying nun was lifted--and Julia discovered

her beloved Cornelia! Her countenance was already impressed with the

image of death, but her eyes brightened with a faint gleam of

recollection, when they fixed upon Julia, who felt a cold thrill run

through her frame, and leaned for support on madame. Julia now for

the first time distinguished the unhappy lover of Cornelia, on whose

features was depictured the anguish of his heart, and who hung pale

and silent over the bier.

The ceremony being finished, the anthem

struck up; the bier was lifted, when Cornelia faintly moved her hand,

and it was again rested upon the steps of the altar. In a few minutes

the music ceased, when lifting her heavy eyes to her lover, with an

expression of ineffable tenderness and grief, she attempted to speak,

but the sounds died on her closing lips. A faint smile passed over her

countenance, and was succeeded by a fine devotional glow; she folded

her hands upon her bosom, and with a look of meek resignation, raising

towards heaven her eyes, in which now sunk the last sparkles of

expiring life--her soul departed in a short deep sigh.

Her lover sinking back, endeavoured to conceal his emotions, but the

deep sobs which agitated his breast betrayed his anguish, and the

tears of every spectator bedewed the sacred spot where beauty, sense,

and innocence expired. The organ now swelled in mournful harmony; and the voices of the

assembly chanted in choral strain, a low and solemn requiem to the

spirit of the departed.

Madame hurried Julia, who was almost as lifeless as her departed

friend, from the church. A death so sudden heightened the grief which

separation would otherwise have occasioned. It was the nature of

Cornelia's disorder to wear a changeful but flattering aspect. Though

she had long been declining, her decay was so gradual and

imperceptible as to lull the apprehensions of her friends into

security. It was otherwise with herself; she was conscious of the

change, but forbore to afflict them with the knowledge of the truth.

The hour of her dissolution was sudden, even to herself; but it was

composed, and even happy. In the death of Cornelia, Julia seemed to

mourn again that of Hippolitus. Her decease appeared to dissolve the

last tie which connected her with his memory.

In one of the friars of the convent, madame was surprized to find the

father who had confessed the dying Vincent. His appearance revived the

remembrance of the scene she had witnessed at the castle of Mazzini;

and the last words of Vincent, combined with the circumstances which

had since occurred, renewed all her curiosity and astonishment. But

his appearance excited more sensations than those of wonder. She

dreaded lest he should be corrupted by the marquis, to whom he was

known, and thus be induced to use his interest with the Abate for

the restoration of Julia.