chese, that no one goes to interfere with his wishes relative to Gradisca, the old woman who lives with her mad nephew in the valley.

"IT is unnecessary you should particularize the unfortunate person you mean, Bernardo," said Viola, calmly turning from the viranda, and seating herself on a sofa; "I cannot look at you, without remembering the wretch. ed situation to which she is reduced; while I am necessitated to remain un der the roof of your Lord, I shall sub mit to his commands, however rigorously they may be enforced; I only regret, that while the Marchese has a son so worthy to fill his place, he should depute power to one so unqua lified to exercise it as you are.

"To be sure," answered the man

with an ironical grin, "he would give him the exercise of power over you: yes, yes," he added, looking in her face, and significantly nodding his head, "the Signior would like nothing better, I dare say: I rather think I know my Lord a little better than you do; and if you wish to keep him friend, don't try to peep and pry into all his private concerns: he's not over fond of you, at any rate; and by the mass if he finds you up to him in that quarter, I would not stand in your shoes for all the wealth of our Lady!"

your

THE pang of lacerated feeling kept Viola silent; till this hour, she had never discovered, that with our worldly consequence and prosperity, expires all respect from those low mercenary wretches, who fatten on our fortunes, only to triumph in the debasement they

have assisted to bring on; the scalding tear started to her eye, the glow of indignation mantled her cheek, as rising from her seat she commanded him to leave her at this moment, and as Bernardo was preparing another humiliating insinuation, Albenza entered the room; and Viola, who had hitherto submitted to her fate with fortitude and resignation, mortified by insult, and wounded by contempt, clung to the arms opened to receive her, speechless and agitated, while Bernardo, as the subtle enemy of our first parents, viewed them with a leer of malignity, and muttering something to himself, left the room. Recovered by his departure to a sense of her situation, and lost for an instant to every considerátion but the delight of again beholding her lover, Viola bathed his hand with her tears, gazed earnestly on his pallid

coun

countenance; and forgetful of the task she had imposed on herself, besought him to tell her "if he was ill, if he was unhappy."

" TILL you assure me that you regard me with affection and compassion, I must ever be both,” replied Albenza ; "it is in your power to recompence. me for the loss of my mother; it is in your power to make me the happiest as well as the most miserable of men: Viola, I have tried pleasure, solitude; read, reflected; entered into dissipation, to endeavour to forget you; it was impossible; your idea has become so connected with my very existence, that live without you I cannot; you. know the candour of my disposition; yours has endeared you to me; I have a thousand faults; do you correct, model me; make me like yourself; be

my

my wife, my directress, my blessing; and, wealth and titles, what could ye afford me!"

"My Lord," said Viola, overcome by the impetuosity of his manner, “if by acknowledging my regard I could soften the pang of separation, how gladly would I do it! Albenza, I would appeal to your, understanding: Alas! situated as we are now, it is the only sentiment I dare appeal to did I. ever act towards you with duplicity? Why then should you wound me, by suspecting that a conduct, which is the result of hardly enforced duty, arises from inconstancy or indifference? Two years ago, and before I was as humble as now I am, I assured you, so much I valued your affection, that I never would prove unworthy of it; believe: me, I am incapable of trifling with the

feelings