THE WATCH-TOWER -OF KOAT-VBU. 71 



have flowed pure and untroubled beneath the shadow of that vener- 

 able abbey, like a hidden streamlet that glides beneath the silent 

 grove. Feeble myself, worn by long 1 suffering, soon should I have 

 loved the weak, the enduring soon should I have spent my life in 

 succouring them ; and a day would come to blot my memory out, 

 remorseless, fearless a day, Rita, stretched on my narrow couch, 

 within my cell, gazing on the long bright waves of the ocean, listen- 

 ing, for the last time, to the sublime chorus of the sea-winds, when I 

 should have escaped the world without remembrance and without re- 

 gret." And Henry drooped his head upon Ritas bosom. 



" O, Henry," exclaimed the duchess, "didst thou but know with 

 what delight, with what pride I hear thy declarations; if thou 

 couldst but feel how sweet it is to say within oneself this soul, so 

 frail and timid, folding its wings at the least contact with the world, 

 expanding them only to soar towards heaven, this soul, so pure, 

 vowed to its great Creator, is now offered up to me ! I am become 

 its god it breathes for me alone, and I for it : for thou art mine, 

 Henry, and mine are also all thy tears and thy regrets, which gives 

 me joy beyond all earthly joys. And yet 'tis strange how are our 

 lives opposed. I feel the strong and inflexible ideas of man ; thou 

 the sweet soft timidity of woman ; and mine the task to vanquish all 

 thy scruples, thy innocent and needless fears to prove to thee that 

 happiness may dwell on earth. And 'tis this contrast that inspires my 

 love, the only love I ever felt ; this love that makes me learn that I, 

 so proud, so cold to all the homage men can pay, feel inexpressible 

 happiness in bending here a willing slave, a suppliant, at thy knees, 

 aspiring for one word of love from thy dear mouth, entreating it for 

 mercy and for pity's sake." 



" Rita," exclaimed Henry, starting suddenly from his seat, "be- 

 hold me now the victim of thy charms. Thy mouth breathes forth a 

 fire that infatuates me, for in these moments of ecstacy my imagina- 

 tion is inflamed and soars beyond control, my senses are exalted 

 to a preternatural vigour. Feel how rny heart throbs. My brain is 

 excited ; my ideas spring tumultuously into life ; I feel that I exist ; 

 the sun-beama shine with redoubled brilliancy ; the expanse of ocean 

 is more lovely and impressive ; the flowers more sweet ; the chant of 

 birds more fond. Now I have thoughts of glory, of combat. My 

 vows of solitude and obscurity appear but as a dream almost faded 

 from remembrance. I know not what ardour thus awakes me, what 

 power drags me onward. This dress is hateful to me; these books 

 fatigue; this solitude wearies. I must have fame and tumult.; I 

 would hear the victorious huzzas of war the clash of arms. Ah! I 

 know not ; I must myself wield the sword, and away to glory, to 

 make myself a name that envy and respect alone shall utter." 



During this burst of excited passion, the whole person of Henry 

 had undergone an incredible change. His stature seemed increased. 

 His sorrowful and timid features gave place to an extraordinary ex- 

 pression of intrepid determination. His attitude was commanding. His 

 look was fixed, like the proud eagle's eye. The duchess bowed .be- 

 fore his gaze. For the first time she felt and acknowledged the as- 

 cendency of his nature. Just so was he admirable. 



