72 THE MONK. 



his sister and an only daugbiter. I was present at Laura's interview 

 with the Count, her father. 



" She was a very queen of grace, whose skill 



Play'd with the heart, and wielded it at will. 



The story of her beauty, like a breeze 



That bears perfume, spread through the provinces — 



Spread o'er the land ; and many a raptured youth 



Laid at her feet the vows of love and truth." 



" And from the moment of my introduction, I resigned her a heart 

 which is now buried with her ashes. 



" Some charm or magic made me delay my departure. Three 

 months had passed with lightning's fleetness ere I thought the pe- 

 riod of my visit was half expired. Still I lingered; until at length, 

 by hope inspired, I prevailed upon the Count to listen to my pro- 

 posals for the hand of his beauteous daughter. He consented. 



" Laura listened to my addresses; and many were the enchanting 

 walks we've had beneath the umbrageous foliage of perfumed trees, 

 or amid the groves where fountains poured their silvery streams, and 

 the aeolian harp sent forth its wild and plaintive melody upon the 

 gentle bieeze. 



•" Four months had elapsed, when our union was solemnised with 

 the greatest pomp and magnificence. 



" We resided for some time after our marriage at the castle, liv- 

 ing, as it were, spirits of another land — breathing an atmosphere of 

 perfect love and purest bliss, during which time my daughter Clarissa 

 was bom — a lovely, smiling innocent ;— shortly after which, affairs of 

 a very pressing character summoned the Count to Paris. We 

 accompanied him, and from that hour I date my misfortunes. Yes, 

 Paris — the seat of fashion, the birth-place of vice — became the tomb 

 of her who was once so dear, so lovely, and so chaste, that angels 

 might smile upon her as she trod the paths of life. 



" I had not remained long in Paris, when I discovered an extraor- 

 dinary change in Laura. She appeared to lose all relish for the 

 pleasures of a domestic life, and would frequently rally me for wish- 

 ing to relinquish these scenes of gaiety and sequester ourselves in 

 our peaceful castle, where at one time she was the chief ornament. 



