102 ^ THE MONK. 



brace. At first the Italian's saturnine visage exhibited a malicious 

 smile of triumph, which quickly changed to a demoniac scowl of ha- 

 tred. With one hand he seized the unfortunate countess ; with the 

 other, he plunged a dagger in the breast of Rudolf. 



" Before any alarm could be given, the count fled and escaped to 

 France, where he was soon after assassinated in a street brawl. The 

 countess had a long and dangerous illness, from which she ultimately 

 recovered. Shortly afterwards she entered the sanctuary of a con- 

 vent, where the comforts and consolations of religion soothed her 

 bruised spirit, and opened to her view that bright heaven where there 

 shall be no more death or sorrow. 



" Colonel Hamilton recognised, amongst the servants of the count, 



the person who had appeared at as the principal witness at the 



fatal trial ; and, from the confessions of this wretch, information was 

 obtained which, when combined with the previous testimony of the 

 monk regarding the ring, afforded complete evidence of Arthur's in- 

 nocence. His friends were, in consequence, enabled to procure a 

 reversal of the decree of his banishment, and he was speedily restored 

 to his father, his native land, and his beloved Mary. 



" In this dreary solitude, separated as it is from the rest of the 

 world, and divided from intercourse with men and manners, the most 

 trivial instances become subjects of interest. No wonder, then, that 

 these strange incidents should be long remembered in the Hospice ; 

 but now they are almost forgotten ; and more recent occurrences oc- 

 cupy the thoughts of my brother inmates. Yet on my mind the im- 

 pression of these circumstances is as vivid as the scenes of yesterday. 

 No time or change can obliterate them. I can now see the graceful 

 form of Mary bending in silent anguish over the breathless body of 

 her lover. I can now hear the expressions of rapturous joy that 

 burst from her lips when she found that he lived and was innocent. 

 I can now behold the pale melancholy and touchingly beautiful coun- 

 "^ tenance of Paulina as she told her tale of woe. I now have before 

 me the devilish malignity spread over the features of De Vegnet, as 

 he plunged his dagger in my breast — yes I you may be surprised ; 

 but I am Rudolf ! It was my heart's blood that he sought. The 

 wound was not fatal — would it had been ! I should then have es- 

 caped misery such as no words can tell. But, no I I should then have 

 died with a curse upon my soul. Heaven is all-wise, the omnipotent 

 disposer of life and death is all-merciful." 



M. 



