Retrospect of French Literature —Miscellanies. 611 
interested in her fate, hecame anxious 
for her preservation, The mother, in 
particular, was alarmed in no common 
degree, and uttered her daughter’s name 
with no common emotion. None of the 
parties affected to afford any consolation, 
and assistance appeared impossible ; for 
how was she to be discovered amidst the 
darkness of the night? ar, ?f found, how 
could she be brought home, amidst the 
dangers of the tempest? 
* Notwithstanding this, Springer, with- 
out uttering a word, lays hold of his stick, 
and opens the door, with the resolution 
to go in search of his beloved daughter. 
Smoloff immediately followed his steps, 
but the winds raged with such dreadful 
violence, that the branches of the trees 
were broken on each side of them, so as 
to endanger their lives. On this, Springer, 
addressing himself to Smoloft, wished to 
prevent him trom accompanying him, but 
without success ; the young nian was per- 
fectly well acquainted with the peril, bur 
he contemplated it with joy, being happy 
to brave the utmost violence of the storm 
tor the sake of his Elizabeth—for it al- 
ways seems fortunate to be able to find 
an oecasion to exhibit one’s tenderness, 
and to prove how much a lover feels, 
when he has not as yet dared to. disclose 
his passion. 
*¢ Behold them both now in the heart 
of the forest:—* Whither shall we re- 
pair? demands Smolotf;—* Towards the 
heath,’ replies Springer, * for it is thither 
that she goes daily, and Tam in hopes 
that she has-taken refuge in the chapel.’ 
“* Not a word was said; not so much 
as asentence was exchanged; for their 
unhappiness was equally great, and 
nothing more was to be learned. They 
accordingly marched steadily forward, 
and with the same degree of tntrepidity, 
juclining sometimes to one side, and at 
other times stooping, in order to shelter 
themselves from the shock of the falling 
branches, or from the wet, aceasinned by 
the snow that was driven intu their eyes, 
and also trom the pieces of rock that the 
Tempest made to ratile around their 
heads. 
© On gaining the open heath, they 
ceased to be menaced by the falling of 
the branches of the fore-t; but on this 
naked plain they were baflled, and some- 
times overturned, hy the blasts of wind, 
which beat upon and assailed uhem with 
uninterrupted fury, At length, after 
many efforts, they reached the wooden 
ehapel, in which they poped Elizabeth 
had taken refuge; but, on beholding ata 
little distance this feeble and frail shel- 
ter, the disjointed beams of which ereak- 
ed horribly, and seemed ready to fall to 
pieces, they began to shudder at the very 
idea of her being there. 
“ Animated by an extraordinary de- 
gree of ardor, Smoloff now outstript her 
father, aud advancing a few paces before 
him, be beheld ——was it a dream ? he 
beheld Elizabeth, not aftrighted, pale, 
and trembling, but sleeping gently at the 
footof the altar. | Struck with inconceiy~ 
able surprise at the sight, he stops, points 
ber out to Springer in silence, when both 
of them, suddenly penetrated with the 
same sentiment of respect, fell instantly 
on their knees, by the side ef the angel 
who slumbered under the protection of 
heaven ! 
“The father now inclines softly towards 
the tzce of his daughter, while the young 
man, modestly averting hisseyes, with~ 
draws a little, as if not daring to. contem- 
plate such divine iunocence too closely. 
Elizabeth now awaking, immediately re- 
cognizes her father, and throwing herself 
into his amas, exclaims: ‘Ob! L well 
knew that-you would watch over me.’ 
“On this Springer folded her in. his 
arins, with a sort of convulsive struggle, 
replied— Unhappy child! to what an- 
guish have you exposed your poor mother 
and me.’ , ; 
“‘ My father, pardon. me on account 
of the tears she has shed, and let us 
now go and dry them up !” 
“ On this she arose, aad for the first 
time perecived Smoloit; * Ah!’ adds she, 
with a gentle degree of surprise, ¢ all ny 
protectors then, I perceive, are careful 
of me—God, my father, and you!’ 
* While the young mau was rendered 
unable to speak,on acconntof his emotion, 
Springer addresses ber as follows: ‘ Im- 
prudent girl! you talk of, going to rejoin 
your motber !—but do so if thy return be 
not impossible, and if thy feebleeness be 
able to resist the violence of that tem- 
pest, from which M. de Smoloffand my, 
self hase only escaped as if by a miracle? 
* Let us but make the trial,’ said she, 
‘JI possess more strength than you seem 
aware of, and am eager that you should 
see what effurts I can make to consolamy 
parent. 
“While speaking thus, her eye spar- 
kled with somuch courage, that Springer 
easily discovered she would not abandon 
her purpose, She accordingly proceeded 
homewards, sustaining herseif all the way 
on the arm of her father and M. de Smo. 
loff, while both willingly supported and 
eage-ly 
ei a cane re “ie 
