tender and long-continued embrace of her daughter, who was so happily restored to her arms.

Ricardo participated in the happiness which dwelt at the cottage; mindful, however, of the duty he was so anxious to perform respecting the possessions of the Count de Leoni, he reluctantly tore himself away from what he so dearly prized, the company of his Louisa; and leaving two trusty domestics there, lest any attempts should be made by other persons, he departed, after having promised to be there early in the morning.

€ 6

The

The hope of future days of unalloyed delight now fondly fluttered around Ricardo, who mounting his horse, açcompanied by the unhappy Count, still ruminating on the melancholy situation. to which he was reduced, soon beheld the dark battlements of the Castle of Carlentini, and alighted at the gates of the court-yard that led to the Northern Hall.

Ricardo looking toward the long casement of the chapel, saw that it was illuminated, and on inquiring the reason, learnt that Father Grimaldi was then about to be committed to the silent bosom of the grave.

The

The solemn strains of the monks were now heard. Ricardo and the Count entered the chapel; the same hangings

were up as had covered the walls at the interment of his father, and notwithstanding the happy events of the day, a tear stole from either eye, and a deep sigh issued from his breast when, by means of the solemn scene he now witnessed, the memory of his parent became fresh in his recollection.

When the service was concluded the Abbot advanced to Ricardo, who, delighted to see a man for whom he felt the greatest esteem, willingly protracted the conversation, till the train of monks: being ready, he was obliged to depart.

The

The abbot informed him that he was going to leave the monastery he now presided over for another, the name and situation of which he minutely described to Ricardo, and concluded with expressing an earnest wish to see him there should either pleasure or business bring him near the place.

Ricardo now requested the Count de Leoni would follow him to the interior of the Castle; he conducted him to the chamber of the late Marchese; when taking out the packet from the cabinet he thus addressed him:

"Count Leoni, I am happy that I you amends for the injustice,

can make

(not

(not to call it by a harsher title) of my father. This packet contains the whole, as far as I know, of the titles of your estates, and I hope you will consider it as a trifling mark of gratitude for your preservation of my Louisa."

So unlooked-for a circumstance almost deprived the Count of the power to express his thanks to Ricardo; he embraced him, and, when he could speak, overwhelmed him with protestations of his gratitude. Ricardo, who knew that he had done no more than his duty, hastened to prevent the ebullitions of the Count's grateful heart by quitting with him the chamber, and

decending