OR, WEEKLY THE VISITOR. FOR THE USE AND AMUSEMENT OF BOTH SEXES. VOL. XII.] Saturday, December 22..... 1810. ALBERT AND EMMA. An Interesting Tale.) Continued. This confession, in the midst of so severe an affliction, long kept alive in the bosom of the marquis some feeble embers of expiring hope; he returned to his solitary castle, so late the scene of all his happiness, where he shut himself up for several days, to give vent to the first emotions of his sorrow.The suspense, which he yet endured, relative to his son's destiny, had such an effect upon his spirits, that he determined to retire wholly from the world, and to deplore, in the solitude of his castle, the misfortunes of his family; but he did not so much yied to the impressions of grief, as to be regardless of his tenants and dependents; his generous nature would not permit him to be unmindful of their interest. They had long been the objects of his bounty; they now became the children of his No. 9. adoption; and, lost to do mestic felicity, he centered all his remaining consolation in dispensing happiness to all around him. Years, followed years, in this manner every search after his beloved son had been fruitless; he had long ceased to indulge the flattering prospect, which he had at first entertained, of recovering his lost treasure; and though his pious. resignation, permitted him not to murmer at the decrees of Providence, yet no ray of hope cheered his declining age. He beheld death approaching with that secret satisfaction, which anticipated a blest re-union with those dear ob jects, who had already, so long partaken of the reward of innocence and virtue. On the decease of the marquis, his estates devolved by inheritance, on the Baron of MORENZI, who was of a haughty cruel character, and revengful; whose reason and actions were subservient to his passious; and who scrupled not the commis. son of any excess, to gratify his ambition, avarice, or sensuality. Over these vices he had, by art and cunning, drawn a veil, which imposed on strangers; and to unfold which, a consid= erable share of sagacity and penetration was requisite ; on those whom his heart secretely detested, he could smile with ease. A character so hypocritical, could not fail of becoming the aversion of the adjacent country; for however the deceiver may conceal his vices, in the formalities of courts and public life, they will always appear in their troe light, to whom they are objects of neither fear nor regard.His new vassals and dependents received a specimen of their treatment, which they were in future to expect, from the first moment of his arrival at his new abode. They had collected together in the court of the castle, to celebrate his approach. "Wherefore,' said he, as he descended from his carriage, are you assembled here with gloomy faces and sable habiliments-Is this the welcome you give your new lord I think you might have spared these trappings of woe for a departed master, to wait with De joy the commands of his suc- The faithful servants were discharged, and succeeded by others, who had been the in struments of his vices. Bernard only, and a few more, who from the meanness of their situations had escaped his notice, were still permitted to occupy their several departments. Instead of the condescension, with which their late daily opportunities of seeing, and conversing with, his lovely daughter. Powerfully charm lord had treated all around himed at first sight by her person the new master of these do al attractions, he now found, on acquaintance, an irresistible fascination in the superior beauties of her mind. Nature had formed her sentiments, just, delicate and virtuous, and her educatiou had for two years received great advantage from a frequent intercourse with a lady of birth and distin the decease of her husband, retired into a small habitation, and debauchery, which had in-guished talents, who had, on volved his private fortune in difficulties, from which his great acquisition was calcula-situated in a vale near Bernard's ted to extricate him. A multitude of importunate creditors disturbed the first moments of his smiling fortune; and instead of appropriating to the payment of his debts, a part of the princely revenue, the enjoyment of which he so little merited, such was his mean avarice, that he immedi cottage; this amiable widow had lived many years in thegreat world, and had partaken both of its prosperity and adversity, sufficiently to shew her the instability of fortune: with her beloved lord, she had lost the superfluities of life; but satisfied with competence, she had devoted the remainder of her days to solitude and re atelp devoted to the axe, some We now return to Albert, who soon gained that introduction, at the cottage of Bernard, he so anxiously sought, and by frequenting the society of this worthy old man, he had She conceived for Emma, then just fifteen, a strong attachment, and casily obtained Bernard's permission for his daughter's frequent visits.--The good woman delighted in cultivating a mind whose capacity and genius promised every success. Emma read aloud for hours, uninterruptedly, to her kind patroness, and read with an attention, that impressed epon her memory every thing worthy to be retained; and the subjects were eonstantly calculated to improve the inorals and enlarge the understanding. At the end of two years, death stopped the progress of Emma's education, by suddenly depriving her of this most excellent friend her little income reverted to the family of her husband, and she had nothing to leave the child of her adoption, but the simple furniture of her little dwelling. Emma mourned with affectionate regret, a loss so great, but determined to persevere in those studies, for which she had acquired so correct a taste, and which she was happily enabled to do, by becoming the possessor of the valuable and se lect collection of books, which formed the small library of the deceased. By rising very early in the morning, Emma was enabled to pursue her favourite employment, without trespassing on those hours, when her filial duties or domestic cares demanded her at tention, Young Albert soon discover ed in the conversation of Ber. nar's lovely daughter, a well informed mind, and an understanding which blended the artless simplicity of rural life, with the more refined senti. ments of coltivated education. The mental accomplishments of Emma, completed the conquest which her beauty had begun, in the heart of Albert ; nor was it long ere a reciprocal and gentle flame was communicated to her bosom. The ardent lover, in the first flattering moments of aspiring hope, declared his pas sion, and offered at her feet She his honourable vows. blushed modestly, and referred her assent to her father's will. The heart of Bernard, at this unexpected proposal, felt al a father's rapture; but the strictest rectitude of his sentiments checked the momentary joy, and with that sincerity which marked his character, he declined so unequal an alliance, and represented to his young friend the impropriety of his forming any union ansanctioned by his family.Accept our gratitude,' said Bernard, for the honor which you intend; were you less distinguished by rank and and fortune, I should be proud to call Emma's only dew you son. |