OR, WEEKLY THE VISITOR. FOR THE USE AND AMUSEMENT OF BOTH SEXES.. VOL. XII.] THE Saturday, April 13,....1811. MONK OF THE GROTTO. A Tale. (Continued) The Cardinal, surprized at the vehemence of the youth, and moved by the pure and unsophisticated sensibility which animated the artless recital he had made of his passion, but at the same time unwilling to des stroy the plan which his sisterin-law had traced out to him, preserved a profound silence, and seemed to meditate what answer he should make. Eu genio fixed his eyes upon his uncle, and scarce dared to breath, for fear any one of the words he was about to pronounce should escape him. 'Doubt not, my dearest neph ew,' said the Cardinal, after a short interval, of my attention and solicitude to advance your fortune. But are you sure that the Marquis Spanozzi will be always inclined to bestow Virgini on you?-Has not his marriage with your mother de. [NO. 25. ranged the plans he had formed respecting you?-Is it not the more likely he has done so, particularly as he is on the point of becoming a second time a father? for the Marchioness has informed me of her pregnancy, and you know "To doubt the intention of the Marquis to bestow his daughter Virginia on me,' interrupted Eugenio, starting from his chair, and traversing the room with hasty steps, "gracious. Heaven! what a prospect have you presented to my imagination!-No! it is imposible.-Besides, I have the promise of my mother.-Ah! if I thought,' added he, striking his forehead, if I thought they were capable of deceiving me-Pardon me, my dear uncle the bare idea of it distracts my soul!' nearly bereft of sensation, and Eugenio returned to his chair, his countenance overspread with a deadly paleness... The Cardinal, moved with compassion at the extreme agi tation of his nephew, endeavoured to console him. I am afflicted,' said he, 'that the simple observations on my part, should have driv. en you to such a state of despair. Calm yourself, and rely on my good offices with your father-in-law. I repeat my promise to exert myself in the advancement of your fortune; and this very evening I mean to present you to his Holiness.' of your intentions respecting him. The line of conduct you have traced out for me is too inconsistant with the natural frankness of mycharacter; and repent that I should have gi ven you my word to effect what I shall nevertheless still attempt, provided it does not engage me to violate the truth. I feel more than any one the extent and force of the obligations of Eugenio towards you; but, in order to induce him to submit to you, it is absolutely necessary I should inform him what it is you require of him. I will then employ all the pow er my experience affords me, and, I may add, all the power Eugenio, restored to himself by these soothing words, seized his uncle's hand, and pressed it to his lips; then falling at his feet, he assured him of his gra. titude with so unaffected an effusion of tenderness, and appeared so elated at the promises he had received, that the Cardinal, really overcome by your will. But, Madam, be so amiable an expression of his confidence, determined to combat the aversion of the Marchjoness had expressed to the union of her son with Virginia, and hastened to write to her the moment Eugenio had quitted him. 'I despair,' said he,' of ever being able to obtain from my truly deserving young neph ew the sacrifice of his love for Virginia.—I confess also, Madam, that I feel the utmost repugnance to making a mystery I derive from his confidenee in me, in order to obtain from him an entire submission to fore you determine to afflict your son, allow me to entreat you to reflect upon the sacrifice you require of him.-Why de-. prive him of the spouse destined to him from his infancy?Why compel him to the dreadful alternative of either disobeying you, or of renouncing the happiness of being united to the only woman he loves? 'He has no fortune, you say; and that of Virginia, necessarily diminished by the birth of the children you may have by your led by his pride and self-love, had long conceived a plan, which he flattered himself would conduct him to fortune and honour. Dazzled by the great credit which the Cardinal Caprara enjoyed, he thought if his daughter Rosalia should become the wife of Eugenio, the marriage would procure the House of Vizzani a lustre and consideration, which were the supreme objects of his wishes. He had consulted the Marchioness Spanozzi, his sis new husband, will not suffice to maintain him in that style of independence and splendour to which he is entitled to preten. Well then, Madam, I charge myself with the fortune of my nephew; and I formally undertake to procure him the means of uniting himself to his Virginia, without detriment either to his own interest, or those of your children.-I repeat to you, reflect before you plant a daggar in the bosom of your son, and particularly weigh well my propositions.ter, who delighted with a plan I wait your answer with im- which had such reference to patience, &c,' That same evening the Cardinal presented his nephew to the Pope The distinguished reception with which he was honoured, and the gracious manner in which his Holiness addressed him, afforded to the whole Court the most unequivocal proofs of the high favour enjoyed by the Cardinal Minister They surrounded the fortunate Eugenio, were lavish of their praises, and made him a thousand offers of their services. The Count Vizzani, in particular, called him his dear nephew, & desired him to consider his house as his own. The Count, whose extreme ambition could only be equal those of her own, hastened to give the Count the necessary nistructions to enable him to conduct so difficult an affair with address. They both were sensible that it was only by sacrificing Virginia, they could at tain their object. This the Marchioness undertook to ac complish, and left it to her bro ther to surround Eugenio with all those seductions of a luxurious city, which were best calculated eventually to engage him to renounce the mistress of his heart. Eugenio, on leaving the Vatican, was in a manner conducted in triumph to Rosalia, by the Count Vizzani. Felicitate your cousin, my ble for you to resist the impe rious attractions of my love daughter,' said he; the au- Eugenio spoke with ardour. Rosalia listened to him with tenderness, when a young man, of a handsome figure and gen-" teel address, but whose count enance was grave and melancholly, entered the room. Rosalia turned pale the moment she perceived him, looked to. pression of timidity, and then cast down her eyes.-The Count without removing from the place where he was, turned his face aside with an air of disdain, which sufficiently indica ted to his daughter his extreme displeasure. Rosalia smiled on her cousin with that air of kindness, which had so much prepossess ed him in her favour the pre-wards her father with an exceding evening. He approached her with eagerness, kissed her hand, and in a short time appeared wholly occupied by his attentions towards her. The Count enchanted with the first success of his scheme, retired to the farther end of the room, where, abandoning himself to a pleasing reverie, he calculated, by anticipation, the increace of credit and favour he should enjoy when his daughter should become the niece of the Cardinal. You will be the friend, the companion of my Virginia," said Eugenio, with a low voice and carressing air. to Rosalia, "yes, my charming cousin, you will love her; it is impossible that with so sweet, so exprèssive a countenance, you should not possess a heart of sensibil. 'I see, Sir,' said the youth, 'that my presence here is disagreeable; but I wish to say a single word to you-and I dare flatter myself you will not refuse to hear it.". He approached the Count, and conversed with him for several minutes in a low tone of voice, claimed the Count, with an ac"Never, Sir, believe me,' ex: cent of fury. Rosalia, overcome with ter ty, and if so, it will be impossi-ror, was ready to feint. Eu |