rgotten; Now restored to life and
liberty, enjoying all the comforts of affluence and ease, surrounded by
those who are most loved by me, and on the point of becoming his Bride
who has long been wedded to my heart, my happiness is so exquisite, so
perfect, that scarcely can my brain sustain the weight. One only wish
remains ungratified: It is to see my Brother in his former health, and
to know that Antonia's memory is buried in her grave.

Granted this prayer, I have nothing more to desire. I trust, that my
past sufferings have purchased from heaven the pardon of my momentary
weakness. That I have offended, offended greatly and grievously, I am
fully conscious; But let not my Husband, because He once conquered my
virtue, doubt the propriety of my future conduct. I have been frail
and full of error: But I yielded not to the warmth of constitution;
Raymond, affection for you betrayed me. I was too confident of my
strength; But I depended no less on your honour than my own. I had
vowed never to see you more: Had it not been for the consequences of
that unguarded moment, my resolution had been kept. Fate willed it
otherwise, and I cannot but rejoice at its decree. Still my conduct
has been highly blameable, and while I attempt to justify myself, I
blush at recollecting my imprudence. Let me then dismiss the
ungrateful subject; First assuring you, Raymond, that you shall have no
cause to repent our union, and that the more culpable have been the
errors of your Mistress, the more exemplary shall be the conduct of
your Wife.

Here Agnes ceased, and the Marquis replied to her address in terms
equally sincere and affectionate. Lorenzo expressed his satisfaction at
the prospect of being so closely connected with a Man for whom He had
ever entertained the highest esteem. The Pope's Bull had fully and
effectually released Agnes from her religious engagements: The
marriage was therefore celebrated as soon as the needful preparations
had been made, for the Marquis wished to have the ceremony performed
with all possible splendour and publicity. This being over, and the
Bride having received the compliments of Madrid, She departed with Don
Raymond for his Castle in Andalusia: Lorenzo accompanied them, as did
also the Marchioness de Villa-Franca and her lovely Daughter. It is
needless to say that Theodore was of the party, and would be impossible
to describe his joy at his Master's marriage. Previous to his
departure,