ll when the Duke proposed to
him the match, which He wished to earnestly to take place, his Nephew
did not reject the offer. The urgent supplications of his Friends, and
the Lady's merit conquered his repugnance to entering into new
engagements. He proposed himself to the Marquis de Villa-Franca, and
was accepted with joy and gratitude. Virginia became his Wife, nor did
She ever give him cause to repent his choice. His esteem increased for
her daily. Her unremitted endeavours to please him could not but
succeed. His affection assumed stronger and warmer colours. Antonia's
image was gradually effaced from his bosom; and Virginia became sole
Mistress of that heart, which She well deserved to possess without a
Partner.

The remaining years of Raymond and Agnes, of Lorenzo and Virginia, were
happy as can be those allotted to Mortals, born to be the prey of
grief, and sport of disappointment. The exquisite sorrows with which
they had been afflicted, made them think lightly of every succeeding
woe. They had felt the sharpest darts in misfortune's quiver; Those
which remained appeared blunt in comparison. Having weathered Fate's
heaviest Storms, they looked calmly upon its terrors: or if ever they
felt Affliction's casual gales, they seemed to them gentle as Zephyrs
which breathe over summer-seas.

CHAPTER V

----He was a fell despightful Fiend:
Hell holds none worse in baleful bower below:
By pride, and wit, and rage, and rancor keened;
Of Man alike, if good or bad the Foe.
Thomson.

On the day following Antonia's death, all Madrid was a scene of
consternation and amazement. An Archer who had witnessed the adventure
in the Sepulchre had indiscreetly related the circumstances of the
murder: He had also named the Perpetrator. The confusion was without
example which this intelligence raised among the Devotees. Most of
them disbelieved it, and went themselves to the Abbey to ascertain the
fact. Anxious to avoid the shame to which their Superior's ill-conduct
exposed the whole Brotherhood, the Monks assured the Visitors that
Ambrosio was prevented from receiving them as usual by nothing but
illness. This attempt was unsuccessful: The same excuse being repeated
day after day, the Archer's story gradually obtained confidence. His
Partizans abandoned him: No one entertained a doubt of his guilt; and
they who before had been the warmest in his praise were now the most
vociferous in his conde