on, in the tropical provinces of Spain, held her in their
seemingly indissoluble bonds; and it is more than probable, that had not
an accident occurred, in which Middleton was of some personal service
to her father, so long a time would have elapsed before they met, that
another direction might have been given to the wishes of one, who was
just of an age to be alive to all the power of youth and beauty.

Providence--or if that imposing word is too just to be classical,
fate--had otherwise decreed. The haughty and reserved Don Augustin was
by far too observant of the forms of that station, on which he so much
valued himself, to forget the duties of a gentleman. Gratitude, for the
kindness of Middleton, induced him to open his doors to the officers of
the garrison, and to admit of a guarded but polite intercourse. Reserve
gradually gave way before the propriety and candour of their spirited
young leader, and it was not long ere the affluent planter rejoiced
as much as his daughter, whenever the well known signal, at the gate,
announced one of these agreeable visits from the commander of the post.

It is unnecessary to dwell on the impression which the charms of Inez
produced on the soldier, or to delay the tale in order to write a
wire-drawn account of the progressive influence that elegance of
deportment, manly beauty, and undivided assiduity and intelligence were
likely to produce on the sensitive mind of a romantic, warm-hearted, and
secluded girl of sixteen. It is sufficient for our purpose to say that
they loved, that the youth was not backward to declare his feelings,
that he prevailed with some facility over the scruples of the maiden,
and with no little difficulty over the objections of her father,
and that before the province of Louisiana had been six months in the
possession of the States, the officer of the latter was the affianced
husband of the richest heiress on the banks of the Mississippi.

Although we have presumed the reader to be acquainted with the manner in
which such results are commonly attained, it is not to be supposed that
the triumph of Middleton, either over the prejudices of the father or
over those of the daughter, was achieved without difficulty. Religion
formed a stubborn and nearly irremovable obstacle with both. The devoted
man patiently submitted to a formidable essay, father Ignatius was
deputed to make in order to convert him to the true faith. The effort
on the part of the worthy pri