h rapid
eagerness, "that my love to thee was at first light and dishonouring. Be
it so. I own that my youth has passed in idle wooings, and the mockeries
of affection. But for the first time in my life I feel that--I love. Thy
dark eyes--thy noble beauty--even thy womanly scorn, have fascinated me.
I--never yet disdained where I have been a suitor--acknowledge, at last,
that there is a triumph in the conquest of a woman's heart. Oh, Leila!
do not--do not reject me. You know not how rare and how deep a love you
cast away."

The novice was touched: the present language of Don Juan was so
different from what it had been before; the earnest love that breathed
in his voice--that looked from his eyes, struck a chord in her breast;
it reminded her of her own unconquered, unconquerable love for the lost
Muza. She was touched, then--touched to tears; but her resolves were not
shaken.

"Oh, Leila!" resumed the prince, fondly, mistaking the nature of her
emotion, and seeking to pursue the advantage he imagined he had gained,
"look at yonder sunbeam, struggling through the loophole of thy cell. Is
it not a messenger from the happy world? does it not plead for me? does
it not whisper to thee of the green fields and the laughing vineyards,
and all the beautiful prodigality of that earth thou art about to
renounce for ever? Dost thou dread my love? Are the forms around thee,
ascetic and lifeless, fairer to thine eyes than mine? Dost thou doubt
my power to protect thee? I tell thee that the proudest nobles of Spain
would flock around my banner, were it necessary to guard thee by force
of arms. Yet, speak the word--be mine--and I will fly hence with thee
to climes where the Church has not cast out its deadly roots, and,
forgetful of crowns and cares, live alone for thee: Ah, speak!"

"My lord," said Leila, calmly, and rousing herself to the necessary
effort, "I am deeply and sincerely grateful for the interest you
express--for the affection you avow. But you deceive yourself. I have
pondered well over the alternative I have taken. I do not regret nor
repent--much less would I retract it. The earth that you speak of, full
of affections and of bliss to others, has no ties, no allurements for
me. I desire only peace, repose, and an early death."

"Can it be possible," said the prince, growing pale, "that thou lovest
another? Then, indeed, and then only, would my wooing be in vain."

The cheek of the novice grew deeply flushed, but the