s accomplished, and she was specially happy, so far as
happiness was possible to her, in perceiving--what she had not looked
for, although she hoped to find it--Clodwig's nobility of soul.

For the first time, she felt humble and modest; her life was peaceful
and retired, and the days flowed on in uniform round. Clodwig was as
attentive, as sympathizing, and as full of devotion as at first; a
composure and a steadfastness, such as is assigned only to the gods,
was the prevailing characteristic of his spirit. He was personally
considerate and tender, to an extreme degree; and he exhibited his
vehement nature, which found vent in the strongest expressions, only
when dwelling upon matters of universal interest. Bella recognized in
this only a justifiable excitement, for Clodwig's active life had been
passed in a petty, crippled period, and wasted in the trifling affairs
of a lilliputian Principality, while he himself was fitted for grander
and more universal affairs.

Clodwig often reproached himself for the firm confidence that he had
entertained during his whole life, that the Idea would, of itself,
become realized; and he now saw, when it was too late, that one must
plunge headlong into the current of cooperating influences. As soon
as he went again among men, and especially when he entered the
court-circle, he was always gentle and indulgent. He was full of
admiration of his wife's talents, and if at any time he moderately
criticized and set forth her superficial and external mode of looking
at things, she was for an instant inwardly disturbed; but when she
looked upon the noble, refined form of the old man, all frowardness
vanished. She was happy to see herself, and to make the world see, how
she could cherish a great and good man. She knew that she would be
watched; and the world should never have occasion to remark invidiously
upon her conduct.

All at once there had now entered this peaceful circle a man who
disposed of her, her husband, and the whole house, without effort and
with irresistible power; and she had been opposed to him at first, had
expressed that opposition to Clodwig, and had zealously labored against
his becoming established in the neighborhood. But as Clodwig had
brought into prominent notice, with an enthusiastic kindness of heart,
the sterling traits of this man's character, had even drawn him towards
herself against her will, she resigned herself to the pleasure of this
enlivening intercours