visits occurred at intervals growing
longer and longer--but his affection toward me had not abated. No: a
malady that preyed upon his vitals retained him much at home;--and at
last, about two months ago, I received through Antonio the afflicting
intelligence that he was confined to his bed. My anguish now knew no
bounds. I would fly to him--oh! I would fly to him:--who was more worthy
to watch by his couch than I, who so dearly loved him! Dame Margaretha
represented to me how painful it would be to his lordship were our
_amour_ to transpire through any rash proceeding on my part--the more
so, as I knew that he had a daughter and a son! I accordingly restrained
my impetuous longing to hasten to his bedside:--I could not so easily
subdue my grief!

"One night I sat up late in my lonely chamber--pondering on the
melancholy position in which I was placed,--loving so tenderly, yet not
daring to fly to him whom I loved,--and giving way to all the mournful
ideas which presented themselves to my imagination. At length my mind
grew bewildered by those sad reflections; vague terrors gathered around
me--multiplying in number and augmenting in intensity,--until at length
the very figures on the tapestry with which the room was hung appeared
animated with power to scare and affright me. The wind moaned ominously
without, and raised strange echoes within; oppressive feelings crowded
on my soul. At length the gale swelled to a hurricane--a whirlwind,
seldom experienced in this delicious clime. Howlings in a thousand tones
appeared to flit through the air; and piercing lamentations seemed to
sound down the black clouds that rolled their mighty volumes together,
veiling the moon and stars in thickest gloom. Overcome with terror, I
retired to rest--and I slept. But troubled dreams haunted me throughout
the night, and I awoke at an early hour in the morning. But--holy angels
protect me!--what did I behold? Bending over me, as I lay, was that same
countenance which I had seen four months before in the church,--and now,
as it was _then_, darting upon me lightning from large black eyes that
seemed to send shafts of flame and fire to the inmost recesses of my
soul! Yet--distorted as it was with demoniac rage--that face was still
endowed with the queen-like beauty--the majesty of loveliness, which had
before struck me, and which even lent force to those looks of dreadful
menace that were fixed upon me. There were the high forehead--the proud