Geraldine, and nothing could ever have shaken his resolution, had not the voice of honour made itself heard at last above the din of passion. Supposing even that Geraldine were willing to become his bride, how could he bear the sight of the remorse which would tear so gentle a heart, should her parents continue implacable, and Antonio had read their characters too well to hope otherwise; then to what a changed mode of life must he introduce the high-born and delicately reared girl; could he endure to see her suffering privation or struggling with poverty?-and his means were barely sufficient to support himself. These thoughts were stern and agonizing, but they were ever before Antonio, and at length triumphed over the delusions of love, and he resolved to master his emotion before Geraldine to root out his affection was impossible (alas! who can restore the dyed wool to its primitive whiteness); and to assume a cold and deferential manner towards her whenever compelled to appear before her. Poor Geraldine beheld with astonishment the averted eye, indifferent manner, and evident avoidance of Antonio. It stung her gentle heart to the core, and in the tumult of her wounded feelings, the true state of her affections lay open before her; she shuddered to find how irretrievably her happiness was staked, how hopeless was the chance of the game! She now fully understood and appreciated Antonio's studied conduct, and a thousand evidences of his love rose up in her memory. It was in vain she struggled to be free-like a tender bird who beats his breast fruitlessly against the wires which surround him, and only wounds his delicate frame, and exhausts his little strength; so did Geraldine strive with her unhappy love, and call up duty to parents, station, and the opinion of the world to fortify her-all in vain. Her gaiety forsook her, and her merry sweet laugh rang no more through the marble halls of the Palazzo. One evening Geraldine strolled listlessly into the magnificent statue gallery, and gazed uncon sciously on the forms of beauty, grace, joy and sorrow which surrounded her. She had pleaded a head-ache as an excuse for not accompanying her Italian friends in their evening drive, and found a luxury in indulging the sadness of her soul. A spacious green-house opened off the gallery, and she seated herself on its marble steps, and leaned her face on her hand as her arms rested on the head of a huge sphinx. The sun was It was a beautiful picture. about to set, and its yellow light streamed through the painted window at the upper end of the gallery, and decked the cold, pale statues, with strange and brilliant hues-and played on the tesselated pavement-and fell in a flood of crimson glory over the reclining face and form of the fair Geraldine. It was a powerful contrast; the long soft ringlets, the small delicate features, the flushed, tear-stained cheeks, heaving bosom, and quivering lip of the sorrowing girl, lay there opposed to the large, calm, immoveable, and eternal features of the sphinx -one the image of unbroken peace and rest; the other, of changing and restless life. The atmosphere around was loaded with the rich perfumes of the magnolia and orange flower, and the light breeze which came through the open windows of the green-house, stirred the tresses of the beautiful girl, and played amid the folds of her light drapery. At this moment, Antonio entered the spacious gallery by a door far removed from the spot occupied by Geraldine, but which commanded a full view of her figure; arrested by this sight he lost the power of advancing or retreating; she had not as yet noticed his approach, and he stood for some minutes, gazing, with his whole soul in his eyes on his beloved. He saw the quick heaving of her bosom, he saw the teardrops, which glittered in the sun like liquid diamonds, raining from her surcharged lashes on the fair arm beneath, and the utter dejection of her whole attitude, he saw all this, and his frame shook with powerful anguish, and a sudden and irresistible impulse bore him towards her. She heard his footsteps, and raised her heavy eyes, and on perceiving him, started up hastily, and, unknowing of what she did, was hurrying from the gallery, when her foot struck against the base of a statue, and she would have fallen to the ground, had not Antonio rushed impetuously forward and caught her in his arms. He Startled by the accident, shocked at having been discovered in tears by Antonio, torn by conflicting emotions, Geraldine lay half fainting in his arms; he bore her to a seat, and was still obliged to support her trembling frame. felt the violent beating of her heart, his cheek was fanned with her warm breath, and her tears fell fast on his hand. Vainly did he essay to recal his recent firmness, vainly did he attempt to rise and seek safety in flight! twice he made an effort to speak in a calm, indifferent tonebut his words refused to become audible; the temptation was mighty, the seduction terrible, and Antonio was mortal in another moment Geraldine was clasped to his heart and his longreprest passion was poured forth in her ear! An hour flew away, and Geraldine and An |