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Rh thought of meeting any one threw her into such a state, that her father had not resolution to urge it; though, night after night, he would leave the unread scroll, and ask me what he should do to dissuade her from this obstinate yielding to grief, which was gradually wasting life away; and I listened—but the damned only could understand such torture!

"At length I saw her. I had bidden Carrara not expect me, as business would engage my whole evening. It so happened, that I found myself at leisure earlier than I anticipated, and, almost mechanically, my steps turned to his house. I entered unperceived; and there they were, seated, as if time had gone back on the last few months, and not a change had passed since the first evening I spent in that quiet chamber! The lamp stood on the table, and Carrara leant by the huge tome spread out before him; and opposite sat Beatrice, bending over her broidery—the small head, with its rich knot of gathered hair, so exquisitely placed—the slender figure, so graceful in its attitude. But, as I came in, she raised her face, and there was traced what seemed the work of years! Could this be the bright creature whose beauty was so joyous—so redolent of bloom and hope? The chiselled features were still left; but