Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/217

Rh most accustomed to the city looked back on its fairy beauty with delight. The green of the country—grass and tree—was of that soft fresh verdure so short-lived in a warm climate; but as yet not a hue was tarnished, not a leaf fallen. The sunny atmosphere was like wine—the spirits rose buoyantly beneath its influence. It was curious to mark the change as the visitors passed through the little wood of gloomy pines, in which the convent stood. The laughter ceased with the sunshine; the conversation gradually died away before the melancholy and monotonous sound peculiar to the harsh branches of the pines. As they approached the nunnery, many voices joining in the sacred chorus floated from the chapel: all crowded in; and more imaginative impressions were lost in the effort to obtain places. The chapel was splendidly lighted, though day was carefully excluded. This passing from day to candle-light has a singularly exciting effect. A thousand wax tapers burned in honour of the Madonna. Four beautiful children swung the silver censers before her picture, till a cloud of incense arose and floated in broken masses to the fretted roof, and the whole air was heavy with perfume. On one side,