Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/244

242 Perhaps restraint had been laid on her inclinations; could she render her assistance? There might be danger in the attempt; but hers was not a temper to be daunted by danger. "Your confidence," said she, kindly, after a moment's hesitation, "will be best obtained by my own. I am here only a temporary resident—I am not even a catholic—and look to England as my future home. Can I serve you?" "Alas!" replied Emily, for we need scarcely say it was she, "you know not how weak, how wicked I have been. I am very wretched, but I have brought it on myself; there is nothing now can be done for me; but we may speak of England; and, perhaps, when you go, you will bear a few kind wishes and vain regrets to the friends I shall see no more,"—and again the tears fell in large drops from the languid eyelid. Beatrice, who saw that the young nun's weakness was ill calculated to bear these passionate bursts of sorrow, gently soothed her, induced her to walk, and, for the present, avoided conversation. The fresh air, the bright soft sun, and, still more, the relief of such a companion, revived Emily; and she returned to her cell so much better, that she might have been quoted