Here Agnes ceased, and the Marquis replied to her
address in terms equally sincere and affectionate.
Lorenzo expressed his satisfaction at the prospect of
being so closely connected with a Man, for whom He had
ever entertained the highest esteem. The Pope's Bull
had fully and effectually released Agnes from her religious
engagements: The marriage was therefore celebrated
as soon as the needful preparations had been
made, for the Marquis wished to have the ceremony
performed with all possible splendour and publicity.
This being over, and the Bride having received the
compliments of Madrid, She departed with Don Raymond
for his Castle in Andalusia: Lorenzo accompanied
them, as did also the Marchioness de Villa-Franca and
her lovely Daughter. It is needless to say, that Theodore
was of the party, and would be impossible to describe his
joy at his Master's marriage. Previous to his departure,
the Marquis to atone in some measure for his past
neglect, made some enquiries relative to Elvira. Finding
that She as well as her Daughter had received many
services from Leonella and Jacintha, He showed his
respect to the memory of his Sister-in-law by making the
two Women handsome presents. Lorenzo followed his
example--Leonella was highly flattered by the attentions
of Noblemen so distinguished, and Jacintha blessed the
hour on which her House was bewitched.
On her side, Agnes failed not to reward her Convent-
Friends. The worthy Mother St. Ursula, to whom She
owed her liberty, was named at her request Superintendent
of `The Ladies of Charity:' This was one of the best
and most opulent Societies throughout Spain. Bertha
and Cornelia not chusing to quit their Friend, were
appointed to principal charges in the same establishment.
As to the Nuns who had aided the Domina in persecuting
Agnes, Camilla being confined by illness to her bed, had
perished in the flames which consumed St. Clare's
Convent. Mariana, Alix, and Violante, as well as two
more, had fallen victims to the popular rage. The three
Others who in Council had supported the Domina's
sentence, were severely reprimanded, and banished to
religious Houses in obscure and distant Provinces: Here
they languished away a few years, ashamed of their
former weakness, and shunned by their Companions
with aversion and contempt.
Nor was the fidelity of Flora permitted to go unrewarded.
Her wishes being consulted, She declared herself
impatient to revisit her native land. In consequence, a
passage was procured for her to Cuba, where She arrived
in safety, loaded with the presents of Raymond and
Lorenzo.
The debts of gratitude discharged, Agnes was at
liberty to pursue her favourite plan. Lodged in the same
House, Lorenzo and Virginia were eternally together.
The more He saw of her, the more was He convinced of
her merit. On her part, She laid herself out to please, and
not to succeed was for her impossible. Lorenzo witnessed
with admiration her beautiful person, elegant manners,
innumerable talents, and sweet disposition: He was also
much flattered by her prejudice in his favour, which She
had not sufficient art to conceal. However, his sentiments
partook not of that ardent character, which had marked
his affection for Antonia. The image of that lovely and
unfortunate Girl still lived in his heart, and baffled all
Virginia's efforts to displace it. Still when the Duke proposed
to him the match, which He wished to earnestly to
take place, his Nephew did not reject the offer. The urgent
supplications of his Friends, and the Lady's merit
conquered his repugnance to entering into new engagements.
He proposed himself to the Marquis de Villa-
Franca, and was accepted with joy and gratitude.
Virginia became his Wife, nor did She ever give him
cause to repent his choice. His esteem increased for her
daily. Her unremitted endeavours to please him could
not but succeed. His affection assumed stronger and
warmer colours. Antonia's image was gradually effaced
from his bosom; and Virginia became sole Mistress of
that heart, which She well deserved to possess without a
Partner.
The remaining years of Raymond and Agnes, of
Lorenzo and Virginia, were happy as can be those
allotted to Mortals, born to be the prey of grief, and
sport of disappointment. The exquisite sorrows with
which they had been afflicted, made them think lightly
of every succeeding woe. They had felt the sharpest darts
in misfortune's quiver; Those which remained appeared
blunt in comparison. Having weathered Fate's heaviest
Storms, they looked calmly upon its terrors: or if ever
they felt Affliction's casual gales, they seemed to them
gentle as Zephyrs, which breathe over summer-seas.
