sweet emotions, which an improved acquaintance with her amiable qualities could not fail to ripen into a master-passion. But, whatever were his feelings, respect for her sufferings kept him silent; and though his heart yearned to soothe and console the injured one, he was fearful lest a look or word should offend. But what he omitted in speech his actions made clear and evident. No longer was his garden neglected and uncultivated; but, with a diligence and taste that love alone can supply, variety and beauty bloomed around. Without, all looked plenty and comfort; trimness and even ornament reigned in the interior of his mansion. With a grace and a taste that mark the well-informed mind, Zulema soon performed a thousand little domestic offices, that were foreign to her habits; and though a lute and an embroidery frame had been supplied her by her attentive host, she was more frequently seen attending her poultry, her bees, or her dairy; unless when, towards evening, he could listen to her music, or read to her as she worked.

If at any time a feeling of dependence or of intrusion came over her mind, it was but transitory. Her gratitude was strong and unbounded, but the distinctions of civilized countries, with regard to property and etiquette, were in her mind vague and indefinite. The pleasure which Alvarez showed in obliging her, in anticipating her every wish, seemed only to demand equal pleasure and graceful acceptance. The delicacy and earnestness of his favours, while they proved

the sincerity of his kindness, inspired a proud humility to be so sweetly obliged. From the same ignorance, Zulema wondered not that so many luxuries were supplied, unsuitable to a fisherman's state. She thought him poor, because no gold or domestics appeared, and he laboured daily. Yet she thought not of the evils of poverty, because she experienced none. Alvarez wore the rustic garb of his employment, but her child and herself were clothed in fine linen, and their table was profusely and luxuriantly supplied. Months whiled away, mutual gratitude and friendship forming a delicious intercourse between them. If she perceived any feeling stronger on his part beneath his kind and respectful manner, let her not be blamed that she gave it welcome; timidly and slowly, it is true, for her heart had been disappointed, yet cheering and grateful, for her heart yearned for sympathy.

Winter arrived; that dreary season for all out-ofdoor employment seems but to knit hearts closer where home is attractive; and thus it appeared with our young couple, who, when the storm blew loudest by sea and land, kindled a brighter blaze on their hearth, and drew nearer to its genial warmth, deeply engaged in legend old or "Music's soothing spell." One boisterous evening, while thus occupied, they were disturbed by a loud knocking at the door, and in a few moments four or five men entered the apartment. Their appearance was formidable,-stout men and well-armed; yet their civil deportment dissipated

fear, more especially when one of them, stepping forward, announced his party as shipwrecked men, who begged for food and shelter until the morning. Alvarez would have bid them welcome, but his attention was called to Zulema, who uttering a faint cry, fell to the ground in a swoon. The stranger, whose handsome face and courteous manners were not calculated to excite so strong a degree of apprehension, ran to assist her; but gazing with astonishment on her countenance, he uttered her name in strong confusion. Alvarez at once guessed this mystery, and a strange passion of indignation, disquietude, and jealousy, shook his frame. But the lady soon recovering, leant her head on his bosom, and covered her eyes to shut out the sight of the perfidious Velasquez. He, stung with her manner, eager and desirous after that which he had cast away though prized but slightly when possessed, now fell at her feet and implored for pardon; pleaded the urgency of his situation when they last parted; proudly declared that he was now above control, and boasted that their voyages had been 'so successful, as to enable him to support her in the splendour and dignity of a queen.

Observing that she still kept silence, he believed that her kind heart was relenting, and that only a little womanly pride remained to be appeased. "Yield, dearest Zulema," he exclaimed; "be equally generous and forgiving; my wealth will procure my pardon at Court, and the Church will at once make you a Christian and a wife. Hang not thus fondly upon yon

man; whatever claims he may have on your gratitude, mine are prior rights. Zulema, will you not answer?" and he grasped her down-hanging hand. She shrunk from his touch and clung still closer to Alvarez; who, breathless with anxiety for the result of her determination, had hitherto remained silent. "Dearest lady," he at length said, " be not alarmed; I am but one against an armed odds; but courage and your good cause will never allow me to remain passive whilst your free-will is disputed. While I have life, force alone shall take you hence, unless with your own consent.' "You have nothing to fear from violence," replied Velasquez, haughtily rising; "I entered your doors a suppliant, and shall not stain the threshold with outrage. Zulema must be mine from choice, or not at all; let her make her election." Thus urged, she looked up; an evident shudder convulsed her, as her eyes met the unkind deceiver's, and a tearful emotion made her speech faulter as she pronounced, "Velasquez, that I would have followed you through weal or woe, my former conduct has proved; for then, I believed you noble and sincere. But you have proved cruel and heartless; abandoning your infant and your love, for the poor ambition of ruling wicked men. Can confiding affection ever dwell with such recollections? with rapine, bloodshed, and licentiousness? Oh! no, no; impossible : from Alvarez I have experienced nothing but goodness and honour, without heeding if I were heretick or sinner; with him therefore I remain; and, if he

will, his humble and affectionate wife." Alvarez caught her to his breast, grateful and delighted; and felt that now he could face a legion; while Velasquez, sullen and confounded, turned to depart. "Come, comrades," he cried; "this house must not contain us; yet," (and his voice lowered) "should I again revisit this shore, my hour of triumph may arrive.”

But few days elapsed, before Alvarez summoned a Holy Friar from a neighbouring convent, to join their hands in marriage. During which interval, he had so well employed his sweet persuasion on her docile understanding, that she became a thorough convert to the doctrines of Christianity; insomuch, that the Reverend Father could not but wonder, that one so meek and pious should have been out of the bosom of Holy Mother Church: his benediction was given with fervent devotion, for he was really a pure and simple-hearted Christian; and it joyed his kindly feelings to minister to the happiness of two young and loving hearts. If, by chance, a slight shade of melancholy sat on the brow of Zulema, when she thought of Velasquez debased and altered, the fond attentions of her husband soothed and enlivened her. Their mode of living continued the same as before; the same respectful kindness on his part, heightened by the endearments of affection; the same tender sweetness in her manner, increased by confiding fondness. She had for some time past assumed the Spanish garb, dismissed the turban, and amidst her long luxuriant hair delighted to twist the early spring flowers