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THE DUMB LOVER;

A TALE.

Translated from the French.

[Concluded from page 23.]

The widow Dorothea was charmed with the apparent generosity of Virginia, and highly delighted with the scheme by which her passions were to be gratified. That no time might be lost in effecting a consummation she so eagerly longed for, she sent immediately for the good father Confessor, and told him, that being extremely pleased with the services of her esquire, she was anxious to attach him to her service, and to accomplish it, she would marry him to Virginia.

The monk, according to his laudible custom, approved this generous project, and undertook to make it comprehended by Silmander. They sent for him, and the priest exhausted his rhetoric to find signs which should convey what he desired to say. The dumb man, who wished to be really deaf to this extravagant proposition, pretended to understand nothing of it. He could not help laughing in his sleeve at the various efforts by which the monk endeavoured to inform him that he was to marry Virginia, and perform the duty of man towards a woman. Neither the monk, Dorothea, nor Virginia, could make him understand. The monk lost his patience, and the servant was enraged; but the widow found cause of self-congratulation, as her pride led her to believe that the dumb man had perceived the tenderness she had for him, and would give himself up to none but her. This cause appeared to her the more certain, as she knew the keenness of his wit, and the facility with which he comprehended things much more difficult, therefore she could not help giving him a most tender look, expressive of her gratitude and affection. Silmander returned glance for glance, and gave her to understand by a significant smile, that she was not mistaken in her conjectures. The joy of Dorothea may easily be conceived; the monk was presently dismissed, and not suspecting the love of Virginia, she imparted to her the transports of her soul. It is not difficult to imagine what mortification the poor girl must have experienced, but as it is natural to flatter one self under all circumstances, she would not readily believe that Silmander could be guilty of so much finesse; the widow, however, to leave no doubt upon the subject, procured pen,

ink, and paper, drew two women, and a man kissing the hands of them both. She afterwards wrote the name of Dorothea, Virginia, and Silmander; and the dumb man having looked at the design, took the pen, and effacing both the name and the figure of Virginia, returned the paper to Dorothea. This answer was so positive, that it left no doubt in the breast of the tender widow, and her raptures were so violent, that she could not restrain herself from clasping Silmander in her arms, and almost smothered him with her burning kisses. Poor Virginia could no longer endure the sight, but stung to madness, ran out of the room to give vent to her feelings. Nothing could happen more opportunely than her absence at this critical juncture, for the amourous inclinations of Dorothea were wound up to such a pitch, that the hard-hearted Silmander, who had so long tantalized, at last took compassion on her-submitted to her embraces-and like the good Samaritan, administered that balm which the madady of the holy widow had so long required—and ******

From this period a mutual understanding took place between the two lovers, and Dorothea had nothing to interfere with her hap piness but the love of Virginia, who was much handsomer and younger than her mistress, and could not account for Silmander's preference. At length, the example of the widow inspired Virginia with the same impudence, and she told her mistress, that she had long and violently loved Silmander-that she was determined to enjoy him—and that if Dorothea did not permit him to return her love, she would split-she would blow the affair of her debauchery with Silmander over the whole town, and for ever blast her reputation for piety, sanctity, and chastity.

The widow trembled at this threat, and was extremely embarrassed. Love is a monopolizing and selfish passion-and the widow was sufficiently capable of engrossing the whole stock of Silmander's love without the aid of a partner. Her pride, however, would not suffer her willingly to lose her reputation, to save which, she suppressed the jealousy so natural to females, and in order to stop the mouth of Virginia, reluctantly consented that the embraces of Silmander should in future be equally divided between them. Thus the poor dumb man was for a while obliged to submit to the amourous caprices of a widow and a maid; but we must not for the sake of decency, explain precisely, how these two regulated their operations. The pleasures of the night did not

prevent Dorothea from following her accustomed occupations during the day, and the same attention to churches, hospitals, and alms-giving—the same modesty, piety, and sanctity, marked her external conduct as before. But alas! there is no solid happiness in this life, and a circumstance occurred to damp that rapturous ecstacy Dorothea had so long enjoyed in the arms of Silmander, for in the course of a few months she perceived a considerable alteration in her person a plumpness easily accounted for, but by no means desired. "O God, what must I do!" exclaimed she to Virginia, "How can I conceal the state that I am in ?" "I know but one way," replied Virginia; "Choose from among your admirers him, whose penetration does not extend to exact calculation of time, and without hesitation marry him immediately."

Dorothea was afraid of the experiment, lest her love for Silmander should be discovered, and lead to his expulsion from the house. "Then marry Silmander himself," said Virginia, "as you are able to make him happy! "What do you propose to me, interrupted the widow! "would you have me become the laughing stock of the whole city, after having been its example? This would be letting the world know that I had submitted to the embraces of a man of inferior condition, merely to gratify my desires, and then married to hide my shame. No, no, I would rather comply with your first proposition, for my love shall not blind me so far, as to sacrifice in a moment, a reputation I have been so long acquiring. I will marry Alizart, as he is of all my admirers the most easy to be imposed on.

The proper means were immediately resorted too, in order to bring the matter about, and Alizart was extremely grateful that her choice had fallen upon him. The report of the intended marriage was presently spread throughout the city, and every one agreed that a more honest man could not be joined to the most virtuous of women.

In the meantime, Silmander, who saw what was going on, wrote to his brother Calanthus, desiring him to come instantly to Paris, and meet him at an obseure hotel. His brother lost no time in complying with this request, and after some consultation, it was determined that Calanthus should go the next day to Alizart, and give him a faithful account of the whole affair, not doubting, but as he was a very honest and honourable man, he would be happy to contribute to the good fortune of Silmander, who saved him

from falling into so artful a snare. It was also resolved that the pretended dumb, should speak to Virginia, and gain her to his interest, which did not appear to be difficult, on account of her attachment, and the influence a few presents might have over her.

The arrangements being made, Silmander demanded a private interview with Virginia, in her chamber; and, after a little time spent in devotions to the god of love, he made her rise and sit down beside him, addressing her as follows:-" You will no doubt be surprised to hear me speak-but, amiable Virginia! I "Oh, heavens!" cried the girl, rising from her seat," by what miracle have you recovered your speech?" "Fear nothing,' interrupted Silmander, making her set down, "no miracle has restored my speech, for I have never lost it. It was ambition made me feign to be dumb, and the same ambition makes me this day cease to be so. Only listen to me, and you shall know my motive in playing a character so different from my real one." "I can easily guess it," said Virginia, " your object was the wealth of Dorothea." "It is true," he replied, "and I thought it necessary to appear without consequence, in order to accomplish my designs. In a word, I must marry Dorothea-my birth is not inferior to hers, and I shall not suffer her to carry to others, the fortune, of which I have cemented the inheritance. You must aid me in this design, amiable Virginia," continued he," and if it is true that you love me, you ought to contribute to my happiness, particularly as it will form your own. We must penetrate adroitly the sentimen's of Dorothea, and ascertain, whether, if the chance which has rendered me dumb, should give me my speech, she would consent to confirm by a happy marriage, that which my birth, and the liberties she has given me, entitles me; if you see," continued he, "that she appears to desire such a thing, you will let me know, and I'll go and swear an eternal love and boundless gratitude.But if, on the contrary, she appears insensible to such a change, we must carry matters to the last extremity, and endeavour to undeceive the public with regard to her false virtue."

Virginia, who had as much wit as love, promised to execute this commission. After paving the way for such insinuations by a great deal of art, she asked Dorothea, "if love, by one of his most charming caprices, should present Silmander to her gifted with the liberty of speech, whether she would find any difficulty in uniting with him in the bonds of wedlock." "What do you

say?" interrupted Dorothea, “if such a miracle was to happen, far from doing as you say, I would do every thing in my power to make him lose his speech again—and there is no length I would not go in order to punish him for my own folly."

This being the case, Silmander sent word to Calanthus to commence operations immediately with Alizart, who, after being informed of all the particulars, was extremely grateful that his eyes were opened in time, and entered with cheerfulness into the plans which were formed for serving Silmander, who, in return, promised him an eternal friendship, and a part of the fortune he should gain by his assistance.

In the mean time, the widow felt the increasing weight of the burthen with which she wished to honour her intended husband, and pressed the conclusion of the marriage with great anxiety, and the day was at last fixed for the celebration of their nuptials. The church in which the ceremony was to take place was filled with a prodigious number of spectators. The curate commenced the ceremony with great devotion, but when he came to ask Alizart if he accepted the widow Dorothea as his lawful wife"No!" replied he, in as loud a tone as he could speak.

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“That is not what you should answer," interrupted the curate, you should say YES."

"I ought indeed to say it," replied Alizart, "if I had a wish it should be so, but as God has saved me from the danger which menaced my head, I ought not to pronounce the word which you require."

"And what came you here to do ?" cried the priest; “do you come here to trifle with one of the most august sacraments of our holy religion?"

"I had no such intention," said Alizart," I appear here for no other purpose than to give legitimate husband to Dorothea."

After which, turning towards the assembly, who listened, and already, by their murmurs, testified their discontent, he said, in a loud voice, "Is there any one among you who will marry this illustrious widow, on the condition according to which she intended to marry me? It was not enough to offer me her person only, but the wish to join with it the precious pledge which she carries in her chaste loins. Is it not just (continued he) that the author of her future generation, join in your presence, the names Ram. Mag.-No. II.

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