"No, no, sister, your fault is small, compared to mine; you allowed your
passion to overcome you, but it arose from an excess of love, the best
feeling in our nature--the only remnant of heaven left us since our
fall. I too have allowed my passion to overcome me; but whence has it
arisen?--from hatred and jealousy, feelings which were implanted by
demons, and which create a hell, wherever they command. But it is done,
and repentance comes too late."
The unfortunate sisters embraced each other and mingled their tears
together; and I hardly need say, that the Lady Abbess and I could not
restrain our meed of pity at the affecting scene. As the evening closed,
they separated, each to attend to the same mournful duty, of watching by
the bodies of their husbands, and bedewing them with their tears. A few
days after the interments took place, Emilia sent for her sister, and
after an affectionate interview, took the veil in the convent to which
she had retired--endowing the church with her property. Donna Teresa did
not take the veil; but employed herself in the more active duties of
charity and benevolence--but she gradually wasted away--her heart was
broken. I stayed with her for three years, when she died, leaving a
considerable sum to me, and the remainder of her wealth to beneficent
institutions. This is about five years ago, since when I have been
living on the property, which is nearly all expended by my extravagance.
The stigma on my birth is, however, the only subject which has weighed
upon my spirits--this is providentially removed, and I trust that I
shall not disgrace the mother who has so kindly acknowledged me, or the
dear girl who has honoured this faulty person with her attachment.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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