Glentworth—do not forget it, and—do not speak—I cannot answer you a single question,—and I charge you not to ask one of the holy mother, or any other person.'
"This is digression, Isabella, but I could not forbear to write it, for the names uttered in secresy thousands of times have been as a spell upon me. Little did I then dream that I could become the injurer of that dear, unknown brother, whom my imagination invested with every charm, and every virtue, more especially an unbounded affection for myself. Thus far the dream of my heart was useful; it was the only possible consolation for the loss of my father; and although I must ever gratefully recal the kindness of the sisterhood, I well know that, from my secret hopes of finding a brother in the world, should I ever enter it, my only comfort was derived; and this brother I have never seen, never must see: the die is cast.
"The death of my father was announced by letter to the abbess from a relation of her own, who had been the means of gaining me as a resident in the convent. He died in landing at Civita Vecchia, whether from a fall which took place, as he stepped on the quay, or from an apoplectic seizure, which occasioned the fall, was never known. Signor Testati, who had gone down to meet him, saw him approach apparently in florid health, and saw him
