 ever grateful, and he distinguished
Matilda above the rest of her companions.«
    »And did not your parents seek for her? Did they submit tamely to their
loss, nor attempt to recover their wandering daughter?«
    »Ere they could find her, she discovered herself. Her love grew too violent
for concealment; yet she wished not for Julian's person, she ambitioned but a
share of his heart. In an unguarded moment she confessed her affection. What was
the return? Doting upon his wife, and believing that a look of pity bestowed
upon another was a theft from what he owed to her, he drove Matilda from his
presence: he forbad her ever again appearing before him. His severity broke her
heart: she returned to her father's, and in a few months after was carried to
her grave.«
    »Unhappy girl! Surely her fate was too severe, and Julian was too cruel.«
    »Do you think so, father?« cried the novice with vivacity: »Do you think
that he was cruel?«
    »Doubtless I do, and pity her most sincerely.«
    »You pity her? you pity her? Oh! father! father! then pity me -«
    The friar started; when, after a moment's pause, Rosario added with a
faltering voice, »for my sufferings are still greater. My sister had a friend, a
real friend, who pitied the acuteness of her feelings, nor reproached her with
her inability to repress them. I -! I have no friend! The whole wide world
cannot furnish an heart that is willing to participate in the sorrows of mine.«
    As he uttered these words, he sobbed audibly. The friar was affected. He
took Rosario's hand, and pressed it with tenderness.
    »You have no friend, say you? What then am I? Why will you not confide in
me, and what can you fear? My severity? Have I ever used it with you? The
dignity of my habit? Rosario, I lay aside the monk, and bid you consider me as
no other than your friend, your father. Well may I assume that title, for never
did parent watch over a child more fondly than I have watched over you. From the
moment in which I first beheld you, I perceived sensations in my bosom till then
unknown to me; I found a delight in your society which no one's else could
afford; and when I witnessed the extent of your genius and information, I
rejoiced as does a father in the perfections
