The Italian, or the Confessional of the Black Penitents (Volume 1); A Romance - Softcover

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1828. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. For here have been Some six or seven, who did hide their faces Even from darkness. Shakespeare Ellena, on thus suddenly losing her aunt, her only relative, the friend of her whole life, felt as if left alone in the world. But it was not in the first moments of affliction that this feeling occured. Her own forlorn situation was not even observed, while affection, pity, and irresistible grief for Bianchi, occupied her heart. Bianchi was to be interred in the church, belonging to the convent of Santa Maria della Pieta. The body, attired according to the custom of the country, and decorated with flowers, was carried on an open bier to the place of interment, attended only by priests and torch-bearers. But Ellena, not enduring thus lightly to part with the reliques of a beloved friend, and being restrained by custom from following the corpse to the grave, repaired first to the convent, to attend the fuueral service. Her sorrow did not allow her to join in the choral symphonies of the nuns, but their sacred solemnity was soothing to her spirits, and the tears she shed while she listened to the lengthened note, assuaged the force of grief. When the service concluded, she withdrew to the parlour of the lady abbess, who mingled with her consolations many entreaties that Ellena would make the convent her present asylum; and her affliction required little persuasion on this subject. It was her wish to retire hither, as to a sanctuary, which was not only suitable to her particular circumstances, but especially adapted to the present state of her spirits. Here she believed that she should sooner acquire resignation, and regain tranquillity, than in a place less consecrated by religion ^ and, before she took leave of the abbess, it was agreed that she should be receiv...