The Betrothed

Conclusion

A sun hath set-a star hath risen,

O, Geraldine! since arms of thine

Have been the lovely lady's prison.

COLERIDGE.

Popular fame had erred in assigning to Eveline Berenger, after the

capture of her castle, any confinement more severe than that of

her aunt the Lady Abbess of the Cistertians' convent afforded. Yet

that was severe enough; for maiden aunts, whether abbesses or no,

are not tolerant of the species of errors of which Eveline was

accused; and the innocent damosel was brought in many ways to eat

her bread in shame of countenance and bitterness of heart. Every

day of her confinement was rendered less and less endurable by

taunts, in the various forms of sympathy, consolation, and

exhortation; but which, stript of their assumed forms, were

undisguised anger and insult. T