Charlotte Smith

“ It is in France only where life is become a continual tragedy. Angelina," continued he, "beloved Angelina! I release thee from all those dear promises, which to have thee fulfill would once have been the happiness of my life; I cannot, I ought not to think more of thee, unless to wish and pray for thy felicity with some less unhappy man than thy devoted D'Alonville."—In such, and in yet more melancholy contemplations, the weary hours passed, unmarked by any sound that told their progress; for the great clock of the castle was spoiled from neglect, and some of its work had been carried away. ”

“ Having taken this resolution, the D'Alonville spoke peremptorily, and told Rameau to show him some part of the castle least liable to observation from without. It was some time before Rameau could be made to comprehend him.—At last he led the way up a great stair-case to a gallery, trembling at every step he took and looking wildly around him.—The faint light he held, served only to render the dilapidated state of these gloomy, but once magnificent apartments, more visible. ”

“ Above, indeed, he saw amidst the clouds of night, a few stars, such as he remembered to have remarked, almost six months before when he passed the night on the ground, supporting his expiring father. "You are the same," cried he, "bright planets, destined, perhaps, to act as suns to the worlds more happy than this; while it seems as if this globe we crawl upon tended towards its final decay ”