ABSTRACT
The morning now dawned serene, and the sun faintly gilding the summits of the mountains, shot his tremulous rays into the chamber where the lovely Cecilia was sleeping. A deep blush overspread her glowing cheek; and her dishevelled tresses, curling over her snowy neck, rose and fell respondent to the short and interrupted heavings which marked some inward agitation of her heart. Her heart indeed was the temple of innocence and unsullied purity, and, whether sleeping or waking, knew no thought, nor owned no sentiment, that could ru e its repose; but fancy at that instant had presented to her sleeping senses a delusive dream, which caused her agitation. She imagined she had been out riding with young Evans, and that they had taken their course to the romantic valley which they had visited the day before. e rocks and the trees glowed/ with an unusual verdure, and all the harmony of the vernal groves was tuned to entertain her. e cavern which had yesterday struck her with awe, was now divested of its terrors, and all its rocks were covered, as she thought, with myrtles and roses, and a variety of other charming owers, which di used delicious odours through the whole vault. While all her senses were thus delighted, she beheld the image of Ned prostrate at her feet breathing the ardours of his passion, and pleading his cause with all the energy of native eloquence. She fancied that she heard him with complacency, and that she was even on the point of consenting to an union, when a dreadful tempest rose suddenly in the cavern: the roses and the myrtles died away – the unfortunate Edward vanished, no where to be found – and she was le alone in the cave, in stygian darkness, amidst the roar of waters, the bellowings of thunder, and the continual howl of raging and contending winds.
