When I came within sight of the parsonage, my sensations nearly overcame me; here, I once fondly hoped to have found the same domestic felicity and contentment I had formerly experienced; but, mark the mutability of human bliss! this spot, so lately the abode of happiness and of innocence, now appeared the seat of silence and of solitude, of sorrow and of death. Scarce had I resolution to approach the house, for although I well knew the resignation and the piety of Arnold, yet I dreaded to recall those scenes, the recollection of which would only give edge to his sufferings and fresh misery to his painful task. The villagers were assembled on the green, dressed in their neatest cloaths, and those who could afford it, in black. There was not a whisper heard among them, the tear rolled down their honest cheeks, and on their features dwelt the sentiments of pity and regret. A lane was formed for me as I passed along; we interchanged not a word; I cast my eyes upon the ground; They wept aloud. I was so much affected I could scarce sit upon my horse, and leaving it at a small cottage when I got through them, I went to the parsonage on foot. I entered, and meeting a servant in the hall, he pointed to the parlour and retired. I advanced towards it, the door was half open, and sliding softly in, a spectacle presented itself whose impression will never be erased from my memory. In the middle of the room was placed the coffin of Maria, the lid was taken off, and beside it, in his robes, knelt the unfortunate Frederick Arnold, Maria's lifeless hand was locked in his, and on her clay-cold corse were fixed his streaming eyes. A considerable shade was thrown over the room, the windows looking upon the green being closed up, but through the garden window the sun broke in, and shone full upon the features of Arnold; his countenance was pale, languid, but remarkably interesting, and received a peculiar degree of expression from the tint of the morning light, and his hair, which had early become white, was scattered in thin portions over his temples and forehead. I stood impressed with awe, my soul was filled with compassion, and I wished to indulge my sorrow, but as Arnold did not perceive me, I thought it best not to interrupt him, and was therefore going to retire, when suddenly rising up, he exclaimed, 'Farewel, my Maria, thou that wert the solace of mine age, farewel! oh, if thy unembodied "He spirit still hovers o'er this scene of things, be present to thy afflicted father, pour comfort into his wounded bosom, sure to do this will be thy paradise, Maria, and sure thou hast met with thy reward. What, if unavailing regret still tortures this distracted heart, still brings thy injured form to view, yet, through the mercies of my God, will I look forward with hope; I will meet thee, O, my daughter, in heaven. God of mercies hear me!" will, he will, thou good old man," I cried, "he will listen to thy prayer." Arnold started; 'Is it thou, my son?' he said, and, falling upon my neck, he wept; then presently recovering himself, he advanced with composure towards the coffin: 'Come hither,' he cried, 'and view the remains of fallen innocence and beauty; see, my son, what one step from rectitude of conduct has produced; see the unfortunate Maria.' I advanced, and, kneeling down, kissed the pale hand of Maria; a sweet serenity dwelt upon her features, and she seemed to be asleep; I would have spoken, but I could not, I sighed in a convulsive manner, for the tumult of my spirits quite oppressed me; and Arnold observing this, seized my arm, and ordering the coffin to be screwed down, conveyed me into another room. Here, in a little time, I recovered some calmness of mind, and Arnold, taking me by the hand, desired me to collect all my fortitude. 'I go to bury my Maria,' he said, 'but let not the murmurings of discontent break in upon the sacred rite; to Providence, not to us, the chastenings of mortality are given.' Having said this, he quitted the room, and, giving orders for the procession, proceeded to the church. In a few minutes the coffin was carried out upon the green; it was covered with black velvet, over which was thrown a pall of white sattin, and here half a dozen young women, dressed in white supported it, whilst as many in the same habit walked two and two before, and the like number behind it. They sang a dirge adapted to the occasion, and with slow and solemn steps went forward to the church. The whole village followed, and never was sorrow better painted than in the features of this mournful group. I loitered at a little distance, absorbed in the melancholy of my own reflections. Of death beat slow!. -the bell It paused now, and now with rising knell The wind sighed through the yew-trees, and the face of nature seemed to darken with oppressive gloom. We entered the church, where after all things had been duly arranged, the ceremony was begun. A calm resignation was apparent in the countenance of Arnold; and as he pronounced the sublime and pathetic language of the service, a kind of divine enthusiasm lightned from his eyes.. Now and then his speech would faulter, and the tear would trickle down his cheek, and I witnessed many an effort to suppress the tender emotions of his soul; but a high sense of the duty of his office kept within restriction the feelings of the father. He had now proceeded a considerable way in the service, and the corse was made ready to be laid into the earth, when suddenly the folding doors of the church were thrown open, and a young man, in mourning, rushed vehemently in; his aspect was hurried and wild, and he exclaimed in a loud but convulsive tone of voice, "Where is my Maria, think not to wrest her from me, I will see her |