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The cares of property, the daily concerns of a family, the pressure of such minute disturbers of their studies, have induced some great minds to regret the abolition of those monastic orders, beneath whose undisturbed shade were produced the mighty labours of a MONTFAUCON, a CALMET, a FLOREZ, and the still unfinished volumes of the BENEDICTINES. Often has the literary character, amidst the busied delights of study, sighed "to bid a farewell sweet" to the turbulence of society.

That of Donna Emilia I had given to Don Florez, who was Donna Teresa's admirer; that of Donna Teresa I had given to Don Perez, who was the lover of Donna Emilia; but I had better explain to you, before I go on, what did not come to my knowledge until the dénouement took place.

Donna Emilia protested that it was not her writing, and was confounded at the apparent mystery. She stated that Teresa had agreed to meet Don Florez in the saloon that night. "On the contrary," replied Don Perez, "he received a letter from Donna Teresa, refusing him a meeting, at the same time that I received this from you, giving me the assignation." Donna Emilia burst into tears.

The widows and orphans were pensioned by the State. The stroke which had fallen was received with a dignified submission to the inscrutable purposes of Heaven. Diego Florez escaped with a brief punishment at Burgos. None else were punished for faults which lay chiefly in the King's own presumption in imagining himself the instrument of Providence.

As soon as Don Perez left the house, I hastened to my mistress, to acquaint her with what had passed, and what I had told him. "I thank you for your kind intention, Pedro, but I am afraid that all will be discovered. It is a judgment on me for my folly and indiscretion." In the meantime, Donna Emilia, who had taken refuge in a neighbouring convent, sent for Don Florez.

"Ah! my little page, this is indeed lucky; just step to my rooms while I write a note to Donna Emilia." I did so, and he gave me a quarter-doubloon as before. "I thank you, senor," replied I; what with the doubloons of Don Florez and your quarter-doubloons, I shall soon be a rich man."

I agreed, and, as much bewildered as he, exclaimed: "Well, as far as we can discern there is something very underhand in this meeting. But the count's widow is a cheery, easy-going person, despite her mournful black, and perhaps, after all, we may be upon a wrong scent." "Exactly. De Gex may be attracted by her handsome niece, the Señorita Carmen Florez eh?" "He may.

"I will give you a thousand," answered she, and she kissed and blessed me while tears ran down her cheeks; she then took some paper, and imitating the hand-writing, wrote as follows: "I must submit to your wishes, Donna Emilia; and while your sister blesses Don Florez, must yield to the severity of your disposition.

I tried all my powers of consolation, but in vain: all she requested was that I would find out where her sister was, and let her know. I set off upon my melancholy task, and met the people hearing in the body of Don Florez. I shuddered as it passed by, when I recollected how principal a part I had acted in the tragedy. I soon gained the information, and brought it to Donna Teresa.

"Thanks to your prudence and sagacity, my dear little Pedro, all as yet is well; but it may yet be discovered; for I will now confide to you, that the tenderness last night, intended for Don Florez, was by your mistake, and the darkness and silence prescribed at the meeting, lavished upon my sister's admirer. But all will I trust be well, and I shall not suffer for an unintentional misfortune."