"But I forgot--they told me you are a heretic.

Is that true, Mr.Osbaldistone ?" "I must not deny the charge." "And yet you have been abroad, and in Catholic countries ?" "For nearly four years." "You have seen convents ?" "Often; but I have not seen much in them which recommended the Catholic religion." "Are not the inhabitants happy ?" "Some are unquestionably so, whom either a profound sense of devotion, or an experience of the persecutions and misfortunes of the world, or a natural apathy of temper, has led into retirement.

Those who have adopted a life of seclusion from sudden and overstrained enthusiasm, or in hasty resentment of some disappointment or mortification, are very miserable.
The quickness of sensation soon returns, and like the wilder animals in a menagerie, they are restless under confinement, while others muse or fatten in cells of no larger dimensions than theirs." "And what," continued Miss Vernon, "becomes of those victims who are condemned to a convent by the will of others?
what do they resemble?
especially, what do they resemble, if they are born to enjoy life, and feel its blessings ?" "They are like imprisoned singing-birds," replied I, "condemned to wear out their lives in confinement, which they try to beguile by the exercise of accomplishments which would have adorned society had they been left at large." "I shall be," returned Miss Vernon--"that is," said she, correcting herself--"I should be rather like the wild hawk, who, barred the free exercise of his soar through heaven, will dash himself to pieces against the bars of his cage.

But to return to Rashleigh," said she, in a more lively tone, "you will think him the pleasantest man you ever saw in your life, Mr.Osbaldistone,--that is, for a week at least.

If he could find out a blind mistress, never man would be so secure of conquest; but the eye breaks the spell that enchants the ear .-- But here we are in the court of the old hall, which looks as wild and old-fashioned as any of its inmates.