Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

CHAPTER VIII.
Alonzo's unhappiness-Becomes an infidel, and an inebriate-
The genteel spree.
WnEN Carleton learned that Anna Maria Gerard
lind really abjured the world and taken the sable vail,
he gave her up as lost, and tried to banish from hi
mind, all thought of her; but too deeply had her
lovely image impressed his" heart of hearts;" the
vision haunted his melancholy mind night and day;
in his fancy, sometimes she danced before him like a
sunbeam, radiant with smiles as in the halcyon days of
her girlhood - anon, she would appear of sober mien,
head bowed down in sorrow, and clad in the gloomy
attire of the cloister, and in silence and sadness turning
from him.
One night, after tossing from side to side upon his
couch for many long and weary hours, vainly striving
to lock in oblivious slumber, his feverish brain, he
arose in despair, saying to himself, "0, that this
long, long night were past I How tardily the moments
run I ,. 'I< 'I< 'I< 'Tired nature's sweet restorer,
balmy sleep' - where art thou ~- gone' to light on
lids unsullied with a tear.' Why not come to the
abode of misery, as willingly as thou soek'st the
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