Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 63.
Carleton's interview with Enola gave no relief to
his oppressed feelings, but rather served to increase
the gloomy apprehensions which had before preyed
upon his mind.
'" .. '*'
Separated from him she loved, and associated with
uncongenial spirits, Anna Maria was unhappy, rest-
less and discontented: days, weeks and months passed
tardily by - but still, situated as she was, the dark
cloud of superstition was by degrees gathering and
thickening upon the sky of her mind. Persuaded
that the austerity she practiced, tended to spiritualize
her nature and purify the soul, she dealt most severely
with herself; and began to regard every clement of
enjoyment, as opposed to a religious life, and every
pleasure, a source of temptation, endangering the
sonl's salvation I Therefore she turned away from all
that appeared delightful and cheering, and sought to
wed herself to misery.
Before the expiration of the period assigned her for
consecration, an epidemic prevailed in the city, sweep-
ing its hundreds into the grave. Among the number
that were hurried from the stage of action, were Mrs.
Gerard, Anna Maria's mother, and the 'parents of
Arabella May. When the sad intelligence of her
mother's death reached the ears of Anna Maria, it had
the effect to increase the melancholy state of her
mind; the strongest tie that bound her to earth being
now broken, she was more than ever inclined to seclu-
sion, a life of self-denial, austerity and gloom.