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THE DUKE'S PRIZE.

A STORY OF ART AND HEART IN FLORENCE.

BY LIEUTENANT MURRAY.

NEW YORK:






PREFACE.





THE scenes of the following story are laid in Italy, that land of
the sun. They are designed to impress a goodly moral, as well as to
amuse the reader--to show that patience and perseverance will conquer
all things--and that a poor coat may cover a rich heart. The reader
will find also herein, that love raises the humblest; and that true
merit, like true genius, tramples upon misfortunes; and that "some
falls are means the happier to rise."






THE DUKE'S PRIZE.

CHAPTER I.

FLORENCE.





Lend thy serious hearing to what I shall unfold.

-Hamlet.

COME with me, gentle reader, on the wings of fancy into the mild and
genial latitude of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The delightful region of the
Mediterranean has been the poet's ready theme for ages; then let us
thitherward, with high hopes (and appreciating eyes) to enjoy the
storied scenery of its shores. Touch, if you will, at Gibraltar; see
how the tide flows through the straits! We go in with a flowing
sail, and now we are at Corsica, Napoleon's home. Let us stop at
Sardinia, with its wealth of tropical fruits; and we will even down
to Sicily,--for this mimic ocean teems with subjects to delight the
eye even of the most casual observer, with its majestic boundary of
Alps and Apennines, and the velvet carpet of its romantic shores,
while its broad breast is dotted with the sails of the picturesque
craft whose rig is peculiar to these seas.

It were worth the journey we have taken, if only to behold the
curious maritime scene before us now-made up of the felucca, the
polacre, and the bombard, or ketch all equally unknown in our own
waters.

Well, on with us still; let us up again and new through the canal of
Piombino, touching at the isle of Elba, the "Great Emperor's" mimic
domain; step into the town lying beneath this rocky bluff; which is
crowned by a fort-it is Porto Ferrajo. Look off for a moment from
this rocky eminence, back of the town, and see the wild beauty of
these Tuscan mountains on the main land. Now, we will over to the
Italian coast, and cross, if you will, from Leghorn to Florence.
There, we are now in the very lap of genius and of poetry; let us
pause here and breathe the dreamy, soothing, balmy air of Italy.

Florence, most favored daughter of Italy, sweet, sunny Florence,
where dwelleth the gallantry and beauty of Tuscany, with thy wealth
of architectural beauty, thy magnificent churches and palaces, thy
princely court and hoarded beauties-favorite of that genial land, we
greet thee! How peacefully dost thou lay at the very foot of the
cloud-topped Apennines, divided by the mountain-born Arno in its
course to the sea, and over whose bosom the architectural genius of
the land is displayed in arched bridges; loveliest and best beloved
art thou of sunny, vine-clad Italy.

The poetical luxury of Italian genius is nowhere more plainly
manifested than in Florence. 'Tis the artist's favorite resort and
best school; 'tis the city the traveller likes least to turn his
back upon; and the spot being consecrated by poetry and art, where
the blood flows quickest through the veins, warmed by a fervid and
glowing clime. A clime which breathes in zephyrs of aromatic
sweetness, wafted over the fragrant blossoms of the land so redolent
of loveliness, that they would seem to rival the fabled Loto tree,
which springs by Allah's throne, and whose flowers have a soul in
every leaf.

There is a breathing of the arts in the very air of Florence, whose
galleries are crowded with the choicest collections of paintings and
statuary in the world. Here have ever congregated the talent and
beauty of every clime. With the painter, the poet, the sculptor,
here sleep, in the city of the silent, Michael Angelo, Alfieri, and
like spirits, rendering it hallowed ground to the lovers of art.
Proud and lovely city, with thy sylvan Casino spreading its riches
of green sward and noble trees along the banks of the silvery Arno,
well may a Florentine be proud of his birthplace!

It is in Florence, this very paradise of art, that our tale opens.
Here the poor scholar or artist, who seeks to perfect himself by
viewing the glorious works of the old masters, may live like a
prince on the most moderate and frugal means, in a bright and sunny
land, where the heart's blood leaps most swiftly to the promptings
of imagination; where the female form earliest attains its wonted
beauty, and longest holds its sway over the heart; where art and
nature both combine to entrance the soul in admiration; in that land
of the sun-genial Italy; that soft, yet wild country, whose children
learn the knowledge of poetry and art from visible things, while the
rest of the world derive them from books.

It was noonday in Florence, and a group of artists were wending
their way from the grand gallery to their midday meal. It was a
motley sight to look upon them as they gaily chatted together-for
among them were men of different countries. There was the rough,
hearty Englishman, the light, witty Frenchman, the intelligent and
manly-looking American, the dark, swarthy Spaniard side by side with
the dark Italian-fit companions, both in outward hue and their native
character-and many others, forming a group of peculiar interest to
the beholder.

As the troop emerged from a narrow street and came full upon the
bright and sunny piazza, near the splendid shaft of the Campanile,
the gorgeous equipage of the Grand Duke was passing the spot. The
monarch was returning from a morning drive in the Casino with a
small retinue, and accompanied by one or two strangers of
distinction. The group paused for a moment to witness the passing of
the duke and his suite, and then turned gaily towards their hotel to
dine, the duke forming a new theme of conversation to those who,
conversing under the disadvantage of but partially understanding
each other, from the variety of tongues among them, ever chose the
most visible subject for comment.

"What a brilliant turn-out," said one, in honest admiration.

"Those leaders are as proud as their master," said another.

"But he becomes his state well, if he is proud," answered a third.

"Newman couldn't get up a better four in hand," said the first
speaker, a young Londoner.

"Who is that by the side of the duke?" asked one.

"The English consul," replied his countryman; "you ought to know
him."

"The whole affair now is wanting to my eye," said a young,
sentimental artist.

"And what does it want, pray, Mister Critic?" asked the Englishman.

"A woman."

"Egad, that's true! There should be a woman in the picture, if it
was to be painted, if only to introduce color."

"Don't be so mercenary," added the other.

And the group thus idly conversing lounged on their way to dine. But
see, one of their number still lingers near the base of the shaft,
apparently absorbed in admiring its beautiful proportions; his pale
but fine intellectual features overspread by a spirit of admiration
as he beholds the column. But still there is some other motive than
mere curiosity that engages him thus; he seems to have thus
designedly dropped the company of the party he was just with. Now
suddenly turning and satisfying himself that his late companions
were out of sight, the young artist-for so his appearance evidently
bespoke him-slowly and sadly retraced his steps toward the grand
gallery.

The expression of his countenance was that of suffering and physical
pain, as well as of mental inquietude; but his late companions had
none of them noticed or cared for this. They could take especial
cognizance of the points of excellence in the duke's horses, but not
of the grief that shaded a fellow-being's countenance. No, the
single artist, who now retraced his steps from the base of the
Campanile, let his cause for sadness arise from whatever source it
might, was alone in his sufferings, and without any one to share his
sorrows.

Once or twice he seemed to hesitate and half turn round again, as if
to join the party he had left; but some inward prompting appeared to
prevent him from doing so, and once more he walked on by the same
street which he had just came. A sigh now and then heaved his
breast, as though some mental or physical suffering moved him, but
his form was erect, and his step not that of one weakened by
physical disease. And yet in looking upon him, an instinctive desire
would have possessed the careful observer to offer him aid in some
form.






CHAPTER II.

OUR HERO AND HEROINE.





But love is blind, and lovers cannot see.

-Merchant of Venice.

AT the close of a long summer's day under the skies of Italy, the
shades of twilight were deepening on a verdant and vine-clad
hillside of the Val d'Arno, when two lovers, who had evidently been
strolling together, sat down side by side under a natural trellis of
vines. The twilight hour of midsummer will lend enchantment to
almost any scene; but this is peculiarly the case in Italy, where
every shadow seems poetic-every view fit for the painter's canvass.

The gentleman was of frank and manly bearing, and as he had
approached the spot where they now sat, with the graceful figure of
his fair companion leaning upon his arm, he evinced that soft and
persuasive mien, that easy elegance of manner and polish in his
address, which travel and good society can alone impart. Around his
noble forehead, now bared to the gentle breeze, his long auburn hair
hung in waving ringlets, after the style of the period, while his
countenance was of that intelligent and thoughtful cast, tinted by a
shade of sorrow, which rarely fails to captivate the eye.

In person, he was rather tall, erect and well-proportioned, though
perhaps he was rather thin in flesh to appear to so good advantage
as he might have done, yet altogether he was of handsome form and
pleasant mien. His dress bespoke the hollowness of his purse,
notwithstanding he bore about him the indelible marks of a
gentleman; and the careful observer would have recognized in him the
artist that had separated from his companions on the Plaza at
noonday near the shaft of the Campanile.

His companion was manifestly a lady of rank and a most lovely
female, satisfying the eye at the first glance, and constantly
pleasing the longer it dwelt upon her. When we describe an Italian
lady as being beautiful, she must be so indeed; for there is no half
way between beauty and the opposite extreme here. There are but few
really handsome women in Tuscany, but these few are of a class of
beauty that may well have ravished the rest of their sex in this
fair clime. Her countenance was radiant with thought and feeling,
and her large and dewy eyes of blue--nature's own sweet tint--rested
fondly on him by her side.

Her rich and abundant dark hair was parted smoothly across her
unblemished forehead, which might have been marble, so smooth and
pure, but for the warm blood that flowed through those delicate blue
channels. The mouth and features were of the Grecian model, and when
she smiled she showed a ravishing sweetness of expression, and teeth
that rivalled those of an Indian. In form, her person was slightly
voluptuous, though strictly within the most true female delicacy.
Such is a sketch of the two whom we at the outset denominated as
lovers; and such they were, as the progress of our story will
disclose.

"There is much between thee and me, Florinda," said her companion,
sighing heavily; "and of a metal worse than all others-pride and
gold! jailors both of the daring heart!"

"Nay, dear Carlton, thou art ever foreboding ills," said the lady
persuasively, and in a voice as sweet as that of the idolized Pagoda
Thrush of India.

"Perhaps so; and yet full well I know that I am no favorite of
fortune, by stern experience."

"She will smile on thee yet, believe me, Carlton; and the more
sweetly for this seeming neglect. She's a fickle goddess, and often
plays the coquette, but, like others of this class, she seldom
chides but she smiles again the more winningly."

"She has already done so through thee, Florinda."

Florinda answered with her eyes.

"Ah, I am blessed indeed in thee; and poorly do I appreciate the
blessing of thy love, when I forget myself and complain."

"Now thou art content."

"In thy smiles, dearest, ever."

And Carlton pressed the hand with fervor to his lip that was
smilingly extended towards him.

"Ah, how long it may be, before I can call this little hand mine."

"It is thine already, Carlton."

"Thy heart is, I trust; but the hand, Florinda, is quite another
thing."

"True, Carlton."

"My means are so humble."

"You would make them so."

"But are they not, Florinda?"

"Not in my eyes."

"The future looks dark to me."

"The great proficiency you have attained in your profession, as an
artist, dear Carlton, argues well for our hopes. Already has thy
name reached the Grand Duke as one of remarkable ability in thy
noble art; and such constant attention and unwearied industry must
ensure improvement."

"True, dearest, I may in time hope to be counted, a worthy follower
of those whose noble efforts grace the grand gallery, and the halls
of the Palazzo Pitti; but alas, many years of toil might not place
me in the pecuniary eye of the duke, as a fitting suitor for thy
peerless portion. And then, Florinda, the pride of birth! Alas! I
have little hopes of ever attaining my most earnest wish-that which
would render me the envy of all Florence-thy hand, Florinda."

"Have I not possessions enough for both of us, dear Carlton? Indeed,
I am told that my rightful property bears a goodly proportion to
that of the Grand Duke himself, who has the reputation here in
Florence of possessing unbounded wealth-actually unequalled in
amount by that of any European monarch. Until the prospect of aiding
you by this amplitude of fortune occurred to my mind, I saw no value
in this boasted wealth; but now that I know that you will be
benefited by it, Carlton, I rejoice at its possession and its
magnitude."

"Dearest," said the artist, as he listened to her generous
declaration.

"There will be no want, no question of necessity; all shall be
yours."

"In your love and kindness of heart, you do not consider these
things as does the world, Florinda. The greater the amount of thy
riches, the farther art thou removed from me; thus reasoneth the
world-the cold and calculating world."

"Nay, Carlton, thou art again foreboding," said the lady in the
sweet, honeyed tongue of her land. "All will yet be as our hearts
could wish, I am confident."

"Love sees with blind eyes, dearest."

"I know the proverb; but each case is a peculiar one, and this-is
not this more so than any other?"

"So thy gentle heart would make it," he answered tenderly.

"And will not yours assent?"

"In one respect-yes."

"And that is--"

"Never was one so loved as thou art; and yet who could look upon
those eyes, and hear thee speak thus, and know the goodness and
gentleness of thy kind heart, and not love thee, Florinda?"

"Ah, flatterer!"

"Dost thou mean that?" said Carlton, earnestly and quickly.

"Nay, forgive me, Carlton," said his fair companion.

"Always but when thou shalt question my sincerity; and yet," he
continued, after a moment's pause, "there are ample grounds for such
suspicions."

"Say not so, Carlton."

"Behold thy large fortune; am I not penniless?-thy noble birth; am I
not an humble citizen? O, Florinda, there are few in this cold and
mercenary world that would accord to me, under these circumstances,
the meed of sincerity."

"There is one who will never doubt thee," said the lovely girl,
placing a hand affectionately within his.

"Dear Florinda, I have thought of another tie to bind us to each
other still more dearly, if possible."

"Pray, what is that, Carlton?"

"We are both orphans, Florinda; both stand, as it were, alone in the
world, without any natural protectors even from childhood."

"True," said Florinda, "my parents died while I was yet too young to
know or love them and thine, Carlton?"

"While I was an infant."

"How pleasant it must be to have parents to love and advise one. I
have often envied my companions."

"Ay, it must indeed be a source of happiness; and none would seem to
deserve them more than so gentle a spirit as thine."

"It is indeed an enviable blessing."

"Father and mother are sweet words," said the artist,
thoughtfully,--and drawing her gently to his side.

"They are sweet words," said Florinda; while a sympathetic tear
trembled for a moment beneath those long eyelashes, proving the
poet's words, "that beauty's tears are lovelier than her smiles."
Carlton saw and marked the truant jewel as it glided down her fair
cheek.

And thus they talked on of love, of griefs and hopes, Carlton
pressing the hand of his lovely companion affectionately to his lips
at times, with a gentle and affectionate tenderness far more
eloquent than words; while the response that met this token from her
expressive face might have told the most casual observer how dearly
and how deeply she loved the young artist, and how the simplest
token of tenderness from him was cherished by her.

La Signora Florinda was a grand-daughter of the house of Carrati,
one of the oldest and proudest of all Italy. Having been placed in a
convent in the environs of Florence for her education, the Grand
Duke by chance met her while quite young, and learning her name, he
at once knew her to be an orphan, and now under the care of her
uncle Signor Latrezzi. By his own request he became her guardian,
and from that time Florinda became an inmate of the palace of the
duke, and the constant companion of the duchess.

Her parents deceased, as the reader has already gathered, while she
was yet a child, leaving her an immense property, which was now in
the hands of her protector, the monarch himself. About the time, or
rather some months previous to the commencement, of our tale, the
duchess had died of consumption. Florinda for more than a year had
been her intimate and dearly loved companion, and for this reason
alone was dearly prized by the Grand Duke, who still sincerely
mourned his wife's death.

The deep devotion and constancy of this monarch, Leopold of Tuscany,
to his wife, evinced an affection rarely found in marriages of
state. Inconsolable for her death, he shut himself from the world
for a long time, weeping in secret the affliction he had sustained
in her loss. To this day there ornaments the private apartments of
the Pitti Palace busts of the grand duchess, and portraits of her by
the first artists; on the walls of the duke's private study there is
a full length portrait of his wife done in fresco, representing her
to be what she really was, a noble and lovely woman.

Since the death of the duchess, Florinda had experienced, as we have
intimated, an increased degree of fatherly care and affection from
the duke, because of the fact of her intimacy with her whom he had
now lost. The duchess, during the period that Florinda had been with
her, had contracted for her a tender affection, and did not forget
in the trying moments of her last hours to commend her to the
continued and true guidance of the duke. This circumstance of course
rendered her an object of renewed interest and regard in the eyes of
her noble protector, with whom she dwelt as though she had been his
own well-beloved child.

In addition to this, she presented claims to his kind protection,
from the fact that she was an orphan, the last of a proud and noble
house long attached to the service of the crown-a fact that had in
the first place attracted his interest.

"Come, Carlton," said the lady, with a sweet smile, "now tell me one
of those Rhine legends which you relate with such spirit. You
promised me another."

"I will, dearest," was the reply; and her companion, drawing still
closer to her side, began as the next chapter will relate.






CHAPTER III.

A RHINE LEGEND.





An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.

-King Richard III.

"THE valley of the Rhine," commenced Carlton, "is no more famous for
its classic beauty than for the romance of its historic story; and
the traveller is sure, while his eyes drink in of the beauty of its
scenery, to have his ears regaled with the tragic record of its
neighborhood. The name of Petard-the name of as bold a bandit as
ever led a company of mountain-robbers--has become classic as any
historic name of the Germanic confederacy, or the Italian states, by
reason of the influence he exerted, the boldness of his deeds, the
oftentimes chivalric character of his conduct; but, above all, for
his singular personal bravery, and his remarkable prowess in battle.
Only second, as it regarded the extent of his fame, to the renowned
Schinderhannes, he even exceeded that bold and romantic bandit in
the general character of his purposes, and the extraordinary success
that attended his plans of operation.

"Petard held one of those lofty mountain-passes," continued Carlton,
"that lead from the valley of the Rhine, and through which at times
much travel passed. Here he had so thoroughly entrenched himself,
with his band of some sixty bravadoes, at the time of our story,
that ten and twenty times his own force sent against him, in the
shape of the regular government troops, had utterly failed to reach
even the outer walls of his retreat, they being entrapped in all
manner of snares, and shot down like a herd of wild and distracted
animals. Several repetitions of these attempts with similar results
had fairly disheartened the officers and soldiery, and they utterly
refused to proceed on any such dangerous service for the future,
while the officers of the government in their weakness were quite
powerless. So that Petard remained virtually the master of the
district, and levied such tax as he pleased upon such of the better
classes as he could arrest upon the road.

"The story of Petard's generous charity to the peasantry is
preserved and related to the traveller by the grateful people; and
there is no doubt that, springing from this class, he felt a
sympathy for them that induced this honest generosity towards them
on his part. The cunning plans which he and his band adopted to
obtain the necessary information for the prosecution of their
designs, it would be tedious to relate. The peasantry, ever
oppressed by those in authority, were, of course, most faithful to
the interests of this famous outlaw, to whose open hand they often
came for bread, and who was ever ready to aid them. Thus, no bribery
nor offered rewards could induce one of these rough but true-hearted
mountaineers to betray Petard, or disclose the secret paths that led
to his lofty stronghold.

"Cunning beyond what usually falls to the lot of roguery," continued
Carlton, "Petard delighted in outwitting his enemies of the law, and
in leading those whom he desired to fleece into his net. Thus
practised in intrigue, he plumed himself in detecting any trick that
was attempted against him; and thus on the constant qui vive, he was
enabled to avoid detection and arrest. Every effort, however
ingenious, that the officers of the government made, was therefore
futile and of no advantage; and Petard was still regarded as master
of his mountain home, and leader of as brave a band as ever beset a
traveller's carriage, or broke the ranks of a treasury escort.

"Those were wild and lawless times when the feudal spirit and power
had not yet lost all its sway, and when each man's house was often
made to be his castle, and himself called upon to defend it with his
life. Might made right; the strong hand often carried it against the
law, and justice often, slept. It sounds like romance indeed to
depict those times."

"It does, indeed," said Florinda; "but go on, Carlton, do not
interrupt the story."

"On the left bank of the noble river, in whose valley this story is
laid," said Carlton, "rose the turrets and towers of Botztetz
castle, the remains only of one of the fine old strongholds of the
middle ages, which had by degrees descended through generations,
until it was now the home of a rich, retired merchant from Coblentz,
who was repairing it and removing the rubbish that age had collected
about it. Himself a man of distinguished family, Karl Etzwell had
retired from the bustle of his heavy business, purchased this place,
and proposed here to make himself home, and here to die. The old
merchant had an only child whom he idolized, and for whom alone he
seemed to live since his wife and other children had died.

"Bettina was one of those delicate, lovely-featured children of
grace and beauty that would have been chosen in "Merrie England" to
preside over a tournament, as queen of beauty, in Ivanhoe's time.
Born to bloom in a peculiar period of history, her character partook
in some measure of the characteristics of the times. To our age,
Florinda, and our appreciation, this lovely woman would have seemed
rather Amazonian. She rode her fine and dashing horse with a free
rein, and in the vigor of her robust health she could walk for
miles, if need be. Yet still Bettina lacked not for tenderness and
gentleness of spirit. She loved her father, was fond of music, and
sung most sweetly to her own accompaniment upon the guitar.

"Egbert Hosfeldt was the descendant of a proud line of ancestors,
and was himself now left alone of all his family. His castle was on
the opposite side of the Rhine, and ere Karl Etzwell's daughter had
been a twelvemonth at her father's new home among the now
half-restored towers of Botztetz Castle, Egbert Hosfeldt and Bettina
were the most tender friends. His boat was ever on the left shore at
nightfall, though his castle was on the right. No carpet knight was
he, Florinda; he pulled his own oar. He was as stout of limb as of
heart, and yet was as gentle when by Bettina's side as the tame
doves she fondled. His was indeed a knightly figure to look upon. He
had often distinguished himself upon the tented field, and in the
forest sports. He lived in an age when personal prowess was highly
esteemed, and when those high in birth failed not to mature the
strong muscles and stout limbs which Providence had vouchsafed to
them.

"My story, Florinda, opens upon one of those soft summer twilights
which hang over this incomparable valley to-day, as they did
centuries gone by. Two figures rested near a soft bed of flowers in
the broad grounds of Botztez Castle. The luxuriant, curling hair of
delicate auburn that strayed so freely over the neck and shoulders
of the female figure, betrayed her to be the lovely daughter of Herr
Karl Etzwell; while the reader would have recognized at once in the
person by her side, the fine athletic figure of Egbert. They sat in
tender proximity to each other, and Bettina was listening to
Egbert's eloquent story of the olden times, and of the many
chivalric deeds for which the neighborhood of this spot was
celebrated. He told her, too, of legends connected with the very
towers and battlements that now surrounded them, until at last the
lateness of the hour warned them that they must part; and the
gallant Egbert, pressing her hand tenderly to his lips, bade her a
brief farewell as he said, and would meet her there again with the
twilight hour on the following day.

"Scarcely had he left her side when a decrepit figure, dressed in as
shabby garb as ever clothed a beggar woman, tottled towards her, and
in saddest tones besought the fair girl to come a few steps from the
castle walls to aid her in carrying her sick infant, who she feared
was dying. The chords of tender sympathy were at once touched and
Bettina followed the old woman outside the walls, and beyond an
angle of the ruins a few rods, when the person who had so excited
her commiseration suddenly stopped, and tossing off the wretched
rags he wore, he stood before her the athletic leader of banditti,
Petard!"

"How frightful!" said Florinda, interrupting him.

"The faint scream Bettina uttered," continued Carlton, "was
smothered by his ready adroitness; and seizing the fainting girl, as
though she was an infant, the robber bore her away to a spot
concealed by the darkness, where several of his confederates met
him, as had been preconcerted; and in a few minutes after Egbert had
left her side, Bettina, all unconscious, was being carried fair away
to the almost impregnable stronghold of the robbers.

"It would be vain to attempt a description of the consternation and
misery of her father when it was found that his child-she who was
everything to him; whom he loved better than life itself-was lost.
Whither to seek her no one knew. The most improbable places were
searched. Egbert, who was last seen with her, was sent for; but he
could give them no information. He supposed, of course, that she
returned directly home after he parted with her. Every conceivable
means were adopted to discover some trace of the missing girl, but
all in vain, and the most tantalizing anguish took possession of
every bosom. Two days had passed in this fruitless and agonizing
search, when a note was delivered at the castle which threw light
upon her disappearance. The purport of the note was to this effect:

"KARL ETZWELL:-Your daughter is safe in my possession. Her simplest
wish is strictly regarded. No harm will come to her, provided you
pay the ransom of one thousand marks of gold. You may not possess
the ready means, rich as you are, to produce this sum at once;
therefore it may be paid in four instalments, and in four months of
time, if you can do no better. red When the sum shall be paid, your
daughter will be restored to you as pure and unharmed as when she
left you. You have two days to think upon this. My messenger will
then see you, and receive the first instalment of the money. Those
who know me will tell you that you had better not harm one hair of
that messenger's head, but your best course will be to meet this
demand. 'Signed,' PETARD.

"The mystery was solved, and the father knew that the robber, vile
as he was, would keep his word; that though Bettina was thus
fearfully situated, Petard would protect and restore her, if he
acceded to his demand. The sum named was far beyond his means to
raise before the expiration of a considerable period of time; for
though, as the robber chief denominated him, rich, yet the princely
sum of money demanded could hardly have been raised at once, had the
united interest of the country for miles round been brought to bear
upon it.

"After consulting with Egbert and other friends, the father saw that
there was but one course left for him to pursue under the
circumstances of the case, and that was to comply with the demand as
far as was possible, and to get ready the first instalment of the
money for the following day. It would have been madness for him-his
daughter's safety, of course, being paramount to every other idea-to
have called upon the authorities to serve him. They had already, as
we have before stated, often failed in their efforts upon the
robber; and to incense Petard against him, was for the father to
sacrifice the life of his child. Thus influenced, the sum of money
demanded as the first instalment was made up by the assistance of
Egbert and others, and was quietly paid over to the robber
messenger, by the anxious father of Bettina.

"It was a fearful thought to father and lover, that there was even a
possibility of Bettina's remaining in the hands of those fierce and
lawless men for such a period of time as had been named. Yet it
would be impossible to raise the amount of the ransom in a shorter
period of time. Four months seemed to them almost as so many years,
and Egbert longed, at the head of a few faithful followers, to
attack the redoubtable brigand; but this would have been to
sacrifice Bettina's life at once. Alas! the ransom, and the ransom
only, could liberate her, all agreed.

"But I weary you, dearest, and will at another time complete my
story."

"Nay, by no means."

"But the story is not yet half told."

"The more of interest is then in store."

"But it will keep until our next meeting."

"As you will, Carlton; and so now, indeed, good night. You will come
with the sunset, tomorrow?"

"I will, dearest."

And Carlton turned away to seek his own humble lodgings, while the
lady returned to the sumptuous apartments which she called her home,
to dream of the young artist, and the tale he had thus left but half
related. In the meantime with the reader we will turn to another
chapter in the thread of our story.






CHAPTER IV.

THE DUKE'S PRIZE.





I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.

-Othello.

CARLTON was a young American, passionately devoted to the art he was
studying at Florence, the home of the arts. His pecuniary means,
which were of a limited character, were, at the time our story
opens, at an unusually low ebb-indeed, he was almost penniless. He
had been able, by losing much valuable time upon trifling and toyish
pieces, to procure nearly enough for subsistence, taken in
connection with the little he already possessed. But of late he had
not been able to find any spare time for the trifles he had
heretofore engaged himself upon at times, when he was obliged to
obtain money for daily food, for reasons which we shall understand
as we proceed with our story.

Though of highly respectable birth, yet he was an orphan, and
dependent upon the liberality of a rich relative for the advantage
he had already received in an excellent classical education, and the
means of travelling while in the study of his art. A few months
previous to the opening of our tale, this patron, who had been a
father indeed to Carlton, died suddenly, and the news of his decease
reached the young American at the time he was just expecting a
remittance of money. The consequence was, he found himself
friendless and without means, thousands of miles from his native
land. He had incurred some small debts in anticipation of the
expected remittance, which placed him in a still more unpleasant
situation.

It was a severe blow to Carlton to lose one who had been so kind to
him almost from childhood. It was hard, too, to sink at once from a
state of plenty to one of absolute want. But thus it was, and he
endeavored to bear his lot with all the philosophy and resignation
he could command; but it was a bitter stroke for him to bear,
particularly at this time, when so much depended upon his being able
to pursue his calling uninterrupted, and still make the proper
appearance in his person. He felt that at no previous moment had he
so much at stake as now; that at no previous time in the course of
his life could such an event have been more unfortunate. But Carlton
was blessed with a heart easy to keep afloat; and though his future
was hard, he looked upon its sunny side, and bore bravely up against
it, enduring not only mental but positive physical suffering in his
manliness. For months he had been almost constantly engaged in
secret upon a painting, which he designed to present to the Grand
Duke, for his private collection in the Palazzo Pitti, and on which
he was to stake his reputation as an artist. He worked in secret, we
have said-ay, and with the pains of hunger gnawing him often, his
scanty purse scarcely affording him the means of procuring
sufficient to sustain life. But still he worked on unwearied, in the
hope, if not to gain the hand of Florinda, at least to be thought
more worthy of her.

Little did she he loved know of the actual want he experienced. He
was too proud to acknowledge it even to her; and often did he sit by
her side faint and hungry, while he held a hand, the jewelled
ornaments of which alone would have rendered a peasant independent
for life. He exerted every faculty to obtain the means of dressing
at least with seeming good taste; he endeavored to do this for
appearance sake, and that he might pass well with the world, which
scans with inquisitive eye the outside show, and pays homage
accordingly. He did not fear that it would make any difference with
Florinda, yet he felt some pride, of course, in that quarter. It
required in his present emergency the sacrifice of many a meal to
procure him a coat, or any other necessary article of clothing.

Carlton was not in the practice of meeting Florinda at the palace;
the manifest impropriety of the thing rendered this out of the
question. It was the practice of Florinda to call at certain periods
at the palace of a relation in the environs of the city, and here
Carlton often went to meet her; it was hard by the monastery where
she had been educated, and where they had first met. The two sat
together one twilight hour; it was their chosen time of meeting.

"Carlton," said Florinda.

"Well, dearest."

"Why dost thou--" here Florinda hesitated.

"Speak freely; what would you ask?"

"You will not be offended?"

"Indeed, no!"

"Nor think strange of me?"

"Nay, I promise thee."

"Then--"

"Well, Florinda."

"Why dost thou wear such a threadbare coat, Carlton? You know I care
not for such things, but I would have thee appear among thy
fellow-artists as well clad as the best of them."

"You know, Florinda," said Carlton, blushing in spite of himself, "I
told you of my misfortune in losing my friend and patron."

"True, but what has that to do with thy coat, Carlton?" asked the
lady, who, never having known the want of money, could not realize
the effect of such a condition. And then, too, she did not exactly
understand the dependency of Carlton upon his patron.

"O, nothing particular, dearest; but one must dress according to his
means, you know."

Florinda mused for a moment, and at length appeared to understand
the meaning of his words, when taking a rich purse of gold from her
girdle, she endeavored to give it to him in such a manner as to
spare his feelings, but her utterance failed her, and she burst into
tears! Carlton could not accept it. He would rather have starved
first; his proud spirit could not brook the deed.

"No, Florinda," ho said, "I cannot accept the purse, or any
assistance from thee, noble lady. But if you will bear with my
humble attire for a while, I hope to be able to dress in a style to
suit thy taste, and which will render me worthy, at least in point
of personal appearance, to walk by thy side."

"Do you forgive me, Carlton, for this? It was but the impulse of the
moment. I did not mean to insult thee."

"Insult me!"

"Alas! I was but rude."

"Nay, dearest."

"You forgive me?"

"Florinda, I appreciate the feeling that prompted the generous act.
Forgive thee? Yes, dearest, and love thee more for it."

He pressed her hand to his lips, and they parted-Florinda to the
regal palace of the duke, and Carlton to his humble lodgings. That
night he went to his bed without having tasted food throughout the
whole day. The next morning with the first light he rose, unable to
sleep from hunger, and sought his canvass. While he could summon his
pride, and season it with his ambition, this formed food and
stimulus enough for him-a sustaining principle equal to natural
nutriment. But in his sleep, when nature asserted her power, and the
physical system claimed precedence over the brain, then the gnawings
of hunger could not be stilled; and thus he awoke, and, as we have
said, sought his canvass to drive away the demon; for it was a
demon-a tormenting fiend to him now!

Among the collection of artists at Florence-as in all Italian
cities-there were representatives from nearly every part of the
world; and much rivalry and pride often showed itself, not only
among the students of the academy, but even among the masters or
teachers themselves. This feeling at the time to which we allude,
prevailed to an unusual extent, and its pernicious effects had been
the cause of one or two duels of fatal termination. Carlton had long
since been obliged to leave the academy from want of means, and even
while there, he labored under great disadvantage in not being able
to keep up the appearance of a gentleman among his fellow-students,
who were generally well supplied with pecuniary means.

His comrades finding that he far exceeded them in point of
application, and consequently in execution and general improvement,
naturally disliked him; and strange enough, too, the teachers
treated him with marked coolness and dislike, whether from a similar
sense of his superior ability even over themselves, or otherwise,
remains to be seen.

"What a hang-dog look that Carlton has," said one artist to another.

"But he's a master with the brush, and bids fair to distance some of
us," was the reply.

"For my part, I hate all Americans."

"Or rather all successful rivals," suggested the other,
sarcastically.

"Rival or not, this Carlton is a bore."

"So far I agree with you," answered the other.

"He's the poorest dressed artist in Florence."

"There you are right again."

And thus they sneered at him.

Under all these disadvantages, Carlton was by no means discouraged.
He was sustained by his ambition and love of his noble art, and,
above all, by the love he bore Florinda. He hoped, through the means
of the picture he was engaged upon, to introduce himself to the good
will of the duke; and this accomplished, one important step would be
taken towards the goal his fancy had pictured in futurity.

As we have said, Carlton left the academy through necessity, but he
still studied constantly in the grand gallery, and other places, as
his means would admit, while he worked on in secret. He had
determined that his picture should be presented without a name, that
it might thus rise or fall honestly, upon its own merits.

The duke had offered a princely prize for the favored picture, to be
selected from out a collection to be exhibited to himself and court
on a certain day. The monarch was devotedly attached to the art, and
thus each year, by a like method, strove to encourage the talent and
industry of the students assembled at Florence. There were many
competitors among the artists of the city on the occasion alluded
to. Those who had gained renown in bygone years now took up the
brush anew, and pupils and masters strove alike for the enviable
goal.

And this was not so much for the mere winning of the prize-though
that was a princely object-but it was well-known that whoever
succeeded in the contest, established his fame at once in Italy, and
from that time forward could command his own terms for his pictures,
and find a ready sale, too, for as many as he chose to complete. It
was, in short, a diploma in art that was almost beyond value to the
ambitious students that had devoted themselves to art in Florence.

Carlton worked incessantly and in secret upon his picture, which was
of a most elaborate and original design. Alone in his humble
apartment he worked by himself, without any kind word of
encouragement, or skilful suggestion. The time for the exhibition
was fast approaching. Carlton was met by his former fellow-students
every morning,--pale and emaciated, returning from his frugal meal,
of which he was obliged to eat enough to serve him through the day;
for with his limited means he could afford but one! They joined him
often, and asked, insultingly, why he did not try for the rich prize
offered by the Grand Duke for the choicest painting.

Smothering the resentment he felt at these a insults, Carlton made
no answer to them, but contented himself with redoubling his
exertions with the brush; and it did seem to him after such
encounters, and every new insult, that his hand received a fresh
inspiration, and his mind renewed vigor. Perhaps he needed the
incentive of pride, as well as that of love and ambition, to lead
him on, and sustain him in the prosecution of his noble endeavors.

Thus it was, when the long expected day at last arrived-the day
which was to make or mar his hope of the future; he trembled as he
realized it. The various competitors had sent in their pieces
accompanied with their names, each confident in the excellence and
finish of his own production. All were arranged in the favorite
gallery of the Grand Duke, and among them Carlton's, simply bearing
the name of "The Unknown."

The hearts of the artists of Florence beat high on that day, and the
moments were impatiently counted by all until the hour should arrive
for the public presentation and audience in the picture gallery. The
selection having been made on the previous day by the Grand Duke and
his court, the time had now arrived for him to award the prize he
had offered.

Among the throng that crowded the gates of the palace, Carlton was
observed humbly pursuing his way, turning neither to the right nor
left, and passing unnoticed some of his brother artists, who
ventured a jeer at his expense.

"That coat of thine is not fit for the presence of the Grand Duke,"
said one.

"Carlton, you forgot to dress, today," said another, tauntingly.

"Don't bother him," added a third; "he's only a looker-on."

"That is all, gentlemen," said Carlton, as he quietly passed the
portals of the palace, secretly biting his lip with restrained
feeling. He had other business in hand than to notice these insults.
His soul was pre-occupied, and he scarcely heeded them a moment
after they had been spoken.






CHAPTER V.

AWARDING THE PRIZE.





Let the end try the man.

-Henry IV.

THE beauty and the aristocracy of Florence crowded the gorgeous
apartments of the ducal palace, admiring the matchless pictures now
first exhibited to the public view-the productions of the artists of
the city for the prize of the liberal monarch.

There was not one which did not draw forth high and just encomiums
for its beauty and excellence; but all paused to admire above the
rest, one which, from originality of conception and perfection of
finish, was pronounced to surpass all its competitors, and great was
the curiosity expressed as to who was the author.-Some said that
Michael Angelo himself must have arisen from the tomb to produce so
perfect a picture. Throughout the hours of the exhibition, until the
time appointed for the awarding of the prize, the superb picture
bearing the name of "The Unknown," was the constant theme of all,
and the centre of attraction.

Among that lovely collection of beauty and fashion stood Florinda,
in all the loveliness of youth and high-born beauty, "the star of
that goodly company." How different was the expression of her face
from the majority of those about her. No pride or envy could be
traced on that beautiful brow, stamped with innocence and
gentleness; those mild deep blue eyes knew no deceit, but frankly
shared the promptings of her pure, untainted soul at every glance.

She looked more like the formation of the fancy in some fairy dream
than a reality, so angelic did she seem amid that princely throng.
She did not know that Carlton had contended for the prize; he had
kept his own secret, and she expressed her unfeigned admiration of
the picture by "The Unknown." She was the belle of the hour, if not
of the court, and her commendation alone would have served to
attract attention to the picture; but already had the duke in person
pointed out some of the most prominent beauties in the piece to
those about him.

After a few preliminary remarks addressed by the liberal monarch to
the large assembly, which was now as still as death itself, he went
on to compliment the rare collection of art which was exhibited on
the occasion; and to prove the sincerity of his remarks, and the
compliment to all on this point, he offered a most princely price
for each and all presented for the prize. He observed that had one
of the pieces which had been sent in failed to have been received, he
should have found it absolutely impossible to designnate the best
painting from out the collection, each one of which was so excellent
and perfect in itself. He then remarked that he was unable to award
the prize he had proposed to present to the author of the painting
which would seem to himself and court to embody the greatest degree
of excellence, inasmuch as the picture which had been decided upon
as possessing the most merit, in every department of its execution,
had been sent to the gallery by unknown hands, and was the work of
an unknown artist.

He closed his remarks by saying that the piece alluded to must be
the work of one high in his profession, for it fell little short of
the works of the old masters themselves. "And," added the duke, "if
there is any one in this assembly who can inform us as to the
authorship of the piece in question, we most earnestly hope they
will oblige us by doing so at this tine, that we may do the author
the honor his talents merit, and also avail ourselves of his
unequalled powers in his art."

After a short pause, he proceeded to designate some of the most
prominent points of excellence in the painting; and being a
connoisseur in these matters, the assembly were highly entertained
by his well-chosen remarks, and his subject being one to call forth
all his admiration, he was unusually eloquent. Indeed, his remarks
were so in unison with the appreciation of all who were present
there and heard his voice, that he seemed to carry them along with
him, and to infuse fresh enthusiasm among those who had already
expressed so much admiration of the picture.

There was another pause, the duke evidently awaiting an answer to
his query as to the authorship of the piece. Yet there was no answer
given, nor was there any perceptible movement among the group of
artists, who were assembled together in one corner of the gorgeous
apartment, and upon whom all eyes were turned. But they also stared
at one another, wondering who could be the man. Many of them had
been liberal enough to express a feeling of delight and admiration,
in beholding, as they said, so noble a production of modern times,
and by a living artist. There were those, among them who really
loved the art they followed, and thus were constrained to
acknowledge their admiration.

"I hope," again repeated the duke to the assembly, "if there is any
one present who can inform us as to the authorship of this masterly
effort of genius, he will do so at once, and confer a personal favor
upon us."

There was a slight movement perceptible among the group of artists
at this moment, and Carlton, the young American, was seen making his
way to the front of his companions, several of whom rebuked him for
his forwardness in so doing.

"Why do you push forward, Carlton?"

"Nay, give way but a moment," said our hero.

"What would you?"

"To speak to the duke."

"Fie, man, don't you see he's busy now?"

"Give way but a moment," was the reply.

"May it please you, excellenza," said Carlton, stepping before the
group of artists, and addressing the monarch in Italian, which he
spoke like a native, "I am the humble author of the picture it has
pleased you to compliment so highly."

All eyes were turned upon the speaker, who stood forth from his
companions with downcast eyes and burning cheeks, for well he knew
that the eyes of all Florence, or rather its nobility, were resting
upon him at that moment. The countenances of his former companions
evinced no emotions of resentment, as one might have expected who
understood their former feelings toward the American. No; they were
too much filled with surprise to entertain any other feeling for the
moment, and they looked at each other in the utmost amazement,
scarcely believing their senses.

The eyes of the assembly were bent upon him, and in wonder, too, at
the threadbare coat and emaciated countenance, which told but too
plainly the tale of hunger and want he had suffered. And so it was,
as the reader has seen. Carlton was too proud to make known his
necessities, and he had suffered most incredibly from want.

Hardly had Carlton spoken in answer to the question of the duke,
when there was a visible commotion among the high-born dames that
surrounded his seat, and one was carried by the attendants from the
apartment fainting. It was the duke's, ward, the Signora Florinda.
The surprise and delight which crowded itself upon her gentle
sensibility, was too much for her to bear, and she sank insensible
into the arms of those about her.

"What so strangely affected the Signora Florinda?" asked the duke.

"We know not, your highness," replied one of her late companions.
"She seemed regarding this young artist at the moment when she was
taken ill."

"Singular."

"Very, your highness."

"Hasten after her, and return and let me know how she is."

"Si, excellenza."

"Say I will join her anon."

"I will, excellenza."

It was many minutes before the Grand Duke recovered from the
surprise occasioned by the appearance of Carlton, and the confusion
consequent upon the sudden illness of his ward; but at length he put
the question inquiringly:

"Americano?"

"Si, excellenza."

"And this is the work of thy hands?"

"It is, excellenza."

"It is a most masterly piece, by our lady," said the duke, looking
first upon the painting and then at Carlton, as if half in doubt as
to the truth of the young American's assertion.

"Your excellenza is pleased to honor me," said Carlton, with a
respectful inclination of the head.

"If the piece be thine, it is well merited," continued the duke.

"It shall be proved to thy satisfaction, excellenza."

Carlton thanked in his heart the long auburn hair that covered in
part his burning cheeks, while he thus stood before that gallant
assembly of the elite of the court of Florence.

"What proof, sir artist," said the duke, "shall we have of the
genuineness of this production?"

"By referring to the painting, excellenza," replied Carlton; "you
will find a peculiarity of expression, a want of finish in the
features of the third figure on the extreme left of the canvass."

"You speak truly, Signor Americano; we had before noticed the
defect, and were at loss to account for it in so perfect a picture
as this before us. But what of the flaw, signor?-the discovery of
that which any one of thy profession would have noticed does not
prove the piece to be the work of thine own hands, for we also had
observed it."

"Very true, excellenza," replied Carlton, "but with your permission,
I will complete the expression of that countenance with a touch; and
when complete, it shall agree in strength of touch, style, tone of
finish, and every particular, with the rest of the piece. And,
moreover, you shall be enabled therein to recognize the likeness of
one of your own household. Is it the pleasure of your excellenza
that I add the finish before the present assembly?"

"It is our desire," said the now deeply interested monarch.

A hum of admiration arose as Carlton, after retiring for a moment,
returned with his palette and brush, and approached the picture.

While the duke's band now played to the deeply interested assembly,
Carlton, with a firm, bold touch, immediately supplied the
indescribable something that had been wanting-the je ne sais quoi
that had been referred to as being requisite to its proper finish.
It was done with such judgment and skill, that the addition, though
fresh, could not be detected unless by a very close observation.
None save the author, who had purposely left that flaw, could so
have remedied it. It was done almost instantly, yet with precision
and accuracy.

The duke gazed upon the canvass for a moment, and then exclaimed
with admiration:

"The Grand Chamberlain!-by our lady, what a likeness! Sir artist,
thou hast the pencil of a Raphael!"

"Is your excellenza satisfied?"

"We are convinced that the piece is thine own. None other than its
author could have accomplished that which we have just witnessed."

"Come hither, gentlemen," said the duke to several of his court
about him; and pointing to the canvass, and the touch it had just
received, said, "This proof is incontestable!"

"It is, indeed," was the response,

"Are you, too, satisfied, gentlemen?"

"We are."

"Enough."

The duke then assuming his seat of state, directed the artist to
approach him. First complimenting him as a son of America, the
glorious Republic of the West, and on his extraordinary genius-as he
was pleased to express himself-he awarded him the rich prize
prepared for the occasion, at the same time offering him a sum for
the painting which would have rendered a man of moderate wishes
independent for life.

"The prize, your excellenza," said Carlton, "I gladly accept as a
token of your liberality in advancing the interests of the noble art
I follow. But as it regards the high price you have set upon my
humble effort, I can only say, that I had designed it from the first
as a present for your excellenza, and only ask in return, that it
may find a place in your private and unrivalled collection-if,
indeed, it shall be deemed worthy of that honor."

"Signor Americano," said the duke, "it shall share the Tribune with
our best pictures, and shall be prized alike with them."

Now the Tribune, so called, was a small apartment of the duke's
gallery devoted to the gems of his collection, and so named after a
similar appropriation in the departments of the grand gallery of
Florence. The hanging of a picture in this place was of itself alone
the highest compliment the author could receive through his
production; and so did Carlton understand and appreciate the honor
thus designed him, which also was the more welcome, being entirely
unexpected.

He could hardly realize that his humble effort should be deemed
worthy of such preferment, or that it could possibly possess such
merit as to warrant its being placed side by side with those of the
immortal masters, whose humblest follower he had ever deemed
himself. No wonder his heart beat now so quickly, and he breathed so
fast; the goal of his ambition was before him, and almost within his
grasp. It seemed only necessary for him to reach out his hand and
pluck the garland of success and of renown. The pause that had
intervened here was but for a single moment of time, when it was
once more broken by the duke himself, who spoke, as he felt, most
kindly and in encouraging tones.

"Signor Americano," said the duke, "thy habiliments are those of one
whose purse is but narrowly lined, and we are at a loss to account
for this willingness to part with that which has cost thee labor of
months, and in which thou hast been so eminently successful. We do
much crave the picture, but will nevertheless forego its possession
unless it can be had at our own valuation."

"As the picture was painted for your excellenza, and you design for
it such honor, I could wish its free acceptance; but it must be
yours on any terms," said Carlton.

The assembly then dispersed, and our hero received a purse of gold
for his picture, exceeding in amount his wildest expectations of
what he might earn by his art in years of industry and frugality.

The scene he had successfully perfected, represented two applicants
for justice, standing before the Pope of Rome. They were priests,
and had come before him for his judgment in the matter of contention
between them. They were ushered into the presence of the pope by a
high official, and to this usher had Carlton given the features of
the duke's chamberlain. It was a superb design, and represented a
late occurrence well-known to the people of Florence, and for this
reason, aside from that of its acknowledged superiority, possessed
peculiar interest at that time.

The deep, yet natural expression of feeling depicted in each
countenance, the perfect harmony of the general conception and its
completeness of finish, rendered the picture a study requiring time
to comprehend and appreciate all its many excellences. It was
finished, and the work of half a year, pursued with the utmost
assiduity in secret, had proved successful. All his pains and
self-denials were now forgotten; he was doubly paid for all his
sufferings-he even looked back upon them with a conscientious pride,
and deemed that he had bought his preferment cheaply.

And such is ever the fate of true genius; it rarely receives the aid
of fortune in gaining fame, but struggles on, dependent upon its own
slow but sure preferment. This is self-evident; for genius may
remain ever latent, unless brought out and improved by stem
necessity.






CHAPTER VI.

THE MASQUERADE BALL.





Prosperity's the very bond of love.

-Winter's Tale.

WHAT a perfect chequer-board is this same game of life on which we
all hold so transient a lease. Time is the board, and the various
vicissitudes of life make up the chequered field, ourselves the
wooden "men;" each and all strive for preferment, and whether it be
gained or not, depends solely upon the shrewdness of him who plays
the game. The "king-row" may designate the pinnacle of earthly
wishes and hopes, while the various "moves" may show the struggle
for that desirable goal-happiness. Ah! how many of us get "penned"
and "cornered"--and many too, in their headlong course, are "jumped,"
and taken off the scene of action. Truly, there is a vast similitude
between this game of chequers and the bolder one of life.

Here was poor Carlton but lately struggling along the chequered
field, now moving literally towards the king-row. In a few
subsequent weeks, with a well-filled purse, he was enjoying life and
his art like a true gentleman, and was the envy of every artist in
Florence; and yet they all strove to do him honor, at least; so it
appeared, orders for his productions crowded upon him from all the
nobility, not only of Florence, but of all Tuscany. The private
palaces of the environs of the city were thought incomplete in their
collections, unless supplied with one at least of his pictures, the
patronage of the Grand Duke, and his own work, which occupied the
favored place in the Pitti Palace, having raised him to the pinnacle
of fame as an artist.

All Italy honored the productions of the fortunate American, and
scarcely could a Raphael or a Titian have been more respected or
honored. It was his own genius that had raised him and no accident
of fortune.

"This young American monopolizes the market with his brush just
now," said one artist to another.

"Ay, and gets such princely prices, too, for his pictures! Funny
world, this! It is scarcely three months since he was likely to
starve for want of work."

"All the Grand Duke's doings; he can make as easily as he can mar a
man", replied the other.

"But a man must have genius to fill the place Carlton holds."

"As much as you might put on a knife's point-no more," said the
other, enviously.

The long Italian day is past, and its shadows have died over the
neighboring mountains, giving place to the voluptuous and dewy
twilight, which lightly wraps itself with its soft mantle of studded
stars closely about the lovely breast of the Val d'Arno. But a few
hours later, and the Palazzo Pitti is one blaze of light, and the
thrilling music of the duke's favorite band resounds already among
the fountains and groves of the gardens; already have commenced to
congregate the gay courtiers and lovely dames of this land of the
sun. The diamond tiaras that sparkle on those lovely brows are less
dazzling than the lovely and soul-ravishing eyes that look out from
that mental diamond, the soul within; the jewelled stars upon those
manly breasts well become the noble bearing of the wearers.
Brilliant indeed was the soiree of the rich and liberal Grand Duke
of Tuscany. The Austrian-born monarch seemed to delight in
surrounding the nobles of his court with the most magnificent luxury
and display that wealth could procure, as if he would fain show his
Italian subjects his own national taste.

"The duke spares no expense in his entertainments," said the English
consul to a friend, by whom he was standing.

"I have known him send to Rome frequently for an artifice to serve
him a single evening," was the reply.

"It may be a weakness thus to lavish expenditure, but it is a most
brilliant one," said the consul.

"And one which is dictated as much by policy as by his own personal
gratification," said the other.

"Perhaps so; but without questioning his motives, we may at all
events enjoy the feast he spreads."

"That is but proper and reasonable, and I most heartily subscribe to
the same,"

It is a masked ball that occupies the gay throng in the ducal
palace. That is to say, in accordance with a general custom of the
times, those who please are masked until midnight, when, at the
sound of the hour from the great throat of the bell, all masks are
removed, and all disguises laid aside. Carlton as the successful
protege of the Grand Duke, and Carlton the humble artist, was a very
different person. He was the observed of all observers; and many a
rich belle sought his side-nay, even leaned upon his arm, as he
strolled through the gorgeous rooms of the palace. They were
sufficiently disguised by their masks to remove any fear of personal
recognition; and therefore, those who knew him not, save by the late
scene of winning the prize, besought his escort for the dance-a
piece of forwardness quite allowable during the masked part of the
ball. Many were the eyes that were bent upon him; and more than one
glance of jealousy was shot towards him by s young nobles, as they
saw the belles drawn to his side.

[SEE ENGRAVING.]

Carlton was naturally graceful, dignified and handsome, and bore his
new position as though he had ever filled it-now chatting gaily with
this lady, now with that, but all the while striving to detect
through the many disguises of dresses and masks, the one form that
was to him all in all-the queen of his heart and his love, Signorina
Florinda. He was himself unmasked, and wore a rich Grecian
head-dress, a tunic of dark velvet, trimmed with rich ermine, and
clasped close about the throat with checks of gold. His silken hose,
and velvet shoes faced with silver thread, set off his fine limbs to
perfection. A light, graceful dirk hung at his silver girdle,
finishing a costume of great simplicity and beauty. On his right arm
there now leans the peerless figure of a countess, with whom he
promenades and chats in his gay and spirited way, while she is
evidently much captivated with him-indeed, so much is this apparent,
that a figure of less height, dressed in a simple peasant's garb and
masked, steals up to his side and whispers some words into his ear;
but though the reader may easily guess who that peasant girl really
was, for the moment Carlton knew her not, and gently declining some
proposal from her lips, he turns and walks on with the countess
through the blaze of light and grandeur.

"That fellow carries it with a high hand," said one young noble to
another, referring to Carlton.

"Ay, but he has the full countenance and favor of the duke, and none
can gainsay him."

"Well, he is deuced clever," said the English consul, who was
talking with the other two.

"Is it a fact that he is American?" asked the first speaker, still
regarding him.

"Undoubtedly. You know he was announced as such when he won the
duke's prize."

"How the ladies take to him," said the English consul.

"And he to them," added another.

"The Signora Florinda is said particularly to affect him, and he may
win a prize there," said one of the group.

"That would be too bad-the richest heiress in Florence to throw
herself away thus!"

"'There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip,'" quoted the
English consul, and then walking away.

And thus Carlton was the unconscious theme of comment to a large
portion of the assembly. But the hour approaches when the heavy bell
of the palace strikes the midnight hour, and the masquerade will be
broken up, and each and all appear before each other in their true
characters. Peasant girls will don the attire more fitting their
station; kings and queens will descend to their true estates;
brigands will lay by the threatening paraphernalia of the
mountain-robber, and hooded monks will assume a more worldly attire.
The hour is struck, and the scene changes!

All is once more life and gayety, but the mask is discarded, and
each one is undisguised. See, as the grand chamberlain, with the
golden key of office wrought ostentatiously upon his ample velvet
mantle, aids in arranging the preliminaries of the dance, he pauses
to address with respect, and yet with a degree of familiarity, a
tall, manly person of noble bearing, and of handsome features,
opposite to whom stands, as partner for the dance, Signora Florinda,
the duke's ward. The queenly beauty of her person is the same as
when we first met her, so lovely and captivating. The few months
which have intervened since that period, have only served still more
to perfect her ripening mould; and though scarcely nineteen summers
have shed their golden wealth upon that genial land since her natal
hour, yet she is in the full bloom of lovely womanhood.

See how gracefully glides that beautiful form through the mazes of
the dance!-how fondly, as she rests within the encircling arm of her
partner, does she look up into his face, drinking from the eloquent
eyes that meet her own of the nectar of love, as the Suri rose of
Syria sips the dewy treasures of the twilight hour. That partner on
whom she rests so fondly, gentle reader, is the humble painter who
won the prize of the Grand Duke; the now rich and honored Carlton,
the protege of Leopold.

The generous monarch who ruled over that portion of Italy under his
charge with the liberal and provident hand of a father, held most
regal court-spending of his enormous revenue with a gallant and open
hand. His excellency was a connoisseur in all matters of the arts,
to which he was enthusiastically devoted, and also a most liberal
patron to their interest; consequently he lavished all honor on him
whom he thought so deserving of it, and the entire court now pointed
to the envied artist as being the favorite of the Grand Duke.
Carlton's new patron found qualities in the young American artist to
admire and love, and there grew up between him and the duke a real
and earnest friendship quite remarkable.

"No more thanks," said the duke to him one day as they were
together. "You challenge me to praise, to reward, and to love you,
and I cannot help doing all three."

"Your highness is only too lavishly kind to me," was the earnest
reply.

"But touching this affection which has sprung up between you and my
ward. I shall have plenty of opposition in that matter; but if
Florinda loves you, by our lady, she shall be yours."

"Your highness is ever adding to my indebtedness to you," said
Carlton.

"Say no more, say no more, Carlton, but make your own terms."

The consent of the duke was thus freely obtained to the marriage of
Florinda and Carlton, and the observant monarch discovered the
preference of his ward long before it was announced formally to him.
So far from opposing the object, he even encouraged it in every way
that propriety suggested; forwarding its interests by such delicate
promptings as his feelings would permit. He loved Florinda as though
she had been his own child. This feeling, as we have seen, was first
induced by the affection which existed between his ward and his
lamented wife, and was afterward strengthened by her many beauties
of mind and person.

Carlton and Florinda sat together in a private apartment in the
royal palace. The latter was playing a favorite air upon the guitar
to the artist, who sat at her feet watching with admiration every
movement of that beautiful and dearly loved form. He found every
attribute there worthy a heart's devotion. Like the worshippers of
the sun, who believe that God sits there on his throne, so did he,
in his homage, picture the good angel of all things in the heart of
Florinda.

Let us pause for a moment, to describe the apartment in the Palazzo
Pitti, devoted to the fair Signora Florinda, and where she now sat
with him she loved. It was fittingly chosen, being in a retired yet
easily accessible angle of the palace; an apartment lofty and large,
yet not so much so as to impart the vacant and lonely feeling that a
large room is wont to do over the feelings of the occupant when
alone.

It was lighted by two extensive windows, reaching nearly from the
ceiling to the floor. The magnificence of the furniture, the rich
and well chosen paintings that ornamented the walls, and in short,
the air of unostentatious richness that struck the beholder on
entering it, showed at once the good taste and general character of
the occupant.

On a little table of elaborate and beautiful workmanship, were
placed with a few rare and favorite books, some curious ornaments
from the hands of the cunning artificers of the East, most
beautifully fancied, and from which a moral might be read telling
the fair occupant of the unhappy state of her own sex in that far
off clime.

The broad, heavy and richly-wrought curtains that tempered the light
admitted through the gorgeously stained glass windows, were of
Tuscan satin, blending, like the skies under which they were
manufactured, a most happy conceit of rich and rosy colors. Pendant
from the hoops in which both were gathered, hung a bunch of ostrich
feathers of showy whiteness belieing, as it were, the country of
their nativity-swarthy Africa. They were more for fancy than for
use, though they did sometimes serve to chase the flies.

The seats and couches were of stuffed and figured velvet from the
manufactories of the queen of the Adriatic, Venice. The scarcely
less soft and pliant carpet was of eastern ingenuity, and no richer
served the Turkish Sultan himself. Two opposite sides of the
apartment were ornamented each with a mirror of extensive size.
About their richly gilded frames was wound, in graceful festoons,
the finest Mechlin lace as a screen for the eye.

On one side of the room stood an American piano, and beside it a
harp of surpassing richness. Here Carlton and Florinda were seated
at this time in all the confidence and enjoyment of acknowledged
love.

"Carlton, I told thee that fortune would smile upon thee; thou
rememberest that I told thee."

"It has indeed, and I am blessed."

And thus saying, he pressed the delicate, jewelled hand that he held
affectionately to his lips, while his eyes beamed with love.

"You have promised me that you will visit my native land with me
after our marriage, dear Florinda."

"O, nothing will delight me more than to see the American Republic;
the cities and towns of the New World, its people and customs. O,
how I have ever wished to travel! Only to think, Carlton, I have
scarcely been out of Italy! I once made a trip with uncle across the
sea to Malaga and back, touching at the islands; that was years gone
by. Since then I have been at times to Milan, Genoa, Leghorn and
Bologna, but never out of Italy."

"America is not like thy sunny land, Florinda."

"Ay, but it is the land of thy nativity, and I will love it for thy
sake, And then it is a free, republican government; there are no
serfs there-all are freemen. How proud you should feel to belong to
such a country."

"I do indeed feel proud, dear one; and doubly so when thy eloquent
tongue describes it so well."

He touched the guitar lightly and gaily, while he thought of the
happy tour they would make together.

"How proud I shall be of thee," he continued.

"How proud I am of thee."

"There is little pride in thee, Florinda, or thou wouldst never have
consented to marry one of my humble pretensions."

"Carlton," said the lady, reproachfully.

"And thou wilt marry the humble painter?"

"Nay, the envied artist, and protege of the duke."

"Ah, little have I coveted this advancement, but for the hope that
it has given me concerning thee, Florinda! The favored friend of the
Grand Duke has dared boldly to ask for that which the poor artist
could only hope for."

Florinda and Carlton were happy in the anticipation of future joy,
foreseeing for themselves a path of roses in the fairy future.

"But fortune is fickle, dearest, and even now I tremble."

"You are ever suspicious, Carlton."

"Not in most matters, but in those relating to thee, Florinda."

"Now, I am ever looking on the sunny side of our life-picture."

"It is good philosophy to do so, if one can but accomplish the
purpose."

"And yet, Carlton, one will sometimes be reminded that there is a
shadowed side to the brightest scenes and hopes."

"We will seek its bright side, dearest."

"With all my heart.-Carlton, do you not remember that you left the
heroine of that story you were last telling me in a most critical
situation?"

"True, she was carried off by the banditti. Shall I complete the
story?"

"Yes, pray do."






CHAPTER VI.

THE RHINE LEGEND COMPLETED.





They laugh that win.

-Othello.

"WELL, Florinda, you must go with me in imagination to the mountain
fastness, which I referred to as the robbers' stronghold in the
mountains. A month nearly had passed since the period of Bettina's
being carried away from her home, and the time I would introduce you
there. It is a wild spot, almost inaccessible, unless one knows the
secret paths which have been hewn up the sides of the rocks, and
through the otherwise impassable undergrowth of the forest, by the
perseverance and labors of the robbers. The rude castle, which I
would now describe to you, was built with consummate military skill,
and the walls and bastions, though small and low, could hold out a
long time against any strength that might be brought against it.
Ever prepared for an enemy, too, was its cautious master and his
outposts were as regularly set as are those of an advancing army in
an enemy's country.

"Hither had the fair Bettina been conducted; and here, with a simple
peasant girl to serve her, had she been treated with all respect,
save that she was a prisoner. Rude were the inhabitants of this
uncongenial spot; fierce in aspect, but completely under the control
of the master spirit, whom they called captain. Hark! A peculiar
wild cry rings over the tree-tops, and echoes among the rocks and
hills; and observe how quickly those who have been loitering upon
the ground spring to their feet, and Petard himself comes forth from
that portion of the tower devoted to his retirement. That was some
recognized signal-that cry which, to the uninitiated, might have
been mistaken for the whoop of an owl, or some wild bird's cry of
fright.

"The secret is soon disclosed. That signal betokened the taking of a
captive, and there was soon led into their midst the person of one
whom misery seemed to have laid violent hands upon, with garments
torn and soiled, with a step that indicated weakness almost to death
itself, the face disfigured by unshorn beard and hair, and eyes that
looked sunken and large from famine. Such was the bent and
woe-begone figure that was now half-supported, half-led into the
midst of the band.

"'From whence comes this man?' asked Petard, regarding him
curiously.

"'He was found lurking about our outskirts, captain, and we thought
it best to arrest and bring him in.'

"'It is well,' continued the captain of the robbers. 'What have you
to say for yourself, fellow? What brought you in these regions, away
from town and habitations?'

"'Give me food, food!' gasped the prisoner.

"'Ay, by our lady, he's famished,' said Petard, with a natural
burst of feeling. 'Here, bring bread-a flask of wine.'

"He was obeyed, and the new comer drained the flask to the bottom,
and devoured the food voraciously, until those about him interfered,
saying that he would kill himself after so long an abstinence; and
truly there seemed to be some grounds for this fear, so ravenously
hungry did he seem. Gradually, as the wine warmed his veins, and the
food, to which some dried meats had been added, began to satisfy the
cravings of hunger, the stranger rose from his bending posture, and
new life seemed infused into his system. His eyes, though somewhat
hollow, seemed to brighten and light up his rugged face. There was
manhood in him, and that pleased the bandits; he showed no signs of
fear, and looked boldly about him, like one who was accustomed to
rely on himself, and was prepared to stand forth at any moment in
defence of his rights.

"'If thou canst fight as well as thou canst eat, my man, thou art a
jewel of a fellow,' said Petard, carefully scanning the new comer,
who seemed every moment brightening up from the effects of the
nourishment.

"'Give me but rest and more food, and you may then try me,' was the
brief reply.

"'Thou art a sensible fellow,' continued Petard, who was evidently
pleased with the stranger, 'and shalt be humored.'

"A rude couch was spread by the robbers amidst their stacks of arms,
and throwing himself upon the skins thus prepared for him, the
stranger slept for hours, until the bright sun was high in the
heavens on the following morning, when, after another abundant meal,
he seemed like a new creature; he stood erect, and his fine dark eye
shone with the fire of resolution and of strength. His story was
soon told; he had outraged the laws, was seized and condemned to
punishment, had effected his escape and fled to the mountains, and
wandered about until half-starved, and nearly dead with fatigue, he
had thus been found.

"'Your story is plausible, but what shall we do with you? You know
the secret of our paths through the mountain, and it is not safe to
let thee go abroad to reveal them,' said the bandit chief.

"'Make me one of you, then,' said the stranger.

"'We make but few members,' replied Petard. 'It is not our way; and
men must possess peculiar qualities to obtain a place with us, and a
share of our prize-earnings.'

"Probably courage, strength and a ready hand are worth something
among you,' said the stranger.

"'Yes, but we all possess these,' replied Petard.

"'In a degree,' said the stranger, emphasizing the last word.

"'What mean you?' asked Petard.

"'That perhaps he who offers you his services is a better man than
you take him for,' said the other.

"'In what respects?' asked Petard.

"'In all things that constitute manhood,' was the reply. 'Yesterday
I was weak and worn; to-day I am myself again. And no man of this
band can bear the palm from me in the use of those powers which
Heaven has given us.'

"'Without weapons, you mean to say,' added Petard.

"'Without weapons I defy your best man,' said the stranger,
evidently desiring to display some prowess which should gain him
admission to the band.

"There was a consultation between Petard and a few of his officers
and men, and finally there stepped forth a large, powerful member of
the troop-the bully of the band-who offered without weapons to
contend with the new comer. The terms were properly stated by the
captain, the ground chosen, and the contest begun. The skill,
strategy and strength of the stranger were confounding to the
robber, and he was cast upon the ground totally disabled in a very
few moments. The robbers being angry at this, another stepped
forward, was vanquished as quickly, and another, and still another,
until Petard himself interfered, declaring that he who could thus
fight without weapons, and with such skill and decision, must be a
strong auxiliary in time of need. He was installed, therefore, with
due ceremony, as a member of the band.

"It was a fine, clear night," continued Carlton, "that on which it
came the turn of the new comer to guard the tower in which Bettina
Etzwell was confined. The stars shone out like mystic lamps, and the
broad turrets of the robbers' stronghold cast deep shadows upon the
open plats that had been cleared about the spot. All was still.
After an evening of revelry, the band was sleeping, and the single
guard paced to and fro, apparently not daring to sit down lest he
should fall asleep. In the lone tower above him was the fair
prisoner. She realized her true situation, and she knew that her
father would use every endeavor to raise the sum requisite for her
ransom. She knew enough about the habits and practices of the
banditti, not to have any fears for her personal safety, since it
was so much for their pecuniary advantage to protect and respect
her. Indeed, Petard had frankly told her of the communications that
had taken place between her father and himself concerning her
ransom.

"But hark! What startles the fair girl so suddenly? See, she hastens
to the turret window, and listens absorbedly to the low but musical
notes of a human voice. Is it because the song is so familiar to her
ear, that she is thus moved? Perhaps there are recollections
connected with this air that are particularly affecting to her, for
her fair bosom heaves quickly, and her whole figure seems agitated,
as she gazes out upon the night, and her eyes rest upon the person
of the robber who guards her captivity, while a clear, manly voice,
though in subdued cadence, pours forth the touching notes of a Rhine
song with singular delicacy and sweetness.

"'Can there be two such voices?' she asked herself. 'Is there magic
at work? That is certainly the voice of Egbert, but yonder guard who
sings thus is one of these detested banditti!'

"In her excitement, she leaned forth from the turret-window, while
at the same moment the new member of the band drew towards it. All
was still; the revellers slept. Petard himself slept. Only this
single sentinel and the prisoner were awake!

"'Bettina, Bettina!' whispered the guard, with his hands to his
mouth, so as to direct the sound to her ears alone.

"'God be praised, Egbert! Is it indeed you?' she exclaimed aloud.

"'Hush, it is your devoted lover; be discreet!' he answered."

"I knew it was he," interrupted Florinda.

Carlton continued. "'I will, I will. But this dress-the office you
fill. What does this mean? I am amazed, Egbert.'

"'I am here under a disguise,' he replied, 'and have just joined the
robbers to liberate thee. Be careful, watchful, but never appear to
regard me let what may occur, for I may be foiled at first in my
purpose.'

"'My father-' lisped Bettina.

"'Is well,' said her lover. 'All will go well if thou wilt but be
cautious.' Come to the outer door-I have the key.'

"'Shall we fly?' she asked.

"'Not to-night; preparation must be made. Perhaps to-morrow night,
for I have the watch here for two nights, and shall see you then.
Come down for a few moments.'

"In an instant more the lovers were folded in each other's arms.
Egbert had never before embraced her; but their present situation
was one to break down all barriers of mere formality, and Bettina
sobbed upon his breast, blessing him for his, courage in thus seeking
to rescue her. These were precious moments, and they improved them
in arranging everything for the coming night. Egbert, as she bade
him good night, handed her a jewelled dagger, saying that let what
might occur, she had that silent friend!

"It is just four weeks since the first instalment on the robber's
demanded ransom was paid, when the agent of Petard again appeared in
the hall of Botzletz Castle, confident in his personal security,
well knowing that the old man's daughter was the hostage held for
his safety and the fulfilment of the contract, and demands a second
quarter of the ransom. He was a dark, sinister looking Jew-for this
was the class through whom the bandits universally performed all
their business arrangements with people whom they could not
personally approach-himself interested by the large percentage which
was the payment for his part of the business. The Jew was most
pertinacious in his demand.

"Karl Etzwell, the merchant, received the Jew, listened patiently to
his demand, and then calmly said:

"'Two hundred and fifty marks of gold thou hast already received
from me on this business.'

"'I have,' replied the Jew.

"'And thou now demandest an additional two hundred and fifty?' said
the merchant.

"'It is my business,' was the answer.

"'Canst change me a good obligatory note for five hundred?' asked
the merchant.

"The Jew drew forth his bag of gold, and after a brief examination,
said:

"'If thou wilt take a few diamonds at their true valuation, I can
make up the sum on the spot, but I shall charge you goodly usury.'

"'It is well,' replied the merchant.

"'You agree to this?'

"'Count out the money,' said the old merchant.

"It was done, and the Jew deposited upon the table two hundred and
fifty marks of gold, partly made up by a score of fine diamonds.

"'We should have some witnesses to this transaction,' said the
merchant. 'I will summon them.'

"'It were better done between ourselves alone,' said the Jew.

"At the same moment the heavy folding-doors behind the seat occupied
by Karl Etzwell were thrown open, and two persons, a lady and
gentleman, advanced towards the old merchant, They were Bettina and
Egbert!

"'Foiled with thine own weapons!' said Egbert, advancing and
securing the money which the Jew had deposited upon the table. 'This
is the exact sum that was paid to thee four weeks since. It is now
returned, and you are a marked man. If seen again in these parts, I
will myself have thee cut in piecemeal, and hung at my castle gates.
Now, villain, get thee hence!'

"'Gentlemen, you forget that there is a captive who will pay the
penalty of all this,' said the Jew, with a demoniacal grin.

"'You are not fully informed, Sir Jew,' said Egbert. 'Your principal
could inform you that his bird has flown, and I tell you that there
she stands beside her father.'

"The Jew uttered a smothered execration, and tore his hair for a
moment in despair at the loss he had experienced. But the iron grip
of Egbert's powerful hand upon his shoulder awoke him to a sense of
pain and fear for his safety, and he hurried away.

"The descendants of Egbert and Bettina still live happily in their
ancestral home," added Carlton, "and often relate the story of the
manner in which the famous bandit Petard was foiled by the gallant
and daring stratagem of Egbert Hosfeldt."

"This is a happy ending, indeed," said Florinda.






CHAPTER VIII.

A RIVAL.





Excellent! I smell a device.

-Twelfth Night.

EVERY picture has its dark side-no scene is all sunshine; and so it
is our duty to depict the shadow as well as the brightness of the
fortunes of those whose story we relate. Carlton had met with
opposition, circumstances which he had bravely overcome had impeded
his progress, physical suffering had been patiently endured, and yet
the dark side of his fortune might be said to have hardly been
turned upon his gate as yet. The love of Florinda had ever sustained
him; her solemn promise to be his wife, her tender love and constant
affection-all these had rendered his hardships mere pastimes. But
now matters were to assume a different aspect; a new stumbling-block
was to appear in his path, and a most serious one, indeed.

Florinda had an uncle resident at Bologna, where he had lived some
three years previous to the opening of our story, filling some post
delegated to him by the government. This uncle, Signor Latrezzi, was
very fond of Florinda, or at least he had always appeared to be so;
and up to the time the Grand Duke had become her guardian, he had
himself assumed the care of his lovely young niece. Some openly
declared that he had done this from mercenary motives; but be that
as it may, the story will divulge his character. He had not left her
surrounded by the gayety and dissipation of the court of Florence
without some misgivings, lest some untoward circumstance might
befall her, or that she might become entangled in some alliance
contrary to her own interests and his desires.

In consequence of these promptings, he had earnestly impressed upon
Florinda at the time of his parting from her, on his way to Bologna,
to be wary and careful. The truth was, that her uncle had laid out a
plan for her future, and would have been very glad to have remained
by her side in order the more surely to carry it out, but he could
not decline the office to which he was now appointed, and thus he
was obliged to leave. He had long designed her hand for an equally
favorite nephew on his wife's side, and on this match had firmly
fixed his heart. Some said that this was because he desired so
earnestly to sustain the character, name and blood of the house of
Carrati, of which Florinda was the sole survivor; others, more
shrewd, declared that the uncle had a sinister motive beneath all of
those so apparent.

Florinda was no stranger to this expectation, but had never given it
thought, either in favor or against the consummation of her uncle's
ideas. The subject was rarely alluded to, and even her uncle deemed
her still too young to entertain the idea of matrimony. In a country
and among a class where matches were so commonly mere matters of
business and mercenary calculation, such an affair did not create
much remark or interest between even the parties themselves. Aside
from the considerations of family honor, the pride of birth and
noble blood, the large, nay, unequalled fortune of Florinda-always
excepting that of the Grand Duke-was a strong inducement to this
step. That her relation had some personal ends in view, in
connection with the proposed alliance, was equally obvious to all
who knew the mercenary and selfish character of his general
disposition. His treatment towards Florinda had ever been kind and
fatherly, but this course was adopted only that he might gain the
necessary ascendancy over her mind and purpose to make sure of his
plan.

This plan of procedure, artfully adopted by her uncle from her very
childhood, had completely deceived Florinda-as we shall have
occasion to see-and she was led to believe him kind and affectionate
to her, who was proud and selfish in all his dealings with the rest
of the world. His nephew, Petro Giampetti, was probably the only
being he really loved; nor was his regard for him unalloyed, but
tempered with that selfishness that formed a prominent trait in his
natural disposition. He was childless himself, and had lost his wife
by death not many years previous to the time of which we write-two
circumstances which had rather tended to augment his unhappy
disposition.

At times he was moody and thoughtful, and some matter seemed to
weigh heavily upon his mind. He was, however, a peculiar man, with
few personal friends and no confidants, and there were some dark
hints thrown out touching his honesty in the matter of a sum of
money entrusted to his care and disbursement by the government. But
policy had led to this report's being hushed up on the part of
government, for he was of noble blood.

This nephew, Petro Giampetti, was a handsome youth after the style
of the Italians, possessed of all the noble and revengeful passions
so common to his countrymen, yet by no means an evil-disposed
person. His dark, swarthy countenance was rendered handsome by a
remarkably deep, piercing eye, about which there was a certain
something which, while you could not exactly describe, yet left an
unpleasant effect upon the beholder; a certain expression that
seemed to say that when an object was to be gained, the means would
sometimes be disregarded.

He had been much with Florinda from childhood, and he was taught to
consider her as his future wife. As to love, he might be said to
admire her beauty of person and mind, for none knew better how to
appreciate both than Petro; and, taken in connection with his
anticipated union with her, he perhaps loved her as the world goes.
But she had never excited in his bosom that latent passion which
smoulders in every heart, and which chance, earlier or later, will
eventually fan into a flame.

He thought the matter settled, and lived accordingly, giving himself
little trouble or thought as to the affair. He had often
congratulated himself, since he had become of an age to appreciate
such things, that he was to be so nobly connected, aside from the
unbounded wealth there was in store for him. To speak more
particularly, this latter consideration was of no little weight with
one whose family coffers and private purse were sadly low and much
needed replenishing.

Petro held the office of private secretary to his uncle in his
capacity as an officer of state, and was consequently called with
him to Bologna, and there resided with him until a few months
subsequent to the awarding of the prize by the Grand Duke for the
favored picture presented at the Pitti palace, when the business
which had called them from home being completed, he followed his
uncle on his return to Florence. He came back with a light heart,
little anticipating the scenes that were to follow, or deeming that
his hopes of future wealth and distinction by means of the proposed
alliance with Florinda, had suffered in his absence.

Thus stood matters at this period of Carlton's good fortune; and
here might have commenced our tale, but that we wished to show the
reader "how love does not level the proud, but raiseth the humble."

When Signor Latrezzi learned what had occurred during his
absence-that his most darling wish was about to be frustrated, and
the work of years overthrown, as it were, in a single day--his anger
knew no bounds, nor did he attempt to control it. He threw aside the
mask, and the storm burst about the devoted head of Florinda in all
its wrath and fury.

The uncle could hardly realize the present state of affairs, so
unexpected was it to him, Was it to this end he had played the
hypocrite so many years, that he had given away to all the caprices
of a wayward girl, and humored her most annoying fancies? He could
scarcely contain himself. Here was a denouement for the proud old
noble-his niece engaged to an American artist; his Italian blood
boiled at the thought. Petro, too, as we have intimated, little
dreamed of the fire that had been kindled in Florinda's heart-a
flame that all the coldness of her uncle, ay, and his assumed
authority, too, could not possibly quench.

She was an inmate now of her uncle's household, or rather, he had
full charge of her father's house, where she resided; and though in
many respects entirely independent of him, still, in the matter of
forming so important a connection, she hardly dared to proceed
openly and at once contrary to his expressed wish, and even orders.
Immediately on her uncle's return to Florence, Florinda had removed
from the duke's palace to that of her forefathers, in order to
assume, in some degree, the direction of her own affairs. Here
Carlton was peremptorily refused admittance by the directions of her
uncle; and thus poor Florinda was little less than a prisoner, in
her own house, not daring to meet Carlton, if she could have done
so. Thus commenced a drama which was to have a tragical end; and
Florinda and Carlton found a sudden end to their late happy and
joyful intercourse which neither had anticipated.

"Signor Latrezzi," said the duke one day to Florinda's uncle, "this
young American is a noble fellow."

"Doubtless, if your highness thinks so."

"Think so-I know so, signor!"

"Your highness has much befriended him."

"No more than his merit deserves."

Signor Latrezzi bowed, but said nothing.

"Signor, you have observed his intimacy with Florinda?"

"Excellenza, yes."

"A fine couple they would make."

"Does your excellenza think so?"

"To be sure I do; and if I mistake not, so does the lady."

"I know not that, excellenza."

"Ask her then, Signor Latrezzi. Either I cannot read the language of
her fair face, or she loves the artist."

"But he's a foreigner, excellenza."

"What of that?"

"Nothing, save that Florinda is nobly born, and bears some of the
best and oldest blood of Italy."

"Time will settle the matter," said the duke, turning away.

Signor Latrezzi having ascertained that the duke favored the
alliance of his niece with the American artist, was too good a
subject-or rather, too experienced a courtier-to attempt openly
before his master to oppose the matter, taking good care to avoid
any interference with one whose wish, when expressed, was law. His
opposition to the proposed marriage was, however, none the less
rigorous; and he determined, on such occasions as he could do so, to
exercise his spirit with impunity, and he was often heard to say
that the affair should never take place, even if he was himself
obliged to call out the young American to single combat.

The thought of the bare possibility of the connection as sanctioned
by the duke, so embittered his feelings as to render him
disagreeable to all about him. His conscious pride and self-interest
both prompted him in this emergency; for in the case of Florinda's
marrying Petro, as we have already intimated, there would be some
important pecuniary interest of his own benefited thereby-and then
his old aristocratic notions were shocked at the prospect of the
plebeian match.

Now was poor Carlton cornered on the chequer-board of life, and he
must play boldly, if he would reach the desired goal. He had those
to deal with who possessed every facility and advantage successfully
to battle him in his hopes and plans. But then he was no longer the
poor painter, who did not know where his next meal was to be
obtained; he was no longer the hungry artist-the butt and jest of
his old companions. No! he was under the patronage of the Grand
Duke, whose personal friendship he could boast. His brush brought
him daily-or as often as he was pleased to exert himself-large sums
of money; and his well-lined purse was significant of his unbounded
success in his profession as an artist.

Carlton knew as well as those who had ever possessed the means, how
best to employ them when at his command. His noble person was now
garbed in the rich dress of a court favorite, while the plenty and
comfort he now enjoyed had again filled his sunken cheek, and lit up
the fire of his bright hazel eye; his hair, long and curling about
his spirited and intelligent face, was the pride of Florinda, and
the envy of the whole court.

His fellow-students of the academy were also but too happy to
receive the least attention from their late companion; he now moved
in a grade of society far above them-a circle which was as
inaccessible to them as the throne itself. What was his return to
them for the spirit they had ever manifested towards him? Did he
retaliate and put them to shame? He did not retaliate, and yet he
put them to shame-ay, his was a noble revenge; he returned them good
for evil.

Carlton's kindness to those who had so illy treated him was
unbounded; they received no such return from him-far from it. He
encouraged in every way their studies, and even condescended
gratuitously to teach them, and they were very ready and happy to
thrive under his instruction. Thus did he heap coals of fire on
their heads, showing them what sort of a spirit they had trampled on
in its adversity.

"Whither away, in such haste?" asked one young artist of another in
the streets of Florence.

"To Signor Carlton's, the American artist," was the reply.

"All Florence is after him-what want you?"

"He is to give a finishing touch to a bit of canvass for me."

"That's clever of him."

"Yes, since no one can do so well as he," was the ready
acknowledgement.

Thus were the tables completely turned. Little did his former
companions and fellow-students dream of this transition of good
fortune to the share of him they had so lately scoffed at in the
open streets of Florence. One, to see their ready obeisance now, and
their earnest endeavors to please him, would hardly think they had
ever treated him with less respect.

So goes the world. If ill fortune betide us, how many stand ready to
give us a push on our downward course, and to scoff at our misery;
but let the tide turn and set favorably on our bark, and none are so
ready to do obeisance as those very curs who have barked and growled
at us the loudest. Carlton, the court favorite, the unrivalled
artist, the now liberal and wealthy Carlton, was a very different
person from the threadbare artist who turned from his companions on
the piazza at noonday.

He retraced his steps towards the grand gallery at that time, faint
and hungry, because he had not the means to procure for himself a
dinner, avoiding his fellow-artists to escape the mortification of
expressing the extent of his poverty and want.

Carlton was in doubt as to the most proper course for him to pursue.
He hardly dared to lay the matter in its present form before the
duke, lest it might seem impertinent and obtrusive in him towards
one who had already extended unprecedented kindness and protection
towards him; and yet he knew no other source upon which he might
rely. In this dilemma, Carlton grew quite dejected. He was one of
those persons who, notwithstanding he possessed a strong mind and
determination of purpose, was easily elated or depressed in his
spirits; and the present state of affairs rendered him sad enough.

He was rudely repulsed in every endeavor to gain an audience of
Florinda by the menials of Signor Latrezzi-who had been instructed
to this effect by their master-and Carlton was obliged to content
himself with an epistolary communication, having to conduct even
this in secret.

At length one day, finding the duke in a happy mood and at leisure,
he frankly stated the matter to him as it actually existed, and
begged of him to advise him what course to pursue in the case.

"Signor Carlton," said the duke, kindly, after hearing him to the
end, "I have little love for this uncle of Florinda's, and therefore
avoid any issue with him, or I would openly express my wishes on
this point. But as it is, Signor Americano, there are fleet horses
in Florence, and ready postilions about the gates of the city, who
know the route to Bologna over the mountains! Thou hast ridden in a
cabriolet, signor?"

"A cabriolet?" repeated Carlton, inquiringly.

"Yes, there are plenty in Florence."

"Your highness is pleased to be facetious."

"Not at all."

"Then why speak of cabriolets in this connection?"

"Canst not take the hint?"

"Your excellenza speaks in riddles."

"One of thy discernment, Signor Carlton, should understand me."

"Would your excellenza have me clo--"

"I would not have you do anything but that which your own judgment
should approve," interrupted the duke.

"Thanks, excellenza, I understand you."

"You may be assured of my friendship in all cases when it can be
reasonably exercised," continued the duke.

"Your excellenza is ever kind."

A new field was opened for Carlton, and he was as much elated as he
had heretofore been depressed; and he resolved to take the hint of
the duke, and bring matters to an issue in the most summary manner.

Young Petro Giampetti immediately on his return to Florence, having
learned the state of affairs between Carlton and Florinda, had
resolved at once to challenge his rival; being an expert swordsman,
and knowing Carlton's peaceful occupation, he made no doubt that he
could easily despatch him in single combat, and thus rid himself of
one who, to say the least, was a very dangerous rival.

In this frame of mind, Petro sought some cause of difference with
Carlton other than the true one at issue-a quarrel could hardly be
raised, inasmuch as the latter remained ignorant even of the
pretensions of Petro, or the design of Florinda's uncle up to the
time of their return from Bologna.

Failing otherwise to accomplish his purpose, Petro, whose standing
and connection served him as a key to the royal presence, sought to
offer at court some slight to Carlton, so public and marked as to
render it necessary for him to demand satisfaction after the code of
Italian honor. Three times, in pursuance of this object, he had
vainly endeavored to accomplish his purpose; but each time, Carlton,
basking in the sunshine of royal favor, turned by without notice the
intended insult in such a manner as to show himself as feeling far
above an insult from such a source, and again in so cool and
diplomatic a manner, as to turn the very game upon poor Petro
himself, who found that nothing save some open and decided offense
could bring matters to an issue.

"You don't seem to get along very fast in this little matter," said
one of his friends rather tauntingly to him.

"No, it doesn't look much like a draw-game between them, either,"
said another friend, venturing a pun.

"Curse him," growled Petro, "he's a coward, and wont take offence.
What can a man do in such a case as that?"

"Carlton doesn't look to me just like a coward," said one of the
speakers; "but he doesn't want to fight you, Petro."

"Can't help it," said Petro, "he must do it."

"Well, then, give him a chance, and have it over."

"I'll improve the first opportunity, believe me."

But Petro did not further annoy Carlton that evening; the coolness
and self-possession he evinced quite nonplussed the angry Italian.






CHAPTER IX.

THE DUEL.





What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill.

-Timon of Athens.

AS we have said, Petro, finding that nothing short of an open and
downright insult could bring Carlton to be the challenging party,
therefore resolved to make a bold attempt to accomplish this. He was
revolving this matter over in his mind, when an event occurred which
led him to be the challenger in fact. He was strolling home from the
weekly cordon of the Grand Duke one evening, and was just turning an
angle of his uncle's palace walls, when hearing the voice of a
female in answer to that of a man, he paused, and following the
sound, discovered Florinda leaning from a balcony in the lower range
of the palace, and in close conversation with his hated rival,
Carlton. This was sufficient, under the circumstances, to raise all
his fiery spirit, and he determined that it should serve him as a
pretext for a quarrel.

Placing himself hard by where he knew Carlton must pass in his
leave-taking of the palace, he patiently awaited his coming; and but
a short time elapsed before Carlton, bidding good night to Florinda,
was hastening from the spot, when he encountered Petro, whose dark
countenance was the very picture of rage, while his large, dark eyes
were wild with inward passion.

"Signor Carlton!"

"Signor Petro!"

They exclaimed, on confronting each other.

Carlton for a moment was thrown off his habitual guard, and losing
his temper, was about to retort upon Petro with interest, both in
frown and, if need be, with blows also. But recalling himself, he
assumed his usual precaution, and looked upon the angry Italian
coolly, and without the least exhibition of temper.

"Well, Signor Carlton."

"Well, Signor Petro."

"Your mock me, signor."

"You mock me, signor."

"Signor, you are my enemy."

"You seem to wish me so."

"This talk will not serve for you, signor."

"If you like it not, it were best for you to step on one side, and I
will pass."

The Italian bit his lips with suppressed rage, and seemed too angry
to trust even his voice; but he did not remain long silent.

"Signor Americano," said Petro, warmly, "you have insulted my uncle
and myself by this secret interview with Signora Florinda, and I
demand of you immediate satisfaction for it."

"Signor Petro, I have no cause for contention with you," was the
reply of Carlton. "I know you love not the lady, and you are equally
aware of her feelings towards you. Why then, I ask, should there be
strife between us upon this subject? Surely, you would not seek the
hand of one who does not love you! This is inconsistent, Signor
Petro."

"Do you accept my challenge, or shall I brand you as a coward in the
streets of Florence," was the abrupt and passionate rejoinder. "It
would sound bravely, by our lady, to write coward against the name
you have rendered so popular, sir artist, among the nobilita in
Florence."

"I will have no contention with thee," said Carlton, his feelings
struggling warmly with his determination to avoid the course which
his early education had taught him to regard with the utmost
abhorrence.

"Then I will brand thee as a coward!"

"Until you do that, I shall never fight you," said Carlton, calmly.
"I would rather lose my hand than draw the blood of one related by
any ties to her I love; but if it must be so, you can take your own
counsel."

"This is fine language, signor."

"It is honest language."

"I should require other evidence to make me think so."

"Because you cannot appreciate the feelings that dictate it."

"In what respect?"

"As they are caused by my regard for Signora Florinda."

"It is well to assume a virtue, if we have it not," said the
Italian, scornfully.

"I assume nothing, Signor Petro."

"Flatter not yourself that you can escape me by this assumed tone of
feeling, Signor Americano."

"You have my answer, signor."

"I shall take an early opportunity to keep you at your word," was
the menacing reply, and they separated.

Carlton would rather have engaged with any other person in an affair
of this kind than with Petro, for obvious reasons; and, as he said
to him, besides which, he had the greatest aversion to "affairs of
honor," but from principle only, for his was as brave a heart as
ever drew sword.

Petro at length hit upon a plan which must necessarily bring on the
desired meeting. Accordingly, at the cordon of the Grand Duke, on
the following week, at the Pitti Palace, when Carlton entered the
gorgeous apartments, a murmur ran through the assembly, raised by
the friends of Petro, who had preconcerted the plan, of "Coward,
coward!"

It was uttered, as we have said, in whispers, but it is a word that
can be heard a long distance. The young American did not even change
color, but turning his bright and sparkling eyes upon some of the
principal offenders, he gave them a look that touched them keenly.
He did not evince by any outward appearance how deeply his pride was
wounded, but he felt it at heart none the less severely. He even
looked more cheerful than was his wont, conversing gaily with the
ladies of the court. His fine noble countenance was lit up with
additional spirit, and his friends even complimented him on his
happy appearance. Yet it was all forced-ay, a lie that his proud
heart compelled him to.

"What a goodly outside falsehood hath!" How many there are like
Carlton at that moment! While they smile, they but hide a raging
passion within. A smile may cover up the wildest storm of the
spirit, as well as show forth its own sunshine!

The giddy dance went on, and gayety was the mistress of the hour.
Carlton mingled in the dance, and even by good chance succeeded in
gaining the hand of Florinda for a set. Her uncle, fearing the
displeasure of the duke, avoided any public opposition as we have
before said, to the attentions of Carlton; consequently in public he
enjoyed her society as one friend may enjoy that of another, while
the world are by. The hours flew by as hours only fly along the
happy, until the time had nearly arrived for the guests to depart,
when Carlton, coolly walking up to Petro, who stood in an exposed
situation, said, in a tone not to be mistaken:

"Signor Petro, follow me!"

"Si, Signor Americano," was the prompt reply.

Both left the hall together, the friends of Petro alone
understanding the probable design of the movement. The two sought a
secluded cafe in silence, and then settled the preliminaries for a
meeting, or duel, on the following morning, in which Petro declared
one of them should fall.

"I would have escaped this encounter for your sake as well as my
own," said Carlton, after the arrangements were concluded. "I know
very well that you have a reputation for being an expert swordsman,
but I fear not. Justice is stronger than art, and you will find it
so, Signor Petro, on the morrow."

"I do not wish to anticipate, Signor Americano, but I must advise
thee to prepare for death on the morrow."

"True, Signor Petro," said Carlton, earnestly, "neither of us
knows what the morrow may bring forth."

"Signor," said Petro, now in evident good humor at his anticipated
success, "you should have chosen the pistol, to have placed yourself
in any possibility on equal terms with me."

"I can use either," was the reply.

"Ay, as a child would use them. What has thy profession to do with
arms, that thou shouldst ever deign to know their use? It is not yet
too late-say, shall it be pistols? You can yet choose," said Petro,
touched with that spirit of honor which would sometimes actuate him.

"I have already spoken on that point," said Carlton.

"Very well, then, signor, with the sword. But in that case, the game
will possess but little interest, being all on one side."

"To-morrow's sun can speak more fittingly of these things than we
can do to-night," was Carlton's reply.

"You bear yourself with assurance, signor."

"We will not hold any controversy, Signor Petro."

"Until to-morrow."

"At the appointed time I shall be ready."

"Be sure I shall expect you."

"We understand each other on that point."

"Hold, will you bring weapons, or shall I procure them?"

"Our seconds can arrange for us."

"True."

Thus saying, the two separated to meet on the following morning at a
secluded spot in the Apennines, which rise gracefully from the very
gates of Florence, gradually attaining to an immense height, and
making their home among the clouds. To have travelled where we would
fain have taken the reader at the outset, one must have sailed in
the southern seas among the islands, have run the Gibraltar passage,
and seen the blue water that lies among the Italy mountains. He must
have looked upon the Apennines from the sea, and run down the coast
that teems with the recollections of three thousand years.

The mist was slowly creeping up the mountain's side on the following
morning, scarcely three hours from the time that the duke's guests
had departed, when Petro and his friends, closely followed by
Carlton and his companion, sought the appointed rendezvous for the
meeting. The cool, fresh breeze of the morning air, that
strengthened as they ascended the mountain, one would think should
cool the passions of any creature. Not so with Petro; for the
Italian fire of his spirit was up-the dark, deep passions of his
nature-and nought but blood could appease their cravings.

The spot was gained, and each made the usual preliminary
arrangements-all being prepared, the two approached each other.
Carlton had disrobed himself of coat and vest, and now stood before
his antagonist clothed only in his lower garments and linen. Petro
laughingly told his companions that he could punish the Americano
with his garments on, not deeming the task of sufficient weight to
compel him to remove his tight-fitting upper garments. A few moments
were passed in the usual guards and thrusts, when anon commenced the
feint, the ward, as each grew warmer in the contest.

It was evident to all at the outset that Carlton as well as Petro
was master of his weapon. This much had surprised those who had
supposed him not possessed of the least knowledge of the exercise.
But Petro found him far more than a match for all his boasted skill
and experience, but with great astonishment, he continued to exert
himself to the utmost.

It was a singular scene, that presented by the two combatants thus
arraigned before each other in mortal combat. The Italian heated,
his eyes and face swollen with excitement and passion, while his
antagonist was as calm and unmoved in temper, as though he were
fencing with the foils, and only for pleasure. It was a tragic
scene, as evincing the brute nature to which man can bring himself.

In the heat of the contest, Petro soon lost his temper, while
Carlton, cool and collected, parried his wild and headlong thrusts
with consummate skill; and at length, after showing him how
fruitless were all his efforts to wound him, Carlton by a masterly
movement disarmed his antagonist of his blade, at the same time
striking the left hand of the Italian a blow with the flat of his
sword that laid it bare to the bone!

This put a stop to the duel for a few moments, when Petro, almost
beside himself with rage, now threw from him his upper garments in
imitation of Carlton, and having had his hand properly dressed, yet
smarting under the severe wound he had received, resumed his sword--
Carlton remaining in the meantime resting upon his sword, careless,
as it were, whether the fight was resumed or not.

"Signor Petro," said Carlton, when they approached each other the
second time, "it is evident to your friends, I presume, that you are
no match for me in the weapons we hold. I advise you to withdraw
from the contest. You have already expended your blood in the
vindication of this system of honor, and wounded as you now are, can
hardly do yourself justice."

"Stand to your defence!" said the enraged Petro, whose blood was now
completely up. And unheeding the generous proposal and language of
his antagonist, he rushed upon Carlton almost without warning, thus
essaying to take advantage of him; but the quick and practised eye
of the latter saved him, and the rain of blows and thrusts that
Petro made at him were as harmless as hail-stones upon a slated
roof. Carlton acted entirely on the defensive; had it been
otherwise, he could at any moment have drawn the heart's blood of
his enemy, who, only intent on the life of his successful rival,
strove not at all to protect himself from the sword of Carlton while
they fought.

Carlton again permitted him to work thus in his wild fury for some
minutes, when at length, by another masterly effort with his weapon,
he again disarmed his antagonist, throwing his blade over the heads
of the company, and immediately, apparently with the same effort, he
wounded Petro in the sword arm with such force and earnestness, that
it fell powerless by his side. Though severely wounded in both arms,
still in his wild rage the Italian could hardly be persuaded to
leave the ground peaceably.

Thus ended the duel between Carlton and Petro.






CHAPTER X.

THE ELOPEMENT.





Not vanquished, but cozened and beguiled.

-King Lear.

THE duel described in the last chapter, it will be remembered, was
not sought by Carlton. Indeed, he would gladly have avoided it, if
possible-first and foremost, because it was diametrically contrary
to his principles and sense of moral rectitude; and secondly,
because his opponent was indirectly kin to her whom he loved above
all in life. Thus much we say to place our hero rightly before the
reader, who should not look upon him inconsistently.

The critical reader may perhaps question the propriety of Carlton's
wounding Petro at all, inasmuch as he is represented to be able to
have defended himself with comparative ease from the heated and
headstrong Italian's sword. In answer to this, we would say, that
besides there being always the possibility of his being wounded by
the enemy's sword, the very fact of his returning to the fight when
severely wounded, showed that Carlton had rightly judged of his
character, its vindictive impulses, when he deemed both wounds
necessary. He gave the second one unwillingly; and not one moment
before he thought it absolutely necessary to do so; all those on the
ground could have borne testimony that there was scarcely an instant
of time that Carlton had not Petro's life at his command, if he had
chosen to take it.

"Why, Carlton," said a merry-faced Englishman, who had been his
companion during the interview, and who was now walking with him
down the mountain's side, "I could hardly believe my eyes to see
thee such a master of thy weapon. How hast thou possibly attained to
such extraordinary proficiency with the sword?"

"You remember the little Frenchman, who lived so long with me?"
asked Carlton. "He who had his snuff-box ever in his hand?"

"That I do," said his companion; "and a merry, studious, jocund,
lazy, cowardly and brave little fellow he was. In short, I believe
there was no quality, however contradictory-good, bad, or
indifferent-that he did not possess."

"He was a bundle of inconsistencies," added Carlton, smiling at his
friend's description.

The truth was, he had accurately described a certain class of that
versatile nation, the French, which are often met with in every
country, wanderers or exiles from home. While we write, we have one
in our own mind, well known to our good citizens who is familiarly
designated by the sobriquet of "the Emperor."

"Well, Carlton, what of our little knight of the snuff-box, eh?"

"You remember that I was poor in those days, and the clever little
Frenchman offered to teach me the sword exercise, if I could teach
him to speak English. It was a bargain, and so did he, and so did I,
until I flatter myself both became proficients in their distinctive
branches of learning. Carnot taught the exercise in the Grand Army;
so he graduated in a good school, and was indeed an excellent master
of the weapon. It has been my only recreation and exercise for
nearly a year; and I confess I feel quite at home with a good blade
in my hand."

"You use it with wondrous skill."

"Do you think so?"

"Certainly; even his second complimented you, and said blade was
never more skilfully handled."

"This Petro Giampetti is also a good swordsman," said Carlton, "and
with a little more coolness would carry a sure point. The pistol is
the weapon for your hot-headed fellow; he does not find a chance
while using it to work himself into a passion, as with the sword."

"Yes; but then with powder and ball, the veriest dunce in
Christendom may blow out a gentleman's brain, while it takes an
artiste to run one through the body handsomely. Give me the sword,
Carlton-I've a great horror, in such cases, of 'villanous
saltpetre.'"

"I have no taste in such matters; but knowing the boasted prowess of
Signor Petro with the sword, I preferred that weapon, though I think
you have seen me do some pretty things with the pistol, Brownlow? It
was a silly fancy I had when a boy to learn its use."

"An' I had carte and tierces at my fingers' ends as thou hast, I
would give a thousand pounds," said his companion.

"I'll tell thee how to gain it."

"By what means?"

"Shut thyself up as I have done for months together, with no
companion save the brush, and no money to purchase books for
perusal, and thou couldst learn it as readily as I have done; always
supposing you to have as expert a teacher as that little Frenchman,
Carnot, who in all else was anything but a companion-ay, a regular
bore. But in mastering my aversion for him, why, you see, Brownlow,
I became master of the weapon."

"Very true, but I have no Carnot to teach me; and to-day I see what
I lose by the want of one."

"I'll teach it to thee, myself, Brownlow, when both of us have
leisure," said Carlton.

"Do so, and I will repay thee at any cost."

And this, too, was one of those very artists, who but a few months
previous had scoffed and jeered at him in the open streets of
Florence.

How beautiful was the prospect that spread itself out to their view
as the mist cleared away from their path down the mountain. Below
them lay, in all its beauty, the city of Florence, the pride of
Tuscany, and the Val d'Arno, crowded with white palaces, whose walls
lay sparkling in the morning sun like the trembling waves of the
sea.

Carlton returned to his lodgings, which were now the best and most
capacious apartments of an ancient palace, the principal windows of
which opened fronting the tall eminence of Fiesole, crowned by the
gay old monastery where Milton passed many weeks while gathering
materials for "Paradise Lost."

Here Carlton had his studio, the daily resort of the beauty and
fashion of Florence, while his home was also the receptacle of all
that taste could suggest, or the most fastidious could desire,
contrasting strongly with his late want and suffering. Even the
Grand Duke honored his studio with an occasional visit, which
rendered the other artists of the city more jealous and envious than
ever.

About a month had passed since the duel upon the mountain-side, and
during that time Carlton was only able to communicate with Florinda
through means of epistolary correspondence. For some time he had
employed a servant of the house of Carrati as his messenger; but the
fellow being bribed by the agents of Petro, intercepted the letters,
and now Carlton was forced to become his own messenger or bearer of
the letters he himself wrote. He was now urgent in his
communications to the gentle Florinda that she should elope from her
home and become united to him; and their arrangements were nearly
completed, as the following letter, written at this time, will show:

"DEAR FLORINDA:-I am more and more convinced of the propriety of the
course I have urged upon you. You say that such a plan may
jeopardize your largo property. This is a mistake, I am fully
convinced; and even were it otherwise, what need we care for
wealth, if we are sure for a sufficiency for life, and of each
other's love? I am highly gratified, dearest, that you have at
length consented to this arrangement. I will, in the meantime, make
all necessary arrangements for our journey. I count the moments
until we shall meet again. Guard your health, dear Florinda, and
believe me, Devotedly yours, CARLTON."

Carlton then proceeded immediately to perfect his plan, and to make
all necessary arrangements for the proposed elopement, and in
another letter to Signora Florinda, he made all preliminary
arrangements with her also, so that there might be no
misunderstanding in the case.

It was night, and the pale moon, as if in a fickle mood, was smiling
and scowling by turns, as the fleecy clouds hurried swiftly past
her. The fitful and sudden glances of light appeared doubly bright
from the transient shadows made by the officious clouds. They,
deeming that the moon took too much credit to herself as queen' of
light for the hour, designed apparently to let her know that she
reigned only at their will and pleasure.

Now bursting through their veiling power, the moon would for a
moment cast long deep shadows down the narrow streets, and here and
there would light up for an instant some antique palace front with
dazzling richness, and as quickly die away again, as though it were
at play with the earth. It was difficult in this alternating of
light and darkness to use the eye so as to discern objects with
certainty; and an individual could with difficulty be recognized
between the changes, however near he might be to the observer. The
character of the night was wild and threatening-a night for evil
deeds.

The gates of the city of Florence were just closing, and the
gathering clouds had entirely obscured the light of the moon, as a
caleche-and-four, with an extra postilion, dashed off from the Borg'
ognisanti, on the mountain-road towards Bologna. The inmates of the
vehicle exchanged not a word. The female seemed to be affrighted at
the headlong speed with which the double team drew the light caleche
up the mountain's side, while a postilion sat so near, and the
attendant at the lady's side, together seemed an excuse for the
silence, even if they were that which any one would have pronounced
them, a runaway couple.

Anon the gentleman would offer some polite attention to his
companion, but without the exchange of a syllable; and, indeed,
words could hardly have been heard at the rate they were driving
through the dark, on account of the loud noise of the wheels and
horses' feet among the stones and uneven soil of the rising ground.
On rolled the vehicle with the speed of the wind--every one knows
how Florentine horses can go when they have a mind to-until at
length it pulled up at a highland roadside inn of most uninviting
character. The lady was immediately assisted in silence from the
vehicle, and scarcely had they entered the low, dark parlor of the
inn before the gentleman whispered to her:

"The priest is here, and will unite us immediately."

"But why this haste, dear Carlton?" said Florinda, for it was her.

"There is no time to lose," was the whispered response.

"But should not--"

"Hush, Florinda!"

"But Carlton--"

"He is here," was the whispered interruption.

And in a moment more a priest made his appearance, and, without
giving either time to unrobe themselves, had they been so inclined,
commenced the marriage service. The ring was given in that dark
room-so dark that the features even of the minister of the church
could not be discerned-the prayer was made, and the two were
solemnly declared to be husband and wife. The lady had essayed
several times to speak aloud, as we have seen, to express some
feeling or wish, and she seemed as if anticipating some
encouragement from him she was about to wed; but she was each time
hushed by the speed with which everything was done, or by a gentle
whisper from her companion. The ceremony completed, the signora drew
back to a chair, overcome by her swift ride, and the emotions that
crowded themselves upon her throbbing and trembling heart.

At this moment there entered the apartment the tall figure of a man
apparently advanced is years, who, turning his back upon Florinda,
conversed for a moment with the bridegroom, then both turning
towards Florinda at the moment a couple of lamps were introduced
into the room, when lo! she beheld before her Signor Latrezzi, her
uncle, and her husband, Petro Giampetti! With a scream of horror and
affright, she fell fainting upon the floor.

The uncle and nephew were both filled with horror, for both believed
that they had killed her, as they gazed upon her pale and lifeless
form. Either would lave sacrificed everything to have taken all back
again, and restored her to life and happiness. Can this be thee,
Petro Giampetti, trembling like a child-nay, a tear actually wetting
that swarthy check, as you chafe the pulse, and bathe the temples of
that insensible girl? And hast thou really so tender a heart, and
yet couldst enter into so hard-hearted a conspiracy? And thou,
Signor Latrezzi, well mayst thou hide thy face in thy hands, for
thou art the greatest sinner here; thine has been the hand that hath
done this; that hath triumphed over this poor girl, whom thou
shouldst have protected.

"Holy virgin," cried Petro, "she's dead!"

"Say not so," eagerly exclaimed her uncle.

"God forgive us!" answered Petro.

"Ay, we have need of forgiveness, if we have brought on such
extremity," said the uncle, trying to raise the lifeless head of
their inanimate victim.

Leaving the guilty, nephew and uncle for a while, we will take the
reader back for a moment in the thread of our story.






CHAPTER XI.

THE INTERCEPTED LETTER.





Any man that can write may answer a letter.

-Romeo and Juliet.

IN such a tale as we now tell you, gentle reader, and when written
within such limits, it is impossible to keep each portion of the
plot equally advanced, or rather not to anticipate certain results.
There is also an advantage in this mode of arrangement which perhaps
is in itself sufficient excuse for the author. It heightens the
plot, and renders it more absorbing to the reader, by suddenly
laying before him some startling tableau and seeming inconsistency,
but which the sequel of the story renders plain and reconcilable
with other portions of the story.

Having said thus much for the scene we have presented to the reader
at the roadside inn on the Apennines, we must now go back with him
to the night on which Carlton delivered his letter of arrangement to
Florinda, and thus render our tale plain to the comprehension of
all.

Carlton, as we have said perfected his plan for the proposed
elopement, and in another letter to Florinda he communicated the
particulars, delivering the missive with his own hands as
heretofore. There was a certain hour agreed upon between them, in
which Signora Florinda was to be at the balcony of her apartment
every evening; and thus, although Carlton might not be able to hold
much conversation with her, yet he could deliver any written paper
he might desire, without the fear of interruption or detection.

It was necessary to accomplish all with the utmost secrecy in order
to ensure success. Now Petro had been led to suspect by some
circumstances, that the meetings between Carlton and his cousin had
been renewed. He determined to ascertain if this was the case
through his own personal observation; and on the occasion of the
delivery of the letter in question, Petro being on the watch,
discovered Carlton in the act, and also overheard the following
appointment made by him with Florinda:

"I will call for an answer at eleven, signora; I hope you may
perfectly comprehend my plan and fully acquiesce in it."

"At eleven?"

"At eleven, signora."

"Hark, heard you not some one?"

"No, I heard nothing."

"It sounded very near to the balcony."

"In the street?"

"Yes; I am sure I heard someone."

"Some passer-by, Florinda," said Carlton.

"Pray thee be careful, Carlton, we may be watched."

"I will be discreet; do not fear."

"There, the figure is turning yonder street!"

"Ay, and pauses to observe us; I will away. You will remember."

"I will await you at that time, Carlton."

"Good night, Florinda," whispered Carlton, pressing the hand
extended to him from over the balcony, just within reach.

"Good night." And they parted from each other, not daring to hold
further conversation lest they might be observed, and their future
plans suspected and defeated by the agents of her uncle.

Petro determined to prevent this meeting, or rather to be present at
it, and he hurried from the spot without meeting Carlton, resolving
to be punctually at the terrace a little before eleven. It was
evident that he had formed some plan in which he placed much
confidence, by the revengeful smile that played about his scornful
lips.

It was near the hour of eleven that night, when Carlton drew near
the little terrace that jutted from the window of Florinda's
apartment, He saw by the pale moonlight reflected upon the clock of
the neighboring church, that it lacked yet some fifteen minutes of
the appointed time for the meeting, and humming lightly to himself,
to kill the minutes, he sat down within a shady angle of the palace
wall. His approach was noted by the watchful Petro who, as soon as
he saw him seated, determined, if possible, to obtain possession of
the answer which he knew Carlton awaited!

To accomplish this purpose, required much cunning and prudence; but
he was fully equal to the plan-for what Italian has not cunning and
intrigue in his natural disposition? In pursuance of this object, he
approached the little terrace before alluded to, and which was a
trifle higher than his head, and situated at this time within the
shadow of the moon. By a slight and almost imperceptible noise, he
essayed to attract the attention of Florinda, and led her to suppose
that he was Carlton, and there awaiting the expected answer
according to appointment, The wily Italian gathered the ample folds
of his rich cloak about his person, so as to partially cover his
face, upon which there was a most demoniac smile, picturing revenge,
hate and every evil passion, to which a heavy moustache lent
additional fierceness.

In one hand he held a keen stiletto, while he extended the other
above his head to receive the letter from the hand of Florinda. It
was necessary for her to reach some distance over the edge of the
small projecting terrace, in order to place it in his hand; this she
did, using the customary precaution, and not venturing to utter a
word as she heard footsteps approaching her room. Petro having thus
possessed himself of the letter, retired to a place from whence he
could watch the movements of Carlton without himself being observed
by the young American.

As the clock of the neighboring church struck eleven, Carlton sprang
to his feet, and assuming his place under the terrace, awaited the
coming of Florinda, little suspecting the trick that had been played
upon him. But after awaiting somewhat impatiently for nearly an
hour, he was compelled to return to his lodgings, almost trembling
with fear lest some serious accident had befallen her he loved, or
at least that their plan might have been discovered, and she
subjected to consequent ill-treatment and fresh rigor by her uncle.
All this while Florinda, as little suspecting the fraud that had
been played upon them as Carlton himself, was quite contented and
happy in the anticipated success of their plan, and dropped to
sleep, thinking of him, after humbling herself before the throne of
grace in fervent prayer-that key to the gates of Paradise.

Florinda was naturally of a devotional character; and this feeling
had grown and strengthened by her companionship with the late
duchess, who was noted for her piety and goodness-and in fact came
to her death, as is well known, by too much rigor imposed upon
herself in devotional penance!

Petro, after satisfying himself that the ruse had not been
discovered, sought his own apartment in the palace to read the
letter he had thus possessed himself of. He hesitated for a moment
before he broke the seal-we will do him the justice to say so-even
in this stage of his conduct, his sense of honor had not entirely
left him. It had not yet become so blunted as to render him entirely
reckless in the debasing deed he was about to perform. With a sort
of desperate resolution-for he had never before done so mean an
act-he opened the seal. The letter was brief, and ran as follows:

DEAR CARLTON:-I leave every necessary arrangement to you. I will
meet you as you propose to-morrow evening at the hour of ten. I
would for certain reasons that it might be later, but the gates of
the city I am aware close at that hour. Have a care for your own
health and safety, Dear Carlton. I will meet you with a single
attendant on whom I can rely, at the appointed time, and at the gate
opening upon the Borg' ognisanti. Affectionately thine, "FLORINDA."

"So, so; the bird had nearly flown from us," said Petro, as he read
this epistle. "Here's a plot; and if I do not so counter-plot as to
render it of no avail, other than for the furtherance of ny own
design, then I am no man. It is well that I took this matter in hand
at this time. A day-nay, an hour later might have been too late.
Singular coincidence that should have brought me to the place and
the subject at the most opportune moment. Little does this fellow
think of the rod that is in pickle for him. But I will be even with
him. I will not sleep while he pursues the game; vigilance alone
must gain me my object. No, no, Signor Artist, you cannot thus pluck
this beautiful flower unchallenged; you are observed, and your
object is understood, Scheming requires counter-scheming; and you
shall have that to your heart's content. Italy against America, by
the virgin; but we will make this a national quarrel, if it be
necessary."

He gazed upon the letter thoughtfully for some moments.

"Let me see," he continued, "this is not a very difficult hand to
imitate." And he commenced to write different words and form
capitals after the style of Florinda's note. "I think I can do it,"
he said at length. "But the seal-how shall I manage that? Stay, I
can use this same one with a little care. Capital!" he exclaimed.
"I'll have this business all in my own hands." And Petro Giampetti
laughed outright at the prospect of his success in this vile plot
against his cousin.

Petro was an expert and practical penman, being, as we have said,
private secretary to his uncle, Signor Latrezzi; and thus being
quite an expert in the use of the pen, he was the more easily able
to prosecute his dishonest purpose, Thus he commenced carefully to
write a note addressed to Carlton, and purporting to come from
Florinda, in answer to his note of that evening. With her note open
before him, and carefully noticing its style and manner, both in
chirography and composition, he cunningly traced the following
lines:

"DEAR CARLTON:--In consequence of an unforeseen accident which I need
not now explain, I shall not be able to meet you until to-morrow
night, when I will do so at the hour named, and at the place
designated. Be careful of your own health and safety, and do not
attempt to see me until the time we meet at the gate opening on the
Borg' ognisanti.

"Affectionately thine, FLORINDA."

This he addressed after the style of Florinda's note, sealed very
ingeniously with the identical seal she had used on the note which
he had intercepted, as we have seen, and forwarded it early on the
following morning by one whom he could trust to Carlton, thus fully
carrying out his plot of deception against them both.

Petro's heart somehow throbbed strangely in his breast, and his
conscience was very ill at case. He felt that he was enacting the
coward's part in this business, and already half wished himself out
of it. But if the game was a bold and hazardous one, so was the
prize a brilliant one; and so he closed his eye to remorse, and
spurred forward.

Thus we blindly pursue the goal of our wishes, little heeding the
cost, though we know that retribution is sure!






CHAPTER XII.

NEPHEW AND UNCLE.





A serpent heart hid with a flowering face.

-Shakspeare.

HOW ingenious are the expedients to which the mind will resort to
justify itself, and endeavor to still the warnings of conscience. He
who commits a sin, first deceives himself, for he is led to believe
that the culpable deed will be productive of a greater degree of
happiness than evil to himself, else his own selfishness would
deliver him from the act. I did not mean this into evil, he will say
to his conscience, as it prompts him in its own silent way.

Thus Petro, by a like process of reasoning, had brought himself
almost, if not quite to the relief that the end was a justifiable
one, and so did not hesitate at the means necessary to accomplish
it. Was not Florinda about to marry a heretic, an American, a mere
artist, without any claim to noble blood, and against the wish of
her uncle and guardian? How cunningly did Mahomet add a new chapter
to the Koran in justification of his amour With Mary the Coptic
girl! "All things are fair and honorable in love," said Petro to
himself, "even as in war; and I should be a fool if I failed to take
advantage of any circumstance that chance may throw in my way. No,
no; honor is not to step in between me and my love-it shall not
defeat my purposes. I will win the battle first, and then repent
afterwards. 'Tis the only course I can pursue."

Having reasoned to himself much after this manner, he communicated
the whole affair to his uncle, in whom he was sure of finding one
who would lend his ready aid in the accomplishment of his purpose.
Signor Latrezzi having employed every other means to prevent the
proposed connection between Florinda and the American artist, gladly
received the proposition made to him by Petro, and fully entering
into the spirit of the latter, determined to resort to stratagem to
accomplish his grand object.

It was accordingly agreed between Petro and his uncle that he,
Petro, should be at the gate that night, as specified in Carlton's
note to Florinda, where he should meet her so disguised and muffled
up as not to be recognized, and thus by artful management pass for
Carlton; soon after their leaving the city, they were to stop at a
small public house on the road, where a priest should meet them; and
having received his instructions from Signor Latrezzi as to the
particulars of the case, would understand how to play his part in
the deceit, uniting them without question.

And thus it was agreed that Florinda should be made to marry Petro,
thinking him to be Carlton. To render all things sure, and that
nothing should be overlooked as it regarded necessary precaution,
the uncle was to go on and stop at the inn during the afternoon with
the priest, and arrange everything properly for the proposed
deception.

"It is the only means by which we can accomplish our purpose," said
Petro to his uncle, in justification of the plan they had adopted,
and snatching at any idea that might screen him in some degree from
his own conscience, relative to the dishonest measure they were
engaged in.

"It is plain," said Signor Latrezzi, "that this Signor Carlton-this
American artist, has got the girl's heart."

"Irrevocably."

The uncle started-the thought shooting across even his hardened and
calloused heart-can this man design to marry Florinda, and yet
believe, as he says, that she irrevocably loves another man?

"Ay," he continued, with the purpose of justifying himself, as Petro
had done, "she is so obstinate about it, too."

"Yes, but this will most certainly render her perfectly tractable-no
doubt," said Petro-with a laugh, thus showing how much he really
loved her who was destined to become his victim.

"There's little heart in this business."

"True."

"And after all I like it not."

"Nor I, but it must be."

"It does seem necessary."

"Unquestionably."

"If I thought otherwise, I would not consent to it, Petro."

"Nor would I engage in it," said the nephew, with some degree of
honesty.

"We shall be sure of the duke's displeasure."

"Yes, that we must count upon,"

"It will not, however be anything serious."

"Probably not."

The thought again striking Signor Latrezzi, he said:

"There will be little love between thee and the girl, I fear."

"It will be all her own fault if I do not become devoted to her,"
said Petro, in answer to this suggestion, and yet in a tone of
derision; for he had his mind more upon Florinda's fortune and title
than upon her person, though he did also feel an ambition to possess
so rich and rare a jewel as herself.

"Do you know, Petro, how Signor Carlton first became acquainted with
Florinda? It has ever been a mystery to me."

"'Twas at the convent, I believe," replied Petro. "I have been told
that he was employed by the prioress to copy some valuable painting,
and while thus engaged, formed the acquaintance."

"Gita" (Florinda's maid) "has told me that it was he who taught her
to play so sweetly upon the guitar. Can this be so?"

"Si, signor, this also commenced at the convent. Carlton exhibited
by chance one day his singular skill upon the instrument, and being
engaged there for many weeks, he became acquainted with many young
ladies, and among them Florinda, to whom he gave a few lessons on
the instrument. Afterwards becoming better acquainted with Florinda,
he taught her some of the airs of his country, and by degrees seemed
to impart his really singular skill upon the instrument to her. I
never knew that these Americans were such musicians before."

Petro spoke truly. Carlton had first become acquainted with Florinda
at the convent as stated, and while teaching her upon that most
graceful instrument, the guitar, of which he was a perfect
master-each learned to love the other, without realizing the fact
until the time for parting arrived, when the tears stood in
Florinda's eyes while they met Carlton's, and each read a volume of
love and constancy there. They often met from that time, and the
gentle and high-born Florinda loved the young American artist as
dearly as he did the loveliest girl of the sunny Val d'Arno.

Petro was safe in his calculation, at least as far as it regarded
his deception and stratagem with the letter between Florinda and
Carlton; for, having received the letter despatched by Petro that
morning, Carlton did not for a moment question its genuineness, but
proceeded at once to make his arrangements accordingly, supposing
that the intended elopement was only delayed for twenty-four hours
by some unforeseen circumstance which had occurred in the household
of Florinda's uncle.

This was a reasonable construction of the matter; and with this view
of it, and as she had requested him not to attempt to see her until
they met at the gate, Carlton mounted his horse and rode out of the
city, proposing a pleasure trip upon the mountains until night. We
will not deny that he was disappointed, but having implicit
confidence in Florinda's judgment, he believed that she could not
have unnecessarily delayed the appointment.

Petro had made all his arrangements with a zeal and care worthy of a
better cause. It is but too often the case that we find activity and
zeal exerted in behalf of the wrong; for the rogue, conscious of his
evil purpose, exerts every faculty to accomplish his end, and to
screen himself from the detection he constantly fears.

Here was an uncle and nephew plotting a young girl's misery-coolly
and understandingly consigning her to a lot, which, of all others,
is most to be dreaded by a female heart. She little suspected their
treachery-and where should she not have first looked for deceit,
rather than among those who should have proved her protectors?
Florinda had ever loved her uncle and, until she had learned some of
the evil traits of his character, had respected him, too. But as she
grew older and more observant, these things forced themselves upon
her attention, and she was obliged to concede their truth to her own
heart, though she never made mention of the matter to another. Of
Petro-she had never loved him; and while they were yet children and
playmates together, they could never agree.

The deep, dark passions that Petro inherited from his father, often
broke out on the most trivial provocation, to the terror of
Florinda, until she more feared than loved him. As both had grown
older, Petro acquired more command over his evil passions, and
Florinda had learned to look upon him with indifference; and yet she
felt his absence for so long a time at Bologna to be a relief from
an unpleasant restraint she felt in his or her uncle's presence.
Signor Latrezzi discovered this growing dislike of his niece for
himself; and this was another argument with himself why he should
resort to the proposed stratagem to accomplish an end which
otherwise appeared to be receding farther and farther from his grasp
every hour.

His earnestness in the matter showed fully that he had some private
purpose in view, and this Petro suspected, and he at length
ascertained his desire to cover up some pecuniary fraud he had
committed upon her estate. But he was willing to let that remain in
obscurity, provided he could get the management of the rest, which
was indeed an immense estate in value.

Such were the uncle and nephew to her. But as they stood now
together-that is, the uncle and nephew-the most casual observer
would have noticed that the business they were engaged in but illy
suited them. They were by no means so heartless or mercenary as not
to feel strong compunctions.

"Petro," said the uncle, "if you marry Florinda, remember you must
respect and cherish her afterwards."

"Of course, I shall. You need not lay any injunctions upon that
score, my good uncle."

"Ay, 'twill be poor enough reparation for the loss of her freedom,"
mused the uncle.

"Don't moralize," said Petro. "We are in for the game, and must play
it out, come what may."

"That is true."

Saying which, the two silently saluted each other, and then
separated.






CHAPTER XIII.

THE ROADSIDE INN.





You shall see anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work.

-Hamlet.

NIGHT came, and Florinda counted the moments as they passed,
anxiously awaiting the time at which she must leave the palace to
meet Carlton, according to his last directions. The time so
anxiously anticipated at length arrived, and stealing from a private
entrance to the Palazzo, accompanied by a faithful female servant,
who had been her attendant for years, she hurried on foot to the
designated spot. She had shrewdly avoided the employment of a
vehicle, deeming it more safe and expeditious thus to make the
passage to the spot on foot.

There was one of the most delicate and high-born beauties of all
Tuscany wending her way through the dark and deserted streets,
attended by a single female as helpless as herself. She was doing
this for the love she bore to Carlton; she was risking thus her
character, and perhaps even her life, to be united to him she loved,
the gallant Americano. On she sped, now half-running, and now
retiring within the deep shade of some projecting angle of the
palaces that lined the route, thus to screen herself from the
observation of some passer-by.

The gate was reached at the precise moment. There stood, wrapped
close in his ample cloak, with his hat slouched well over his eyes,
him she took for Carlton; he stood apparently expecting her at the
door of a caleche. With a whisper of recognition, he assisted her
into the vehicle, which immediately dashed off at a reckless speed
on the mountain-road. The reader need hardly be told that this was
Petro, who thus cunningly executed the plan agreed upon, as we have
already seen, between him and his uncle, Signor Latrezzi. Thus we
explain to the reader the tableau we have presented him at the
little roadside inn on the Apennines; thus it was that Petro
Giampetti, in place of Carlton, was wedded to Signora Florinda.

Fatal mistake! Ay, fatal, indeed, was that unfortunate billet
delivered by Florinda unwittingly to Petro. It was the author of all
her present misery, and the consequences to follow were, if
possible, of a still more fatal character. In that little note,
Petro possessed himself of an agent which enabled him to work out
his treacherous plans-a key wherewith he unlocked the purposes of
Carlton, and made himself master of his secret design. We have seen,
gentle reader, to what use Petro put the information he had so
treacherously obtained, and now we will show the close of this fatal
drama.

While Florinda was still insensible, and surrounded by the servants
of the house, under Petro's directions, endeavoring to resuscitate
her, a single horseman rode up to the door of the inn on his way
down the mountain. Dismounting, he stood by his weary steed for a
moment, regarding both him and the ominous signs of the weather,
then turning to the attentive hostler, he asked:

"How far to Florence, sir?"

"A couple of leagues, signor."

"And the gates close at ten?"

"Si, signor."

"Can you accommodate me within?"

"Si, signor."

"And my horse?"

"Si, signor."

"I may as well stop here," said Carlton, for it was he, "as a few
miles nearer the city, for I cannot enter until morning."

Resolving to tarry here for the night, he threw the bridle of his
weary steed to the hostler, and entered the house. He had ridden out
from the city early that morning for exercise and pleasure, and had
ascended many miles the wild and majestic Apennines to obtain a view
of the glorious scenery presented from their lofty heights, and get
a sight of the far-off Adriatic; he was belated on his way, and
resolved to go no further in the deep darkness of the night. A
storm, too, was evidently about to break in all its fury, and might
overtake him before another shelter could be obtained. It was this
latter inducement, in connection with the weary state of his horse,
that led him to decide upon stopping at so uninviting a house as the
one in question.

It was a noble animal which he seemed to have such consideration
for, and was a gift of the duke's from his own stable-an animal that
had already learned to love his new master, and stood with arching
neck, and brilliant eye, as though no labor or fatigue could banish
his conscious pride. The young artist regarded him with undisguised
admiration, petted him by a few gentle strokes upon the head and a
kind word, and said, "Yes, Prince, you and I will tarry here until
morning, and go back to town with renewed strength and vigor gained
from this mountain air."

Having seen that his horse was properly bestowed, Carlton returned
to the house, and passed immediately into the little parlor of the
inn where the ceremony had just been performed, little anticipating
the startling scene that there awaited him. The astonishment of
Carlton at beholding Florinda there, surrounded by the servants
endeavoring to resuscitate her, with Petro and his uncle, Signor
Latrezzi, can better be imagined than described. Twice did he dash
his hand across his eyes, as if to assure himself that he was not
dreaming; then thrusting them recklessly aside, he was about to
raise her in his arms, when Petro, who was taken completely by
surprise, recognized him and, drawing his stiletto, struck fiercely
at his heart.

Carlton received the blow partly upon the arm, where it inflicted a
flesh wound only. Turning upon the Italian, with one blow of his
muscular arm, he threw him prostrate upon the floor; and half way
across the apartment; then drawing from the ample pocket of his
riding-coat a pistol, he presented it at the infuriated Petro,
bidding him to stand back, or his life should pay the forfeit.

"By this light, one step in advance and you die!"

Carlton was in earnest, and Petro could read the determination of
his spirit flashing from his eye, and he quailed before it. He felt
that he was in the wrong; that the manly interference of Carlton had
right to back it; and this consciousness, while it unnerved his own
arm, nerved that of the artist's. Carlton paused for a moment, as if
to consider what to do; he was amazed and confounded, and his arm
sunk by his side.

Petro and his uncle drawing together, exchanged a few hasty words,
while Carlton stood there mute, as though struck dumb.

"We are two to one," whispered Petro, "let us upon him."

"Nay, he has a pistol; we have only our swords."

All this passed in one instant of time; but the next chapter must
describe the close, of the scene which had assumed so tragic a
character and such a fearful aspect.






CHAPTER XIV.

THE FINALE.





Some falls are means the happier to arise.

-Cymbeline.

THE low rough room of that roadside inn presented a wild and tragic
appearance at that moment. On the floor, her head supported by her
faithful attendant, lay the insensible form of Signora Florinda.
Just at her feet, and standing between her and Petro, was the tall,
manly person of Carlton, his right hand holding a pistol towards the
breast of the former, in whose dark countenance was depicted every
evil passion of the soul. The servants in their fright at the sudden
affray had retired to a distant corner of the apartment, while in
another, with his hands over his face, as if to shut out the horrid
scene before him, stood the person of Florinda's uncle.

"What means this scene?" asked Carlton. "Can some of ye speak and
tell me? Gita, what brought your mistress here, and under such
escort? Speak out, girl-I'll protect you."

"Treachery, signor, dark and deep!" said the girl, whom Florinda had
found it necessary to make a confidant of in relation to the
intended elopement and marriage.

"Noble business for an uncle and nephew!"

"Repeat not those words" said Petro, angrily.

"I repeat them, and am ready to abide by them," said Carlton.

"Cospetto!" exclaimed Petro, in a rage.

"Ay, talk on," said Carlton; "so valiant a knight need have plenty
of words at command."

"Hold, for the love of the virgin, hold both of ye!" said Signor
Latrezzi, foreseeing the catastrophe that must ensue, yet still
remaining with his face hid in his outspread hands.

"By our holy church," said Petro, "must I be met at every turn by
this braggart of an American, who thwarts my dearest wishes, and
foils me at every point? I tell thee I will have thy heart's blood!"
he continued, rushing wildly towards Carlton.

The pistol was raised on a level with the head of the revengeful
Italian, as he advanced furiously, with his stiletto reflecting the
glance of the lamps. Carlton cried to him:

"Have a care, Signor Petro. Thy blood be on thine own head. Stand
back, I say."

"By heaven, I will not longer bear this!"

"I have warned thee!"

But the enraged Petro heeded not the warning of Carlton, upon whom
he was just about to throw himself, when the black throat of the
pistol emitted in liquid fire its fatal contents, and when the
stunning effect of its voice and the smoke had subsided, there lay
the lifeless corpse of Petro upon the floor at the feet of the
American. The ball had passed through his brain; and thus, in the
full tide of life, with health and strength, and, alas! with all the
evil passions of his heart in operation, and his soul craving the
blood of his fellow-man, he had rushed in one moment into eternity.

A fearful death, and a fearful thought; but the deed was now done,
and there was no recalling it. Its fearful consequences were
inevitable, and must be borne by the actors in that scene in the
drama of life.

"Holy virgin, he is dead!" said Signor Latrezzi, as he bent over the
inanimate form of Petro.

"God forgive him!" said Carlton. "He would have taken my life with
that thirsty dagger!"

"By this light, you acted only in self-defence," said the trembling
landlord to Carlton.

"Quick, sir," said Carlton, "remove all appearance of this struggle
before the lady revives."

The sad finale of the tragic scene was at once enacted by the
landlord and his people, who bore the body into a private apartment.

Signor Latrezzi, who had himself to blame for the greater part of
this fatal business, stood horror-struck by the sight now presented
to his view. If he was not the actual murderer, was he not the
instigator of the whole business? He put this question to his
conscience, and it whispered to him in deep and thrilling
tones-guilty, guilty! He would have given everything he possessed,
ay, life itself, to have been able to recall the whole transaction;
but alas! it was now too late, and the consciousness of his guilt
drove him almost to madness.

The servants, who had witnessed the whole affair, could testify that
Carlton had acted only in self-defence in the matter, and from a
conviction of this, they offered no interference. Signor Latrezzi,
after giving direction's for the removal of the body, took his
departure towards the city, without attempting to interfere with
either Carlton or Florinda, whom he left to themselves unmolested.
Florinda happily was insensible of the tragic scene performed in her
presence. When she revived, all traces of the deed were removed, and
she found herself in the care and protection of Carlton.

"Where am I?" she asked, as she recovered from the insensibility
which had seized upon her, when she realized the treachery that had
been played upon her; her eyes resting on Carlton, she clung
instinctively to him for protection. She closed them again, scarcely
daring to trust their evidence, lest she should again realize that
scene.

"Is it a vision or reality?" she asked tremblingly of Carlton.

There is nothing done but has been undone, dearest," was the answer.
"You shall know more when you are more composed."

"But, Carlton, the priest married us," said Florinda, shuddering at
the thought. "I am his wife!"

"Compose thyself, dearest; and believe me, thou art no one's wife,
but still my dear Florinda. All is well."

By degrees as Florinda became more composed, the whole matter was
told to her; and though she deeply sorrowed at the fatal necessity,
yet she could not blame Carlton for taking the life of him who was
at the moment seeking his. They sought her home in Florence, from
whence Carlton was no longer excluded, but came and went at will.
Signor Latrezzi and he never met; but it was plain that the servants
had been ordered to admit him in future, as any other respected
guest of Signora Florinda's.

The uncle's darling project was utterly defeated, and the hopes
thereby of securing himself from his just reward for the dishonest
act he had committed in appropriating a large sum of his niece's
property, was rendered abortive. What course did the old man pursue
in this dilemma? He did that which he should have done years before,
as soon as he awoke to the realization of the crime he had
committed; he went to Florinda, confessed his dishonesty, and begged
her to spare his gray hairs from dishonor. She was but too happy to
relieve him from his misery and suffering on this account.

"Uncle," said she, "give thyself no further uneasiness on this
point, but sit thee down, and draw a paper absolving thyself from
the matter in proper form, and I will sign it."

The paper was drawn and signed, and Signor Latrezzi from that hour
became a different man; he had thoroughly repented.

"You are now content?"

"I am, my dear Florinda, and thankful to you for thus relieving my
mind."

"Say nothing about it, my dear uncle."

"I will not, save in action towards you, Florinda, who have placed
me under lasting obligations."

Though Carlton deeply regretted the fatal occurrence of that night
at the inn on the Apennines, still his conscience did not upbraid
him for the part he had enacted; for though he had taken the life of
Petro, it was done in self-defence, and the court of Florence so
decided, Carlton having given himself up to trial. It would have
gone hard with him, or any foreigner in Italy, and especially in
Tuscany, who should chance to be thus situated; but Carlton had the
all-powerful influence of the Grand Duke Leopold exerted in his
favor, and in this case justice was rendered.

True, it was some time before the American artist was again received
at court, or made his appearance at the Grand Duke's weekly cordon,
as public opinion was against him-and very naturally, too, for he
was a foreigner, and had taken the life of a citizen of Florence,
and one closely allied to the nobility and gentle blood. But after
the decision of the court-which the duke took good care to have made
in the most imposing and public form-was thoroughly understood, and
the memory of the matter had grown a little dim, Carlton again
resumed his place at court, as the protege of the Grand Duke, and
royal favor was again shown him.

Signor Latrezzi shut himself from society for many months almost
broken-hearted, now fully realizing the error of his conduct in
relation to Florinda and Petro. The generous act of the former in
absolving him from the responsibility he had incurred in relation to
her estate, had done much to awaken his better feelings. Petro he
had loved with the affection of a father, and he now keenly mourned
his untimely end. People saw the great change in Signor Latrezzi,
for he no longer sought to oppress any one, but in his few public
dealings he was strictly honorable and true.

He had indeed thoroughly reformed; he no longer sought to interfere
in the plans of his niece, who was left to follow her own wishes.
Out of respect for her own feelings, and those of her uncle-whom
Florinda had now begun to respect, seeing a complete change in him
that showed an honest and honorable purpose-her proposed marriage
was deferred for some weeks, when at length, under the sanction of
the Grand Duke, Florinda and Carlton were united to each other, and
found happiness in the love and constancy of their own true hearts.
Thus happily ended the high thoughts and bright dreams of the humble
painter.

In one of the lovely palaces whose lofty walls of white bask in the
warm sun of the Val d'Arno, lives the last surviving branch of the
noble house of Carrati in the person of the peerless Signora
Florinda. Joyful and happy in domestic felicity, there, too, is
Carlton, the American artist, surrounded by everything that wealth
can procure, or refined taste suggest, and master of the unbounded
estates of Carrati, but above all, happy in Florinda's love.

THE END.

[FROM "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION."]

THE PRIMA DONNA.

BY M. V. ST. LEON.

"WHAT is to be done?" exclaimed the manager of the principal theatre
in Havana. "What is to be done?" and he paced the room in angry
despair. "This is the second time within a week that Signora
Buonatti has been too ill to sing-and to-night every seat is
engaged, the house will be full to overflowing. The audience scarce
endured the first disappointment, and how will they receive the
second? O, for some expedient. I must hunt the whole city through
till I find some one to supply her place decently!" and seizing his
hat, Diego Cartillos rushed into the street, and was out of sight in
a few minutes.

"Alfin brillar, nell i rede," sang a voice of surpassing sweetness,
which came from round a corner. Cartillos stopped an instant in
silent ecstacy, and then hurriedly advanced in the direction of the
sound. In front of a handsome house stood a young girl apparently
near sixteen years of age, in poor but clean garments, and holding a
mandoline in her hand with which she was playing an accompaniment to
the words she was singing. The manager stood listening to it
attentively, and as the rich, clear tones of the girl dwelt on the
lower notes, or rose with a birdlike gush to the higher ones, he
could scarce restrain some display of his delight. Such, however, it
was not his policy to exhibit, and when at the close of the song,
she timidly approached him, and, lifting her mandoline and large,
sad eyes at the same time, besought him in broken Spanish to give
her a single maravedi for pity's sake, he coldly drew forth a few
small coins and handed them to her.

"This is a poor way of earning your support,"' answered he.

"I know it-but it is all the one I have."

"It is a pity, for you seem to be an honest sort of a body, and
perhaps with the assistance of friends you might be made something
decent," then without noticing the indignant flush that had risen to
her check, he continued. "Now I am willing to help you-that is, if
you're respectable and humble-minded, and I will let you sing in my
theatre, although I am sure I shall lose by it."

The first impulse of the young girl was to refuse with anger, the
proposal offered almost in an insulting manner, by the hard,
avaricious man, but a moment's reflection showed her she could not
afford to be particular in choosing the manners of an employer, and
she replied:

"Why are you willing to take a stranger who has no claims upon you,
if you are certain you will be a loser by so doing?"

"Because, although I shall be at an extra expense for a while, I am
in hopes you will repay it sometime," he replied, with a scowl at
being questioned. "Come, what say you?"

"I am willing to better my condition, sir, and as for being humble
in my manners, few are otherwise who have their living to earn,"
replied the maiden, with a touch of haughtiness.

"Then come with me," said Cartillos, leading the way to the house he
had quitted a short time previous. When they were seated, the
manager commenced questioning his companion.

"It is rather a singular thing for a street musician to sing such
songs as you do, and in such a manner,"--then, after a pause, during
which she did not volunteer any information on the subject, he
renewed the attack, with, "You must have had some instruction. Who
was your teacher?"

"A countryman," was the reply.

Baffled in this direction, Cartillos commenced in a fresh quarter.

"You are an Italian, I suppose?"

"I am."

"Of what part are you a native?"

"Before I came to Havana, I resided in Naples."

The manager bit his lip at the small amount of information he
obtained, and commenced again.

"One of the troupe is ill, and I wish to obtain some one to supply
her place-but I suppose you are unacquainted with any opera?"

"I will engage to perfect myself in any one within a week."

"I cannot wait so long. To-night is the evening I most desire your
services," Cartillos replied, in despair.

"What is announced in the programme?"

"Lucia," was the gloomy response.

"If that is all, sir, I ask but seven hours practice and study. I am
familiar with it, but need instruction in the acting of it."

Her companion eagerly replied that he would engage her for that
night at least, and was departing to send some one to instruct her,
when she timidly inquired:

"But my dress, sir-how shall I arrange that matter?"

"O, I'll see to that! You prepare yourself in the part-I'll do the
rest," and he was gone in an instant.

Night came, and also a crowded house. Presently the people became
impatient, and with eagerness called for the commencement of the
performance; at the expiration of five minutes whistling, screaming,
stamping, etc., the manager made his appearance and announced "that
Signora Buanatti was unable to appear, but Signorina Zampieri had
kindly offered to take her place!" But the audience did not take it
kindly-the lady was unknown to them, and who could say anything
about her singing-besides, they had excused the favorite vocalist
once, and they were not to be put off in this same way again.
Accordingly, a tremendous hiss arose, in the midst of which the
unfortunate manager rattled off the physician's certificate, letting
his voice drop, and flat away towards the end most comically, then
hastily departed for the side scenes.

In a few minutes the young debutante appeared. She was received with
a chilling silence, broken only by a few faint claps from some half
dozen good-natured persons, in consideration of her youth and
beauty. In defiance of her prepossessing appearance, the audience
seemed determined that they would not be cheated or flattered into a
single expression of approbation, but the manager observed with
rising hope that they forbore to hiss. Undismayed, and regardless of
the reception she met with, the young girl, with perfect composure,
began her role. As she continued, the whole richness and beauty of
her voice were brought out, and wholly unable to withstand such
wonderful, unexpected melody, the people manifested their delight
loudly, and at the conclusion of the opera, Signorina Zampieri was
called for loudly. At the request of the manager, she came forward,
and with polite indifference bowed in reply to the applause. Signora
Buonatti was forgotten! The people were amazed at the nonchalant
manner of the young favorite, who actually received a burst of
enthusiasm, such as rarely had greeted any singer, with such
coolness-who and what was this slender, youthful being, that was
neither awed by their sternness, nor delighted at their praises?

The selfish, scheming Cartillos at once perceived he had made a
fortunate speculation, and hastened to engage his prize for a year
at one third her real value, as the next day proved when notes came
flocking in from all directions, urging her to name her own price.
With a feeling of deep indignation Teresa Zampieri determined after
her engagement with Cartillos expired, that he should never
acquire another farthing by her. She speedily became the pet of the
people, yet notwithstanding her surprising good fortune, nothing had
the power to charm her out of the subdued manner so unnatural in one
so young, or throw a lightsome sparkle into those large, dark,
melancholy eyes, while almost the first exclamation made by every
one on hearing her sing, was, "Her voice sounds like a fountain of
tears!" The only thing that absorbed and rendered her forgetful of
the present, was her music, and when in the opera, her whole being
seemed merged into the character she was representing. Her large,
sad eyes grew still larger and sadder, and she seemed like one in a
dream-it was with her a passion, an existence.

But she was subject to many annoyances from Cartillos, who
constantly took advantage of her ignorance concerning money matters,
which Florian Geraldi, the handsome tenor of the troupe, plainly
perceived and with burning indignation. He would have protected her
and prevented these impositions, but they were both young, and he
feared his motives might be misunderstood, and so he continued from
day to day, each showing him plainer that his heart was given to the
beautiful songstress, whose course had been so like a comet, rising
from darkness, and no one knew whither, for all felt instinctively
that a mystery hung over the young girl.-At last some fresh act of
injustice on the part of Cartillos thoroughly aroused Geraldi, who,
at the risk of losing his situation, determined to tell Teresa how
much she was imposed upon. The mournful tone and manner with which
she replied--"Alas, I am aware I have no friends to protect me,"
quite startled her companion out of his composure. He had resolved
never to speak of his affection till he had more reason for hope
than he then possessed, but at these words his resolution was
forgotten, and rapidly, earnestly, he detailed his past wishes and
present hopes, and urged her to reply. For an instant she was
silent, but then she addressed him in firm, sad, yet kind tones.

"This declaration is wholly unexpected to me, and while I cannot but
be flattered at the compliment-the highest a man can offer, I am
obliged to decline it. Your pity for me has perhaps misled you into
the belief that you love me, but you will soon forget one that can
never be yours."

Geraldi, who thought she might doubt he loved her sufficiently, was
about to assure her on that point, but he had scarcely commenced
speaking, ere she interrupted him.

"Even supposing I loved you as I ought to the man whose heart I take
into my keeping, there are obstacles-do not ask what-such being the
case, is it not best to conquer all but friendship in the
beginning?"

"Alas, it may be easy for you to counsel who do not endure, but this
is not the beginning of my love," murmured the Italian, in
despairing accents, as he left her.

The tone and mournful eyes made Teresa unhappy; she regretted deeply
the necessity of giving pain in this world, though she felt she
might unavoidably be the cause of more disappointments than even the
beautiful are generally, and with a sigh realized that in accordance
with her principles, she must draw yet more tightly the lines of
isolation about her. Life already had but few pleasures, and even
this scanty list must be curtailed. Geraldi, convinced that his
poverty and comparative obscurity were the objections to him,
determined they should not long remain a barrier, and immediately on
the expiration of his engagement with Cartillos, departed for his
native land, determined not to see Teresa Zampieri again till he had
won a name worthy her acceptance. He mentioned his plans to no one,
however, but bidding farewell to his friends departed on his errand.
Time flew by, and Teresa was released from her engagement. Cartillos
begged earnestly that she would continue with him, but the young
girl told him just her sentiments regarding his conduct, and much as
he regretted his past error, it did not help the matter in the
least. Engagements from far and near poured in upon her, and the
only difficulty was, which to choose.

"Somewhat of contrast!" thought Teresa. "One short year ago, I
scarce knew where to lay my head. Heigho! Methinks my present
station elevated as it may appear-but what! is this foolish heart
forever crying more?" and the tears so seldom permitted to visit
those sad, dreamy eyes, now came unchecked. Her sorrow once
indulged, returned more and more often; so to divert her mind,
Teresa Zampieri visited distant countries, always avoiding Italy,
however, and journeyed and sang without cessation. This constant
exertion was too much for her to bear, and she was obliged to omit
singing entirely for several months, during which time she travelled
through many delightful places, and frequently recalled those days
in after years, as some of the happiest she had known. At the
expiration of her wanderings she returned to Havana refreshed, and
comparatively happy, to commence a new engagement. This was the
third year of her theatrical life, and Teresa was now nearly twenty
years of age, and though so young, she possessed the manners of an
accomplished, experienced woman. It was a matter of wonder to all,
that amid such a throng of suitors as she was known to possess, she
yet remained Teresa Zampieri; but few dared request the guardianship
of the peerless girl, for it seemed as though between her and
themselves a vast gulf lay. And notwithstanding superior rank and
position, many a noble felt himself awed by the unaffected dignity
of the actress.

One evening as the breathless multitude were listening to the soft,
high note the songstress had already sustained for several measures,
as her eyes suddenly rested on a figure in a box near the stage, it
was interrupted by a wild, piercing shriek from the blanched lips of
Teresa, who instantly fell senseless. In a second all was confusion.
The orchestra stopped short in the middle of a note, the curtain was
speedily lowered, several ladies fainted, and the audience were in a
fever of excitement, each one talking to his neighbor.

"We must be careful of our treasure," said one, "or we shall lose
it."

"What is the matter?" eagerly asked another.

"That last note was held too long," suggested a third.

"A touch of the heart complaint I should think," etc.

When the manager announced that Signorini Zampieri requested the
indulgence of a few minutes before resuming her performance, there
was a general expostulation, so much had she endeared herself to
every heart. But the manager assured the audience that the lady
thanked them for their considerate kindness, but that she was
perfectly recovered, and preferred finishing the little that
remained of the opera. When she reappeared, the burning cheek and
glittering eye deceived many as to the suffering she endured. Her
gaze restlessly sought the figure that had caused her emotion, and
as she met the person's glance, a shudder passed over her. At first
her voice trembled with weakness, but meeting the mocking, sneering
triumph in that sarcastic face, the blood boiled in her veins, and
trembling with indignation, she startled the audience with the wild
burst of scorn she threw into the part she was representing. The
stranger at first turned pale with anger and surprise at the
surpassing delineation, but the next instant his eyes gleamed with
malicious satisfaction, which seemed to chafe the singer to madness.

At the conclusion of the opera, Teresa, with feverish impatience to
arrive at home, was hastily leaving the theatre, when she fancied
she saw in the front entrance doorway that Mephistophiles-like face,
and ordering the coachman to drive to her lodgings as speedily as
possible, threw herself back upon the cushions, and repressed a
strong inclination to take a certain individual's web of life out of
the hands of Fate. In a few minutes she arrived at the hotel, and
entering her parlor stood face to face with the stranger, who had
risen with the most easy coolness, and advanced to meet her.

"Mille pardons m'amie, for the intrusion, but I have not seen you so
long, that I was quite unable to resist the temptation of a call."

Teresa, overpowered with the most painful emotions, sank into a seat
and covered her face with her hands. With an expression of savage
pleasure, her tormentor approached quite near, and said:

"I beg, my charming friend, that you will not put yourself to the
fatigue and trouble of a sentimental reception, for I assure you it
will be entirely wasted."

These words roused the young girl from her stupor of agony, and
raising her form to its full height, she exclaimed:

"Brandini Villani, it would appear that the just avenging God hath
forgotten thee, miserable sinner, but it matters not; eternity,
methinks, will be long enough for thy punishment." Then with less
passion, but with regal, even awful dignity, she freezingly
inquired--"What have you to say?"

For an instant the wretch was intimidated, but noticing the tremor
of Teresa's whole frame, and mistaking it for fear, concealed
beneath affected scorn, he regained his assurance and tauntingly
replied:

"It is a trifling oversight, ma chere, to affect a callous
indifference towards me, when I have the charm with a single glance
to render you insensible, and to make you tremble at the mere sound
of my voice-no, no, Teresa, it will not do. While my presence
affects you thus, I know the power to fascinate has not yet deserted
me."

"Contemptuous wretch! With what feelings does the scaly, venomous
serpent inspire one when he approaches with slimy track and fetid
breath, with stealthy, coil and sickening glare? Think you would not
that fascinate with terror, cause a tremble of disgust, and produce
insensibility and delirium that such a loathsome reptile should
exist and breathe the same air? Yet having now called forth that
emotion in its deepest degree, you rejoice to have moved me! Truly
you have, and I can conceive your mind just fitted to appreciate the
honor!"

The worst passions of Villani were now thoroughly awake, and he
retorted with flashing eyes and a fierce tone, while his face even
to his lips, turned livid white.

"You may regret your liberal use of words when I unfold my errand. I
will trouble you for half your proceeds for the last year!"

With blazing eyes, from which sparks of fire actually seemed to
flash, and a form that appeared to dilate, Teresa turned full upon
Villani.

"How now, traitorous villain? Is not your list of perjuries, thefts,
deceptions and murders long enough, but you must add to it, ere you
are qualified to become the privy councillor to the arch fiend? Get
thee hence, grovelling worm, ere the lightnings of heaven blast
thee!"

At this instant the storm which had been gathering, burst with fury
over the city, and the dazzling sheet of flame was succeeded by a
deafening, rattling peal of thunder. Teresa sank on her knees beside
a lounge and buried her face in silent prayer; even Villani turned
pale and moved to the centre of the apartment, where he stood with
folded arms and compressed lips. Presently the violence of the
tempest abated, and the pallid Brandini approached Teresa, who had
not changed her position, and had forgotten in the storm almost the
existence of her persecutor, and in a low, dogged voice, said:

"I am waiting for your reply."

With a faint shriek Teresa raised her head.

"I thought you were gone-do you wish to tempt me further?"

"Will you give the money?"

"I will not!"

"Beware! Think again!"

"You have my answer. Never, while life remains, will I give another
reply!"

Villani bent over her and whispered a word; with a wild, agonized
shriek she sprang to her feet and gazed wildly into his face and in
feeble, broken accents, exclaimed:

"O no, no, not that-it would kill me, Villani, Villani! You are not
in earnest?"

"I most certainly am, madam, and I give you just five minutes to
decide which alternative you will choose," and he drew out his watch
and steadily gazed upon it. At the expiration of that time, Teresa,
with a pale, tearful face, knelt before him, and in faint,
despairing tones, murmured:

"I accept your terms! Villani's eyes lighted up with a fierce pride,
as he exclaimed:

"I thought to bring you to terms!"

"Tempt me not, Brandini Villani!" vehemently replied Teresa, rising
with flashing eyes; "you may rouse me yet beyond endurance-beware!"
and she pressed her hand to her heart, while an expression of pain
crossed her countenance. The extreme physical suffering so plainly
marked, seemed to move even the hard, unfeeling Villani, who, taking
her hand, said:

"I am afraid you are ill, ma belle," then as he gazed upon her
lovely form and face, half affectionately, half in defiance, he
suddenly exclaimed: "O Teresa, you're the handsomest woman I ever
saw. I could love you so, if you'd let me. Why can't we be friends,
Teresa? I know I did wrong, but why need we make an eternal quarrel
of the matter. Ah, my charming prize, why not transfer to me the
affection you are wasting upon one, who, perhaps ere this, is false
to you, and--"

"Silence! I have borne too long with you from weakness and inability
to speak, but depart now, or I recant my promise of submission."

"To hear is to obey-though the request might have been couched in
more polite terms," returned Villani, his former cold, sarcastic
manner returning with every word he uttered. "I may do myself the
pleasure to call again, my love-at present I wish you a good night
and pleasant dreams-of me!" and the door closed on his sardonic
smile.

"Alas," exclaimed Teresa, "he has a hold upon me I dare not attempt
to dispute."

The next morning as she was leaving the stage, after rehearsal, she
was met at the green room door by a familiar face, fine, manly and
handsome-yes, it was Geraldi! With a glad cry of surprise and
delight, Teresa sprang forward, and taking the outstretched hand of
the young man, said in her joyous, musical voice:

"Welcome, my dear friend! How you have improved-I have heard of the
laurels you have won!"

"And you too, Signorina Zampieri-you are paler and thinner than you
were when I last saw you. I know you have prospered as well as
myself, for Fame has not been idle with your name."

"Really signor, we are exquisitely polite and complimentary to each
other, but this is hardly the place for a lengthy conversation,"
said Teresa, laughing, and coloring somewhat, as she met the
slightly mischievous glances of the loungers who generally are to be
found in theatres--"if you are at liberty, why not step into the
carriage, and drive home with me?"

"I shall be most happy," replied Geraldi, with a radiant, delighted
smile, as he accompanied her to the vehicle.

For some time the presence and vivacity of Geraldi roused Teresa
from her serious, almost melancholy manners, and the wise ones
looked knowing, and said:--"They had always thought it would come to
something!"

At last Geraldi did what every one was expecting him to; for finding
Teresa alone one morning, he again offered himself with far better
hopes and prospects than he had three years ago. To his infinite
amazement, the color fled from Teresa's cheek, and covering her face
with her hands, she sank upon a lounge with a wild burst of grief.
Geraldi, quite at a loss to interpret the nature of this emotion,
surprised at its excess in one so generally self-possessed,
hesitated what course to pursue, but at length said, in a low tone:

"May I hope?"

"Hope!" repeated Teresa, in a bitter tone--"what have I or any
connection with me to do with that word. O Mary mother, help me-help
me!" she wailed in a fresh agony as her whole frame trembled with
emotion.

Geraldi knew not what to say; with any other person he would have
endeavored to soothe and discover the cause of this grief, but the
agitation of Teresa was so fearful, and in her so unnatural, that he
dared not question; he therefore did the next best thing, which was
to keep silent. In a few minutes the storm had exhausted itself, and
with sternly composed features she rose and addressed Geraldi.

"Forget this! It is seldom my feelings obtain such mastery over me,
but my dark fate occurred so vividly to my mind, that it quite
overpowered me."

"Why not renounce it then? I would strive so earnestly to make a
brighter one for you."

After a moment's hesitation, she seemed to conquer some inward
strife, and said, in a low voice:

"I had thought never to have told it to any human being, but you are
entitled to an explanation, and you are too honorable to expose
me-Florian," here her face was averted--"Florian, I love another!"

For an instant Geraldi remained without motion, then darting forward
he seized her hand, imprinted one despairing kiss upon it, and
without a word, was gone.

Teresa wrung her hands and exclaimed--"Villani, Villani! Could you
know what I suffer, even your hard heart would pity me!"

The afternoon dragged heavily along, and evening was approaching,
when a knock at the door aroused Teresa from a restless reverie.
Bidding the person enter, she beheld Villani, who seated himself by
her side, and informed her that he had something to propose which
might please her. Teresa wondering what it could be, begged him to
proceed.

"I sincerely repent the compact I obliged you to make, and now wish
to destroy it."

Teresa looked at him in undisguised astonishment. "I do not think I
understand you-is it your wish that I should enjoy the whole of the
proceeds of my singing?"

"You have said it."

"And what concession am I to make in return?" she inquired, as
though suspicious some greater enormity than he had yet been guilty
of, was intended.

"What return? O Teresa, cannot you comprehend and believe, that I
expect and desire none?"

"I know not how I should, since your whole conduct has hardly been
such as to impress me very profoundly with the idea that generosity
is a prominent characteristic of Signor Villani's!"

"Say no more-let us be friends, Teresa. I will do all I can for you,
and do not utter reproaches for what is a misfortune to me, although
it were a glory to any other."

His companion scarce credited her senses. Was it possible that
Villani, her tormentor and cruel persecutor, indeed wished her well
and desired to become her friend? It seemed strange, yet his manner
was more like truth than she had ever seen it before, and she felt
she had perhaps wronged him, that beneath all, a heart, human and
accessible to some generous emotion, yet beat, and her own noble,
ingenuous nature, ever ready to accuse itself and offer atonement,
impelled her to extend both hands to Villani and reply:

"Pardon me, I have wronged you-it is indeed worse than foolish to
cherish animosity toward each other, and henceforth let us not
forget we are of one great family, equally cared for by our heavenly
Father!"

Villani took Teresa's hands, and kissing them, thanked her so warmly
and earnestly that she could not doubt his sincerity, and though she
was aware love was impossible, she hoped to respect him more than
she had done. Villani on his part, had acquired enough by Teresa to
afford this seeming generosity, and his sole object was to win her
love; he was well aware if his motive was known to her, she would
not have accepted this proffered friendship, and he rejoiced that
his past conduct had been such as to forbid the supposition that he
sought anything more. Presently there came a pause in the
conversation, and Villani, after gazing intently upon his companion,
observed:

"How much you have altered since I first saw you, Teresa. I suppose
it is partly owing to your natural progress from childhood to
womanhood-why, you must be nineteen?"

"Just twenty."

"Perhaps you are even handsomer than you were four years ago,
although I see you have called in the aid of foreign ornament-it was
the wisest course, however."

The rich color which suddenly dyed Teresa's cheeks, most certainly
was not the gift of art, yet she assented to Villani's words.

"Not but what I think your beauty sufficient to challenge
improvement-indeed, I prefer you as you used to be-but you are
lovely enough to cause heart aches as it is."

After some further conversation, Villani, saying it was time for
Teresa to prepare for the opera, left her. No sooner did the door
close, than loosening the rich masses of jetty hair which formed a
veil around her and descended far below her waist, Teresa advanced
to a large mirror, and without a shadow of vanity or a smile, gazed
steadily at her reflection. Never had a glass shown a fairer face or
form to the gazer.

The image that met Teresa's glance was majestic, with a regal
expression of countenance. A broad, but not too high brow, eyes dark
as a raven's wing-no, they are only deep, golden brown, yet the long
lashes and eyebrows of jet, together with the ever dilating pupil,
give the impression that they are darker, a complexion of sunny
olive, and locks which are certainly the hue of night; a form richly
moulded and of perfect symmetry, from the exquisite head to the
slippered foot, stood before her. Surely it was not a vision from
which my lady had cause to turn in vexation, yet with an expression
of scorn, and a bright flush apparently of shame, mounting to her
cheek, she impatiently moved away, and commenced braiding up the
rich tresses. Throwing a mantle on her shoulders, she descended to
the carriage and was soon at the opera house.

During the evening, in the midst of the performance, Teresa's eye
lit for the first time on the nearest stage box. A mist overspread
her eyes, her breath came hot and thick, a dizzy sense of
overpowering fulness stole upon her, and when the time came for her
response, she had hardly the strength to perform her part; yet she
acquitted herself so well, that her emotion was unnoticed. The
person who caused this wild tumult in Teresa's frame, was a stately,
handsome man, evidently of high birth, and apparently forty-five
years of age, although the raven curls around the high, majestic
brow were untouched by time. The slightly aquiline features, and
dark, flashing eyes, revealed the haughty spirit within, which was
softened, however, by the look of sorrow around the mouth, and the
general expression of a settled grief. He was dressed in black,
relieved by a brilliant and splendid order on the left breast, and
unaccompanied, save by a servant in white and gold livery.

The nobleman, for such his appearance declared him, was evidently a
stranger in the city, for every glass was levelled at him, but he
seemed quite unconscious, and wholly indifferent. At the conclusion
of the opera, roused from his languor by the thrilling manner in
which Teresa rendered the last aria, the now animated listener rose
and gracefully threw a garland of white lilies with such admirable
precision, that they encircled the beautiful head of Teresa; upon
which the audience, delighted at the compliment paid in so marked a
manner, no less to the well known purity, than the wonderful voice
of their favorite, made the theatre ring with their applause.

As soon as possible, Teresa arrived at her own apartments, and
throwing herself on her knees, buried her face in the cushions of a
lounge, while faint murmurs and sobs alone broke the stillness.
Nearly a quarter of an hour had elapsed, when the opening of the
door roused her, and starting up, she beheld Villani about to enter.
Hastily motioning him not to advance, she wildly said:

"Forbear! Do not cross that threshold tonight! Villani, I have seen
him this very evening--he sat so near I might almost have touched
him-so near, and yet not a thought that I was more to him than any
other of that crowd! Bear with me for this night-I must be alone."

"It shall be as you wish--I will speak of what brought me here some
other time, perhaps to-morrow."

"To-morrow let it be then."

Presently Teresa became calmer, yet through the remainder of the
night she sat by the open casement without motion or apparent life,
thinking over bitter memories without a gleam of hope to illumine
the future.

After Teresa's first agitation had subsided, the stranger's presence
seemed to exert a most powerful and calming influence upon her mind.
He was seldom absent at her performances, and it seemed to give her
an increase of strength as well as happiness; she always received
some token of his delight, and many said the Duke di Castiglioni-so
he was called-had a very superior taste, and wondered what would
come of it. Villani had exacted a promise from Teresa, that she
would not permit an introduction to him, and shortly after left the
city for a few weeks.

Teresa felt relieved by his absence, although they were no longer
enemies, and her mode of life was unchanged. Nearly a fortnight had
elapsed, when another incident occurred that changed the whole
future of her life. One evening Teresa eagerly sought the familiar
face of the foreign nobleman, but in vain, and a disappointed look
replaced the smile; but presently he entered the accustomed place,
followed by a young man of aristocratic bearing, but no likeness
bespoke them to be father and son. Teresa turned pale as marble, but
a tear started to her eye as she observed the complete friendship
and affection that evidently existed between them, and a thrill of
anguish shot through her heart, as she murmured, while her eyes met
the young stranger's gaze--"So near-yet so distant!" Several times in
the course of the evening she fancied a look of recognition passed
over his face, and once, when he touched his companion's arm, her
heart leaped to her mouth, but in an instant, perceiving they both
glanced at some one on the opposite side of the house, she smiled
bitterly, and thought--"How should they know me, in this place, and
so altered!"

Late that night when the city was wrapped in slumber, a lamp burned
brightly in Teresa's chamber, and a figure paced wildly up and down
with clasped hands and floating hair. At last the restless girl
stopped and exclaimed:

"If I am wrong, Heaven help me-but this agony is killing me! If I
sin, I am sinned against, and God judge between us, Villani!"

Then hurriedly, as though fearful her resolution would falter,
Teresa drew her writing-desk towards her, and wrote a note so
rapidly, and with so unsteady a hand, that there was little
resemblance to her usual writing, and then sought for sleep-but in
vain-and at the earliest possible hour she despatched a messenger
with the note.

Just as the hour of eleven chimed, the door of the room where Teresa
sat, was opened, and a servant, announcing Signor Da Vinci, ushered
in the young stranger of the preceding night. He advanced with a
puzzled, inquiring expression, and with a slightly apologetic bow,
said:

"I came in accordance with a request expressed in a note from
Signorina Zampieri."

"I presume you were somewhat surprised, signor, but my motive must
be my excuse. I have a friend in whom you were greatly interested,
and who wishes you to be made acquainted with the solution of the
mystery which separated her from you."

The gentleman had hitherto been only attentive, but at these last
words, an expression of eager inquiry pervaded every feature. Teresa
continued:

"This lady, five years ago, was betrothed to Leonarde Da Vinci."

"Myself!"

"I am aware of that fact, but permit me to continue without
interruption. Well knowing her father would never consent to her
marriage, a plan of elopement was arranged. On the appointed night,
the lady, according to agreement, stole to the palace steps, and
seeing in the deep shadow a gondola which drew up as she approached,
doubted not that the occupant was her lover. She was received, to
her belief, in his arms, the light was burning but dimly, and for
greater security her companion, who was masked, proposed in a
whisper that she should cover her face also. She was nearly beside
herself with agitation, and when the gondola drew up at a little
chapel standing nearly by itself, she unhesitatingly accompanied
him, and knelt beside the altar where stood a priest and attendants.

"So absorbed with the various and conflicting emotions in her heart,
she uttered the responses mechanically, and when she rose, the
chapel was deserted, save by her husband and herself. Turning to
him, what was her horror at seeing not Leonarde Da Vinci, as she had
supposed, but Villani Brandini, a rejected suitor, and seeming
friend to Da Vinci, who had discovered the plan of escape by some
means, and revenged himself upon the lady in this manner. In spite
of her resistance, she was carried to Brandini's palace, from whence
in three days she escaped; and fearing her father would never grant
his forgiveness, knowing she was forever separated from the one to
whom her heart was given, she managed by the sale of several
valuable jewels which she had upon her person at the time of her
flight, to procure a passage to Naples, where she hoped to turn her
numerous accomplishments to advantage.

"Shortly after her arrival in that place, an American family, who
were in need of a governess for two little girls, met with her. Her
appearance spoke so strongly in her favor, that notwithstanding the
absence of credentials, they engaged her, and in a little while
sailed for America. When near the place of their destination, a
violent storm arose, and they were shipwrecked. The young girl was
lashed to a spar, and the last thing she remembered was, being
washed overboard by a mountain wave. She was picked up by a merchant
vessel bound for Havana. There she arrived in a state of utter
destitution, and she who was once the companion of princesses, was
obliged to sing in the street for a living, and now--"

"Viola-my long sought love-where, where is she?"

"She stands before you!" said a thrilling voice, while Teresa, now
divested of her disguise, stood with clasped hands, eagerly gazing
at Da Vinci, her long, bright golden curls enveloping her as with a
veil. In an instant Da Vinci, recovering from his overwhelming
surprise, had folded her to his heart. Viola, as we must now call
her, after an instant's silence, disengaged herself, saying;

"We must not forget that we can never be more than friends,
Leonarde."

"Never more than friends, Viola! Why do you not know that you are
free?"

"Free! What is it you mean?"

"Is it possible you still believe yourself Brandini's wife?"

"Believe myself! Am I not?"

"No, my own dearest Viola! It was no priest who performed that
ceremony. Two years since, a dying man confessed that for a large
sum he had assumed the character of a minister of God, and performed
a mock marriage between Brandini and yourself. Your father and I
have been seeking you ever since your flight, and at last our
dearest wish is granted."

"You are sure he will forgive me?"

"Forgive you! He has sought for you with the blessed hope of
clasping you once more in his arms before he died-for years, O
Viola, we have all suffered deeply."

"We have, indeed, but now--" a shudder passed over her as she clung
closer to Da Vinci, on hearing a quick footstep in the hall. Another
moment and Brandini was face to face with Leonarde. We leave the
scene that followed to the reader's imagination; the torrent of rage
which Villani poured forth, together with the fatigue she had lately
undergone, caused Teresa to faint in Da Vinci's arms, when Brandini,
finding his villany was discovered, made a hasty retreat. A message
was despatched for the Duke di Castiglioni, and in an hour Viola was
in his arms, and receiving his fall and free pardon.

A week afterward the now united family were leaving Havana, the
scene of so much grief and joy. Teresa stood on the steamer's deck,
with her husband gazing at the city, when the pilot came on board.

"Quite an affair came off last night," he said to the captain; "an
Italian gentleman, Signor Brandini, who ran through a splendid
property in his own country and was a spendthrift here was found
dead-blew out his brains-it was supposed to be some love affair that
caused it."

Teresa's cheek turned very pale, as she hid her face on Da Vinci's
shoulder, who whispered:

"So ends the last scene in the dark drama of thy past. Look up, my
Viola! The clouds are passed, and sunshine is over all."

[FROM "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION."]

THE ARTIST OF FLORENCE.

BY JAMES DE MILLE.

IT was evening in Val d'Arno. The sun was sinking behind the horizon
and twilight was descending upon the glorious vale. There lay the
garden of Italy enclosed by mountains on either side, green and
glowing in its verdant and luxuriant fertility, shaded by its groves
of olive and cypress, with long avenues of stately trees. Flocks and
herds grazed in the fields, vineyards flourished on the mountain
declivities, and in the distance arose the summits of the wooded
Apennines. The classic Arno flowed through the valley, bestowing
gladness and plenty on every side, its waters rolling on in slow and
most melodious motion. On every side, on the plain, on the sides and
summits of the hills, everywhere appeared the white villas of the
nobles, now hidden by the thick foliage of surrounding trees, and
encircled by gardens where bloomed the most gorgeous and odoriferous
flowers, now standing alone and lifting up their stately marble
fronts surrounded by magnificent colonnades. In the midst of this
lovely place, a queen over all around, lay Florence, the dearest and
most charming city of the south-Florence, whose past glows with the
brilliancy of splendid achievements in arms, arts and song, whose
present state captivates the soul of every traveller, and binds
around him a potent spell, making him linger long in dreamy pleasure
by the gentle flow of the Arno's waters.

"Here," exclaimed Byron, in a rapture, as he looked down from a
neighboring mountain upon this earthly paradise--"here--

  "'--the Etrurian Athens claims and keeps
  A softer feeling for her fairy halls.
  Girt by her theatre of bills she reaps
  Her corn and wine, and oil, and plenty leaps
  To laughing life from her redundant horn"'

Twilight came on, and soon the moon arose, throwing a gentle glow
upon the scene, and shedding around it a more bewitching influence.
It was an evening fitted for pleasing meditation, such meditation as
the poet loves, and for the interview of lovers. The gardens of
Boboli never appeared more beautiful than now, for the solemn shadow
of the groves was relieved by the soft illumination of the broad
paths; the sheets of water glistened in the quiet moonbeams, and
every statue and every sculptured form was invested with a new and
indescribable beauty. Upon the summit of a hill within these
gardens, sat a youth and maiden engaged in most earnest
conversation. The maiden was exceedingly beautiful, with a face
which reminded one of the Madonna of Murillo, so gentle, so tender,
and so bewitchingly lovely. The youth sat at her feet upon the green
turf, and with his head turned back, gazing upon her, there was
disclosed a noble and most handsome countenance. His long hair,
black as night, fell from his forehead, and his eyes burnt like
stars in the paleness of his face. There was an expression of genius
stamped upon his lofty forehead, but there were care and anxiety in
its frown. The stately form of the Palazzo Pitti was near at hand,
and in the distance lay the city, with the stupendous dome of the
cathedral, and the lofty form of the beautiful Campanile.

"Stella," he said, in deeply musical tones--"Stella, you know all my
love and the desires of my soul. All are fixed upon you. Fame and
glory I only wish for as the means of obtaining you. But O, hard is
the task and difficult is it for an unknown artist to gain the hand
of the proud Count Borelloni's daughter. I would not grieve you by
taking you without his consent, even if I were able."

"Bless you! God bless you, my noble Mario for those noble words! Do
not seek to draw me from him. Willingly would I give up all-wealth,
and power and all-to live in obscurity with you. But my father loves
me so fondly, that if I were to leave him, he would die. Let us
wait, and perhaps he may overcome his prejudice toward you."

"He dislikes me because I am poor and unknown. But," exclaimed
Mario, with a haughty glance, "the time may come and will come, when
he will not he ashamed to acknowledge me. Art can ennoble the poor
and obscure."

"I know you will become great, Mario. I know that your name will be
spoken with honor, and that before long. When I first saw you here
in Florence, when I afterwards heard you tell me your love as we
walked by the waters of Lake Perugia, I knew that you would become
famous."

"And then, if I ever gain fame and honor, all shall be laid at your
feet, Stella."

"You can wait then, and seek for fame, Mario, to give you acceptance
in my father's eyes. You can wait, for you know my constancy."

"I know it, and I would trust it always. I know your noble soul,
Stella, its lofty qualities lead me captive, and I worship you as a
divinity."

The impassioned youth bent down before her, but she prevented him,
and suddenly asked:

"How do you proceed with your painting?"

"Well, I am proceeding well, for I am inspired by the thoughts of
Stella."

"Then I inspire you, do I?"

"O Stella, you fill my soul with new conceptions of angelic beauty,
and while your image dwells in my mind, I look back upon it and
place every feature, every expression living upon the canvass! If
this picture is completed, your father's love for art will make him
respect the creator of this new piece."

"And he will honor you and love you."

"It must be completed in two or three months now. I seek new ideas
of loveliness from you, Stella, and then my picture receives them."

"And suppose you fail, Mario." said Stella.

"Fail? O I cannot. But if I do, then will I despair? No, I will go
to Rome and devote myself entirely to art. But it is late, Stella.
We must go, and I will see you home before your father returns."

And the gardens of Boboli were empty.

What city is so delightful as Florence on the afternoon of a lovely
day in early spring, when the sun glows above from an unclouded sky,
and the Arno flows on through the midst of the city, amid its
magnificent palaces, beneath its lovely bridges. Then beauty reigns
everywhere. The Lung' Arno, the Casino, the Via Calziolajo are
thronged with carriages, with horsemen and footmen, with offices and
soldiers, men, women and children. Beautiful flower girls carry
around their bouquets and bestow them on the stranger, expecting but
never asking some little doucer in return. The gloomy palaces of the
middle ages, the magnificent churches of early times, towers and
colonnades, statues and fountains, arrest the eye and charm the
beholder. All is joyousness and beauty.

Among the throngs of carriages which rode along the Lung' Arno and
down to the Casino, none was more noticed than that of the Count
Borelloni. It was a splendid equipage drawn by two fiery horses, to
guide which the utmost skill of the coachman was needed. The old
count was of a remarkable appearance. His countenance was noble and
his air commanding. He was noted through Florence for his wealth and
taste. Artists of every kind found in him a patron. It was at his
palace that Mario Fostello had first attracted attention by his
genius and the beauty his pictures. He had seen Stella, had loved
her, and had spoken to the old count, telling him that he would seek
after fame if he would bestow his daughter upon him. But the
indignation and pride of Borelloni rose high, and he contemptuously
ordered Mario to withdraw and never again to enter his house.

There was one feeling in the heart of the old count which far
exceeded every other, and that was an intense love for his daughter.
Beautiful, high-souled and accomplished, she was worthy of the
highest station in the land, and such a station he desired for her.

They now rode in their carriage-father and daughter; an aged oak and
a young and tender vine, one supported the other, which gave it
beauty and attractiveness.

Stella attracted the gaze of all by her exquisite beauty, but there
was one whom she saw walking swiftly past, the sight of whom sent a
thrill through every vein-for well she knew the tall and stately
figure of Mario.

"Stella," said her father, "there goes the ambitious painter-that is
the man who had the unspeakable presumption to ask your hand of me.
He, a paltry artist. See him as he walks along there."

Stella's blood rushed to her face, and her frame trembled with
agitation. She turned away her head to hide her confusion.

"Look, do you see him?" said her father.

"Who?" said she.

"Why, Mario, the artist, but he is out of sight. What is the matter,
Stella? Tell me my child, are you ill? Why are you so pale? You
change color. You are sick, my daughter. We must go home."

"O no, father. Do not go home. It was but a passing faintness, I
will soon get ever it."

"You are very pale, my child."

"It is nothing, father. But look-what is the matter with the
horses?"

The horses seemed fretful and impatient. They reared and kicked,
they were unruly and troublesome. The coachman looked pale and
anxious.

"The horses? Nothing!" said her father. "They are quiet enough. I
like to have a little spirit in my animals."

Many of the passengers in the streets looked with alarm upon the
animals whom the count dreaded so little.

"Good day, Borelloni," exclaimed a gentleman on horseback; "a most
beautiful day!"

"Your servant, signor," answered the count. "It is a lovely day."

"Your horses seem vicious, they are very unruly, are they not!" said
the gentleman.

"O no-they are a little excited-they will presently become calm. A
very great number of people are out to-day."

"Yes, a large number," replied the gentleman, looking somewhat
anxiously at the horses.

After a few moments he rode away.

"Your excellency?" said the coachman to the count.

"Well?" he replied.

"Your excellency's horses are unmanageable, or will be so soon. They
are not used to these crowded streets."

"If they do not become so soon, they never will be," said Borelloni.

The horses began to plunge, and rear, and snort more violently, so
much so, that all the people were terrified and got out of the way.
The coachman seemed unable to control them.

Mario was in the Casino, walking beneath the shadow of the trees.
The cool breeze from the mountains fanned his fevered brow, as he
walked hurriedly along.

"I am poor. I am an artist, unknown, uncared for but by one, and
that one is the noblest of her sex. I live only to gain her. When my
picture is finished, I shall be no longer obscure. When my fame
exceeds that of the haughty count, I may well demand his daughter."
Such were the thoughts that passed through his mind as he walked on.

"I heard his words," he proceeded. "I heard his contemptuous words
as I passed the carriage, and know the scorn which he feels for me.
But Count Borelloni," he exclaimed, raising his hand, "I will make
you know that birth alone does not constitute greatness. I will make
you know that a lofty soul can struggle upwards."

Suddenly, far away from the Lung' Arno, sounded a loud reverberation
of many voices, an immense outcry mingled with the deep rumbling of
carriage wheels, and the fierce neighing of horses. There were
sounds like the rush of a great multitude, and cries of terror
mingled with one another in appalling confusion.

Mario started, and turned back. Casting his eye toward the city, he
saw far away in places where the trees did not intercept his view,
numbers of men rushing to and fro.

He stood alone in the utmost perplexity, for no one was near to tell
him the cause of that great uproar.

The clamor and rumbling of wheels came nearer and nearer, rattling
over pavements, dashing against obstacles. It came nearer, and soon
he saw a carriage dragged on with terrific speed by two furious
horses, who, without driver or postilion, came on unrestrained. The
carriage was knocked against trees and dashed violently against
stones. In it there was an old man leaning back with a pale face,
expressing intense agony, and close to him, clung the form of a
young girl-her arms wound round him, and her dishevelled hair
floating in the breeze.

"O God! Stella!" exclaimed Mario, in unspeakable horror. "Stella!-my
God, she's lost!"

With one bound he rushed in the midst of the course taken by the
infuriated horses. His cloak fell from him, his hair flew about his
pale and fixed countenance, and like a rock in the centre of a
torrent, he stood in the way of the horses!

He waved his hands wildly-he shouted to the steeds. On they came,
lessening for a moment their speed-there was a bound forward. Mario
clung at the reins with the grasp of a drowning man-there was a
whirl of dust, a rush of the multitude who followed after, and then
with a sound like the sudden peal of thunder, burst forth the
acclamation of a thousand deep-toned voices:

"Saved, saved!"

They raised Mario up-they placed him in the carriage, and bore his
insensible and much bruised form slowly to the palace of Borelloni.
All Florence rung with the tidings of the deed--the name of Mario
was spoken everywhere, and the city honored the performer of so bold
an action.

"Now what will Borelloni do to reward the gallant preserver of his
own life and his beloved daughter!"

"He will give him a thousand piastres," said one.

"He will enrich him for life," said another.

"He will do no such thing," said a third. "Mario is no mercenary
man. He despises rewards of that kind. I will tell you. He loves the
count's daughter."

"Ah," said all.

"And he deserves her. But for him she would not have lived to have
his love, nor would Borelloni have been living to refuse."

"Does he refuse?" said they.

"Mario said nothing to the count. It is an old story. He has loved
her long. But the count, who refused him once before, will not now
retract his word, even to the preserver of his life."

Mario was cared for and soon recovered. He spake not a word about
his love to Borelloni. He would not ask him now, for then he would
seem to demand payment for his action, and such a thing he
scorned-even though it should bestow upon him the hand of his
beloved.

"I will wait," said he. "I will raise myself to an equality with
her, and then Borelloni shall not refuse."

It was summer, and the sun glanced brightly, gloriously, over the
silver waters of Thrasymene's lake, for such we love to call the
lake which the Italians name Perugia. The wind blew softly over the
plain, and the rich groves all covered with luxuriant foliage shaded
the quiet fields beneath, which more than two thousand years before
had resounded with the roar of battle. The hills encircled the plain
on three sides, protecting it in winter from the cold blast and
causing it to bloom with perennial verdure. The lake rippled on the
shore of the other side, and stretched away-a sheet of molten
silver, till it watered the bases of distant hills.

In this charming spot which every traveller loves to view, had the
Count Borelloni reared a summer palace. It lay on the southern shore
of the lake, half way up the mountains, and in from its roof a scene
like one in fairy land burst upon the view, The cool winds which
blew here were an alleviation to the heat of summer and Florence,
with its noise and dust, was gladly exchanged for the quiet scenes
of this enchanting spot.

There was a boat upon the lake, and the enjoyment of sailing formed
a chief attraction to visitors, for Borelloni's villa was always
open to his friends. Yet at times there was danger attending this
pleasure, for tempests would arise and the waters would be converted
into furious waves.

"How beautiful is this lovely place?" said the count to his
daughter, as they walked upon the terrace! "What a scene is this for
a painter. See where the sun is setting over yonder-those clouds
tinged with myriad tints surrounding him in glory! See above us, how
intensely blue the sky, how clear the atmosphere! Look at the
opposite shore-how green, how glowing in fruits and flowers-all
again appearing down in the depths of this unruffled lake! O Italy,
my country, how beautiful thou art!"

"And father, look at these heights around us, and on the western
shore-these bold rocks with their summits all covered with spreading
trees. How grandly they set off the picture!"

"If I were a painter, I know no scene that I would choose to
portray, rather than this."

"Since you respect and love art so highly, father, why did you not
learn this?"

"I was too busy in my youth, Stella."

"Who of all you know is best in this art?"

"I know a great many excellent ones-many who excel in landscape
painting-many who are good in historic pictures, but of all whom I
know, the one is undoubtedly the greatest, the one who excels all
others in mingled grandeur and loveliness of conception, and who
approaches nearest to the grand old masters is he-the artist who
saved us from death--Mario."

"Mario!"

"Yes, and if he had not been guilty of such great presumption, my
palace and my esteem would have been thrown open to him
always-first, because he is chief of artists, and especially because
he saved my darling's life."

"Yet is he so presumptuous, my father?"

"My daughter! Stella Borelloni, can an obscure man aspire to the
hand of the fairest in Tuscany?"

"He may not always be obscure."

"Why do you speak thus to me, Stella? Can it be possible that
you-But no, it is not. I will not think of it nor speak of it."

And shortly afterwards they went within. Stella retired to her
chamber, and thought of her father's words. They gave her hope. He
no longer despised Mario. He could not. But he was angry at his
presumption. Obscurity was Mario's greatest fault in his eyes.

"I will take courage," she thought. "Hope comes to me. Mario's
greatness of genius has been confessed by my father. It will soon be
confessed by the world."

Meantime, Mario had become wearied of the heat of Florence. He
longed for quiet and seclusion. He wished to spend the sultry summer
months in some cooler and more agreeable retreat.

"By the lake of Perugia," thought he--"Stella lives. If I go there I
can see her as she walks or rides around. I can feast my eyes upon
her, although I am resolved to remain unseen myself. I will take my
picture there, and receive that inspiration which her angelic beauty
always gives me."

He came to the lake and dwelt in a small house upon its banks,
scarce half a mile away. Daily he would go to the top of a cliff
near by, and when Stella walked out his eyes followed her, and she,
always thinking of him, knew not that he was so near.

When she departed to ride along the borders of the lake, or for a
sail upon its waters, he watched her, and sometimes encountered her
dressed in disguise.

For two weeks he remained there, and kept his resolution of never
making known his presence. But soon an occurrence took place which
caused him to be discovered, yet in such a way that he rejoiced at
the discovery.

It was a sultry morning, and desirous of coolness, Stella with a few
other friends resolved to take a sail upon the lake. There was a
threatening aspect about the horizon, but it was unnoticed by those
who were intent on pleasure. Borelloni remained at home, being
employed at some business.

Mario sat at his usual place on the summit of the rock, and watching
the preparations, knew their object. An awning was placed above the
boat-a high and broad awning, which could effectually keep off the
hot rays of the sun.

Mario looked with anxiety upon the preparations, for he knew the
signs of the weather, and feared the appearance of the sky. All was
calm, oppressively calm, and fearful to one who knew how suddenly
storms arise under such circumstances. He would have warned them,
but he did not dare to, for fear of discovering himself. So he was
compelled to sit in a state of inaction and watch with feverish
anxiety the approaching excursion.

The party left the house, they were four in number, and the heart of
Mario throbbed violently as he recognized the form and features of
Stella among them. They went gaily to the boat which was now
completely ready, and soon were seated beneath the awning. As there
was no wind, sails were useless, so they were rowed out into the
lake.

Two or three hours passed away, and still Mario sat gazing upon the
boat which was carelessly lying still in the middle of the lake.
Mario watched them with anxiety, and occasionally cast a troubled
glance at the sky. He would have made signals, but they were too far
away to notice them.

The sky became darker, and there came a peculiar thickness and
oppressiveness to the atmosphere. Still the boat moved not.

"Can they be asleep? Can the rowers be insane?" thought Mario. "The
sky is clouded, and they do not notice it. O heaven, what can they
do! They cannot see the sky for the awning hides it."

His attention was now attracted by a sudden voice from Borelloni's
villa. The old count appeared upon the terrace, pale and terrified,
and waved his arms in the air, and screamed to those in the boat.
The shout went across the water, followed immediately by the tolling
of the great bell at the villa, which was now all in confusion.
Borelloni rushed about like one distracted, sending his servants
after boats to go out and save his daughter.

"My daughter, my daughter," he cried, "my beautiful Stella. O my
daughter!"

And with frantic gestures he rushed down to the water's edge, and
shouted to the boat-at times gazing at the angry sky above.

Those in the boat had heard his voice and seen the confusion at the
villa. Instantly the rowers put out their oars and turned the boat's
head toward the shore. They rowed fast, for hope was trembling and
preparing to take her flight from the souls of the endangered
boatmen.

The deep tones of the bell, sounding loudly and fearfully, went over
the country, arousing multitudes of men, who left their fields and
came to see the cause of such unwonted noise.

Mario sat on the rock till the boat turned toward the shore. Then
viewing the dark sky and the occasional flash of lightning, he
descended with fear to the shore of the lake. A half hour passed,
and but three miles had been passed over. One yet separated the boat
from the shore. One mile-a short period of time would suffice for
the passage, yet in that short time what might not happen!

But soon all suspense was over. There gleamed a sudden flash of
lightning over the whole sky, intensely, terrifically bright,
followed by torrents of rain. There was a short pause, and then with
a crash-a roar that sounded like the wild rage of an earthquake,
burst the awful peal of thunder-then peal on peal, roar on roar,
rolled in long reverberations along the sky, round the rocky shores,
and the heavens grew more intensely black! The storm had burst upon
them! Down came the blast of the tempest's breath, in an
overwhelming torrent of wind, and the whole surface of the lake rose
in wild surges, foaming and tossing.

When the first horrible confusion had passed away, all eyes were
strained to where the boat had been. It was nowhere to be seen. Amid
the gloom a few dark objects were all that could be descried in the
foam of the upheaving billows. There came a scream from that aged
man who had watched the boat so intently-a despairing cry, and with
his white hair streaming behind him, he dashed forward to throw
himself into the water. The servants seized him and prevented him.

"My daughter!" cried the old man. "O my daughter, she has perished!
Let me go to her!"

"Look!" exclaimed a voice, pointing to the water. "I see a dark form
amid the foam. I see it-it is a man, and he swims, bearing something
with him."

All eyes turned there. The baron revived, and again looked hopefully
at the water, where the brave swimmer so gallantly breasted the
waves.

But could it be his daughter?

They came nearer-nearer, and now the face was seen, and the hair, as
it fell and rose above the water. It was-it must be-yes, that long,
dark hair and those lovely features belonged only to Stella!

The old man bowed down his head and wept.

Nearer, nearer, and now all fear was gone, for the bold swimmer
still showed an unfailing strength and energy. But his face was
unknown. None had seen it before. Yet Borelloni knew it-well he knew
it. The same face had appeared amid the death struggle, the dust and
wild prancing of maddened horses on the Casino.

And now Mario touched the land. And now he bore his senseless burden
through the crowd to her father's arms.

"O take her Mario, to the house-carry her there, or else she dies."

But Mario laid her down at her father's feet, upon the grass, and
voicelessly, nervelessly fell down beside her.

They carried them both to the villa. They cared for them, and soon
Mario opened his eyes and asked eagerly for Stella.

"She is saved, and well. She is with her father."

"Saved? then I am happy."

He arose, and all dripping as he was, left the house, in spite of
the eagerness of the attendants.

"No," he said, "my home is near by, and why should I remain here? I
will go. Leave me."

And he arose and left the house.

"Where is the saviour of my child?" said Borelloni, on the following
morning.

"Gone?" said his attendants.

"Gone? Fools! Why did you send him away thus?"

"He would not stay, your excellency. He said his home was near by."

"Then go, I tell you, and search the country far and wide, and bring
him to me."

After their departure, the baron remained in deep thought for a long
time.

"Strange," muttered he, "passing strange, how this painter seems to
be my genius. A good genius too-near in moments of peril. How he
looked as his face rose above the waves, while he bore my daughter
to the shore. Yet how can I give her to him? I cannot."

The attendants returned at evening. Their search was unsuccessful.
But one said that a tall, noble-looking man had departed in the
diligence for Florence at early dawn.

"'Tis well," exclaimed Borelloni. "I fear to meet him. Better is it
that he should go."

Summer with its heat had passed away, and mild September had now
come, when Florence again becomes delightful. The villa at
Thrasymene was now forsaken, and the palace of Borelloni at Florence
again was all joyous and thronged with people as of yore. Again the
carriage of the count rolled along the Lung' Arno, and he received
the salutations of his friends.

Stella was lovely as before, but in her face there was a more
pensive expression than usual, a sadness that was not customary. For
she had not seen him whom she adored-the brave youth who had twice
esteemed his own life as nothing, in order to snatch her from death.
And what could move her father if this could not? He was more
thoughtful than before, and never spoke of that scene. He had never
even offered to express his gratitude to her deliverer.

Yet that evening she was again to go to the gardens of Boboli and
meet her lover. Her heart bounded with joy at the anticipation of
coming happiness; and the moments seemed like hours, as they slowly,
slowly passed away.

Again the beautiful gardens were arrayed in loveliness, and beneath
the solemn shade of the lofty trees Mario again sat beside his
Stella. They could hardly speak their hearts were full.

"And so you were long by Thrasymene and never came to me, Mario,"
she at length said.

"I would not do so. It was enough for me to be near and watch you."

"But not enough for me," she cried, with tears in her eyes. "O
Mario! I am doubly yours, for you have twice saved me from death."

"Speak not of that," he said. "I must soon know my fate. My picture
is nearly finished. In two days it will hang in yonder palace," said
he, pointing to the Palazzo Pitti. "For-what do you think-the Grand
Duke has visited my studio, and told me to bring it there."

"The Grand Duke! Was he pleased with it?"

"He praised it in unmeasured terms."

"I knew so, Mario."

Blissful was the interview, and sad were the lovers to separate. But
they had to depart, and soon Stella was at home.

Mario, filled with pleasing hope, looked at the beauty of the scene,
and went out for a walk. He wandered toward the southern gate, and
went out up a long avenue, where trees overhanging formed a long and
shadowy archway. It was a still and peaceful walk at evening. He sat
down at length behind the trunk of one of the trees, and fell into a
reverie.

Soon he was roused by the sound of approaching footsteps. He looked
down the road, and saw two men stealthily approaching, armed, and
conversing earnestly in low tones. They stopped not more than two
yards from him and sat down. Mario could not be seen on account of
his concealed position.

"Federigo," said one, "this is bad business."

"What!" said the other--"a bad business?"

"I mean not bad, but dangerous. Now if it were only to take a few
piastres, I would not care; but to kill a man, coldly and without
provocation, is rather bad."

"But we get two hundred, you know?"

"Ah, there you are right. They will jingle pleasantly, will they
not?"

The sound of a horse's steps was heard coming down the road. The men
crept into concealment and were silent. Mario also preserved
silence, and clenching his stout stick more firmly, waited the
issue.

"He is coming," said one in an earnest whisper. "It is
he-Borelloni."

Mario's heart leaped within his bosom at the word. He almost
determined to rush upon the villains. But it would be premature, and
he would be attacked. He could save the life of Borelloni more
easily by waiting.

The horseman drew nearer and nearer. He was walking his horse slowly
down the road. He soon came up a few yards from the spot where these
men and Mario sat concealed. There he paused for a moment.

"Will he stop, or go back?" whispered one.

"No-hush!" said the other.

Borelloni came on, he came abreast of them-then one fired a pistol,
and both sprang out. One seized the horse, while the other dragged
the baron to the ground, crying:

"Say your prayers, old man. You must die."

"Villains!" roared a loud voice behind them, and Mario, springing
out, gave one bound and felled the wretch to the earth. The other,
frightened and surprised, stood in speechless astonishment. Mario
rushed up to him and raised his arm to strike. The man fired. His
pistol was knocked aside by Mario, and the next moment he lay
senseless on the ground.

Mario came to Borelloni and raised him from the ground.

"Are you hurt?" he inquired.

"Good God! Is it possible!"

"I am Mario. I thank Heaven I am here to prevent these ruffians from
executing their design. Can I assist you to mount?"

He assisted the count to get on his horse again. By this time a
troop of soldiers, alarmed by the pistol reports, had come to the
place.

"Take those men with you," said Mario. "They have attempted the life
of Count Borelloni. And accompany the count to the city. But
what-you are wounded."

"No, the bullet only grazed my head. Mario you have saved my life. I
am speechless. I feel more than I can utter now."

"Do not thank me. Thank Heaven who sent me here. Good-night, my
lord." And turning, he was soon out of sight.

Stella sat in her chamber that night thinking upon her interview
with Mario. She lost herself in conjectures about the future-so
dark, so obscure, and yet it might be-so bright and happy. The noise
below told her of her father's arrival home, and she ran down to
welcome him.

"My father! How late you are! But what!" She started back in horror
at the sight of his bloody forehead. "Are you hurt? are you wounded,
father?"

"I was set upon by two ruffians, and would probably have been
killed, if--"

"Attacked, wounded! O Heaven! You shall not go out alone, father,
you must not. You are feeble, and cannot now defend yourself."

She made him sit down, and tenderly washed his wound, and stayed the
blood till the doctor came. After the wound was dressed the doctor
departed and Stella spoke.

"You said you were saved, but did not tell me how, nor did you tell
me his name. Do you know him?"

"Yes, I know him well, and have reason to know him?"

"Who is he?"

"Mario."

"Mario again? Great Heaven!"

Two days afterward Count Borelloni sat in his study, musing upon the
strange occurrences of the few past months. His thoughts dwelt upon
Mario, who thrice had been his benefactor.

"I cannot account for it. How intense, how absorbing, how wonderful
must be his love for my daughter. He has treated my scorn with
kindness. When I forbade him the house, he never came here. I
admire, I reverence so lofty a spirit!

"Where would I be now-where would my daughter be, if Mario had not
been near to save us, if he, careless of his own life, had not been
our preserver? I wondered before. Twice he had come before me-a
genius-a preserver of myself and my child. Now he comes again and
saves me. It is wonderful! I am overcome. Pride cannot resist such
greatness of soul-such magnificent actions, and Stella adores him. I
do not wonder at it. Shall I then refuse to make her happy? A few
short years are all that remain of life to me. I wish to leave my
child happiness as her best inheritance. I can make her happy now. I
can make a return to Mario for his generous actions. I can make
myself happy in the contemplation of their joy. All is over.
Farewell pride. What is birth and wealth and pride, when compared to
the glory of such illustrious actions?"

He sat down at his desk and wrote as follows:

"Mario, you have conquered. I have treated you with scorn and
indignity. You have returned it with kindness. You have saved my own
life twice, and twice have you saved the life of one for whose
happiness I would die a thousand deaths. Mario, I reverence your
lofty spirit. I admire such noble feeling-such bravery and
generosity. Come to my home. It shall henceforth be yours also. Come
to my heart, which is proud to love and honor you. Come, and Stella
shall he the reward which you shall receive as the best and most
priceless gift of the grateful BORELLONI."

He rose from his chair and called for Stella. She came to him
speedily.

"Stella," said he, "I have at last found one to whom I can confide
you, who will be your protector when I am gone. What do you say to
that? You change color-you tremble."

"O father, why now? Why not wait for a time? I am young. I will
not-I cannot leave you."

"You need not leave me. Your husband shall stay here, you both shall
cheer my old age."

"Father, I--"

"Read this, my child."

Stella glanced at it, read it hurriedly, and in a transport of joy
flung her arms about her father's neck and kissed him again and
again, while the tears stood in his eyes as he embraced his
daughter.

"Yes, Stella, all is over. I bow before him and do him honor. This
shall go to him, and he will come here to receive his reward." He
gave the letter to his servant, and again sat down to receive the
thanks and witness the happiness of his daughter.

An hour passed away, and a messenger came from the duke bearing a
letter to the Count Borelloni. It was a request that in an hour he
should come to the Pitti Palace. "For," said he, "I have lately
received as an accession to my paintings, a picture of such rare
excellence, such exquisite beauty in conception, and wonderful skill
in execution, that I set no bounds to my joy in obtaining it.
Knowing your passion for art, I have sent to you this notice of its
reception."

The count hastened to prepare for his departure. He wondered what
was the nature of the piece of which the duke had spoken so highly.

"It must be a wonderful painting," said he, "for the duke is usually
sparing in his praise. It is probably one of Rafaelle or Guido.
Well, I will soon see it."

Stella felt a joy which words could not utter. She recollected all
that Mario had told her of his picture, and of the duke's visit, of
his flattering words of commendation-and she believed at once that
his picture was the one he spoke of.

The count went off, and at the expiration of the hour entered the
palace. He was received by the duke. He was led through the long
suite of rooms where the splendor of royal magnificence is all
unnoticed amid the charms of priceless paintings, for there the
Madonna of Rafaelle tells of the boundless depths of a mother's
love, and there Murillo's Madonna breathes forth virgin purity.

At length the duke stopped before a picture covered by a screen. He
turned to the count, and saying, "Now Borelloni prepare for a
surprise," drew aside the curtain which covered it.

The count started, for not among all the galleries of Italy, not
among the priceless collections of Rome, had his eyes ever rested
upon so wonderful, so living a picture! It was a living, a breathing
form, which there, drawing aside a hanging, seemed to come forth to
meet the gazer. Upon the countenance there was the perfection of
ideal beauty. Loveliness, angelic, heavenly, was radiant upon the
face, and that face was one well known to him, for Stella stood
there, but Stella-glorified and immortal.

"Wonderful! Miraculous!" burst from his lips. "It is the creation of
a god. It is not the work of man! Who is he? Where is he? The genius
who formed this? How could it happen that it should be Stella, my
daughter? Who is the artist?"

"He is here in the next apartment," said the duke, and going to the
door he spoke to some one. He returned, leading the artist.

"This is he," said the duke. "Mario Fostello."

"Mario!" cried the count. "Mario, my preserver!" And he ran up to
him and embraced him.

"Mario, is all forgotten? Forgive me. But I wrong you in asking it."

The duke looked on in wonder, and could not conceal his surprise.
But the count begged him to excuse his emotion. "Would you know the
cause of it?" said he.

"I am all curiosity."

The count then related all-told him of Mario's love for Stella, of
his own pride, of Mario's actions. When it was ended, the duke, who
had displayed the greatest emotion, arose and went to Mario.

"Never," he cried, "most noble youth-never have I heard of more
generosity and greatness of soul. Happy is he who can call you his
friend. But you shall not be neglected by me, for while I live, you
will always have a friend. I honor your actions. I love your noble
character."

Mario was overwhelmed by mingled emotions of happiness and
confusion. Joy had rushed in upon him, like a torrent, and unable to
speak, he could only express by his glance, the feelings of his
soul.

"God bless you, my lord duke!" at length he cried. "God bless you,
Count Borelloni! I am unworthy of such praise, but I can never
forget your kindness to an obscure artist."

"An obscure artist? No, not so," answered the duke. "No longer
obscure, you are the greatest in the land, and none shall call you
otherwise. I name you count-and in a week your title shall be
formally bestowed, so henceforth, Count Fostello, you may not be
obscure."

A week afterward the palace of Borelloni was all festivity. Lights
gleamed in dazzling rows within the long halls where all the flower
of Tuscan nobility, and all the lords and barons and great men of
other lands were assembled. For this was the day when the Count
Fostello led to the altar the lovely Stella Borelloni. The Grand
Duke condescended to be the head groomsman. The magnificent form and
features of the noble artist were the admiration of all, and only
equalled by the beauty of his bride.

The story of his love and constancy, of his wonderful actions and
splendid achievements in the realm of art, was told to all, and the
city rung with his praise. All courted his friendship. All of noble
nature loved him for himself, and the baser spirits were compelled
to do him homage, for in him they saw the man whom the duke
"delighted to honor."






[FROM "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION."]

A TALE OF A CRUSADER.

BY CHARLES E. WAITE.






CHAPTER I.





  He whirls his sword, with unresisted rage,
  When closely prest, the Christian bands engage
  The high, the low, his equal prowess feel,
  The bravest warriors sink beneath his steel.

JERUSALEM DELIVERED.

THERE sat a palmer within the old baronial banqueting hall of Percy
Du Bois. The wassail had not yet begun, and there was a pause in the
feast. All eyes were bent upon the travel soiled pilgrim,--for he was
telling a stirring tale of the martial deeds done in Palestine. The
valiant Percy bent forward his anxious visage,--seamed by many a
scar, gained in feudal broils and festive brawls,--and ever and anon
burst forth, with uncontrollable excitement, into shouts of
approval, as some daring achievement was recounted.

His leathern doublet was frayed and stained by the friction of
often-tried armor, and in his richly studded belt glistened a
diamond handled poniard. Around his massive settle stood servants to
do his bidding, while at his side were two or three shaggy hounds,
resting their chins upon their master's knee-now soliciting a
caress, and now a share of the banquet. Next to the sturdy baron sat
the fair Joan, his daughter. Her features were regular, and
surpassingly beautiful, and her moist, dark eyes strained upon the
palmer, were eloquent of the deep and passionate feelings of her
heart. The cut and fashion of her habit were well calculated to
exhibit the contour of a bust, and waist that would have triumphed
over the strictest criticism of a sculptor or painter-connoisseur.
From the multitudinous folds of an ample sleeve peeped forth a
little jewelled hand, white as snow, and soft and round as a
child's. The chair in which she reclined, was of massive oak, inlaid
richly with ivory, and canopied with purple velvet, embroidered
with, flowers of gold. Her foot-encased within the smallest shoe in
Burgundy, and ornamented with a flashing jewel upon the
instep-rested upon a footstool of massive oak, magnificently carved
and inlaid.

Together with the baron and his daughter, there sat upon a dais, at
the head of the board, several guests of distinction-all listening
with intense eagerness to the tales of the exploits of the
Crusaders, in battling for the holy sepulchre. Around the walls of
the banquet-hall, were suspended the implements and spoils of war or
the chase. Crossbows and hunting-spears, helmets and corselets, the
tusks of the wild-boar and the antlers of the deer, were displayed
in picturesque confusion upon the walls, and within the niches of
the apartment.

"O, it was a glorious sight to see!" said the palmer, continuing his
narration, while his eyes flashed, and his whole form dilated with
enthusiasm. "The gorgeous trappings of the horses glistened in the
sunbeams, pennons and banners flashed and fluttered in the wind, and
the axes, and morions, and gorgets of polished steel, surging and
plunging, as the chargers reared, made the Christian army appear
like a billowy sea of silver sheen. Before them stood a host of
turbaned Moslems, defending the gates of Jerusalem. The crescents
upon their turbans gleamed, and long lines of myriads of scimitars
offered a barrier of naked steel against the crusading host, which
had come to rescue the Holy Sepulchre. I saw in the van of the
Christian array, a knight locked in complete black steel, and
enveloped in all the magnificent panoply of war. His charger was
coal-black, compact, and of gigantic proportions. The harnessings
were of cloth of gold, which swept the ground,--the bridle was
sprinkled with stars and jewels,--and pendant from the bridle-rein
were fringes of the most precious stones. He rode by the side of the
Prince D'Olivar, and he sat in his saddle, as if he were a part of
the animal that bore him so gallantly.

"'Advance,' shouted the prince. 'Now to rescue the tomb of the holy
Jesus from the impious Saracen!'

"That splendid array moved quickly on, in all the pomp and
magnificence of chivalry. Amid the fanfares of trumpets and
clarions, the clashing of cymbals, and the shouts of thousands of
spectators, they charged. Peal upon peal came the ringing of steel,
as sabres crashed down through morion and gorget, or sword crossed
with scimitar, in unending clang. Wherever rode the knight of the
sable armor, the success of the Christians was signal and complete.
His dark plume was seen floating wherever the turbans were thickest,
and the conflict hottest. Right into the midst of the Moslem host
did his impetuosity bear him, and the heathen throng swaying
uncertainly for a moment, finally broke, and dispersed in universal
flight, over the field. I saw him fighting single-handed, with a
band of Saracens, who had checked their headlong flight to attack
him,--and then the clouds of dust took him from my view.

"Just then, from amid the rabble-rout of infidels, there burst a
small troop of Moorish horse. Swiftly they flew across the plain,
hoping by dint of hoof to reach the city unscathed. Their silken
mantles floated in the wind, as they spurred their horses to the top
of their speed, and they preserved the finest order in their
tumultuous flight. Before they had proceeded above a quarter of a
league in their headlong course, a knight in armor left the
Christian ranks, and started in pursuit. He was mounted upon a steed
of blood and bone, and though the sand of the plain was hot and
arid, and unfavorable in every respect for speed, yet his mettled
horse bore him gallantly forward, and brought him nearer every
instant to the foe. On he flies-at every stride he gains-spurs and
harness jingle like the iron upon the smith's forge. The sand rolls
up in huge folds behind his horse's heels-the polished steel flashes
back the sunlight, as it penetrates the clouds of dust. Nearer and
nearer he approaches,--madly plunged the horses of the Moslems as
they strove vainly to reach the haven of safety-the walls of the
holy city. It is useless. The knight has divined the object of their
precipitate flight, as a stifled female shriek is borne to his ears,
and nothing can exceed the impetuosity of his pursuit.

"'Turn, cowards! Deliver up to me the maiden!'

"On he thundered;-with a clang his sword leaped from the scabbard,
and in an instant came crashing through a Moslem turban, and a
Moslem skull-splitting them both in twain. Then the Moors turned.
Sword strokes fell thick and fast, and nothing was heard but the
clinking of iron, and nothing seen but the flashing of scimitars.
Straight into the middle of the troop penetrated the knight, where
supported fainting upon a rearing steed, was a beautiful Moslem
lady.

"'Zelica, have courage! I come to save you!'

"The infidels tumbled from their horses, as the blows of the
knight's good sword fell among them, and several sought safety in
flight. Those who remained continued the combat desperately around
the sinking maiden, as if determined to sell their captive's
deliverance only with their lives. But four were left, and against
these, who had drawn up in line, the knight was about to hurl
himself, when a Templar, in armor glittering with jewels and gold,
came scouring across a the plain, and mingled in the fight. But
instead of of helping the hotly pressed knight, he cleft his morion
by a dastard stroke from behind, and but for the thickly plated
steel, would have thus ended his life upon the spot. The good knight
was hurled dizzy from his steed upon the trodden field, and the
Templar spurred against the Moors. His charger was fresh, and his
blood was up, so he had but little difficulty in slaying the
Infidels, and reaching the beautiful captive. Seizing her in his
powerful arms, he was about to leave the spot, when 'Conrad,' burst
from the maiden's lips, and the knight who had been prostrated by
the felon blow, rose from the dust upon his knees, and hurled his
gauntlet into the Templar's very face.

"'Stop!' he thundered. 'Release the lady, or fear the vengeance of
Heaven!'

"The Templar's visor was up, and as the glove struck him, his face
grew black with rage.

"'Conrad D'Amboise!' he shouted, 'your attempts to thwart my
purposes are vain. Thus do I take vengeance upon you!' And plunging
his spurs into his horse's sides, he would have rode him down. Yes,"
continued the palmer; his eyes sparkling with fire, and his whole
frame quivering with the most intense excitement, "he would have
trampled his bones in the dust beneath his horse's hoofs, had not
the sable knight burst upon him like a thunderbolt, and checked him
in mid career. The dastardly Templar turned to fly, but the sword of
the black warrior flashed from its sheath, and with a single vault
that dark charger stood directly before him.

"'Stand, and disgrace no longer chivalry!'

"The Templar closed his visor, and drew his blade. Sparks of fire
were struck from the clashing metal, and tufts of crests were borne
by the wind towards the walls of Jerusalem, as plumes were mutilated
by the ringing weapons. I saw that Knight Templar thrice borne to
the ground, by the powerful arm in the sable mail, and thrice arise
again, like a phenix from its ashes, to renew the deadly struggle.
As he recovered his seat the third time, almost spent by his
exertions, he threatened to plunge his sword into the heart of his
senseless burden, unless the black knight desisted from the combat,
and declared his motive for assailing him.

"'To wipe out the foul stain with which thou hast this day sullied
the fair escutcheon of chivalry, in riding down a helpless Christian
knight, and ravishing a defenceless maiden from the hands that alone
have a right to protect her! I will give thee thy life on one
condition, craven! Surrender up to me the maiden, and thou art free
to depart! But enter not a foot again into the Christian camp. An
army renowned as being the mirror of French chivalry cannot
honorably harbor a miscreant like thee!'

"The form of the Templar quivered with rage. But his armor was split
from helm to gorget--his horse bleeding and staggering with pain and
terror, and certain destruction could be his only fate, if he
continued the combat.

"'I yield to thy conditions, but when we meet again in fair field, I
shall dictate the terms of surrender!'

"The black champion lifted, as if she had been an infant, the
charming Zelica from the Templar's saddle-bow, and bore her
senseless form to the unhorsed knight. The Templar rode slowly and
sullenly away in the direction of the hills of Palestine, and I have
never seen him since. It is reported that he has returned to France,
and having renounced the oaths of his order, travels in the guise of
a simple knight, doing deeds that dishonor chivalry, and render him
universally odious. The dark mailed warrior has remained in
Palestine for a long period, doing mighty deeds of valor, and
sustaining the cause of Christ with his powerful arm; but he left
the Holy Land about the time of my departure, and is now on his way
home, to share the laurels bestowed upon the valiant defenders of
the faith."

The palmer ceased. All eyes were still bent upon him, and all looked
sorry that his tale had closed so soon.

"When did you leave the knight of the black armor?" asked the
beautiful Joan, crimsoning to the temples as she put the simple
question.

"It was above six months since, when I saw him at Constantinople. He
was on the eve of departure for France with his retinue."

The fair girl blushed still more brightly, and reclining within the
cushions of her splendid chair, remained silent and thoughtful
during the remainder of the evening.






CHAPTER II.





While the pilgrim was engaged in his recital, one of the guests at
the head of the festal board had listened with peculiar eagerness.
He was a knight, tall and finely limbed, and attired with pointed
elegance and taste. His pourpoint was barred with gold, and deep
fringes of the same precious metal adorned its borders. His face was
swarthy from exposure, though classical in contour, and eminently
handsome in expression. His lips curled proudly, his nostrils were
thin, and in every feature might be traced the unmistakable tokens
of pride and sensuality. His seat was by the side of Joan, and he
was assiduous in his efforts to please her-performing for her all
those knightly devoirs which the gallant age of chivalry required.

The eye of the palmer had more than once, during his narration, been
fastened upon this handsome knight, with incomprehensible
significance, and particularly as he spoke of the attempt of the
Templar to ride over the prostrate champion of Zelica, did his large
orbs cast upon the richly attired guest a look of mingled scorn and
anger, which, had it been observed by the host or the other guests,
would have tasked the skill of the greatest Odipus among them to
divine.

"Pass round the flagon! Let the wassail begin!" shouted the jovial
Percy Du Bois.

Joan retired to her chamber with her maids, and the revel began. The
board groaned with the good cheer, and as the wine flowed more
freely, the constant potations of the generous liquor began to have
its effect upon the hilarity of the guests. They began to display
unusual license, in their songs and conversation. Broad jests went
round, and the hall commenced resounding with the shouts of an
incipient revel. Seizing a flagon of foaming Burgundy, the knight of
the gold embroidered pourpoint quaffed it to the lovely Joan Du
Bois. The health was received with a general uproar of approval, and
wassail was drunk to many other fair dames, by the rest of the
revellers.

"'Destruction and death to the cowardly Templar, who battles against
defenceless maids and unhorsed knights!"

As the palmer uttered this, he turned to see if all were emptying
their flagons. Every one except the proud knight had quaffed his
goblet to the dregs with peculiar satisfaction, and a yell of
approbation. His stood untasted upon the board, and his eyes glared
fiercely upon the palmer as their gazes met.

"Knew you personally this Knight Templar of whom you speak?" he
asked.

"I did," replied the pilgrim, "and I owe him a debt which Heaven
will yet afford me the means of repaying!"

The scowl upon the other's brow became more savage and lowering. He
moved his position, and placing himself by the palmer's side,
uttered in a low tone in his ear:

"Conrad D'Amboise, I know you, in spite of your disguise! Beware how
you interfere with me or mine!"

Without waiting for a reply, he strode haughtily from the hall.

The revel was long protracted. At length the effect of the frequent
libations began to show itself, and one by one the wassailers
dropped unconsciously upon their benches, or staggering left the
apartment for their own chambers, until the palmer, who was Conrad
D'Amboise in disguise, remained the sole sensible occupant of the
banquet hall. He sat silent and thoughtful, by the reeking board,
listening to the murmur of the wind, as it sighed among the boughs
of the trees in the adjacent forest of Ardennes. His mind was
dwelling upon the events of the evening-the fierce demeanor of the
knight-his insolent defiance-and his marked penchant for the lovely
and sole heiress of the honors of the house of Du Bois. The hall was
silent, not a sound broke the solemn stillness. The lamps gave forth
a flickering light, and the vapor of the spilled wine poured up from
the steaming table, and diffused itself throughout the room.
Suddenly the harsh creaking of iron was borne audibly to his cars.
The disguised knight was on his feet in an instant. He listened, and
the same rough, grating noise was heard again distinctly--apparently
issuing from the corridor which led to the outer portal. Conrad
divested himself of his palmer's gown, and drawing his sword, opened
the door of the banqueting-hall, and stood in the corridor.
Cautiously he proceeded, and silently, until on arriving within a
few yards of the castle entrance, the cause of the grating sounds
which he had heard was apparent to him.

The outer door stood thrown wide open, and the night wind was
swinging it back and forth upon its rusty hinges, producing most
mournful melody. Surprised at so unusual a circumstance, he
approached the portal, and looked out into the courtyard. Before him
upon the pavement were a dozen mailed warriors, mounted, armed to
the teeth, and motionless as statues. The pale moon shone upon their
polished helms and corselets, giving them a most spectre like and
supernatural appearance. They stood directly before the arched
barbacan, which formed the entrance to the court, and appeared
waiting for the warder, to lower the drawbridge over the moat, for
their exit. Without expressing any astonishment at the strange scene
thus presented to him, Conrad D'Amboise glided from his post, and
favored by the shadows of the frowning battlements, gained a postern
in an angle of the wall, and stealthily left the court.

Above a quarter of an hour had elapsed after his departure, when the
perfidious knight who had confronted him at the banquet, issued from
the unclosed portal, bearing in his arms the drooping form of Joan
Du Bois. Striding hastily across the pavement, and putting himself
at the head of the armed men in the court, he hailed the warder at
the gate.

"Ho, there! Lower the drawbridge and give us exit!"

The bolts were drawn, and the chains clanked, as the bridge came
rattling down across the gloomy pass.

"On! Spare not the spur!" and suiting the action to the word, the
knight drove his spurrowels deep into his horse's flanks. With a
single vault the steed cleared the ditch, and as he came down upon
his feet, stood front to front with a horseman in armor as black as
night. By his side rode Conrad D'Amboise, and in the rear was a
small retinue led by a mounted lady.

"Stand! thou stain upon knight-errantry, thou curse of Templars, and
receive thy just reward!" shouted the sable knight, while his blade
flashed in the moonbeams.

Paralyzed with astonishment, the false Templar slowly drew his
weapon, while the followers of both knights drew back to watch the
combat. Delivering the senseless Joan Du Bois to a retainer, the
Templar knight plunged fiercely down upon his opponent, cutting left
and right at his visor and corselet, in his progress. The black
warrior parried the murderous strokes with infinite skill, and as
his antagonist was employed in drawing his rein to check his steed,
dealt him a blow upon the bridle arm, which split his mail and
caused his limb to drop useless by his side. Infuriated with pain,
and bursting with the conflict of all the savage passions of his
nature, the Templar now struck with the ferocity of a madman. Blows
were hailed down with most fearful vigor upon the armor of both, and
great chips of steel were struck sparkling from the polished mail.
Clang! Clang!-now the black champion is about to hurl his sword with
awful force against the Templar's shoulder-the false villain's horse
becomes unmanageable-he rushes forward towards Conrad D'Amboise,
whirling his sword wildly in the air. '

"Zelica!" he shouts, with a horrid yell of astonishment, as he
recognized the mounted lady. "Ha! upon one I can at least take
vengeance!" And he is about to transfix her with his hacked and
broken weapon, when a powerful arm intercepts his progress, and
Conrad's good sword drinks his life blood, through a cleft in his
gorget.

It is the morning after the just punishment of the Knight Templar,
before the gates of the castle of Percy Du Bois. Within a little
boudoir which looks out upon the cool shades of the forest of
Ardennes, sit four happy beings. They are Joan and the sable knight,
and Conrad D'Amboise with Zelica. The fair faces of the maidens glow
with blushes of pleasure, and the knights shine in the perfection of
manly beauty. The hand of Joan is clasped within the palm of the
dark hero-for she is his betrothed-and she gazes into his noble
face, with a look of love and trust that would have made St. Anthony
forswear his vows.

"Will you renounce crusading henceforth?"

"I must."

"You must?"

"The magic of your eyes is more potent than the cup of Circe or the
song of the Syren. It would be useless to attempt to evade it, as it
would have been for any mortal but the Ithacan hero to escape the
Circean wiles. But trust me, my fair and true Joan, I would never
attempt to leave thee, even were it possible."

Joan hid her blushing face in his bosom. She was perfectly happy.
She had waited long, and her fidelity had been rewarded.






[FROM "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION."]

THE AUSTRALIAN FOOTMAN.

BY JAMES DE MILLE.






CHAPTER I.

SHOWING HOW LOW THE GOLD FEVER MAY REDUCE A MAN.





IT was morning in Sydney harbor. The wharves were crowded with
shipping from all parts of the world which were already filled with
workmen busily engaged in unloading the cargoes. The hum of the
thousands in the city beginning their daily work, rose into the air
and spread far over the country.

It was a beautiful scene. Before the city spread the noble bay which
forms one of the finest harbors in the world, all smooth and
unruffled, for scarce a breath of wind disturbed the air. Encircling
the water rose the green shores, here verdant and smiling with
fertile meadows, and there wooded and shaded by pleasant groves or
orchards. Ships lay around upon the face of the water, from whose
masts floated the flag of many a nation, some slowly borne on by the
tide, with the wide spread sails flapping idly against the mast,
others swinging slowly, from their fast anchors. And queen of all
this peaceful scene-appeared the metropolis of Australia, with its
white houses, lofty spires, and thronged wharves-thus she
appeared-sitting in the prime of youth, laying aside her maidenhood
to wed the world.

Among a crowd of passengers who had just landed from one of the
newly arrived emigrant ships, two youths might be seen, whose
appearance denoted a station in life much above that of their fellow
voyagers. One was a tall man, with a noble figure, in which strength
and beauty were finely blended, and a countenance upon which rested
an expression of frankness. His features were handsome, his hair
being dark and glossy, his eyes black, and gleaming beneath his
brows as though they might read the soul. His companion was a
merry-hearted fellow, with lively features and a pleasant smile.

"Well, Melville, here we are at last," said the younger of the two.
"And now what do you propose to do?"

"Stay here of course. Why, Marden, my boy, what else is there to
do?"

"Have you forgotten all that we heard coming out?"

"What-that it is hard to live here now-that the emigrants
suffer-that the diggings are crowded? Why, I believe it."

"Well, what will you do?"

"I'll look out for a situation."

"Pray, how much money have you?"

"Just half a crown, my dear friend," said Melville, laughingly
tossing two silver pieces into the air.

"Half a crown! Whew! Why, I have five pounds, and expect to starve
on that."

"My dear boy. A man who has his wits about him need never starve in
this world."

"Well, I do not see what we can do in Sydney. I thought the diggings
were not more than twenty miles from here, and I find they are more
than a hundred miles from Melbourne,--which is, goodness knows, how
many miles from this place."

"Well, Marden, take, my advice and be philosophical."

"Be philosophical! It was very well to be so at Oxford, when a
fellow lost a few pounds or owed a debt to some tradesman, but it's
no go when a fellow is ever so many thousand miles from home, and
only in the possession of enough to keep him from starving."

"Do you know how much the immaculate Johnson, who came home so rich,
had when he landed at Melbourne?"

"No."

"Just sixpence halfpenny."

"The dickens! Now I tell you I'll put off Melbourne. That's the
land, my hearty!"

"Nonsense-you wont do any such thing."

"Yes, I must. I can't do anything here. I want to get to the
diggings."

"Pooh, Marden. Don't be cast down. I don't care, though. I am worse
off than you."

"You can't leave here, unless you become a bootblack or a servant."

"By the lord Harry then, I would be a servant."

"What! you would-you, the brillliant, the aristocratic Melville-the
'double first' at Oxford? Bah!"

"Certainly. Why not? The truly great man is he who will not let
anything cast him down. In short, if the proud Dame Fortune tries to
knock him down she can't come it. That's the doctrine, my boy."

"Well, my mind is made up. I will go to Melbourne."

"What-go to Melbourne? O nonsense!"

"I will, certainly. What will you do here? Come with me to
Melbourne. We can find a situation there."

"No, not more easily than here. In fact I believe that it is much
more crowded."

"Hang it, I wish I had stayed at home."

"But since you are out here, put it through, Marden."

"Ah, well," said he, with a sigh. "I suppose I'll have to,--and I
must be off this morning for Melbourne. The sooner the better, for I
have little money left. We must part, old fellow. I don't see what
you can do here, though?"

"I can earn a living, I have no friends to be ashamed of me here in
the antipodes. I suppose yonder is the vessel for Melbourne," said
he, pointing to one at the next wharf, on which was a notice to that
effect.

"Yes, that is the one."

"Well, I will help to carry your baggage there. Mine will remain
here. I am sorry we must separate, but since we seek our fortunes,
let us do what we think best. Come on."

And the two youths bearing Marden's trunk, walked over to the
Melbourne packet, which was soon to start. Many others appeared upon
the wharves who were about to leave Sydney. Some were pale and
sickly looking, others appeared like desperadoes; others had a faint
gleam of hope on their countenances, but ah, very faint.

"Look at those who have starved here, Melville. Can you stay? No,
come. Let me go back and help you here with your trunk."

"No, no, I will remain."

"But, old fellow, do let me divide this money with you."

"Thank you, Marden, you are a generous fellow-too generous. But I
would not think of it. I have no fear but that I can live."

An hour after Melville stood watching the packet, as with all sails
set, she left the wharf, and sailed slowly out of the harbor. The
wind springing up carried them away, and Melville, as the vessel
lessened in the distance, bade good-by to the last of those friends
which reminded him of home.

"Now courage!" he murmured to himself--"just let us sit down and form
some plans."

He walked over to his trunk, and sat for a while. Strange situation
for a well born and well educated gentleman! To be on a foreign
shore, with but half a crown in money, and a few clothes in a small
trunk as his worldly goods. After a while he opened the trunk, and
taking out a piece of cake, made his morning meal.

"And now for business," said he, shouldering his trunk.

He walked off with it to a small boarding-house near by, where he
opened it and took out all his good clothes. These he carried to a
pawnbroker's who gave him twelve pounds for the lot.

"Hurrah!" he cried, "twelve pounds! That I think will help me along
for awhile."

He then bought a suit of rough clothes, and going to his lodgings,
put them on, after which he went back and sold his last suit of good
clothes for three pounds more.

"Fifteen pounds I have now. Good-again! I will have my watch yet to
sell if anything happens. But nonsense, with fifteen pounds I can
make a fortune. I may as well prepare now for prosperity at the
antipodes."

On the following morning there appeared among the strange crowds of
people who throng the Australian capital, a man of most striking
appearance. His air was high bred, but his clothes were coarse, and
he walked up and down with a large barrow filled with confectionary.
He looked around upon all the people with a smile of unutterable
complacency, as though he were perfectly content with himself and
the whole world.

It was Melville!

"Ha, ha, ha!" he chuckled to himself. "I think I see myself
starving. By Jove, wouldn't Aldborough laugh if he were to see me
here? And my eldest brother, the baronet-the head of the
family-hem-shouldn't I like him to see me now! Ha, ha!"

"Confectionary, confectionary," he cried, bursting into a louder
tone of voice, which rang forth clear and deep-toned, as a bell.
"Confectionary!" and then he added with grotesque modulations of his
voice, "Confecctunarrry!"

"By Jove, how this reminds me of the little fellow in London. I'll
go the complete candy-seller. I might as well."

"Ladies and gentlemen! Here's your fine candy, lozenges, apples,
oranges, cakes and tarts! Heeeere's your chance!"

He displayed the most imperturbable calmness, walked up to ladies in
the streets with the utmost nonchalance, to sell his things, and
they, pleased with his uncommonly handsome face and fascinating
manner, invariably bought.

"The ladies! Bless their kind little hearts!" said he, gazing after
the last two whom he met. "And that little one-what eyes! what a
smile! Who can she be, and where does she live? She looked so
bewitchingly at me! I'll follow, and see where she lives."

Melville slowly walked after them, keeping at a proper distance.
When they stopped at a house or shop, he also stopped at another,
till they went on again. Our hero saw the younger occasionally
glancing back toward him, and almost fancied that she encouraged
him.

"What a lovely creature!" he muttered to himself. "Ah, there is her
house, now. By Jove I have it!"

He marked it carefully, and passing by saw the name upon the
door-plate. Henry Inglis.

"A finely sounding name. I heard her friend call her Emily-Emily
Inglis. Ah, how dear is the name! If I were but rich, now. But I can
adore her image till I become so. Yet what hope is there in this
contemptible business Bah! never mind. I'll stick to it till
something turns up."

On the following morning, Melville dressed as before, with his
barrow of confectionary, went along Summer street where Mr. Inglis
resided. It was a large stone house, four stories high, and one of
the best in Sydney. He rang at the door and after a time Emily
herself came. She started, and a half smile came across her
beautiful face. Melville himself for the first time in his life,
felt embarrassed-but he spoke up, and in the tone of a courtier,
said:

"Fair maiden-can a poor confectioner offer you anything this
morning."

"What have you?" said she, with a sweet smile.

He brought in his trays and the beautiful girl bent down over them,
while her long, dark tresses hid her face from view. Melville's
heart beat with delight.

"You will find there as good candy as any in the city," he said at
length, in a business way.

She selected a large quantity.

"O thank you, thank you, fair lady, for your kindness to a poor man
like me."

"You are a stranger here, are you not?"

"Yes, I arrived only yesterday morning."

"From England?"

"Yes, and another friend came with me, but he is off to Melbourne."

"And will you not go?"

"I decided to stay here when he left, and now I could not-would not
leave this place for the world."

"You are prospering, then?" said she, with embarrassment, for
Melville's dark eyes rested meaningly upon her.

"Yes, and happy. I have my little--"

"Emmie," said a voice at the head of the stairs.

"Yes, pa, I am coming. Please bring some more to-morrow, good man,"
added she, in a louder voice, "and if you hear of a footman who
wants a place, send him here."

"Thank you, miss," said he, in the tone of a hawker, again, "I will
do so. I am very much obliged, miss, for your custom, miss, and I
hope it. will be continued, if I can do anything to please you,
miss."






CHAPTER II.

HE "STOOPS TO CONQUER."





"Emily," said Mr. Inglis to his daughter, "what a strange servant is
this new one of ours. He is one of the handsomest and boldest
fellows in the world-looks as much like a gentleman as I do, and yet
he is a servant. I declare I feel quite a reluctance to order him
about. And when I ride out, it is awkward to have such a noble
looking fellow as my servant, riding behind my carriage. He is an
energetic fellow, I saw him selling confectionary before he came
here. Did not you say he sold some to you?"

"Yes," said Emily, faintly.

"And yet he is not impudent, but is perfectly obedient. I cannot
make him out, however. He performs everything smilingly, as though
it were an excellent joke. I wonder who he can be?"

"He is an Englishman."

"Certainly, and he is well-educated. I know so. It is amusing to see
how popular he is with the servants. Ha, ha, he has got them all to
admire and try to imitate him. You should have heard a lecture which
he delivered last night to them. I stood out in the yard, and
attracted by some noise, looked in. There our new servant was, with
a short pipe in his mouth, and a mug of ale beside him. The others
called out for a speech. Upon which he rose from the chair and got
upon the table, and spoke to them."

"What did he say?"

"O I cannot tell you half of it. He made the wittiest and most
brilliant speech I ever heard. It was interspersed with laughable
anecdotes and poetical quotations flowed in throngs from him. The
happiest hits and the most lively sallies. O, I was totally
overcome! He kept them in continual roars of laughter, and I could
scarcely contain myself. But now I must attend to some business.
Emily, where is my desk?"

"In the dining room," said she, ringing the bell.

Melville came to obey the summons.

"Henry," said Mr. Inglis, somewhat awkwardly, "you may a-will it be
convenient? a-to-my writing desk-hem?"

"Certainly, sir, a moment, sir--," and Melville disappeared.

In a short time he laid the desk before Mr. Inglis, and stood in a
corner of the room waiting any further orders.

"Emily, I am in an awkward situation. There are some French
merchants in Melbourne to whom I have to write, and I have forgotten
my French. Could you write a letter in that language?"

"Not grammatically, I fear."

"I beg your pardon, sir," said Melville, coming forward. "If you are
willing, sir, I will write it."

"Do you know French?" said Mr. Inglis, in surprise.

"As well as English, sir."

A chair was given him, and he wrote at his master's diction. After
it was over, Mr. Inglis thanked him, and said:

"I wish there was another here who could relieve me in a similar
way. I have to write a Spanish letter to a Spanish house in that
rendez-vous of all nations, and I don't know a single word of the
language."

"I know it perfectly, sir," said Melville, very meekly.

"You!-Spanish! Why, sir-why I mean-you are a prodigy! Can you write
another letter?"

"I should be delighted to do it."

And Melville wrote another, after which he carried the two to the
post-office.

"There now! What can I make of a man like that? He knows far more
than I do, and acts as though he had been accustomed to the best
society. How on earth came he to be a footman?"

Emily's heart beat-she knew why, but she said nothing.

Several weeks passed away, and it was a lovely evening. The sun was
fast descending behind the western hills, and a cool breeze from the
ocean blew refreshingly upon the city. Many carriages rolled along
the roads which led into the country. Men of all classes promenaded
the streets after the toils of the day, and nearly all labor had
ceased.

Emily and her father rode along one of the avenues which lie without
the city. It was a quiet place, for few people were there. Around
lay green fields, orchards and groves, pastures where cattle grazed,
and vast fields filled with flocks of sheep. Melville rode behind at
a little distance, gazing upon Emily as though his whole soul were
wrapt up in her.

"What will not a man do for love? Here am I a servant for Emily's
sake. Beautiful girl. I would do a thousand times as much to gain
some of those tender glances which she at times bestows upon me."

"Emily," said her father, "Is not your horse restive? He starts. I
fear he will be troublesome."

"O no, father, it is only his spirit." Melville gazed anxiously at
the horse, which occasionally started, rearing a little and swinging
his head in a vicious manner.

"Take care! O heavens!" suddenly cried Mr. Inglis, as Emily's horse
started at the sight of a blasted tree. He snatched at the reins.
The horse, disturbed by this unexpected attack, reared up and
pranced furiously.

"Father! O save me!" cried the terrified girl. Her father sprang
once more at the reins-the horse darted forward, and then with a
wild neigh, stretched out his head, and away he went, away, away,
with the speed of the wind!

"O God! O heaven!" cried the father, in agony.

For a moment Melville paused-for an instant-and then lashing his
horse he rushed on furiously in pursuit of the frightened steed of
Emily. On they went, the pursuing and the pursued. People who were
in the road, seeing the fierce beast, shrank away. Emily, pale as
marble, still kept her seat, clinging to her horse, but every moment
expecting death. She heard the voice of one pursuing, and her heart
told her who it was.

Away they went, and nothing was gained on either side. Melville
shuddered, and beat his horse to increase his speed-a little was
gained, but not enough to admit of hope. On they went. At length the
road took a long winding around a spot where the ground made a
descent, and ended in a deep gully. Emily's horse followed the road
and sped on in his headlong course.

Melville suddenly paused, and looked at the gully. The ground
descended gently, the gully was about twelve feet wide, but its
perpendicular sides descended to an unseen depth-stones and rocks
were strewed around on both sides.

Melville shut his mouth tightly, and lashed his horse. With one
spring he cleared the stone wall of the field, and then dashed
furiously over the stony ground. It was a fearful sight. Emily saw
it as she clung closely to her horse, and the yawning gulf and the
fearful deed of Melville took away all thought of herself. She
screamed in agony!

But on went the brave horse-on to the deep gully. He
prepared-Melville lashed him. One spring-one bound-and the deep
chasm was cleared, and away he went-the brave youth, up the other
side. Another bound and he was over into the road, just as the horse
of Emily, all foaming and perspiring, came up. He rushed before the
horse, and with a giant grasp seized the bridle and stopped his
furious career. The jerk threw Emily backward. She fell into
Melville's outstretched arms.

The horse stood trembling. Melville dismounted, and took Emily to a
seat near by. She looked at him so kindly, so tenderly, that a flood
of happiness rushed through his soul.

"O thank you, my brave preserver!"

"I am recompensed beyond all that I can hope, in seeing you safe."

"Where is my father?"

"He is coming. There he is! He will be here in a few moments."'

"You did a terrible thing," she said, as she thought shudderingly of
the gully.

"Did you see me?"

"It was an awful thing to see. I shuddered."

"O then, happy am I if I can gain the smallest share of sympathy-the
smallest thought from you."

"You risked your life, too,"--she did not finish, but looked at him,
and their eyes met. Hers fell down.

"Emily!"

She did not reply, but lowered her head. Through the thick ringlets
of hair which clustered around her head, Melville could see a gentle
blush which overspread her lovely features.

"Emily-speak, Emily-can you think well of me."

She raised her eyes and again they met his.

What the impassioned youth might have said, we cannot tell, but he
was prevented from speaking by Mr. Inglis, who at this moment came
up. He leaped from his horse.

"Emily, my child, are you saved!" he cried, rushing towards her, and
folding her in his arms.

"Yes, I am alive, dear father, and there is my preserver."

"Noble, brave youth. May the richest blessings of Heaven descend on
you. You have saved my child from death. I saw you risk your own at
that terrible chasm. O that I could fittingly reward you!"

There was one reward which he could give.






CHAPTER III.

FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE!





Mr. Inglis again sat in his parlor, and Emily was near. There was a
thoughtful expression upon his face. Occasionally she glanced at her
father, to see what he was doing, or perchance to endeavor to
discover what thoughts were in his mind.

"Emily," said he, at length.

"Father."

"I know not how to reward Henry. What can I do? I am in want of a
head clerk. I wonder if he understands business. I will ask him."
And he rang the bell.

Melville appeared.

"Good morning," said Mr. Inglis, grasping his hand. "I can have you
as a servant no longer. Permit me to esteem you as a friend, for
surely you are my equal, and you have laid me under unspeakable
obligations to you. Do you know anything of business?"

"What kind, sir?"

"Any kind-shipping business."

"Yes sir, thoroughly. I have been in situations where I learned it."

"Take off this servile dress. Live in my house as my friend, and if
you wish, I will take you as my head clerk."

"Your clerk, Mr. Inglis! How-how can I thank you?"

"Think not of thanks. That is my business. Come with me and I will
show you what is to be done."

And the two departed. Melville first went to purchase more
appropriate clothing, and then went to Mr. Inglis's office.

A year passed away. Melville had been prosperous beyond all his
hopes. Immense profits could then be obtained from chartering ships
and from exporting wool. Materials of food and clothing for the gold
regions at Melbourne, could also be sold at enormous profits. Mr.
Inglis had kindly advanced him money to commence independent
speculations. This he had so well used, that at the end of the year
the original amount had increased ten-fold.

"Ten thousand pounds! In one year too! And at the same time
punctually fulfilling every duty as clerk. Mr. Melville, you are the
paragon of clerks. With your genius and energy you will soon be
among the wealthiest in the country. You have now a fortune of your
own. I have long wanted a partner in my business, for I am growing
old. You can enter without feeling any great inferiority. Will you
do so?"

"You are overwhelming me with kindness," said Melville, in a
faltering voice. "How can I ever repay you? To be in partnership
with you, is such a grateful thing to me that I can never thank you
enough."

"O there is no need of thanks. I am happy to do this. One like you,
I may say without flattery, can very rarely be found. But how very
strange is the fate which threw you in my way! What wonderful
circumstances! A servant in my family! A gentleman like you to be a
servant? What led you to it? Surely you could have gained a living
in a less unpleasant way."

"It has turned out my blessing," said Melville.

In the evening, Melville, the new made partner sat alone with Emily
in the parlor. It was dark, and the heavy curtains which hung before
the window increased the gloom. The moon's rays entered and fell
softly upon the floor.

"What a strange life yours has been," said Emily.

"Yes. Do you remember when you saw me first?"

"Well-I always shall remember it-the young confectioner with his box
of candy."

"I will bless that box of candy forever."

"I have often wondered why you became a servant."

"Ah, why should you wonder? Emily, can you not guess? Would any
light cause make me do it?"

She was silent.

"Blessed be the day when I became a menial. I saved you from death
through that. O, do you ask what made me? A light had beamed across
my path. I had seen you, Emily."

Still no reply.

"I would have done anything. To see you daily-to be near you-to hear
your voice. O, it was joy to me such as I cannot describe. And I
thought at times that you looked kindly at me--that you saw through
my motive-that you-yes, Emily, that you even cared something for me.
Did you not, Emily? Did you not?"

A low reply sounded gently in his ears:

"Yes, Henry."

"Emily, my own Emily. Would you call it presumption in me if I told
you that I loved you? You know it already; you must know it. Can I
hope, dearest Emily?"

A low reply again came, which sent a thrill of rapture to the heart
of Melville. He wound his arms lovingly around the happy Emily, and--

"Halloo, what are you two people doing over there in the corner?"
said the voice of Mr. Inglis, half suffocated with laughter. "Fine
doings-hem. Speak up, sir. What is this."

Melville with his arm around the waist of Emily, and her hand in
his, walked up to Mr. Inglis.

"I have been seeking another partner, sir."

"Ho, ho-you have, have you?"

"Yes sir, and I thought--"

"You thought, did you, sir, and pray, sir, what business had you to
think? Were you not sure of it-sure of her, you young dog, and of me
also? I love you, my brave young friend, and I felt an affection for
you when you first came here. Take her and be my son. You saved her
life and she is yours. But be silent, now-none of your thanks. I
tell you I wont put up with them."

The happy party sat down. Melville by the side of Emily, and Mr.
Inglis opposite them, viewing them with the utmost delight.

"But Henry, tell us something of your former life. Whose son are
you?"

"I was going to say, 'the son of my father,' but that not being
sufficiently definite, I will tell you my father's name. I am the
younger son of Sir Edmund Melville, Melville Hall, Warwickshire,
England."

"The-ahem!" cried Mr. Inglis. "A baronet's son! Whew, and you were
my servant!"

"I entered at Eton, nobody cared for me at home. I went through
Oxford, took first honor in the university, then went home, but
being only a cipher-alias a younger son, they treated me coldly. My
father advised me to join the army. I told him I would see the army
shot first. My mind was made up to come here. Two hundred guineas
constituted all my fortune. All these I spent either before or
during the passage out. When I landed here I only had a half crown!"

"Good heavens, only half a crown!"

"All that I had in the world, except my clothes. I sold them and
commenced the business of confectioner. You know the rest."

"Why did you decide to be a servant? Ah, I know now. You look down
at that little witch of a girl who is almost crying with joy."

"I'm not, pa. What nonsense!"

"Crying with joy. and she looks knowingly at you. Ah, ha? You have
been rehearsing the play of 'She stoops to conquer,' only it was the
gentleman in this case. But now all your troubles are over."

"All over. I am happy."

And his large, dark eyes gleamed with the joy which dwelt within
him.

"Will three weeks be too soon, Emmie dearest?" said he, in a
mysterious whisper.

"Nonsense, Henry," and there came a smothered "don't," for Mr.
Inglis had left them alone for a little time.

A few days afterward Melville was standing upon a wharf watching
some passengers who landed from a vessel late from Melbourne.
Suddenly he started. "Why, Marden," he cried, springing forward to
grasp the hand of a forlorn looking individual in a tattered hat and
tattered coat. "Where are you bound, young 'un?"

"Home."

"Home? how is that? Have you made your fortune?"

"No. I'm as poor as a rat. Only earned enough to take me back. Hang
the gold country! But I declare, you look as if you had made your
fortune."

"I have. But tell me, would you go home if you could get a good
situation here?"

"No, indeed."

"Then stay. But first come to a hotel and 'renovate.' If you want
money, I can lend."

"Hurrah! I don't want money. Since I am sure of a situation, I will
lay aside the ragamuffin character, and be once more a gentleman."

"And in two weeks hold yourself in readiness to--"

"To--to what?"

"To attend my--"

"Well?"

"My--well, my wedding."

And he did attend his wedding--and a happy occasion the event proved
to all.






[FROM "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION."]

THE CORSAIR OF SCIO.

BY JAMES DE MILLE.






CHAPTER I.





  The isles of Greece! the isles of Greece!
    Where burning Sappho loved and sung;
  Where grew the arts of war and peace,
    Where Phobus rose and Delos sprung--
  Eternal summer gilds them yet,
  But all except their sun is set.

-BYRON.

IT was morning among the islands of Greece and the dark blue sea on
every side showed not a ripple upon its bosom. The sky was as calm
and peaceful as the water which reflects its azure hue, and not a
cloud appeared to mar its surface. The sun just rising cast a broad
gleam of light over the scene, and threw upon the wide sea a long
path of ruddy light. Around lay the isles of Greece--the home of
classic poetry, whose trees and gentle brooks, whose groves and
fields, whose very rocks and soil, bring up before the mind glorious
memories of the past. There they lay, appearing double as their
images were seen reflected in the mirror-like wave, the branches of
their clustering trees hanging down gracefully--droopingly. But more
glorious than all the lovely spots which dot these sparkling waves
is Scio-the beautiful, the classic Scio. Here were the remains of
many a glorious temple of the ancients. Here were rich vineyards
whose vine yielded the famous Chian wine. Here the long avenues of
orange trees and olives, of citron and lemons, appeared on every
side, and odorous breezes from the East, laden with perfumes of
spices and flowers, blew ever gently upon the blest shores of Scio.

It was in the middle of the eighteenth century, when Scio was at the
height of her glory and prosperity, when the people were wealthy and
happy, and all was delight and pleasure-it was at such a time that a
small vessel might have been seen at a short distance from her
northern coast. Every stitch of her broad latteen sails was
unfurled, but no favorable wind came to fill them-no motion was in
the air. Upon the south the green and richly wooded shores of Scio
stretched along, upon which at times appeared the sheen of some
marble cliff as it jutted out among the green vegetation.

The vessel was long and sharp. Two tall masts supported the broad
triangular sails, and a red flag without device floated from the
summit of the main; men appeared dressed in the Grecian costume
lolling about the deck, some smoking, others talking, and others
sleeping. At the stern the leader paced up and down. He was young,
and had in his face all the high spirit and impetuous daring of
youth. His features were perfectly Grecian, all as finely formed as
those of some antique statue of his native land. A small fur cap was
placed upon his head, from beneath which rich clusters of raven hair
flowed down. His eyes were large and dark, and a jetty moustache and
beard completed the manly expression of his countenance. He wore a
rich crimson jacket, embroidered with gold, loose trousers with
boots which reached to his knees, and a red silk scarf wound around
his waist afforded a place where to put two pistols and a Turkish
dagger. A larger sword dangled at his side, and in his hand he held
a long light gun which, like his pistols, was richly ornamented
after the oriental fashion.

"Maffeo," said he to his lieutenant, "how goes the wind now!"

"There is not any wind to go," said Maffeo, a strong and hardy man
who was leaning over the side.

"Well, I think we will have a wind very soon."

"A wind? Do you? Why?"

"I feel it."

"You can always tell, I know not how, when there will be a wind. We
are ready for it, however."

"Maffeo, what was that you heard about these cursed Turks, when you
were ashore?"

"Didn't I tell you? Well, I heard that they had landed upon Komao, a
little island near--"

"I know it well."

"Where there were only a hundred inhabitants. Monilon, the principal
man there, was seized, beaten, robbed, and the worst of it was, his
daughter Iona was carried away."

"What! carried away? Iona! I have heard of her as the most beautiful
of all Grecian girls."

"She is gone like many others to the slave market at
Constantinople."

"Ah, the accursed hounds! the dogs of unbelievers! Thus they
tyrannize over us, and rob our men, and carry off our virgins. But
great Heaven, shall this be done longer? Ah, the wretches! Maffeo,
this will make us whet our swords more readily upon the next Turks
with whom we fight."

"Whew!, there comes the wind! see how it blows around yon rock."

"And by all the holy saints and angels, Maffeo, there is a Turkish
vessel. Ha! two vessels. By heaven, there are three!" he cried, as
one after another three vessels came borne by the wind around the
point where it blew.

"How can we get off? We have no wind. They will be upon us.-See,
each vessel is larger than ours, and the decks are crowded with
armed men: See that long gun. It can shatter us to pieces!"

"Peace, Maffeo. Be not so fearful. The wind will come to us before
they can get near enough to use that long piece. Halloa there! up my
men! There are three Turkish ships behind us!"

With many an oath and imprecation, the sailors rose and hastily
gathered their arms. One of them strung up at the foremast another
flag, on which appeared a crescent beneath a cross.

"Now my brave men, we will have to run. But we do not always do so.
Perhaps the time will come when we may have our turn at chasing. If
they come up, fight, fight like fiends, and die like Christians!"

Loud cheers arose and shouts of "Long live Ranadar! Long live our
noble captain, the brave Ranadar!"

And now the wind which Ranadar had prophesied, came down to them. It
blew steadily and strongly, so that in a short time her sharp prow
dashed the bright waves foamingly on either side. The Turkish
vessels who had borne down toward the corsair, as soon as they saw
him, and had felt certain of seizing him, now uttered cries of
disappointment, as they saw him move away. Loud cries were sent
across the water, shouts of ridicule and opprobrious names which the
wind bore along to their ears.

Ranadar looked back and shook his scimetar at the Turkish vessels.

"Howl on! The time will come when you will tremble before
me-Ranadar, the corsair!"

He cried so loudly, that they seemed to have heard him, for suddenly
a shot came from the long gun, but it fell short, far short of the
mark. The men of Ranadar shouted in derision, and jerked the flag
whenever appeared the humiliated crescent, so as to attract the
notice of the Turks.

Ranadar gazed anxiously upon his pursuers. Still they came bounding
over the waves behind him, and his quick eye could not but see that
the distance between them was gradually lessened.

"Maffeo, they are coming up to us."

"What, can a Turkish vessel equal our swift ship?"

"These are sharp, and see what huge sails they carry. I fear they
will come up with us."

"Well, we will fight them-yes, all three!"

"Good, Maffeo. You are a brave man. Tell this not to the men for a
time, yet."

Ranadar watched more anxiously. The hours of day passed on, and
midday arrived. Though his own bark was swift, yet these were
evidently more so. At morning, the foremost was about two miles off.
Now not more than a mile separated them.

"Before night it will all be up. O the scoundrelly Sciotes! Why did
they not give notice of this?" and Ranadar walked anxiously about.

"Men," he cried at last. "Ho, there! Listen. We are lost. These
Turks will overtake us. But who will think of yielding? None?"

"No, no, none," cried the men.

"Then let us fight. Prepare a train, and when all is ready, when our
decks are full-then fire, and blow these Infidels to perdition! We
will make the Turks remember us, and when they pursue another
corsair they will tremble, for they shall think of Ranadar the
corsair." In obedience to his orders the train was prepared, but as
it would be some time before their pursuers would come up to them,
they did not make any preparation for soon firing it.

Three hours more passed, and now the nearest ship had arrived within
gunshot. The long gun was loaded after some trouble, and pointed
directly at the corsair vessel. Ranadar and his men cried out in
tones of defiance. At last the shot came. A loud explosion thundered
around, a ball came whizzing by, and passed through the sails, but
did not touch the mast.

"What use is there to run, Maffeo?"

"None, whatever, captain."

"Are the guns all-ready-loaded?"

"Yes, every one."

"Bring them out so as to place them easily on this side."

The men loosed the guns which were not very large, and made them
ready to be placed on the side opposite.

"Now! 'Bout ship-round with her!"

The men who understood Ranadar's design, obeyed, and the vessel
turning, now bore down upon the nearest Turkish vessel. Those on
board seemed perfectly thunderstruck at the sight of the chase thus
turning the tables upon them.

"Fire!" he cried, as he arrived opposite the Turks.

The guns were fired directly into the crowded ship. Loud cries and
screams, and the crash of a falling mast told how well those shots
had been aimed.

"Now for the next!" screamed Ranadar, excited. "We will serve them
in the same way!"

But the others were prepared, and drew up to await their approach.
On came the vessel of Ranadar, and the flags flew proudly from both
masts, while the men shouted enthusiastically. Loud sounded the
thunder of her guns as she passed swiftly by the two vessels. But
the report and the cries from the wounded were all exceeded by that
of the broadside given back by the Turks. The mainmast fell down
over the side with a deafening noise!

"Cut it away! Clear the ship!" cried Ranadar.

In a few minutes the mast was free, but the vessel moved only slowly
through the water. Her sides were shattered by those terrific
broad-sides, wounded men lay stretched upon the decks. The two
Turkish ships were quite near.

"Give it to them again, my rovers!" cried Ranadar, as he himself
picked out the Turkish captain with his gun. Another volley was
fired and again another, with the same effect as before. And this
was the last, for both Turkish ships coming quickly up fired
broadsides, and grappled with the disabled corsair.

The men poured from both ships into her. The Greeks seized their
scimetars and rushed into the deadly encounter. Maffeo fought like a
lion, killing three Turks in succession. Ranadar fired his pistols
and killed two of the foremost leaders. Then hurling them at the
heads of the followers, he rushed at them sword in hand. "Fight,
Greeks, fight! Down with the Turk!" and crying this, he toiled on in
the mortal strife.

But bravery could avail little against such numbers. The Greeks were
driven back, killed, overpowered by the vast odds against them.
Forced from the quarter deck into the middle of the vessel, they
stood there like their forefathers at Thermopyl', and fought for
their freedom. Not a word was uttered, not a cry from either side,
but foot to foot and steel to steel the combatants waged their
deadly warfare. Suddenly Ranadar disappeared below, and in a few
minutes returned with a beaming countenance and fresh energy.
Rushing at an enormous Turk who wielded a tremendous scimetar, the
corsair attacked him. In a few moments the Turk was disarmed, but
springing at Ranadar, he held his sword arm tightly, and sought to
throw him over. Ranadar dropped his sword, and closed with the Turk.
They swayed backward and forward, they fell and rose, they whirled
round in endless convolutions, so that neither Turk nor Greek could
strike a blow for his countryman. But even Ranadar seemed to gain.
Holding his adversary tightly by the throat, he forced him to the
vessel's side. He pushed--he strained--and then--and then--with a
mighty noise which seemed as though the air was rent with a dazzling
flash, and smoke, and fire, and blazing brands, and shattered
vestiges of broken ships, amid arms, and dead bodies, and a thousand
hideous shapes and forms-Ranadar felt himself seized by some
irresistible force and thrown with the fury of a tempest far out
upon the water. For a moment he was senseless, and lay perfectly
still, clutching to the Turk. Then he looked, and a blackened corpse
lay in his arms. Shudderingly he released himself, and swam around.
Where the corsair ship and her two foes had lain, nothing was seen
but some blackened fragments, and the whole sea far and wide seemed
covered with them. At the distance of a few hundred yards he saw the
first Turkish ship which he had disabled, coming down toward the
horrid scene. He himself had been uninjured. The large Turk whom he
had pressed closely to him had saved his life. His clothes were
partly burnt, but that was all. With a prayer of thanks for his
deliverance, he swam toward the Turkish ship.

"I will try how they will treat me. Better not die wilfully, since I
have been so wonder. fully preserved. Great God I only! I alone out
of so many!"

The men in the ship saw him. A boat was lowered and he was brought
on board. For a few moments he was all unnoticed, so terrible had
been the calamity. Boats moved slowly over the scene, but there were
no more living beings to be found. All was one wide scene of havoc
and ruin.






CHAPTER II.





Ranadar stood in silence awaiting his fate. At last the Turkish
captain approached him.

"Dog of an Infidel! Who are you who are thus saved when Moslems have
perished?"

"I am a Greek."

"I know you are, and that you are a corsair, and that you have
served under Ranadar, the abhorred of heaven, whom Mahomet confound!
But he is even now in Eblis."

"He is not. He lives."

"What! will you say that others are saved beside you?"

"No."

"How then can Ranadar live?"

"I am Ranadar!"

At that well known name the Turkish captain, laid his hand furiously
upon his scimetar. The men who had been looking at the prisoner, or
endeavoring to discern some living being upon the water, all turned
as if by one impulse, to look at the dreaded corsair. He stood there
with folded arms, glancing at them as haughtily and proudly as
though he were victor, and not a captive.

"You Ranadar!"

"I am. I did that," said he, pointing to the blackened fragments
upon the water.

"What! You come here, you confess your name, and your atrocious
deed? Do you hope to live?"

"No."

"And you shall not be disappointed. Here, come forward," said he, to
some of his men, who were, armed with axes. "Hew the ruffian from
limb to limb!"

"Do your worst, vile Turk! I scorn you, and laugh at death. Better
it is to die than live in captivity!"

"Ha! say you so? Then I will bring down your proud spirit, and
Ranadar the corsair shall be Ranadar the obedient slave! Men, bind
him."

"Look well to your bonds, then, for strong bolts and bars have
before this failed to hold me."

"Bind him! Gag him! Stop the mouth of the dog!" shouted the fierce
Turk, in ungovernable fury. "Take him below, away out of my sight."

And the corsair was bound and taken below.

The Turkish ship left this scene of destruction and proceeded on her
way to Constantinople. There she landed, and over the city spread
the news of Ranadar's captivity, for his name was well known among
the people. As he was brought ashore, a vast multitude assembled to
have a look at the dreaded corsair. He looked around upon them, and
save a slight smile of scorn, no emotion was visible upon his marble
countenance.

The Turkish captain, whose name was Achmet, took him as his own
slave, swearing that he would bring down his proud spirit, and tame
him as he would a wild beast-by hunger. Accordingly, Ranadar was
placed in a dungeon, whose moist floor, and dank, slimy walls showed
it to be beneath the surface of the sea-far down under the ground.

He narrowly examined the dungeon in which he found himself confined.
It was not more than ten feet square. At the side opposite from the
door there was a small grating, through which entered some feeble
rays of light. The iron stanchions were thick and strong, and beyond
the first one which he saw, there was yet another. The aperture was
about a foot square.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, when he first saw it. "That is what I wished
for, Achmet will leave me here without food for three days. When he
comes, perhaps the bird will be flown. My manacles are off! Good!-I
can use my hands."

He slowly unwound the scarf which was around his waist, and
disclosed beneath its folds doubled cords of silk, which, if
extended, might reach forty feet. He examined this, tried its
strength carefully, and then tied it round him. he then took off his
Fez cap, and from beneath the lining he pulled out some small
instruments. There was a knife, and a saw of the finest and hardest
Damascus steel.

But little light now entered the window, for it was late in the
afternoon. Ranadar went up to it and tried to pull the iron from its
place, but in vain. Then he quickly but stealthily prepared to saw
the iron through. There were eight bars in each grating through
which he would have to cut. By working steadily through the greater
part of the first night, he was able to take out the first grating,
and finish half of the other.

"Now," said he, toward morning, "so much is done. To-morrow I will
be out. But good heaven! Holy virgin!" he exclaimed, suddenly
putting his hand to his breast. "Ah, kind heaven, thou hast not yet
deserted me."

He took out a small bundle in which there were dates, and with a
portion of these he satisfied his hunger. Night came on and found
him with an unconquered spirit, still laboring at his work. At last,
when it might have been an hour before midnight, the outer grating
was displaced, and Ranadar passed through.

He found himself in a narrow passage which went for a long distance
on either side. For a time he hesitated which way to choose, but at
length, he turned toward the left and went on. He walked for a long
distance, and at last came to a door, which, opening, disclosed a
flight of steps. The blast of fresh air told Ranadar that here was a
way to escape, for it led to the outside. The air also had the
freshness of the sea, and brought with it the perfumes of distant
shores, There was another flight of steps on the left at the top of
which was a narrow chink, through which a feeble ray of light
passed. The fugitive paused a moment, looked up the steps before
him, and then up the others at the light.

"I will go here," said he, as a sweet stream of music accompanied by
a mournful female voice, came down to his ears. "I will go here,"
and drawing his dagger, he went up the narrow steps, and reaching
the summit, he saw a small niche in which he might stand and look
into the room through an aperture, apparently made for the purpose.
"Ha!" he murmured, "this is some plan of Achmet. Would that I could
meet the villain now!"

Then gazing into the chamber, through the aperture, a beautiful
sight met his view. The room was magnificently furnished. Rich
curtains hung from the walls. The carpets spread upon the floor were
from the looms of Persia, the couches and stools were carved in the
most skilful manner. From the vaulted ceiling a brazen lamp was
suspended, whose light cast a mysterious gleam upon the scene. All
was in the most gorgeous and splendid style of oriental
voluptuousness.

Upon a couch in one corner of the room reclined a young girl whose
lovely countenance threw all else into the shade. Her dark hair was
loose, and her eyes were cast down droopingly, shaded by their long
black lashes. She was dressed in the elegant Grecian costume, and on
her head she held a small guitar which she had just finished
playing. Ranadar looked at the beautiful being, filled with wonder
and profound astonishment at so much beauty. What was his amazement
when he saw her raise her head and gently sigh his own name?

"Ranadar!"

He thought that she was some unearthly being when he heard it, and
looked upon her as she buried her face in her hands and wept. A
sudden noise alarmed her, and she raised herself languidly upon her
couch. Footsteps were heard outside, and after a time Ranadar saw
the door open and his hated foe Achmet, walk in.

"Allah save you, beautiful Grecian maiden! Who is there who in
beauty can equal Iona? I hope you are more tender than you were
yesterday?"

"Leave me to myself," she cried, waving her hand.

"O no, no,--do not send me away, do not deprive me of the light of
your heavenly smile. You torture me. Why do you treat me so Maiden,
you are my slave."

"By purchase-but I yield not to you."

"Hearken to me. You have defied me too long. You are in my power
entirely. If you will not love me willingly, I would scorn to compel
you. I have come this time expecting you to be more kind. I find you
unaltered, I do not love you well enough to wait for you to change.
You must die!"

Ranadar shuddered with ill-suppressed rage, but the lovely Iona
gazed at Achmet unshrinkingly.

"I know you love another. I know your affection for that pestilent
Grecian. I have watched you, seen your actions, and heard you sigh
his name. He too shall die!"

"He will never be in your power."

"Will he not? He lies now in my lowest dungeon. There he shall
starve!"

Iona who had thus far been firm, when she heard that, fell back upon
the couch, but ashamed of her weakness, raised herself, and again
confronted her enemy. But her face was deathly pale, and her hands
were clasped tightly together.

"In one hour, Grecian maid-in one hour,"--and his voice sank to a
deep, hard whisper--"you shall die, and nevermore shall your father
behold you-nevermore shall Ranadar gaze upon you unless it be in
Eblis." And Achmet departed.

"Alas, he never has gazed upon me. Ranadar never has seen me, but I
have seen him-ah, too often."

Ranadar was filled with a variety of contending emotions. But
passionate love and pity for the beautiful Iona were pre-eminent
among them. He looked in silence after Achmet had gone, but suddenly
remembered that no time could be lost in waiting there.

"Surely," he said to himself, "there must be something else here
beside this aperture, there must be some small door by which one
might enter. He searched narrowly around, and at length saw a small
panel which seemed fastened by a concealed bolt. This he pushed
back, the door opened, and Ranadar stood before Iona. At the noise
of his entrance, she started, and looking up, muttered a few words
in a daring tone, as though she supposed the slaves had come to put
her to death, but seeing Ranadar the great corsair, the man whom she
loved beyond all words, she uttered a faint scream of joy and raised
her arms and face to heaven. He caught her in his arms.

"Fly with me, Iona. I know all. Come with your Ranadar. Ah, come
quickly. Hark, there are sounds without. Hasten!"

She seemed incapable of motion. So great were the conflicting
emotions which disturbed her soul, that she neither spoke nor moved.

"Iona, my own love, my soul!" he cried imploringly, and as she
leaned gently upon him, he raised her in his strong arms, and
passing back through the secret door, he bore her down the stairs.
Then up he went with his lovely, trembling burden, up the stairs at
which half an hour before he had paused, and a thrill of rapture
went through him, as on reaching the top he found himself upon a low
terrace which overlooked the sea. Iona's arms were clasped about his
neck. The lovely girl, overcome by her sudden escape from death,
from sorrow and misery--overcome at the sight of Ranadar, free, and
making her free, felt a deep gush of joy and bliss, too great for
utterance. Her tears of happiness flowed freely, and while she clung
to him she sighed his name,--"Ranadar!"

"Cling to me closer, closer, Iona! There is the water beneath us. We
must escape. See, yonder there is a boat. I must carry you there."

About a hundred yards away, upon the moonlit surface of the water, a
small boat could be seen lying at anchor. None seemed to be on
board. There Ranadar determined to swim. The water was dashing
against the stone wall ten feet beneath. He unwound his scarf and
fastening it firmly to an iron bar, he took Iona in his manly arm,
and then descended. The cold water received the lovers and enfolded
them. Iona clinging to Ranadar as he directed her feared nothing,
for her lover was with her. He struck out boldly and swam slowly to
the boat. Gradually he approached, and at last his hands grasped it.
Raising himself stealthily, he looked into it, and found it empty.
Then he placed Iona within, and crawling in after her, a few moments
sufficed for him to hoist the sails. A fair wind blew from the
harbor. The light boat felt its influence and started at the blast,
and bounded over the waves carrying them home to Scio.






CHAPTER III.





Once more the waters of the ’gean Sea and the blue waves of the
Grecian Archipelago shone beneath the morning sun. A small ship was
seen stealing along the coast of the Isle of ’gina. It was gaily
painted, but guns peeped through her sides, and a long one was
mounted amid-ships. Aloft, a red flag streamed, and the sails, which
were distended by the breeze, glistened from afar upon the blue
water. She was slowly and noiselessly sailing toward a promontory,
upon whose summit a strange flag was flying, apparently a signal of
some kind.

Upon the other side of the promontory, and sailing directly toward
it was a Turkish vessel. By the listlessness of all on board, it was
evident that they were ignorant that an enemy was so near. The
captain leaned over the stern and gazed into the water. An aged man
in the dress of a slave, but whose intellectual countenance belied
his costume, was cleaning a sword.

"Monilon!" cried the captain, sternly, "Why are you so long. May
Allah eternally confound you, indolent heathen of a Greek!"

"Achmet, you are my master. I am old. Do not beat me. I have not the
strength of youth."

"Insolent greybeard! Be more respectful. Since your daughter's
escape, you have grown suddenly bold. Beware!"

"I rejoice that Iona is out of a ruffian's power."

"Dog! What! Ha!" he cried, in amaze, as turning to fell the old man
to the deck, he saw the Grecian vessel rounding the promontory. "Ho,
men! up! To arms! A corsair!"

Instantly, every man sprung to seize his arms. The guns were made
ready, and all was prepared for action.

"Monilon, go below. We will blow up these knaves in your absence.
You will have company soon from the slaves in yon ship."

A wild shout from the corsair interrupted him. Suddenly the
approaching vessel paused, and some movement was made upon her
decks.

"By great Allah, they are afraid. Ha! They are moving that long gun.
They are pointing it." A loud noise followed his remark, and a huge
ball struck the ship sending the splinters around in every
direction. Then the corsair bore down upon them. Yet not more than
six men appeared upon her deck. When close by she poured a broadside
into the Turkish ship, wounding and killing great numbers. The Turks
sent back another, and shot off some of the rigging. But now the
ships were close together. A trumpet was blown by a noble and
splendidly apparelled youth who seemed to be leader. Instantly a
crowd of men poured out from the hold. They came thronging the deck,
and rushed after their leader into the Turkish vessel.

"Ranadar!" shouted Achmet.

"Ha, Achmet!" and Ranadar rushed upon the Turk. Their scimetars
crossed and flashed fire. Three times the steel of Ranadar started
the blood of Achmet. Twice he forced him upon his knee. At last the
Turk struck furiously at the corsair. But the next moment his sword
was whirled from his hand, and the Moslem chief fell gasping at the
feet of Ranadar.

"Victory, victory! Down with the Turks," shouted the fierce corsair,
as they rushed more furiously than ever upon their foes. "Victory!"
and the shout which added force to the Greeks, took away the courage
of the Turks. For a while the carnage raged, the Greeks cut down
their enemies who still fought with the wild energy of despair. Many
leaped into the sea. Others leaned against their dead comrades, and
though wounded, still kept up resistance.

"Yield! yield! You are conquered!" cried Ranadar! "Yield, and I
will be merciful!"

At this there was a pause. They threw down their swords, and
acknowledged themselves prisoners.

But as Ranadar turned to look upon the dead body of Achmet, and to
direct his men about the ship, he saw an aged man leaning against
the side of the ship. For a moment he looked, and then springing
forward, he caught the old man in his arms.

"Monilon, alive! Are you yet alive, then? Iona has mourned you
long."

"Ranadar, Heaven bless you forever. Did you save my daughter?"

"I escaped, and she fled with me."

"Ranadar, your name is terrible to your foes, but O, how sweet, how
dear, to your friends. God bless you, is an old man's prayer."

The Turkish vessel was plundered, and after dividing, enough was
found to fill the corsairs with joy. The Turkish prisoners were
carried to Scio, and after a long time were exchanged for Greek
captives. The name of Ranadar gained new glory, and his deeds were
spoken of everywhere.

One tenth of the spoil was Ranadar's, but this he forced upon
Monilon, in order to enable him again to rebuild his ruined home in
Komao. Monilon took it, for well he knew that Ranadar would have it
again-well he knew it, by the happy smile and lovely blushes of
Iona.

Komao rises from the sea not more than thirty miles to the north of
Scio. It is a lovely spot, where trees of luxuriant foliage and
richest fruit grow on every side. Here the vineyards are seen, where
vines hang in graceful festoons from tree to tree; orchards filled
with a thousand fruits, gardens where blooming and odorous flowers
give forth their fragrance to the air--running streams and gushing
fountains. In this paradise dwelt Monilon; here Iona was brought up,
and here Ranadar came to take her to his home. But that home was on
the same lovely island, and there they lived in happiness such as
earth can seldom bestow, for if the tenderest love and the most
beautiful scenes of nature can afford happiness, then Iona and
Ranadar had nothing more to desire. The corsair seldom after sailed
the sea. He was contented to dwell at home, and ever blessed the day
when he was led captive to Achmet's dungeon.

THE END.


*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 4956 ***