Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

apartment according to his rank and means, and settle himself as he thinks best; where one soon feels at home, just like a frequented cursaal on rainy days. While promenading in the galleries or on the broad terrace, one makes acquaintances, exchanges friendly words, and arranges to meet in future at some place of general resort, as one does at the promenades at watering-places; and as the assemblage is less numerous, and the choice, therefore, more limited, one even sooner becomes intimately acquainted.

Thus it happened, when Peppa and Magallon wandered arm-in-arm upon the terrace, enjoying the pure morning air, or watching the last rays of the evening sun, that they were soon remarked by all the young men. By one, however, in particular; he was a Frenchman, the young Count Jules de St. Elme, who, from discontent and aversion of the artificial tone of society, and the vice of the higher circles in Paris, his native place, had escaped from thence to seek among people less cultivated, and under other zones, that purity which he considered lost in his fatherland. But in the East, the poor young man met with the same character under another form, only more distinctly displayed, and in more repulsive traits, for it appeared under coarse expressions and almost brutish roughness. Thus in despair of finding there what he desired, he returned to Europe, still uncertain in which of its countries he should now seek for his ideal; for, notwithstanding he had become acquainted with love in the boudoirs of Paris, where it is called coquetry, and in the pavilions of the East, where it is called sensuality, he still hoped to find the woman who did not only think that he was a count, that he had ten thousand a year, or that he was the lion to conquer whom vanity vied in every drawing-room, or the lively youth with the dark blue eyes and the Grecian profile; no, the woman who had a heart capable of responding to his own, and who would willingly listen to him with out making inward calculations while half yawning at his words of love. Expecting so much as he did, it may be supposed that he had not yet fixed on his future destination, when plenty of

time was afforded him to reflect and determine in the house of quarantine.

Our charming twins had already been a few days in quarantine when he arrived. After seeing the beautiful sisters once or twice, and having spoken to them a few times, can you blame him that he came to the bitter conclusion that he was in love, not with Magallon, not with Peppa, but with both, and withont being able to say which of them he would choose and which refuse, if he were permitted to take his choice? It was positively not his fault.

When they hovered before him, each movement full of grace, when at the same moment the fire of those two pairs of dark eyes met his, and with equal timidity were turned from him; when both the young faces were overspread with a similar blush, and the sweet voices spoke to him with equally natural frankness, then the irresistible charm of both enchantresses captivated him and drew him towards them; then, indeed, one could pity the poor, romantic count, perhaps even laugh at him a little, as he stood caught in the fatal net; but to blame him-that was impossible.

And in the sweet sisters too, who until now had been accustomed to live without reflection and without meditation, without remembrance and without hope, feelings and sensations sprang up, which they did not communicate to each other, not because they wished to keep them secret from each other, but because they did not understand them; because they were not accustomed to examine themselves, to investigate their hearts, and account to themselves for their feelings. Perhaps an experienced woman of the world would have drawn many artless confessions from their conversations which they themselves did not discover in them. So far is certain, that both became uneasy as soon as the hour for the usual promenade approached; that whenever the young Frenchman had had a long and friendly chat with them, they thought the house of quarantine the most delightful residence in the world; but had caprice, or some other cause, banished the count to his room, it appeared to them tiresome and unbearable.

And it was not to be wondered at

that the pretty Maltese maidens were captivated with the young Parisian. His beauty was not the magnet, for Matteo's good looks caused him to be the envy of all the young men of his acquaintance, and Magallon's handsome fiancé gave place to none of his countrymen in appearance. Compared to them the pale Parisian might have appeared to disadvantage. But the very fact that he was a Parisian, that he came from the admired and much-praised capital of fashion, the pleasure-garden of the arts, was a superiority which made an impression on them both. They had never had any intercourse with Europeans from the best circles of the capitals. In their own native place their station in society was not sufficiently high to gain them admittance into the first circles of the English authorities. Those of less importance who visited them were below them, and Colchontris was a prejudiced Greek, and Matteo a thorough Maltese, who would sooner have buried himself among the cotton plantations of Gozzo than mix with the nation for whose foreign emperor his father had fallen.

to

accomplish his desire, when, one evening
that the terrace was more full than usual,
he succeeded in the crowd in gaining
possession of the arm of one of the two
beauties, while the father accompanied
the other. Later in the evening he skil-
fully exchanged the one for the other,
and thus was able-a second Don Juan,
only with less wicked intentions
pour out to each many ardent profes-
sions of love, of unfading remembrance,
and many hopes of meeting again. From
that moment the sisters became aware
that they really had something to hide,
and could keep a secret from each other.
It was sad for the count that he could
only attain his object the evening before
their departure from the house of quar-
antine; for the poor fellow had still to
remain a whole week there — a week in
uncertainty, with all his unaccomplished
wishes!

Good Paterno was right glad that their detention was at an end, for he had remarked that the health and gayety of his darlings had suffered much in the Lazaretto; he often found them thoughtful, and their nurse, who had accompanied them, told him that they frequently sat for whole hours together without exchanging a word. And this silence in two young women, two Maltese !

Thus when young St. Elme addressed them in French, such as they had never heard; when he spoke to them in the language of gallantry and passion; when, with the warmth and national pride The father thought that they would of a true Frenchman, he told them of soon resume their old habits, but we the wonders of his native town, and have seen that this was not the case, and listened with the interest and attention it even became worse when the fiancées of a refined man of the world to their paid their betrothed their usual homage. description of their little excursions; And when the approaching weddings when he answered their various ques- happened to be mentioned, their annoytions with inexhaustible eloquence, and ance and impatience increased to such a entered into their feelings with a good-height that all around them were pernature which they could not have ex- plexed and grieved. pected from him, a stranger; then, their excitable fancy was worked up into an agitation, an ecstasy, the source of which they could not guess, but whose cause they recognized and loved in Jules.

He, meanwhile, seriously sought to understand his own heart, and longed extremely for an opportunity to become more particularly acquainted with each sister; yet how was this possible, since they never separated from each other, and since in their innocence they never perceived the slightest reason for so doing?

He already doubted of being able to

It only requires one single step from one secret to a thousand. With that one step the entire confidence and unity of soul, which formerly bound the sisters, was broken.

Magallon became the confidant of the sensitive Matteo; she listened to his complaints of her sister, and heard them without being angry with the complainant; she even admitted to him that he had a right to be displeased.

Peppa listened as calmly to the haughty accusations which Colchontris made to her of the caprices of his Magallon, and she for the first time remarked that her

sister was indeed capricious. Thus both characters gained opportunity to develop themselves independently, and to distinguish themselves from each other; the unity of their thoughts was for the first time disturbed, and the almost characterless uniformity which until now had existed between them had disappeared. The unconscious schism which had awoke them from stupefaction saved to each a soul and a heart.

Oh, notwithstanding the wonderful resemblance of their features, the quicksighted Frenchman would now only have required a single hour to penetrate the peculiarities of each and to make his choice.

Uneasiness, longing, uncertainty, and all the usual and secret torments of love, had made Magallon's disposition severe and harsh. She had become haughty, serious, suspicious, violent, and passionate, but she displayed at the same time a strength and firmness which could only belong to a great and lofty mind.

Peppa, on the contrary, was subdued by her silent and secret sufferings; she lived amidst sadness and hidden tears. More gentle and more patient than ever, she seemed to seek, with her melancholy, dreamy eyes, for some support against which she might lean in her feebleness. She had become weak, but her weakness was that of an elastic nature, which is not crushed by sorrow; it was like that of the ivy and the vine, which twine softly and lovingly, but firmly, round the twig which constitutes their support.

One evening on which the poor girls had had to endure as many reproaches from their father as from their betrothed, both, with an unanimity which for a long time they had not felt, sought to enjoy the fresh air upon one of the broad balconies of the house, which commanded a splendid view of the sea and the Street San Giovanni.

They silently watched the twilight red of evening, which in Malta lasts longer than anywhere else. Their thoughts found vent in different ways; Peppa sometimes sighed, and her eyes were full of tears, while Magallon's firm, fiery glances were fixed on the sea-side, and a proud, gay smile played round her lips. At length she broke the silence, seized Peppa's hand, and said:

"You are sad, Peppa, and I know

why. You have been cross again to poor Matteo, and now you are suffering from self-reproach."

But Peppa shook her head, and gently drew back her hand as she replied:

"I might think the same of you, al though you are so gay. You act with undeserved severity towards good Colchontris. He sometimes complains of it to me, for he seeks comfort from me."

"He complains to you! Well, Matteo expresses himself discontented with you to me, and his love won't last much longer."

"The saints grant it may not!" sighed the damsel.

"I wish I could only hope the same of Colchontris!" added Magallon.

"But why do you say so? Why do you hate Colchontris? He does not deserve it."

"He is a Greek, and hates the French, whom I love," added she, haughtily and openly. "But why have you become alienated from Matteo ?"

"He, he hates the Emperor of the French," answered she, less frankly and more timidly. "But, Magallon, do you love all the French, or "

The end of the question died upon her lips. Then Magallon said in a determined manner and with perfect confidence:

"Well, since you ask me the question, I will tell you what you must learn one of these days. You remember the French count-he was called St. Elmewhom we met every evening on the promenade."

"Remember!" sighed Peppa, as she languidly raised her black eyes. "Well, him I love!".

"Poor, poor sister! Alas! he asked me if I could give him my love and I feel only too well that I really love him."

"The base wretch! And he said the same to me, the evening before we left the house of quarantine!"

"On the same evening he put tha question to me, and we told each other Adieu!”

"But, tell me, what did you answer him? I could not reply one word, for my father came and took my arm."

"I was silent, because I did not know what I should answer. Now I should know well, for now I am convinced that

I love him, and I have determined to tell my father so, if he only

"If what, Peppa, you have not, like me" cried Magallon, with passionate emotion in her look and manners. "What? Like you? What have you done, sister?" asked Peppa, anxiously, and trembling.

"He wished my sash as a remembrance, but I laughed, and said, 'You would no longer be able to distinguish ine from my sister if I gave it to you!' However, when I got here, and I felt how dear he was to me, I began to reflect how I could satisfy his wish. I had heard that my father was going to forward him some Sicilian wine, which is not to be had in the Lazaretto; I therefore took advantage of the opportunity to send him a sash, which was exactly like mine, and wrote him along with it: 'Wear it as a token of my love!'

"You have become pale, Peppa." "And your cheeks and eyes are brilliant with heightened color. You at least have retained your beauty."

"This is vain talking, Peppa. Your paleness becomes you very well. One thing, however, I pray you, sister: if he wears the sash, then

"Let us not hate each other, nor should he appear in my rose."

"I promise you," said Magallon, with a firmness which perhaps sprang from the secret hope that she would be the victor.

And they shook hands with each other with a sincerity which perhaps was the most generous on Peppa's part, for she dared not hope that the count would give her the preference.

"Now let us pay all attention; he must come up the Strada Giovanni. Thus we shall soonest learn our fate."

"And did I not do the same, unhap- "If he would only come," sighed Peppy one ?" exclaimed Peppa. "Hepa, and she gazed with the suspense of begged me for the rose which I wore; intense excitement and the utmost anxiI refused to give it him, but when I afety upon the rocky steps which led from terwards discovered that I could not live the sea to the town. without him, and heard that Matteo was sending him some things which the count wished from the town, I laid it in the parcel, and a little note with it, in which I wrote: Wear it, if you love me! But, alas! he does not love me, for he has not answered me!"

[merged small][ocr errors]

"Can love delay? And did he not promise our father that he would pay him a visit directly after the quarantine was over ?"

"Love, did you say, sister? But how could he love us both at the same time? Since I have known him, I have taken an aversion to Matteo."

"And I hate Colchontris. But he does not love us both, that is impossible. He is either a wicked man, who is making sport of us, or he hesitate in his choice. For we do resemble each other too much."

Assuredly this was the last time that the twins were to stand thus united in thought and action, for as soon as Jules should appear, an abyss of pain and pleasure, accomplished wishes, and disappointment full of despair, must open between them, which never could be filled up again.

At length Magallon's conjectures were realized. The young count appeared in the distance. Everything swam before Peppa's eyes from the violence of her feelings. Magallon gazed firmly and fixedly at the approaching Jules.

Now they saw him distinctly, entirely; he wore-neither of the two love tokens. But did they not deceive themselves? He came towards the house.

"He is coming to us!" cried she, as she impetuously seized the trembling Peppa by the hand. "Let us hasten to the reception-room; we must have certainty."

They soon were down stairs. Old Paolo was gone out. They found the count alone."

"I could not choose, at least not so quickly, beautiful signoras!" cried he. "Unfortunately he could now immedi-Pardon me, I pray you!" ately distinguish us from each other. I

"So-neither of us? Both deceived!

am no longer the gay being I once was." Both sported with! But we shall be re

venged!" cried the haughty and passionate Magallon, without listening to him further, convinced only of one thing, that he wore neither of the tokens, and she rushed wildly past him to Matteo. Peppa, on the contrary, had sank, deadly pale and fainting, upon a sofa, as she exclaimed:

"No vengeance, sister! He kills me, but I forgive him!"

With one glance the quick observer penetrated the souls of both the girls, and he felt deeply how much more Peppa's pale cheeks were to be preferred to Magallon's glowing ones; he perceived the whole strength and tenderness of the soul which, though so much wounded, could yet forgive; while the other only followed her wild passion, and only demanded satisfaction for her wounded vanity. Now his choice was made, his determination taken. He knelt beside the fainting Peppa, and recalled her to life with the sweetest words. And when she could hear and understand him

again, he poured forth to her everything quieting and tender that his love could suggest, and much rejoiced he was that his experiment had ended so happily.

Although it may appear odd, still it is easily explained how Magallon and Matteo forgot their mutual disappointment in love, under whose influence the cautious youth slowly suppressed the beautiful Maltese's plans of vengeance, and at length made her entirely forget them. This alliance pleased the good Paolo the more because it was the only means by which he could bestow upon his adopted son the portion due to a child. The count, therefore, received the father's consent to his marriage with Peppa, and not long after she accompanied him to France. It is true she did not shine in the first circles of Paris, but she was the means of surrounding her husband, at his beautiful country seat, with a happiness such as he had never dared to anticipate or to hope for.

MODERN

From the Westminster Review.
NOVELISTS: CHARLES

WHEN we have read a novel and laid it aside, it by no means follows that we have done with it. The most careless or critical reader cannot take leave of works of fiction in that summary manner. He has become identified, at least for a time, with interests not his own, and he must have abandoned himself with some degree of sympathy and unreserve to the feelings and thoughts which the progress of the story naturally excites. Consciously or not, the opinions of every one are modified by additional experience, even by that which comes to them third-hand -the experience of an author reflected in the characters he creates. But it would be very unjust to the great brotherhood of novel readers to suppose them capable either of carelessness or criticism. Under the spell of a favorite author they are rapt and passive; no difficulty staggers, no improbability repels them; they are swept onward by the current of their imagination, absorbed while they read,

*The Works of Charles Dickens. Library Edi

tion. 22 vols. London. 1858-62.

DICKENS.*

Of course

in a continuous act of faith.
there are many to whom this self-immo-
lation is a perfectly harmless exercise.
But those who habitually fall under the
influence of the novelist are generally
least able to correct him when he is
wrong, or to supply from their own ex-
perience what may be wanting in the les-
sons he teaches. Men immersed in active
life have neither leisure nor inclination
for fiction. But to the young of both
sexes, and to the very many grown-up
women, novels are the staple article of
intellectual food; "they take Defoe to
their bosoms instead of Euclid, and seem
on the whole more comforted by Gold-
smith than by Cocker." Among those
who have thus exercised a very consid-
erable influence upon society at large,
Mr. Charles Dickens may claim the fore-
most place. As regards mere popularity
he has certainly no rival. It is nearly
thirty years since he made his first ap-
pearance as an author. In the interval
we have had from his pen no less than
thirteen novels; and Christmas books,
sketches, occasional stories, and fugitive

« AnteriorContinuar »