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laughing, rosy girl, sporting so heedlessly in life's path, but the regally, intellectually, beautiful woman, who felt a more exalted destiny awaited her than butterflylike to be lured by the gorgeous hues of every flower which blossomed around her.

sorbed in the pages of a book which rested on a table ( sion clothing her lightest words, which added unspeakabefore her. Her profile was turned towards me as I bly to her attractions. In short, she was no longer the entered, and struck me painfully with its attenuated and spirit-like appearance. Her features were beautifully and classically chiselled, and though "the rose of youth" had apparently been prematurely blighted in the dark, luxuriant tresses of her hair, which hung like a cloud around her, in the delicately pencilled and curved brows, the pure forehead and perfectly formed mouth, there lingered, if not the bloom of beauty, its breathing soul.

As Mr. V called "Nina," she raised her lustrous eyes, with an expression of such sadness and melancholy, that I was forcibly reminded of the poetical words of a certain authoress, and mentally applied them to the fair stranger before me. "If in her depression she resembles night, it is night wearing her stars." Slowly and gracefully she approached us. Mr. Vpresented her to me, and as she returned my greeting, I almost started; her soft low voice floated so like melody from her lips. She was dressed in deep black, which, added to the almost unearthly purity of her complexion and her mourning habiliments, (with a richly gemmed crucifix which hung on her breast,) told its own tale. After we were seated, Nina returned to her table and book, and on Ida crossing the room to speak to her, Mr. V— briefly told me she was of Italian parentage, almost noble lineage, and had received her education within the walls of a convent, from which she had been emancipated, an enthusiast in the Catholic religion. High-born, surrounded by the glittering fascinations of rank and wealth, himself and daughter had formed her acquaintance. Her suavity of manner and superior intelligence, had contributed towards the continuance of that acquaintance; soon it sprang into friendship, and the successive calamities which had deprived her of friends, fortune, and even a home, in the little space of a few weeks, had increased the interest he had conceived for her. The peculiar desolation of her situation, encouraged him to offer her his guardianship and a home in his house; an offer which she had readily and thankfully accepted. This information added to the feeling of sympathy with which I already began to regard the fair Catholic-and every hour tended to augment the interest I entertained for her.

From the contemplation of Nina's subdued loveliness, I turned towards my friend, to see if time's wing had brushed aside one flower of that beauty which used to come over the beholder like "a burst of sunlight." She was now at my side, pouring forth her enthusiasm of admiration for the land she had so recently quitted. She was still beautiful, I saw at a glance, and as I gazed into her face as she continued to speak, and watched the "thousand blushing apparitions" which swept so changingly over her cheek, varying with every feeling she expressed, I lamented not the partial decay of that unfading bloom which had given to her early girlhood its flashing brilliancy. Her smile was sweet, but not so frequent as formerly, and on the polished fairness of her lovely brow, thought had made itself a beautiful resting place. The rays of gladness which had so unceasingly danced in her beaming eyes, were shadowed by the depth of tenderness which reposed there so sweetly. There was, too, an irresistible softness and fascination of manner about her-a poetry of expres

Before I had been an inmate of Mr. V's household many days, "a heart's hushed secret" was whispered in my ear, and I learned Ida was betrothed. The recital was too eloquently told to be forgotten, and I remember with vividness the tumult of feelings which crowded my bosom, as I first hearkened to that tale from the friend I had loved so long and so truly. There was the voice of joy for her coming happiness-the whisper of hope, that her sky might ever be as bright as now, mingling with other thick-coming fancies, which I thrust from me, not choosing to mar the sunlight of the future, by lowering forebodings.

"It was after we had been in Italy about eight months, and in the family of Mr. Clifford," said Ida V, "that I first saw Gerald Beaumont. The increasing danger of my father's malady, which had induced us to remove from Naples, where we had established ourselves upon our arrival at Italy, and accept the polite and kind offer of our English friends, was not mitigated for several months, and my time was unremittingly engrossed for many long weeks in attendance on him. The duties of the sick chamber were lightened by my inestimable friend, Mrs. Clifford, and it was in those vigils, those hours of watching, beside my dear father's pillow, that I first learned to appreciate and admire the principles of piety, unmurmuring resignation, and trusting faith, which she took pains to infuse into my soul. I have adverted to this change in my letters to you. Mrs. Clifford's whole deportment was the most beautiful exemplification of all that is hallowed in our blessed religion of which it is possible to conceive, and I cannot pass over this period when I first awoke to a sense of my depravity, and subsequently grasped the fulfilment of the most precious promise, without adding this merited tribute to my spiritual guide.

"The violence of my father's symptoms yielded before the remedies which were employed, and though he was still unable to quit his chamber, I could sometimes resign my duties near him for the enjoyment of a refreshing ramble over the beautiful grounds of Clifford villa. One day I had returned from such an excursion, and before ascending to my father, I had thrown myself listlessly and languidly in the embrace of a luxurious fauteuil which stood in the library. I had scarce recovered from the fatigue of my walk, and was preparing to seek my father's room, when an advancing footstep startled me, and before I had time to arise from my seat, the door of the apartment was thrown open. A tall and elegant looking young man, in a travelling dress, entered. He was evidently as much surprised at beholding me so unceremoniously established, as I had been at the interruption. I instantly arose, hastily returning the courtly salutation of the young stranger, and retreated through a door opposite the one near which he still continued standing. It was not till the dinner hour approached, and I repaired to the drawing room, that I learned the new comer was

Gerald Beaumont, the nephew of Mr. Clifford, who was making his continental tour, and had arrived at the seat of his uncle, intending to spend some time with his relatives.

communion increased the feelings of interest with which I regarded her, for I could not bear to think that her youth and bloom and gladness of heart should be immolated to superstition, and after I had become a parti cipator in that 'peace which passeth understanding,' I conceived the hope of her conversion. Since that period my efforts to exhibit to her the purity and beauty of our holy religion, in hues which might disclose the glaring inconsistency of her professed faith, have been unceasing. I had the influences of early education to combat, than which, you know, none cling with a more tenacious grasp. I now hope she is only a nominal Catholic, though she has not openly abjured her faith." Ida now ceased speaking, and the subject of Nina's history was never after revived by me, for there was a sacredness in the sorrows of the beautiful Italian, on which I forbore to intrude farther.

The moments passed with "a dove's wing," the singularly interesting Catholic girl entwining herself around me slowly, but surely. She joined us occa sionally in our strolls, sang to us sometimes in her own sweet, low, thrilling tones, the lays of her "far-off land,” in its melting, rich and glowing language, accompanying herself on her harp, the only relic of her departed grandeur which she retained-but she was more frequently secluded in the solitude of her own apartment, holding converse with her sad thoughts, bathing the memory of the past with such tears,

"I will not dwell," continued Ida, " on the progress of my acquaintance with Gerald Beaumont, but hasten to speak of that event which has conspired to affect my future destiny. My father was enabled soon after Gerald's arrival, to join the social circle of our kind friends, and I was exposed to all the fascinating influences of the young Englishman's society. In this manner weeks fled, and before I was aware, the hope that I was beloved seemed inextricably interwoven with my happiness. The soul of tenderness which was conveyed in the tone in which Gerald addressed me, the deep affection which spoke in his very look, were enough to brighten the dimness of that hope. Yet no magical words, 'small, still, but sweet,' had bid me revel in the depth of bliss I had dared to image--no murmured vow had shown me my dream was reality, My father had long been anxious to visit Rome; thither he now purposed going, and the day before the one appointed for our departure from our hospitable friends, | wooed by the balmy breath of summer's eve, I had strayed to the tiny lake which spread its silvery expanse amid the embowering shades of Clifford villa. Gerald followed me, and before we sought our friends, I had been told I was beloved with a passion unswerving and undying. Amid the hush of nature's repose; amid the glories of ' parting day,' we plighted our troth. My father confirmed it with his blessing. Our union was deferred till my return to America, and accompa- She seemed not insensible to my proffered affection, nied by Gerald, we spent the remainder of our stay in and before many weeks the chill of reserve had faded Italy, partly at Rome, partly at Naples. A few weeks from our intercourse, and we were friends. I passed previous to our departure for the United States, Gerald many quiet and happy hours with her: when sometimes sailed for England in order to make some arrangements she would revert with tearful sadness to her past sor preparatory to changing his place of residence; for he rows, in the tone of resignation, humility and faith, has yielded to my wishes to fix his home here. He is which pervaded these conversations, I recognized not an orphan, and has no ties which this decision would the sentiments I had been taught to expect from the Soon after, we bade adieu to our cherished Catholic, but those of the genuine and humble Chrisfriends, to the bright land which had fostered my dawn- tian, receiving chastenings with that unmurmuring ing happiness, and in a few more days we were bound-gentleness and meekness which spring from unmixed ing 'o'er the glad waters of the dark blue sea.' My last letters from Gerald hold out to me the hope of his speedy arrival in America."

sever.

"But Ida," said I, after a moment's pause, "what can you tell me of Nina? My imagination has not been idle in picturing the history of one whose very glance is fraught with magical interest."

"Poor Nina!" sighed Ida, "her history is one, as far as I know, of fearful grief, and its pages bear sad testimony to the oft reiterated truth of earth's mutability. When we first knew her, she was encompassed by luxury and pomp, glowing in all the fascinations of beauty, and the incense of flattery and adulation was wafted to her shrine by all who knew her. With the sunshine of fortune this homage has departed. The sorrows of her heart are written on her brow in ineffaceable characters; the flowers of life have withered ere its morning has past, and the bitterness of her destiny is brooded on by her with an intensity of feeling which is blighting her soul's energies. We became acquainted with her some months after our arrival in Italy; our intercourse soon ripened into friendship, and the circumstance of her being attached to the Romish

"As rain the hoarded agonies of years
From the heart's urn."

love of an Almighty Being.

Nor did the arrival of Gerald Beaumont, which hap pened about this time, interrupt our tête-à-têtes. 'Tis true, Ida was less frequently with us, but then we could not regret it, she seemed so happy with Gerald; indeed I could not wonder at the idolatry of that affection he had waked in the bosom of my young friend; there was something so indescribably fascinating about him. It was not the symmetry of feature which rendered him so strikingly, so intensely handsome, though his were by no means defective; it was rather the glowing, speaking expression of the large, dark, lustrous eyes, the stamp of towering intellect, of" inborn nobleness," which reposed so proudly on the broad, pale brow; and then the deep, touching melancholy, which at times shaded his countenance, seized so on one's interest, and the rich tones of his voice were at times so thrillingly sad, one could not help imagining life's morn had not been cloudless. Be that as it may, 'twas evident he loved Ida with enthusiastic passion, and not willing to act Mademoiselle De Trop, I left the lovers to seek their own enjoyments, and continued to devote myself to Nina, whose gradually decaying health awakened

not our apprehensions; the unnatural brilliancy of her eye, and beauty of her rare smile, veiling the progress of the destroyer. Meanwhile the preparations for Ida's marriage continued, and the bridal morn at length arrived, being ushered in amid the cloudless brightness of heaven, and the flowering verdure of earth.

In the radiant glances of Ida, hope spoke, nor were the jewels sparkling amid the waves of her shining hair more gloriously bright than the smile which seemed banqueting on the roses of her young cheek. As I gazed on her in irrepressible admiration; as I watched the beams of fond affection which fell from the dark, flashing eye of the lordly-looking bridegroom on the beautiful being at his side, and hearkened to the tones of Ida's voice, as tremulous with agitated joy, she pronounced the "fitting vows," I prayed that the golden hours which were opening before them might never fade before the touch of decay, that no dark worm might prey on the bud of happiness which was unfolding its leaves in their smiling path.

the purple heaven of her own Italy," looked down upon us, and seemed to smile in mockery of the tale of grief to which I hearkened, and of whose bitterness I had not dreamed.

"My family name," said Nina, "is Genovesi, and my earliest recollections are blended with my mothermy beautiful mother! My father died while I was yet a feeble, wailing infant, leaving my mother the possessor of a princely estate. Surrounded by all the blandishments of wealth, youth and beauty, it is not to be supposed she was without many lovers, who, though they might not have been indifferent to the first mentioned attraction, were nevertheless as likely to have been captivated by her sunny loveliness; for I never remember to have looked on a face on which the soul of beauty was more indelibly stamped. Yet she nobly rejected all these offers, and devoted herself to the care of me-her only child. She was a zealous Catholic, and in the tenets of our national faith I was bred. She piqued herself on the long line of almost noble ancestry But my eyes unconsciously sought Nina. She stood which we could boast, and failed not to inspire me near the fair bride, and I could not conceive that even with that pride in which she.gloried. I was taught to in the flush of health she could have appeared more believe myself all-powerful in the majesty of my titled touchingly lovely. The lustre of her expressive eye kindred, in the accumulated wealth which I was to was not dimmed, and as I looked on her I could not inherit, and in numberless other advantages of which believe the shadow of the tomb was then resting on I was not slow to imagine myself possessed. In short, aught so beautiful. She met my gaze-she read my I grew up a haughty, self-willed, obstinate, overbearing thoughts, and a bright sweet smile wreathed her lip child, and if my mother was aware of my faults, she momentarily; it spoke of the hope of bliss beyond the was too blindly devoted to me to correct them. I grave. loved my mother with intensity, and I could not believe another than herself had ever been gifted with such superlative beauty. I used to stand for hours gazing on her portrait which hung in her dressing-room, and which represented her in the mid-day blaze of her love"You will not be surprised," said she, "that the liness, 'till in the enthusiasm of my admiration, I would scene of happiness I have so recently beheld, has re-exclaim to myself, "Shall I ever be such a woman as called to me my own blighted fortunes; and though I do not doubt the justice of that decree, which has thus darkened my horizon, I sometimes so far yield to my infirmity as to wish it had been otherwise. Your unwearying kindness and affection, my dear bearing so meekly my petulence and ill-humors, have endeared you to me beyond the power of words to express."

In the evening, when I repaired to her apartment, she bore the traces of weeping, and as she extended her hand towards me, the large tears fell glittering on her sable dress.

"Dear Nina," interrupted I, pressing my lips to her pale, silken cheek, "who could accuse you of ill-humors? One, so gentle, so uncomplaining.”

She smiled gratefully, and continued

"If the relation of those calamities which have thus depressed me, and thrown their shadows athwart my path, will not tire you, you shall hear it; and when the star of prosperity shines gloriously on you, when the bright wings of the world's favor are folded around you, remember the voice my history breathes. 'Lean not on earth;' trust it not; be not lured by its fair, but false promises; for its golden dreams must vanish, and what are the sensations of that bosom, when all it has loved, all it has rejoiced in, is melting in its grasp, and a hereafter is disclosed, shrouded in gloom, deep and impenetrable ?"

As Nina concluded, the glow of enthusiasm bathed with its rich hues her pale cheek,-she looked not like the bride of death, but it passed; for it was but the rush of thought which had stirred the waters of memory. gorgeous sky, which Nina said was "not unlike

A

my mother?" To hear myself, therefore, often called strikingly like her, to be said to resemble her, as she was in her girlhood, was a flattering observation; the pernicious effects of which were soon visible in the air of self-complacency and vanity, which assumed the place of that innocence and purity and freshness of feeling so inseparable from childhood.

"At the age of ten years I had the inexpressible misfortune to lose my mother; she was ill but for a short period; and when I was taken to see her for the last time, I could not look towards her without trembling; for I had never beheld death before. She called me to her bedside, and with a sad smile, placed in my hand a rich crucifix, saying to me

"Keep this, my child-remember your mother-be faithful to your religion-that holy religion, in which I die-the blessed Catholic faith.'

"I bowed my youthful head upon the jewelled gift as I responded to my mother's dying charge. I was then suffered to kiss her pale cheek, and while she laid her hand on my head and blessed me long and fervently, the first tears I ever remember to have shed stole from my eyes.

"After this heavy bereavement, which I felt long and sensibly, I was sent to a convent for the completion of my education. I spent many years in this nursery of my faith, and as I hearkened to the beautiful ritual, when it rose with rich melody, filling the fretted dome of the chapel where I was a regular attendant—as I

viewed the gorgeous ceremonies which appeal so I planted to the crowded walks of fashion. Still I sought strongly to the senses-as the full clear voices of the this happiness in like scenes-still it eluded my grasp; sisters, swelling so musically, and blending so exqui- but the gem wealth and power refused to yield, flashed sitely with the deep-rolling organ, floated majestically upon me from another source. I clasped it with the through the magnificent building-as the glowing hues fervency and enthusiasm of my temperament, believed of the noble paintings, which seemed almost endowed it unfading, enshrined it in the foldings of my heart, with life, breath and being, met my eye in whatever where its lustre was not quenched till base perfidy stole direction I turned-as the golden censer swung to and it thence, whispering, 'how false is earth!' fro, emitted the rich and overpowering fumes of incense, I buried my face in my hands, and in adoring humility, knelt reverently to the spirit of that religion in which I had been reared, in which I then dwelt, and which I soon learned to love with a fanaticism of whose extent I was not then sensible.

"My uncle was childless, and after he was bereft of his wife, he adopted as his son a young nephew of hers, Antonio Bandini. This young man commonly resided with my uncle, but at the time of my arrival at Venice it happened he was absent.

"After I had been many weeks established at my "I was the petted favorite of the whole sisterhood—my uncle's house, I casually heard Antonio's return was faults were overlooked-my offences palliated-my vir- expected the next day. That night, a rich, melting tues, and they were few enough, applauded and mag-voice was wafted through my window-a gondola nified--that greatest ornament of the christian character, paused in its watery path, and the dark, Italian eyes 'a meek and quiet spirit,' being scarcely assumed by me. of a graceful knight errant were raised towards my "The time was now approaching when I must exchange apartment. The serenader was Antonio Bandini! the manners of the wayward and spoiled child, for the "From the first hour of our intercourse, sprang an bland and courteous address of the young lady. I attachment on my part of passionate idolatry, at whose wanted but two years of seventeen, and that was the absorbing character I oft trembled, and in the conperiod assigned for my leaving the convent and going sciousness of being beloved, I enjoyed a bliss too unalto reside with my mother's brother, who had been loyed to endure. It was bright summer, and the fair appointed my guardian, and whose home was in Venice. bride of the Adriatic glowed in renovated beauty During this interval, I threw aside my childish ways, beneath the kindling sunbeams. Yet day, in its glare applied myself with intense vigor to my studies, de- and pomp, its hum of life, had not for me the seductive voted a portion of my time to the acquirement of accom- charms of the still night, when in all its starry loveliplishments, and all this, with so much success, that ness, it descended like a veil upon the proud city, when my uncle arrived to take me home with him, he throned on her hundred isles.' Then the gondola of expressed himself delighted with my attainments. Antonio came to warn me my hour of happiness was nigh. Buried in its rich cushions, gliding through a path of stars, Antonio the while breathing into my ear the voice of song, in his full, melodious tones, or whispering those impassioned, half-murmured words, which so beautifully and witchingly clothe a lover's vows, I yielded myself to a dream-like happiness, fearful lest a breath might sever the golden tissue in which I had wrapped myself.

"It was a sad morning to me when I bade farewell to the gloomy old convent, and prepared to accompany my uncle to a place of which I knew nothing. Weeping, I tore myself from the embraces of the sisters who crowded around me, praying the holy Virgin to protect and bless me. I threw myself in an agony of tears beside my uncle, in the heavy lumbering coach, and as the dark mass of building in whose walls I had spent so many years, grew gradually more dim in the distance, "On one occasion, when I had revelled in the perfecas I at last strained my eyes in vain to catch a parting tion of my bliss, and the lateness of the hour admonished glimpse of the venerable pile, I leaned back in my seat us to seek the marble steps of my uncle's palazzo-on and yielded, unrestrainedly, to my distress. My uncle returning, the sounds of music arrested us, and as the did not seem flattered at this exhibition of feeling on tide of melody came swelling nearer and nearer, increasmy part, and as the emotions of youth are almost as ing in its deep and exquisite pathos, we were aware soon lulled as excited, I exerted myself, and not unsuc-it issued from a gondola which was advancing towards cessfully, to repress the grief which had crushed for the us. The low tinkling of a guitar was quite drowned time my natural exuberance of spirit. in the floods of that superb voice, and as the gondola "At the close of the third day I found myself in the neared our own, we discovered the tones which ceased princely palazzo of my uncle, where a suite of apart- not, though they softened as the boat glided slowly by ments was appropriated me, and where I found my-us, proceeded from a lady, who with a solitary gentleself encompassed with every gorgeous luxury which my inordinate love of pomp and display could desire. I needed no solicitation to plunge in the vortex of pleasure, and soon resigned myself delightedly to the brilliant and intoxicating homage my station and attractions commanded. With an exultant step and beaming brow, I might be seen in the halls of festal mirth, the gladsome laugh seeming to spring from a light heart, and wooing 'joy's echo' from every bosom. Yet there were moments when I felt happiness dwelt not in the glittering throngs of the great, that the flowers scattered so richly o'er life's highways, refused to yield freshness, fragrance or beauty, when trans-V

man and two children were its occupants. We could see that the songstress was beautiful, and her rounded arm thrown over the guitar, reposed in the bright moonlight with the polished purity of marble.

"Who can they be?' and 'I cannot tell,' were scarcely spoken by us before we were at my uncle's palazzo, the other gondola having passed onwards, the voice of its music melting in the distance.

"It was not many weeks after this occurrence before my uncle suddenly determined to visit Naples, and take me with him. Antonio of course formed one in our party. It was while there that I became known to Mr. and his daughter, and that intimacy commenced

which has been the solace of my remaining days. | drinking in every tone which was warbled from the Of this acquaintance, however, I shall speak more hereafter.

"My uncle soon established himself in elegance at Naples, and among the first of our visiters came Lord Vernon, an Englishman, who, with his family, was spending the summer in the environs of Naples. His wife accompanied him, and her bland and courteous manners so fascinated me, that I accepted an invitation for the ensuing evening at her house, with a degree of pleasure warmly expressed by me, and as gracefully received by her.

dewy lips. At this I was not surprised, for with his natural talent, his cultivated taste, such melody could not but be worshipped. The air the musician was performing, was one of melancholy, touching pathos, and as it ceased, and she was preparing to rise from the seat she filled so gracefully, I wondered not at the halfplayful, half-serious opposition this mouvement excited. She was unanimously urged to retouch once more the magic chords, and again she was enthroned the enchantress of the group. Sweeping her hand o'er the strings of the harp by way of symphony, there came a gush of "Mirthful music resounded through the noble halls to gay, sportive song, full of wild archness, in striking which we had been bidden-flashing lights wreathed contrast with the impassioned strains so lately breathed. with increasing brilliancy the bright throng congre- Ere its murmurs had ceased; ere the sighing of harpgated there-the soft breeze, whose wings were laden strings was hushed, the songstress had vanished in the with the perfume and breath of summer, stole languidly throng. I soon learned she was Miss Templeton, through the open windows, when we advanced to make a portionless relative of Lady Vernon, who filled the our salutations to the elegant mistress of the revel. capacity of instructress to her ladyship's children. She introduced me to many persons who surrounded "The harp was again touched that evening, but not her, and on vacating her seat by my side, it was imme-by the same 'cunning hands.' The fair gouvernante diately filled by a young Englishman, Theodore Wal-appeared no more in the halls of revelry during the lingford, whom I had casually seen at Venice, and who evening; but as I bent over the instrument she had had advanced towards me on my entrance, in order to relinquished, and listlessly struck its chords, through renew our passing acquaintance. He was endowed the open window near which I sat, was borne the with a mind whose rare attainments were only sur-music of her peculiar voice, and two figures which passed by his superlatively modest and unassuming flitted past in the bright moonlight, disclosed to me deportment. In the rare fascination of his conversa- Antonio and his lovely companion, Miss Templeton. tion I soon became so absorbed, that I was even deaf to the loud triumphal air which was waked from the harp by a masterly touch, and it was not till the sweet exquisite notes of a rich voice broke on my ear, at first tremulous, but gradually swelling in its delightful melody, that my attention was diverted from my companion. I started, for I had heard it before. I could not mistake its music; it was the voice which had been breathed from the gondola at Venice! I quickly arose, requesting Mr. Wallingford to lead me to the part of the room whence it issued, and as we threaded the labyrinth of the crowded apartment, I briefly stated to him the circumstances under which I had hearkened to its notes before. 'I am a stranger here, as well as yourself,' remarked he, 'and dazzled by the bright coloring with which you have gifted your adventure, 1 am dying of curiosity to behold your syren; of course she must be gloriously beautiful, and—but la voici,' exclaimed he, as we reached the circle which encompassed the songstress, and as it opened to admit us. Seated at a harp, her white arms thrown around the instrument, whence she drew such magic sounds, 1 beheld a fair girl, who appeared totally unconscious of the passionate admiration she elicited from the listening group. She seemed luxuriating in the sublimity of song. Apparently she was in delicate health; for her cheek, though wearing the roundness of youth, had none of its freshness; an air of languor reposed in the depths of her eloquent eyes, which were 'brightly, darkly, beautifully blue,' and the long jetty lashes oft drooped o'er the colorless cheek, like shadows resting on the snow. She was dressed simply, and without 'the foreign aid of ornament,' save a gemmed dart which restrained the luxuriance of the shining hair, and sparkled with regal magnificence in its bed of rich darkness.

"Under the guidance of my preux chevalier, Mr. Wallingford, I now arose to join the mirthful groups which were clustered here and there, through the walks of the beautiful garden, and whose silvery laugh of glee came o'er the ear like an outbreak of music from the spirit of glorious night.

"The splashing of a fountain, with its sound of refreshing coolness, wooed us to where its sparkling waters tossed themselves in the moonbeams. On the edge of its marble basin, reposed the fair, rounded arm of Miss Templeton, her eyes watching the glittering spray, which ever and anon broke beautifully over the hand that seemed inviting its caress. As we approached, a rose dropped from the girdle of Miss Templeton. Antonio stooped to recover the withered treasure, and as he gallantly pressed it to his lips and placed it in his bosom, the half-whispered compliment which followed, was wafted towards the spot where I had momentarily paused.

"Henceforward,' said he, in his own bland tones, 'this is a talisman to me-sweeter far than any rose in eastern climes that nightingale e'er warbled to.' "The next moment we were beyond the sound of their voices and the murmur of the fountain. A few hours more, and the gaudy pageant had vanished.

"During the many months of our prolonged sojourn at Naples, Antonio, though strictly devoted to Miss Templeton in public, was apparently happy in our betrothal; for in private he spoke with impassioned rapture of our approaching union, which was to be solemnized at an early period after our return to Venice. Thus, if my tenderness suffered, by seeing him always at Miss Templeton's side, when the world's gaze was on him, the perfume of his homage and professed adoration for me, the balm of his oft reiterated and burning vows, when that gaze was withdrawn, were not without their

"Antonio was one of the circle around her, and seemed lulling influences.

VOL. IV.-50

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