Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-29

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which already oppressed his heart. Eu-
lala had been destined to take tho veil,
but, ere the completion Of her noviciale,
had listened TO the seductive persuasions
OF some wild libcrtine amongst the cava-
licrs of Florence, and left her convent,
but whittier, or with whom, no one could
tell. The unfortunate Ghibel,ne now
stood alone upon earth, his anticlpalions
of the sweet intercourse of affection with
a gentle relative so closely allied had
vanished: she on whom his londcst ex-
peciations rested was lost to him, per-
chance for ever; and he shuddercd as he
reflected on her probable guilt and de-
gradation.
! Absorbed in painful rcvcric, Agos-
tino scarcely needed the increasing
crowd in The street, until rudely pushed
aside, ho found himself in the midst oil q
gay cayalcade, who were advancing to-
wards the square appropriated to The
martial sports aud exercises OF the age.
Borne along by the multitude, h. enter
ed the spacious area which was pr pared
Tor the tournament. A superb pavi,io on,
canopicd with blue silk, IN the centre nf
others less gaily ornamenicd, was erect
cd at tho upper end, and Agostino heard
accidentally that it was intended for the
Countess Landini, who had been select
cd to present the successful warrior with
the prizc. lie fastened to his dcsolate
abode, and, arraying himself in his ar
mour, called at tho inn where he had
left his horse, and proceeded to the scene
of action. These arrangements ncces-
sariiy occupied considerable period ;
and when Agostno reached The lists, the
whole quadrangle rcsoundod with the cry
Of Speran-a! Speran=a! the motto OF
the della Mirandola family; and a young
man, whom, by his cognizancc and the
device upon bis shield, nc knew to be
the heir of that hated house, knc cling
before Imalda, was in the ac' Of raceiv-
ing the first prize. There was still
another to be won: but the prospect Of
contending for It afforded little satisiac-
tion to the adyenturcr, since, howsoevcr
unwilling to believe the possibility Of a
circumstance which filled him with de-
spair, he could not doubt that he law a
triumphant rival in Leone della Miriam.
dola.
Never had Imalda looked so touching
ly beautiful Flushing deeply, and with
downcast eyes, she placed g.iiterilg
circlct on the brow Of her lover. The
bright and careless smile with which she
had been formerly wont to greet the
'conqueror, had given place TO softer
expression Of pleasure; an intelligent
glance that passed between her and the
knight at her feet spoke volumes Agos-
;ino read confirmation of his worst fears
in this mute but eloquent avowoI, and
needed not the whispers Of the spccta-
tors, who talked confidently Of the ap-
preaching nuptals of the brave Leone
and the lovely ImI'da, to- convince him of
the fatal truth. The air around him sud-
denly grew bot and snilocatInr; ne could
not breathe, he raised his yi2or still op-
pressed and gasping, he unlaced his he.-
met, and stood baro-hcadcd in the midst
of his enemies. lmilda looked an, her
eyes met those Of Agosiino: she turned
away, encountered them a second and a
third time, as she cast u wandering
glance over the field, bu, her countc-
nance remained unchanged. TWAS evi~
dent that she had entirely forgotten lin
eaments once so familiar and so well
come. UAlyano stood aghast: the vic.
tim Of illusion raised by his own ardent
: imagination, he beheld the fairy visior
melt away he had fattcred and dcceiy.
ed himself with expectations which ney.
er would be realized; and, with hear
still iondly and irrcvocably devoted. wit
messed the downfall of every hope con
nected with union with Imida Landini
Although the lady Of his affections dix
not recognize the stranger, other eye.
were more penetrating Agosiino hat
scarcely resumed his helmet, and spurreo
his courser to the charge, before MS ca.
, recr was arrested by cry Of Treason
: and dragged from his horse, after 6
brief yet desperate struggle, he resigned
himself to the exulting Guelphs. Hear
sick, bcrcavcd Of all that could recon.
clio him TO hostile world, the ILL a, CO
heir Of d'Alviano shrank not from the
approach of death. A battlefield, rath.
er than the dungeon and the scafIold
would have been his choice; but it mat
tered not how soon, or in what manner
he Should terminate miserable exist
encc. A thousand voices clamorcd for
Immediate execution. Love, strong cv-
en- when every other feeling was fading
fast away, prompted last look towards
the place where Imilda sat. She had
called Leone to her side: the gestures
and actions Of both pointed to Agostino.
Apang, the bittcrcst that he had ye, sus-
tanned, shot through the prisoners