The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-10-29

the first time, listened proudly and unyiedlngly-
From this period her situation grew more lrksome
all she could do to endeavour to withdraw her
self entirely from observation and TO brood IN deep
secrecy over the perfectons, while she lamented
yet more feelngly the absence, of her brother.
Two three years thus flew away, and Flora
grew from childish looking girl of twelve INTO the
bewtching beauty of fifteen. She Enclosed like
flower, whose fairest petals yet shut. but whose
baf-yeiled lovencss is yet more attractive 1T was
at this time that occasion of doing honor to prince
of France, who was passing to Naples, the coun-
tess TOlomei and her son, with bevy OF friends and
followers, went out to meet and to escort the royal
traveller on his way Assembled in the hall of the
palace, and waiting for the arrival OF some OF their
number, count Fabian went round his mothers cir
cle saying agreeable and merry things to ALL Wher-
ever his cheerful blue eyes lighted, their smiles were
awakened and each young heart beat with vanity at
his harmless batteries. Aftera gallant speech or two
he espied Flora retired behind her companions.
What flower is this" he said, " playing at hide
and seek with her beauty Z" And then, struck with
the modest sweetness of her aspect, her eyes cast
down, and rosy blush mantEng over her cheek, he
added, What fair angel makes one of your COM
pany?"
"An angel indeed, my lord" exclaimed one of
the younger girls who dearly loved her best friend
&" she is Flora Mancini."
" Mancini !" exclaimed Fabian, while his manner
became at respectful and kind " are you the
orphan daughter of Ugo---the sister Of Lorenzo
committed by him to my y For since then
through her careful avoidance, Fabian had never
his fair ward. She bowed an assent to his ques
tions, while her swelling heart denied her speech;
and Fabian, going up to his mother, said, 'Madam
| hope for our honOr's sake this has not before
happened. The adverse fortune of this young lady
may renderretirement and obscurity beittng; but 1t
is not for to turn into a menial, sprung from
the best blood in Iatly Let me entreat you not to
permit this to occur again. How shall I.redeem my
pledged honor, or answer to her brother for this
unworthy degradation 7"
! "Would you have me make friend and COM
panion of Mancini?'' asked the countess, with
raised colour.
Il ask you not, mother, to do augh displeasing to
you," replied the young noble; /" but Flora is my
ward, not our servant - permit her to retire she
will probably prefer the privacy of home, to making
one among the festive crowd of her houses enemies.
fnot let the choice be hers-Say gentle one, will
you 90 with retrel"
She did not speak, but raising her soft eyes, curtis
led to him and to his mother, and quilted the
so taciily making her selection
From this time Flora never quilted the more Sc
cuded apartments of the palace, again saw
Fabian. She was unaware that he had been prouse
in his eulogum on her beauty but that while fire.
quently expressing his interest in his ward he rath-
er avoided the dangerous power of her loveliness.
She led rather prison life, walking only in the
palace garden when it else deserted, but other
wise her time was at her own disposal, and no
commands interfered with her freedom. Her abors
were all spontaneous. The countess seldom even
saw her, and she lived among this ady's attendants
e like free bOarder IN n convent, who cannot qui
the walls but who is not subseient to the rules
81 the asylum. She more busy than ever at he
J, tapestry frame, because the countess priced he
q work {; and thus she could in some degree repa,
J the protection afforded her. She mentioned
e Fabian, and always imposed silence on her compan
s ions when they spoke of him. But she did this in M
+ disrespectiul terms. "IIe is generous enemy,
~ acknowledge" she would say, but still he is m,
ID enemy, and while through him my brother is al
exile and n wanderer upon earth, it is painful to m,
III to hear his name"
10 After the lapse of many months spent in entire
10 secluson and tranquility, a change occurred in th
er tenor of her life The countess suddenly resolve,
re to pass the Easter festival at Rome Flora's com
D. panions were wild with Joy the prospect of th
10 journey, the novelty, and the entertainment the,
II promised themselves from this visit, and pitied th
dignity OF their friend, which prevented her fron
making one of their mstresss train for it 500
re understood that Flora was to be left behind an
'' she was informed that the interval of the ladys al
y, sence was to he passed by her in villa belongln
' to the family situated in sequestered nook anon
IN the neighboring Apprentices.
The countess departed in pomp and pride O
her so called pilgrimage to the sacred city, and
Gu the same time Flora was conveyed to her rural r.
ei treat. The villa inhabited only by the peasa
!" and his family, who cultivated the farm, attacht
&c, to 1t, and the old easier or housekeeper. III
VI cheertulness and freedom of the country were d
III lghtful and the entire solitude consonant to Il
habits of the mediatye girl, and the intrusive pra
10 tie of her associates. Spring was opening with
y. the beauty which that season showers upon iayor'
IN u Italy; while blghts and chilling rain usually cha
~ actcrize II in these northern lands. The amoI
NJ y and peach trees were in blossom and the vim
dresser sang at his work, perched with his pruniI
10y knife among the trees Blossoms and flowers,
90 laughing plenty, sraced the soil and the tire,
'' swelling with buds ready to expand into leave
seemed to feel the life that animated their dark O