The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-05
THE BROTHER AND SISTER.
An Italian STORY.


more iusurncuntable impediment in Flora The
rs whisper oflove fell like mortal sin upon her ear
ana disturbed and even angry, she replied
|" NJ thinks YOU wholly forget who am, and whas
vou are speak not OF ancient feuds, though there
were enough to divide us forever. Know that
hate YOU my brolher's murderer Restore Lo-
renzo 10 me--recall him from banishment--crase
he memory OF all that he suffered through you-wn
his love and approb ltion aud when all this is full
filled: which never can be, speak language which
now it is as the bitterness of death for me to hear
Aud saving this, she hastily retired, to conceal
the flood of tears which this she termed it, insult
had caused TO flow to lament yet more deeply her
brothers absence and her own dependence.
Fabian was not so easily senced and Flora had
no wish to renew scenes and expressions of violence
10 foreign to her nature.-She imposed rule
herself, never swerving from which, she hoped to
destroy the -omened love of her protector. She
ubsented herself from him much as possible; and
when with him assumed such chilling indifference
Of manner, and made apparent in her silence so alb
solute and cold rejection of all his persuaslons,
that had not love with its unvanqushable hopes
reigned absolutely in young Fabians heart, he must
have despaired. He ceased to speak Of his aifec-
ton, so to win back her ancient kindness This
was at first difficult for she was tnid as young
bird whose feet have touched the lined twigs. But
naturally credulous, and quite inexperienced, she
soon began to believe that her alarm was eXaggcra-
ted, and to resume those habits of intimacy which
had heretofore subsisted between them. BY degrees
Fabian contriyed to insinuate the existence of his
attachment--he could not help it. He asked no
rctura-he would wait for Lorenzos arrival, which
he was sure could not be far distant Her dspleas-
ure coull not change, nor silence destroy, sen-
rnent which survived in spite Of bo,h. intrenched
in her coiiess and her indifference, she could not
quarrel with each word he spoke; and hoping tc
weary him out by her defensive warfare she fanced
.l,,. IL, in
The countess had been long away she proceeded
OF TO view The feast of San Gennaro at Naples, and
had no. received tdings Of her sons illness. She
was now expected back and Fabian, still lingering
al the villa, resolved to return TO Sienna in time
receive her. Both he and Flora therefore sur
prised one day, when she suddenly entered the a.
partmen where they both were. Flora had long
peremptorly insisted that he should not intrude
while she was employed on her embroidery frame !;
but this day he had made so good a pretext, that
for the first time he was admitted, and then suffered
to stay few minutes-hey now neither of them
knew how long, she was busy at her work and
he sitting near, gazing unreproved on her uncon-
scious face and graceful figure, felt himself happier
than he had ever been before.
The countess was sufficiently surprised, and not
little angry but before she could do more than
utter one exclamation, Fabian interrupted, by
treating her not TO spoil all. lie drew her away
he made his own explanations, and urged his wishes
with resistless persuasion. The countess had been
used to indulge him in every wish it was mpossi-
bic for her to deny any strongly urged request: his
pertinacy--his agitation--his entreaties half won
her and the account of his illness, and his assuran-
ces seconded by those of all the family, that Flora
had saved his life completed the conquest, and she
became in her turn suor for her son, TO the or
phan laughter of Mancini.
Flora, educated till the age of twelve by one who
consulted his own pleasures and qualifications
but went right on the path of duty reg rdless OF pain
or disappointment, had no idea of doing augh mere
" because che or others might wish j. Since lhli
tine she had been thrown or her resources; and
jeaousy cherishng her individually il The mds:
OF her enemies, every feeling of her heart had been
streng hened by solitude and by sense of mental
independence. She was the least likely of any one
to 60 with the stream, to yield to the inllu
encc of circumstances. She felt, she knew, what it
became her to do and that must be done in spite OF
every argumenf.
The countess's expostulatons and enueaues
were of no avail The promise she made to her
brother of engaging herself by 10 Vow for five
years, must be observed under every event; it was
asked her at the said and solemn hour Of their part
ing, aud was thus rendered douby sacred. So
constituted, indeed, were her feelings that the slight
est wish ever rememberedh by her as having been eX
pressed by Lorenzo, had more weight with hel
than the mos: urgent prayers of another He was
part of her religion; reverence and love for hin
had been moulded into the substance of her sou
from infancy; their very separation had tended tC
render these impressions irradical. She broodeC
over them for years; and when no sympathy or gen
erous kindness was afforded her--when the coun
tess treated her like inferior and a dependant
and Fabian had forgotten her existence, she hat
lived from month to month"; and from year to year
cherishng the image of her brother, and only abb
to tolerate the annoyances that beset her existence
by considering that her patience, her forttude, AM
her obedience, oil offerings athe shrine of he
beloved Lorenzo's desires.
1t is true that the generous and kindly dspositio
Of Fabian won her TO regard him with feeling near
ly approaching to tenderness, though this emotlo
was feeble the mere ripple of the waves, compare
to the m ghy tide of affection that set her will a