The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-20
WHOLE NO. 246.

it abroad that his wife had eloped from him
and the tale was believed, for he had previ-
ously circulated stories Of her in6delity.
Three weeks and more had passed, when
a nobleman on the opposite side Of the lake
gave splendid iete, to which many were in
vited, and among the rest the count Minotti
was the gayest Of the gay throng. During the
evening he had aitentvely regarded lady Of
exquisite beauty aud he now endeayored To
enter into conversation with the object Of his
admiration !; but the lady was coy, and replied
10 all the fond things he addressed to her with
provoking GOODNESS, and Minott more than
once felt his wrath almost master order. Ii he
handed the beautiful mask an ice, she modest
y but haughtily excused herself, and the
count in vain begged that she would partake Of
some slight rcfreshment, without which she
could not possibly support life through the
evening. Some Of the company were in the
gardens which were brilliantly illuminated by
ihnumerable lamps, that Knocked the stars
above them, and dance, and sprightly CONVEX
sation were not lacking.
The lovely mask at length appeared to
listen to the conversation of her admirer, and
at his earnest entreaty consented to accom-
pany him into the garden. As they passed
down one OF the most shaded walks Minotti
pressed his suit with still greater warmth.
Dearest lady said he, excuse little gen.
tie force, and let me remove that envious
vizor from your lovely face
His companion made no reply and Minot-
Il, constituting her silence as an assent, play
fully raised the mask from the lady's face
but, oh horror what did he behold-the pale
rA IF - r.
garded him with look so fearful that his very
blood was chilled and his knees bent under
him.
'Vicenzo' said the spectre, laying her cold
clammy hand on his, and looking him earnest
ly in the face, behold thy wife =
The count heard no more; he recoiled
from the apparition and with gasp fell sense
less to the ground. He was discovered by
some Of the company in death-like state,
from which though attended by the most
skillful physicians, he did not recover his
senses until morning, when he begged those
who attended him TO send for confessor, to
whom he unfolded what had occurred
the remembrance of the scenes in which he
had been actor operated so strongly on his
shattered nerves, that fit after fit succeeded,
and ere the evening bell had rung, the guilty
soul of Count Vicenzo Minotti had fled for
ever. ..~". w
So far goes common rumor but the sis
terhood Of neighboring convent knew the
sequel of the story. The wife whom her
lawless husband would have BETRAYED to
death, was not permitted by Providence thus
to perish Buoyed by her clothing, and as
sisted by the oar, which by the trepidation
of those who intended her murder was left
in her possession; she foated long hour
living death upon the bosom Of the deep
still lake.
The barge Of the nobleman at whose villa
the fete took place, rescued the lady as her
strength was Just exhausted, and the rest the
reader knows 1t only remains TO state that
the lady, shocked with the world, betook
herself to the seclusion Of 4 convent; aid it
was not thought advisable to disabuse the
minds Of the peasants of the idea OF super
natural visitation for so horrible crime
Her rescue and subsequent residence were
therefore carefully concealed.