The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-12-11
SELECTED TALES.
From the Lady's Book.
The Hearts Trial
A TALE OF THE THIRTY YEARS WAR.
BY Mrs. f.. +. Eltet.
fConoluded.1

BY Mrs T.. +. Eiiet.
Concuded
A fortnight had passed since the queens land
ing, and as she was shortly TO proceed to Stet-
tin, grand entertainment was given before her
departure by the duchess.
/ DO you attend the ball tonight :" said
Donna Giulia, with languid air, 10 Hepburr,
as the danes were retiring after dinuer to make
their evening toilette; al am i'll at ease, and
have prayed the queen to excuse me; il it be
not too great sacrifice, pray you TO keep an
invalid company ~
The knight gladly consented, for the glare
and pomp of court assemblies were dlstasteIul
TO him; aud he followed the stately lady TO her
dressing room. Ii was fIted up with more OF
luxury than then prevailed even among the
German nobity.-The broad space between
the windows was occupied by Venetian mir
ror of extraordinary size, in frame OF massive
silver; the sofas were furnished with sken
cushions embroidered with gold marble tables
bearing silver vases filled with flowers stood on
different sides of the room the heavy hangings
darkened the little light thar came through the
stained windows. The lady rang Tor her maid
who lighted lamp Of rose colored aabaster; I;
then Giulia suffered herself to be relieved of her
head dress, and let her dark tresses float uncon-
fined over her unriyalled neck and shoulders.
She had previously exchanged her robe OF gold
broc ade for simple mantle of white silk ; a
gauze kenchief was thrown carelessly over her
neck, aud Hepburn thought as he .gazed, that
he had never beheId being so lovely.
The lady dismissed her maid, aud seated her
self on the sofa, leaning her head on her round
arm, while she signed TO the young officer 10
take IA seat near her.
! Hours passed away unheeded in oonversa-
I. Ill
charm away all sense Of embarrassment il be-
came more serious and Hepburn. in spite Of
the resolution of sterner moments, found him
self betrayed, for the first time, into speaking
openly OF his love and his disappointment. lie
was true hearted soldier; reverence for the
fair was TO him a sacred duty and he saw in
his dangerous companion only a woman of sur
passing beauty, who felt aud avowed friendship
for him. He shared with her the treasured
secret of his manly breast; he spoke VS. his
heart prompted, sadly. bit earnestly, while his
eyes eistened with unrepressed tears.
"Ah my good knight cried Giulia; how
in my inmost heart do feel Tor you Would
j that | could console you--oould make you
happy sympathise with you-for ] too have
loved-loved hopelessly Yet, more uDhap-
PLY than you-as he who won my heart-who
won il without return-then belonged 10 anoih-
ern'
Weeping, she hid her face upon her arm
extending her right hand towards the knight.
He pressed it respectfully to his lips; she
drew him towards the sofa where she sat. The
good genius ol the young man might have
whispered him to beware, while he took the
offered seat, and looked upon the face now
turned towards him. How radiantly beautiful
was that face, glowing with emotion, while
tears still bedewed the long ashes that shaded
! hp Lovely Ina.e pyp wgr IN lfused
tender sorrow in their expression; the
beautiful bust heaved-he could almost hear
her heart beating her warm breath was on his
( cheek. " SO geDtle-she murmured softly /;
- scarce recognise the dreaded warrior, who
ever courts Danger. So noble a heart-would
you-tel me !-Nould you rejoice to see Inc
happy"
"How can you ask, lady 7" cried the knight.
Could my life purchase your happiness,
would offer IL with JOY, counting the sacrifice
too slight. But my sympathy is iruitlsss far
distant, doubtless, 10 the land Of the myrtle
aud orange, dwells the chosen Of your heart %
"Ah not 50 ~ sighed the lady GiuIia he
is nearer than you dream. Would he speak as
you speak! You would give your life for
my happiness-aud yet you love me not
What should he he willing to give or sacrifice,
who loves a woman! Tell me, dear knight.
Motel me MOTT might Offend"
What shall tell you ~ asked Hepburn,
in some embarrassment.
/" Noihing-nothing. Leave me, beseech
you, leave me :" The knight rose to depart.
No, no, stay !" she cried Impetuously, clasp
ing his hand in both hers" Stay with me -
alas | am child. | know not what would
ask"
\ Filled with surprise, embarrassment, and
compassion, Hepburn looked at her in silence.
Her agitation distressed him, but no explans-
ton could he or would he read in the soft dark
eyes. which, full Of fearful londness, were rsis-
ed TO his. He would have given worlds to be
gone, but how could he leave her thus! lie
vowed in his inmost soul never again to be
found in such strst-yet, he knew not him
self the objeo, Of Gulias love, but only felt too
deeply his own weakness. IL was the hearts
severest trial Again he rose, and gently dis
engaged his hand from hers. Suddenly, as by
an irresistible Impulse. the fair Italian sprang
TO her feet. flung her arms round his neck, and
laid her head on his breast, while words Of wild
import, words Of passion and sonow, and love
unbounded. mingled with the sobs that seemed
TO burst from her inmos, heart, sgitsiiDg yio-
lently her whole frame.
4 The burning blush Of shame mantled like
I lightning on the brow Of the noble youth. as
the arms Of the siren we're wound about him;
and he heard her confession. "Awsy-on the
| instant!' was the warning Of his better nature
( The image Of Irene flashed across his mental
vision it was that Of guardian cherub mourn
ing the fall Of his charge. What mild reproach
was in those soft blue eyes,
] Self Inundated. stricken with remorse that
he had thus yielded TO the fsseinations Of wo-
man he could never love, he unclssped Guilia's
arms from his neck, aud placed her trembling
on the sofa. Farewell, Donna Guilla 90 be
said IL esve you this instsnt-for my own
esteem-my hearts scquital is dear to me. and
| am guilty that have stayed so long, Your
chsrms-,be charms 50 few could resist, may
plead my excuse to you-to me they cannot
for the recollection Of duty has broken the be-
] bean I a., .o.,L, .f ,,ur