The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-03

q
still possessed the palace and The picture, and
that she had died in early life.
Before this figure the Young Englishman
would remain for an hour or two at time, en-
deavoring TO shape out for himself some dis
tinct view Of her being and story. This was
idle work as II led him to no definite and last
ing creation, but il occupied him for the time
as well us any thing else that he was likely TO
have done. By and by his fancy so gained
upon him that he had the chamber next to that
part Of the cutlery where the picture was, ar
ranged as his bedroom, that so he might be
near his corporal mistress even during his
hours OF sleep. One night soon after this
change had been made, while he was lying in
bed and musing Of Celestina, he thought he
heard noise in the gallery consecrated to her,
low voices and light step. He felt, be-
lleve, nay cherished, some dash Of supersti-
nous fear IN his character, and he did not rise
TO examine into the matter. The next night
was that OF the full moon, and again he heard
the same sound and again for the third time
on the night following. Then il ceased, and
ior some days he was in much perplcxity.-
l ne gallery by daylight presented no appear
ance OF change. He brooded over the re-
membrance, whether founded in fact or ina
glnation, till j struck him that perhaps, there
was connection between the sounds and the
age OF the moon when they were heard, and
that, II SO, they might possibly return at the
next corresponding period. He grew thin and
nervous with anxiety, and resolved at all ha-
yards TO clear up the secret. The night be-
fore the full moon came, and with it the
sounds-the light whispers murmured and
sang along the high walls and ceilings, and the
steps fitted like fairies from end to end of the
galleries Bnt even now he could not resolve
to part with the tremulous pleasure Of the
mystery. The following night, that of the full
moon, he felt worn out, fretted, and desperate
Again the sounds were heard, the doors
opened and closed. the steps throbbed in his
heart, the indistinguishable words flew on, till
he caught in low but clear tone, the name Of
Cclestina. He seized a sword snd stepped
silently to the door near him which openedin into
the gallery, and was in deep shadow. I'm
closing it slowly, he looked down the long
room, and there opposite the place Of the we'll
known picture, stood, in bright moonlight, Ce-
lcstina herself upon the floor. The right hand
was raised like that on the canvass, as il to
listen, and the eyes were looking earnestly
into the depth Of gloom which hid the Eng
lishman. He let fall his sword, let go the
door, which closed before him, and when he
had again courage to open it the gallery was
empty, and the still, clear light fell only ON
vacant surface.
" The consequence to him of this event
was severe illness, and a friend and fellow
countryman waa sent for from Venice to at
tend his sick bed. The visiter gradually OBJ
tanned an outline Of the facts from the suffer-
er, and then applied to the old Italian servant
in order to arrive at a reasonable explanation
But he stoutly denied all knowledge Of any
thing that could throw light upon the matter
Next day the friend found upon the table
slip Of paper, on which was written in beau
tiful female hand, a request that he would pre-
sent himself in the easternmost arbor of the
garden at the hour Of the siesta. He of
course did so, and found there lady in a dark
dress and closely yelled She said, in fine
Italian, that she had begged to see him in
order to repair, if possible, the mischief
father she continued, the owner of this
palace, is Of a proud but impoverished Veni-
tian family. His son is an officer in an
Austrian regiment, which has been stationed
for some years in Hungary; and ] am the old
mans only companion. He is perhaps, a
little peculiar and eccentric in his habits and
character, and all his strongest feelings are
directed towards the memory Of his ancestors
whose abode is now occupied by your friend.
Nothing but necessity would have induced him
to let it to stranger, and to reside in the
small house in the neighborhood which we
now inhabit. He still perpetually recurs to
the traditional stories Of his family's former
greatness; and it is favorite point Of belief
with him that his daughter closely resembles
the Celestina whose picture is in the gallery,
and whose name she bears. Owing to this
fancy, he is never satisfied unless he sees her
dressed in imitation Of the idolized portrait.
But as he no longer inhabits the house, and
does not choose to present himself to its oc-
cupier in a light which he considers so I'M
worthy, he could crafty his love for the pic
lures only by visiting them by night, at time
when the moon affords light, by which, i'm
perfect as tits, his ancestors appear to him
distinct and beautiful beings. Nor could he
be long contented with this solitary pleasure,
but insisted that should accompany him.
We have more than once entered through
door from the gardens, and it was on the last
Of these occasions that thought heard
noise, and while | listened, the door at the
end Of the gallery was opened, and then
violently closed again. On this alarm we inn
mediateiy escaped as we had entered, and the
strange consequences TO your friend has been
to me source of regret We heard of his
illness from our old servant Antonio, the only
person who knew of our visits. To convince
you that this is the whole secret, have put
on the dress then wore, and you shall Judge
for yourself of my resemblance TO the PFC
ture.'
so saying, she threw aside her veil and
mantle, and surprised the stranger with the