The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-09-11
SELECTED TALES.
THE YOUNG ITALIAN.
BIT WASHINGTON IRVING.
(Coneluded.)

oeilrum OF Inc affections. had gained Bisn-
cas- heart, what was | 10 do with it, had
no wealth nor prospect 10 entitle me TO her
hand was | TO take advantage Of her igno-
rance Of the world, of her confding affection.
and draw her down TO my own poverty Was
this requi,tins the hospitality of the count
was this requitting the love of Blanca
Now first began TO feel that even success
ful love may have its bitterness. eoroding
care gathered about my heart. moved about
the palace like guilty being. / felt as if /
had abused its hospitality, as il were a thief
within its wall. ] could no longer look with
unembarrassed men in the countenance Of the
count. accused myself Of perfdy TO him,
and thought he read it in my looks, and be-
gan 10 distrust and despise me. His manner
had always been ostentatious aud condescend-
ing; ii now appeared cold and naughty Fill
ippo, too, because reserved and distant or at
least | suspected him TO be so. Heavens was
this the mere coinage Of my brain! Was
10 become suspicious of all the world A poor
surmising wretch watching looks and gestures ;
and torturing myself with misconstructions {!
Or, if true, was | TO remain beneath a roof
where was merely tolerated, and linger there
on sufferance This is not 10 be endured ."
exclaimed | " will tear myself from this
state OF self-abasement-l will break through
this fascination, and fy-Fly !-Whither -
from the world +! for where is the world when
leave Blanca behind me 7"
My spirit was naturally proud and swelled
within me al the idea OF being looked upon with
contumely. Many times was on the point of
declaring my family and rank. and asserting my
equality in the presence of Blanca, when l
thought her relations assumed an air OF su-
periority. But the feeling was TRANSIENT
considered myself discarded and contemned by
my family; and had solemnly vowed never 10
own relationship to them until they themselves
should claim il.
The struggle OF my mind proved upon my
happiness and my health. IL seemed as if the
uncertainty of being loved would be less intol-
cradle than thus TO be assured OF it, and vet not
dare TO enjoy the conviction. was no longer
the enraptured admrer of Blanca ! no longer
hung in ecstacy on the tones of her voice, nor
drank IN with insatiate gaze the beauty Of her
r couutenapce. Her very smiles ceased TO de.
) light me, for / felt culpable in having won
: them.
She could not but be sensible OF the change
in me, and inquired the cause with her usua
frankness and simplicity. ! could not evade
the inquiry, for my heart was full to aching.
told her all the conflict Of my soul my de-
vouring passion. my bitter selfupbraiding
/" Yes" said |, =" am unworthy Of you. am
nameless, homeless wanderer-with nothing
but poverty for my portion and yet have
dared TO love you-have dared TO aspire to your
love.
My agitation moved her to tears, but she saw
nothing in my situation SO hopeless as | had
depicted ii. Brought up in convent, she
knew nothing of the world--ts wants--its
cares and indeed what woman is worldly
casuist in matters of the heart Nay more
she kindled into sweet enthusiasm when she
spoke Of my fortunes and myself. We had
dwelt together on the works of the famous
masters. | had related TO her their histories
the high reputation, the influence, the magni-
fcencc To which they had attained. The com
panions OF princes the fayorites Of kings, the
: pride and boasts Of nations. All this she APP
piled to me. Her love saw nothing in all their
great production that ! was not able TO achieve ;
7 and when beheld the lovely creature glow
with fevour, and her whole countenance ra-
diant with visions Of my glory, was snatched
up for the moment into the heaven Of her own
Imagination.
] am dwelling too long upon this part Of my
story yet ! cannot help lingering on a period
Of my life. on which, with all its cares and con-
ficts. look back with fondncss. for as yet my
soul was unstained by crime. do not know
what might have been the result Of this strug-
gle between pride delcscy, and passion, had
not read in Neapolitan Gazette, an account
of the sudden death OF my brother 1t was ac-
companied by an earnest inquiry for intelll-
gence concerning me, and prayer. should this
meet my eve, that would hasten to Naples, to
comfort an in6rm and afflicted father
Il was naturally Of an affectionste disposition,
but 10Y brother had never been "a . brother to
me. had long considered myself as dscon-
nected from him, aud his death caused me but
little emotion. The thoughts Of my father, IN
firm and suffering. touched me however to the
quick and when thought of him, that lofty
magnificent being. now bowed down and desc
late, and sueing to me for comfort, all my re-
sentiment for past neglect vas subdued. and 4
glow Of hial affection was awakened within
me.
The predominant feeling, however, that over.
powered all others was transport at the sudden
change in my whole fortunes. \ home, a
name, rank, wealth awaited me and love
painted still more rapturous prospect IN the
distance. ] hsstened to Blanca and threw my
self At her feet. Oh, Blanca :" exclaimed
" At length can claim you for my own. an
no longer nameless adyentuier, a neglected
, rejected outcsst. Look-read-behold the IT,
: dngs that restore me to my name and to my.
. SELF
[ will not dwell on the scene that ensued.--
. Blanca rejoced in the reverse Of my situation,
, because she saw it lightened my heart Of load
, Of care for her own part. she had loved me
for myself. and had never doubted that my own
, merits would command both fame and fortune
: now fel, all my native PRIDE buoysnt with.
. in me. / no longer walked with my eyes benz
, tn the dust hope elevated them to the skies
: my soul was lit up with fresh fires, and besmed
from my cOuDteusnce.
wished to impsr the change 10 roy circum.
stances to the count; let him know who and
what was-snd TO make formal proposals foI
the haod Of Blanca but he was absent on :
distant estate. opened my whole soul to FIJI
, ippo. Nov first told him Of my passion. o.
the doubts and fears that Distracted me, and o.