The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-16

the fair one upon his memory.
| Several months flew past. Leonardo, in the
vlgor Of life, and remarkable not only for the ee-
gance OF his person, but likewise for his intrinsic
worth and outward honots, became desirable
son-in-law 10 even the most illustrious members
OF the proud arlstocracy Of Venice. After some
cogitalion, the cavalier al length acceded 10 the
cogent peadings OF an old and valued friend, who
promised 10 him the only daughter and sole heir
ess OF powerful Senator for wife. Leonar,
do soon obtained the consent OF his future father
in-law, and with il the immediate permission of
paying his homage TO the beautiful Elisa, which
was nothing more than walk once or twice
day beneath the balcony OF her apartments This
the young cavalier regularly performed; but al
though the lady frequently showed herself there
she never once raised the large impeneirable veil
which shrouded her face and figure. Leonardo
complained Of this extraordinary reserve--a re-
serve which, considering the circumstances in
which they were mutually placed, he could only
attribute to pride or contempt. In answer 10 his
complaint, however, he learned that a VOW made
to the Holy Virgin prevented his betrothed show
ing her face before marriage 10 any man save
her father
II may be easily imagined with how many
more magical attractions this delicacy and this
mystery invested Elisa in the eyes OF her future
husband, especially when il is considered how
powerfully the fancy influences love- and what
vast superiority it attaches to all indefinite ideas
and all indetermlnate objects
! The marriage day arrived. The friends and
relations OF the two families collected at sunset
in the mansion of the aged Senator. Leonardo,
according to the custom of the city, received the
guests at the door Of the palace, and at lergth
entered with the last into the splendid saloon
He was summoned at once from the secret agl.
tations of his own heart by the imposing coup
d'9il which met his eye. The mobiles occupied
several circular rows Of settees, which were
| ranged in the form of an amphltheatre. With
in this, priest, in full canoncals, knelt in pray
er before magnificent altar. Trophies ofams
OF every sort hung from the walls blackened by
time, while the splendid blaze of numerous chan
deliers was scarcely sufficient TO dispe the gloom
which relgned through so wide and so lofty
hall. Leonardo had scarcely entered, when the
door OF the interior apartments few open-apart
ments In which the bride, surrounded by Vene
| tan matrons, awaited the moment of the cere
mony. Every eye was Immediately turned TO
that door, and none with greater eagerness and
curiosity than that Of the impatient bridegroom,
| The moment of expectation passed, the be-
trothed slowly entered, when, 10 wild cry
burst from the lips of Leonardo But il was
lost amid the shouts of admiration and enthu
siasm which arose on every hand at the sight
of such matchless beauty.
Alas the miserable bridegroom recognised,
in the simple maiden who now approached half
yelled in white, the symbol of virginlite mother
than the lady who had met his friend in the cas-
sine. Again he viewed her under the mask of
that innocence which had already reused with
in his bosom SO much repugnance and contempt
A dense cloud darkened his vision, and that in
slant of weakness was as terrible as it was ra
pid. II first struck him publicly to disgrace the
fair one who thus dared to present him with in
fanny as dowry. But the sight of her father
the thought OF his despair, pity for the oveliest
OF beings, the generous feelings of his own
heart, all equally determined him rather to in
cur in the face Of his countrymen the stigma Of
being called mad, or at least unustly caprcious
than to do So While the bride, therefore, after
having received the paternal benedlctlon slowly
and modestly advanced toward her destined
consort, Leonardo started back a couple of PAGES,
and having commanded silence by sign, ex-
claimed, "Never, never can that lady be my
Whenever shall | be her husband" The
beautiful Elisa cast upon the agitated youth a
look Of fearful amazement, tainted, and was
carried away into her own apartments.
Excess of establishment for an instant sealed
every lip; but the swoon of the lovely bride
became signal for uproar and disorder, The
seats, in the twinkling Of an eye, stood empty;
every one had leapt into the centre Of the circle
some swore loudly, demanding an explanation.
The aged senator alone stood speechless and
immovable On hearing the unexpected words
of Leon rdo he had started and was violently
though momentarily moved, while his eve had
followed with intense interest his only child
borne away from the altar; vet, had it not been
for his fixed look and the contraction Of his rcmb
ling lips, one might have easily imagined that
he was altogether calm and unaffected. All at
once, however, he, pressing through the crowd
approached close to Leonardo and having seized
him forcibly by the arm, exclaimed Hast thou
determined to insult me and mine? To despise
~. r. IL. l. IL H..
bic? Speak, when will this caprice Of thine
be Overt" "Never! never - replied Leonardo,
with firm and determined voice. In one mo.
ment the shout OF revenge echoed through the
hall. Eyes flashed fury and daggers glitercd,
while from the walls were torn the antique and
heavy arms that had hung there so long, useless
and still. The relatives and friends of Lconar-
do were furiously attacked by those of Elisa
Insult, defiance, the clashing of weapons, tire
cries Of the women and priests who sought
safety in flight, drowned the few conciliatory
voices who still spoke Of peace All was con-
fusion and noise, when the aged senator Bird
ling his anger, rushed amid the combatants, and
by his eloquence and authority attempted to pre-
vent the effuson of blood. No sooner had he
succeeded in quelling the disorder, than, turn
ing 10 Leonardo, he firmly and clamy said, :"
| here renounce my revenge, and leave IL TO HIM
who Furnishes every insult offered TO the gray
i haired man J"
Leonardo few days afterward fellby the hand
of an assassin, pierced with twenty strokes Of
stetto.
The portion of Venice which is occupied by tho
sons of Abraham -
I The gondolieis of Venice swear by every Saint in
the calendar, and by many other sinners who will
yer get there,
! Between these columns criminals condemned ~
| death were executed and it considered Jistelu
able for any noble Ventian to pass thither.
| magnificent suit of apartments, whore the
flower of Venian society both male and fc male, con-