Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-07-13
PLAQUEMINE, PARISH IBERVII4LE LA, JULY l3, 1850

IL have seen one exactly similar among those
that were bestowed upon Bellina, just now"
| Marina's face was dyed with scarlet; she ex-
claimed, You have come from the Farnice!"
"Yes madam"
''Then her triumph has been complete"
"Complete! they called for her at the fall of
the curtain"
"1hat honor was never conferred upon me
! but once"
"The musicians of the theatre have gone to
serenade her at her residence"
can honor which never received" Marina
turned a deadly paleness.
Il only left her rooms in the theatre when |
came here. She has taken the Duke of Aqua
vita home with her"
"The Duke, too! With her!" Marina could
hear no more-she tainted. When she recov-
cred her senses the party left the room, with
the exception of the Able, who was busy com.
posing verses upon the fainting of Marina.
did wrong in saying all the nobemen left
the apartment, for no one observed the Count
Sposi retire.
The next day, in small saloon, elegantly
furnished, two gentlemen and a lady, closely
masked, were seated before table, upon WHICH
| Were set covers for four persons.
"Do you think she will Gomez" said the Duke
Of Aquavita to his friend, NJ. Rulleman.
"She will come"
"Think you we shall be able to bring about
a reconciliation between these two LADIES'"
"a good, severe cold, or an extinction of voice
upon Bellina, would, shrewdly suspect, &C.
complish more than the intercession of the
Duke Of Aquavita, all powerful as he is.''
'@Oh! that would be buying the reconciliation
| too dearly"
Bellina rewarded him with gracious smile.
Marina was now announced. Bellina seated
herself as her rival entered the room, attired in
domino. but with her mask in her hands.
"Aquavita," said she, interrupting the Duke,
who was about to speak, ''is it your pleasure
that BelIina and myself embrace each other!'
II consent to it. Bellina, unmask yourself;
envy is bad counsellor, and, l find, only adds
to your triumph"
tMarina, you say well; let US thus sacrifice
our unjust envy; we will resign together"
The repast continued gaily; at the dessert
Bellina's health was drank by Marina, who
wished he: every success. She had appeared
for the first time in Semiraaide that evening.
"To-morrow," said Marina, "you will appear
in II Barbiere. After adding my applause to
that Of the public, will throw crown upon
the stage, which will not fade like those of
which the Venitians are so prodigal."
As she pronounced those words her counte.
nance wore strange expression.
"It will be q happy time for as al" said the
Duke. Rulleman bowed his head, but did not
reply.
The next evening the Theatre de la Farnice
was crowded to excess, for the news Of the re-
Cancellation of the two cantatrices had spread
throughout the city. The partisans of Marina
and Bellna had filled the theatre; not to op-
pose each other as formerly, but in common ad-
mration. Marina had placed herself in box
Immediately over the stage, and added, by her
applause, to.the success of Bellina. Among
all the countenances which filled the theatre,
that Of M. Rulleman alone wore an expression
of inquietude.
At the fall of the curtain, there was call
for Bellina. When she appeared, a shower Of
crowns covered the stage. Marina threw her
crown in the midst.
Suddenly sharp cry of pain arose. Bellina
lay upon the stage-dead! Marina's crown
had struck upon the temples.
It was of massive bronze!
When they questioned her previous to her
execution, she said to them, @Did not promise
her crown which should never fade! have
kept my word" ...