The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-06-24

The Vengeance of an Actress.
"This crown is quite fresh Marina said Count
Sposi, pointing to a wreath Of flowers, which lay
upon the table, almost buried amid heap that
already faded.
This remark was addressed to Marina, at that
time the idol of Venice the principal cantatriee of
the Theatre de la Farnice, who lay extended upon
a couch, surrounded by party Of about ten Of the
Sicilian nobility, in her own 6Oudotr.
When was it bestowed?" continued the Count
Sposi.
1t thrown upon the stage last night after
the opera of the Semiramide.
And this one, gentle Alsace2"
received 1t three evenings since, after the per-
formance of the CeneyentoLa"
And has it faded already?" replied the Able
Farnetti, who an In1proUisatOre "faded like
its predecessors; faded the one of last night
will be tomorrow"
"And what consequence will that be :" cried
Sposi has not Marina one that will never fade
does not all Venice worship her?"
Marina thanked the Count with melancholy
smile. "Venice," said she, "Venice loves me-
but that is all; three months ago she idolized me
if my name appeared in the bills OF the day, il
filled the city with joy and when evening came
and appeared upon the STAGE thunders of applause
shook the house. | commenced singing and all
would be hushed to death-like silence; oh their
kindness penetrated to my inmost soul"
And all this is still the same, !" said the Marquis
Roli, who was accounted the handsomest man in
Italy.
"You think so, MARQUIS" replied Marina
alas! it rises no longer from enthusiasm but from
habit"
1t is true,'' said Count Sposi, that BeIina is
very beautiful, and sings most divinely, but
g You find it so, Count" interrupted the CGnfa-
trice, with much quickness; why then are you
not at the theatre this evening, to applaud this d.
vine songstress! Perhaps tis your pity for the fall
| en- star which prevented you from paying your
homage to the rising one, and to which am in
debed for the honor of your attendance this even
/ ing. OH hate her! j hate her as an Italian
only can hatsl ofas.ai.~aa .sh-.-L h~Sa heard the
tneatre filled with applause on her appearance darl
thoughts have filled my brain; thoughts of bIooJ
have flashed across my burning imagination.
stabbed my rival in love when / was seventeen
am twenty-four to-day, and Bellina is my rival il
| fame.''
"Calm yourself, Marina. Why do you cal
| yourself fallen! You are yet the Queen of Song
| You have only shared the throne with another
Count, throne is like a heart, it cannot b,
| divided.''
"Is your cause then so desperate, that you ar,
abandoned by all the world Are you not surround
ed by the principal of the nobility this hour
when your rival IS performing her most difficult tasl
at the Farnice I"
81 thank you, my Lords, you have sacrificed this
evening to my whims; tomorrow you will join the
| common herd at the feet of Bellina."
Signora, do not reproach US thus; are you not
still the loved cherished, and beautiful friend of
his grace the Duke of Aquavita, the most powerful
noble in Venice %
The Duke ofAquavita loved me, because Venice
loved me he followed me because it was the mode
so to do; was queen, he therefore would be king
and you call this love, Count Sposi. Since the
triumph of Bellina, her name has been upon the
Dukes lips constantly; had some words with
him upon the subject eight days ago I have not
seen him since, but doubtless he is at the feet Of
Bellina"
Marinas voice faltered, and her eyes filed with
tears.
"And this coronet," pursued the Count, which
but yesterday adorned the brow of the gentle Ar
SAGE.
At this juncture, M. Rulleman entered the de-
partment he was German, and man of sense
and spirit; he had been inhabitant of Venice
about year his opinions being rather liberal, and
the frankness, nay, almost rudeness, with which
they were expressed, obtained for him the name OF
the philosopher.
He entered at the moment the Count was speak
ing Of the coronet.
have seen one exactly similar among those
that were bestowed upon Bellina, just now.h
Marinas face was dyed with scarlet; she ex-
claimed, You have come from the Farnice 7"
Yes, madam"
"Then her triumph has been complete"
Complete-they called for her at the fall of the
curtain"
"That honor was never conferred upon me but
once"
The musicians Of the theatre gone to sere-
An honor which | neUer received" Marina
turned deadly paleness.
Il only left her rooms in the theatre when
came here. She has taken the Duke of Aquavita
home with her."
The Duke, too with her. Marina could bear no
more. She tainted. When she recoveredh her senses
the party left the room, with the exception Of the
Able, who was busy composing verses upon the
fainting of Marina.
| did wrong in saying all the nobemen lefl the
apartment, for no one observed The Count Sposi
retire.
The next day, in a small saloon, elegantly fur
nished, two gentlemen and lady, closely masked,
were seated before table, upon which set
covers for four persons.
"Do you think she will come y said the Duke
of Aquavia to his friend, nj. Ruleman.
" She will come"
"Think you we shall be able to bring about
reconciliation between these two ladies'
"a good, severe cold, or an extinction of voice
upon Bellina, would, | shrewdly suspect accom-,
plish more than the intercession of the Duke Of
Aquavita, all powerful as he s.n
"Oh that would be buying the reconciliation
too dearly"
Bellina rewarded him with gracious smile.
Marina was now announced. Bellina seated her
self her rival entered the room, attired in do
mino, but with her mask in her hands.
"Aquavita," said she, interrupting the Duke,
who was about to speak, "is it your pleasure that
Bellina and myself embrace each other
81 consent to it, Bellina unmask yourself; envy
is bad counsellor, and, find, only adds to your
triumph"
Marina, you say well let US thus sacrifice our
unjust envy; we will resign together"
The repast continued gaily at the dessert Belli-
mas health was drank by Marina, who wished her
every success. She had appeared for the first time
in Semiramide " that evening.
Tomorrow said Marina, you will appear
In II Barbiere," After adding my applause lC
| that of the public, will throw crown upon the
stage, which will not fade like those of which tn,
| Venillans are prodigal."
As she pronounced these words her countenanc,
wore strange expression.
+" 1t will be happy time for us aIl,' said tn
Duke. Rulleman bowed his head, but did no
reply.
| The next evening the Theatre de Ia Farnice wa
crowded to excess, for the news of the reconcia
ton of the two Cantatrices had spread throughou
the city. The partisans of Marina and Bellina ha,
hlled the THEATRE not to oppose each other as for
| merly, but in common admiration. Marina ha,
placed herself in box Immediately over the stage
and added, by her applause, to the success of Bel
| lima. Among all the countenances which file
the Theatre, that of NJ. Rulleman alone wore al
expression Of inquietude.
At the fall of the curtain, there was call 70
Rellina. When she appeared Q shower Of crown
covered the stage, Marina thFsw her crown Il
the midst "f