Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-03
IBURG, THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 8, 1851

Brazil; she herself, however, has just come
from Rio, with her duenna and suite, to
finish her education. She is an heiress
and is reported to be engaged in Portugal
Would you like to so roundl Twill intro
duce you"
"If you please; away they went
The Charge first introduced Alonzo tc
| the Countess, and then presented him as a
fellow-countryman' to the beautiful Bra
lillian. She received him with the mos,
| marked pleasure, and made scat for hin
beside her.
81 am indeed most happy to become ac
quainted with you, Don Alonzo," said she
"ifitwere only to express to you the atfec
ton feel for your dear aunt, the Abbess
in whose convent have been some time
a resident, and from whom have received
| all the care and love Of a mother-indeed
| owe her rcy much"
"Her love, and care, at least, seem to
have been well bestowed" replied Alonzo
"did you also know my father!"
Ultimately, and may also venture tc
say that know you, SO much have heard
of you from the Marquess and your aunt
am sure no son or nephew was ever SC
| beloved"
Alonzo sighed, as he recollected tha,
neither Of them had mentioned this lady
in their letters; the reason was obvious
and he felt a pang more acute than usual
| when he looked on her lovely and intelli.
gent countenance-glanced over figure
that appeared to him perfection, and lis
tened TO her lively and natural remarks
then compared her with that one of whom
he could scarcely endure in any way to
think.
The next morning he mentioned to Mr.
Mordaunt, as carelessly as he could, his
introduction ofthe preceding evening.
81 have heard of that lady," observed
Mr.. Mordaunt. "She is n good specimen
ofyour country-women, does great credi,
to Brazil, and would make, dare say, an
excellent English marriage, if she were
not already engaged"
"She is really then engaged" inquired
Alonzo.
"Decidedly-to a Portuguese nobleman;
this has been published as much as posi-
bic, to keep lovers at distance"
"Well," thought Alonzo, "as size is en-
gagged, and married, there can be nc
danger" and that very evening (for the la
dy, he understood, was not permitted to
receive morning visitors) behold him at the
Countess's.
An intimacy soon sprang up between
them, as was natural between persons oI
the game age and station in foreign coun.
try. There was no one that Viola was, oi
appeared, half SO pleased to see as Don
Alonzo. She had always new song to
sing to him, a new drawing to show to him
or anew book to recommend. She was fond
OF chess, and many a happy momentdid she
spend while the Countess was engaged a,
her whist. But never, in his eyes, was she
so fascinating as when, passing the black
ribbon OF her guitar over her shoulder, she
accompanied herself in their own beautiful
national melodies; her voice was exquisite
ly sweet and clear; the execution finished
and graceful. AT those moments an ex-
elusive affinity appeared to exists between
them; although there might be, and often
were, numerous other listeners and admir-.
ers, it was las eye only that she sought for
approval
They met frequently at public places
and also at other houses. Viola was a
beautiful dancer, and he felt proud Che
knew not why, for 1t was nothing to HIM
ofthe admiration she excited. Sometimes
he waltzed with her, and with beating
heart caught here and there half whisper
from the spectators; "The two Brazilians
AN Interesting couple, are they mott"
Itwas thought better that Viola, on ac-
count OF her peculiar situation, should con-
tinue to observe, although in England, the
strict form other own national Manners
Immediately after dancing, she returned
to the side Of the Countess, or her chape-
rome; she never went out for exercise ex-
cept when so accompanied, and she never
received any visitor except in such pres
ence. These arrangements gave great sat.
isfaction to Alonzo, he did not know why,
for it was nothing to him. although he fre-
quently suffered by them.
"Guard your healtl" conscience whisper
ed to Alonzo, Alas his heart had escap-
ed,-but he guarded his manners, and
they were the next best security; he tried
to watch even his very eyes; he never fir
ted, he never complimented; in fact, he sue
ceeded so well that the Countess and Mr..
Mordaunt appeared to have no suspicion:
but he could not deceive himself, and he
was not quite so sure that he deceived
Viola.