Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-29
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
'The pulse of the heart the voice of fate '-ScLLER.
| A merry carnival was that of fifteen hundred
and sixty. Sounds of merriment and boistrous
gaety saluted the ear at every STEP Maskers
were abroad early and late; and every inn and
every hostelry in Venice was filled with parties
of gay cavaliers, who passed their nights paying
their most dutiful respects to the card-table and
the wine cup.
Gaiety reigned universally, both among the high
and low. A brilliant festival was to be given by
one of Venice's proudest mobiles. The Count and
Countess Trevorra were dressed for the occasion
and had already been kept in waiting for a half
hour by their daughter; and as she did not appear,
page was sent to ascertain the cause of her tar
diness. He returned, and informed them
the Signora Lucreza pleaded illness her excuse,
and wished to remain at home.
ssPoor child!'' exclaimed her mother, 'swe will
at least bid her good even ere we leave.''
"Well, Lucrezia'' exclaimed her father, as he
entered the room, II had hoped that tonight your
charms would have out-shone all Vence's fair la
dies, and mayhap enchanted some gallant cavalier;
and cen now, were it not for this ill-mannered
head ache of thine, which must needs intrude
when it should not, have mind thou shouldst
bear us company-for, by the shades of my fathers,
daughter mine, thou never looked more lovely
than at this moment!'
s'Nay, father, for once l must be content with
the fattery gou deal cut SO unsparingly, since
cannot listen to the fattery of others tonight
said Lucrezia, she received the emb races her
parents ere they left her alone.
All. -tfs5dt fSis t1St I'd
-44,srt which burned Oh the cheek of his daughter
was blush for the part she was thus acting; and
that the light which sparkled in her eyes, was but
the kindling of the fires of passion.
And little thought that tender mother, as she
kissed her fair daughters brow and bade her seek
her couch for rest-ltle thought she them that she
should gaze no more upon her for a long time.
All! it acas not strange that Lucrezia Trevorra,
when she heard the last echo of her footsteps die
in the distance, as they proceeded to their Condo
la, attended by servingmen, bearing lghts-it
was no aoonder that she buried her face in her
hands and sobbed aloud.
x
Twas near midnight that Trevorra's daughter
sat in gloom and tears, in her fathers palace.
Not breath of air stirred trees or flowers; and
even the very silence seemed audible, as Lucre-
zia sat musing on her fate The farewell kisses
of her parents yet fingered upon her lips, and no
wonder that her grief burst forth afresh, as she
thought that she had seen their faces for the last
time. And she exclaimed in an agony of grief,
&c 'Tis thus that repay their love and never-ceas
ing kindness by deserting them for the love of
one, of whom l know nought but what he has
told me. l have them for the last time; and
when they know have deserted them, will they
not curse my very memory? Will not the love l
have before shown them be considereded merely
as mask for the accomplishment of my purposes!
Never again shall I breathe proudly within these
walls at the recollection of the honor they once
contained and reflected back upon its inmates!
Alas, that must first tarnish the glory of the no.
BILE name of Trevorra! Will not all my former
companions scorn to mention my name! Amp
Venice, my native city, must 1 leave thee, too!
Must be forever banished from thee! Oh! why
was not he born noble, or why was not of hum
BILE station! then this foul stain had not been in
dellibly impressed upon these palace walls But
why delay! and why those bitter tears? My fate is
decided. I myself have cast the die, and now
am too aoeak in this decisive hour. am too selfish
What has he not dared for me? The daggers of
a hundred nobles-aye, even the horrors of the
Enquisitioa have all been braved to gain my love
and it is week and selfish in me to grieve thus
ebay, not SO, dearest said low sweet voice
by her side. sYou sacrafced all for me- and fear
that my poor love can be but a small recompense
for such devotion.''
Lucrezia raised her eyes to the beautifully elo-
quent face of her lover, who had silently entered,
and now stood beside her.
ssThnk not,'' she said, "that these tears for
this state and grandeur; for see, leave all that
would recall it to remembrance" and she painted
to dressing-table, whereon were placed the
costly gifts of her parents.
Pierio drew near the table, and even tear-drop
trembled in his own bright eye, as he drew pa
per from beneath the folds of his doublet and laid
it beside one directed to the Count Trevorra in the
delicate and trembling chirographry of his daugh-
ter
And so the two papers were thus left amid the
caskets of iewels-sole mementoes of the fate of
her who was now about to leave the home of her
childhood, and 60 forth with another; and then
while the binding tears fell thick and fast, Lucre
zia Trevorra suffered herself to be led unressting
ly away.