The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-30

heroine OF the evening was warranty enough
for the burst OF applause which followed. Her
form, itself ofthe most fauliless symmetry, ac-
quMed additional captivation from the display
and costliness permitted by theatrical costume.
Her face, too, was one Of surprising beauty.
Large deep blue eyes, waves Of the gIossiest
hair, and a skin ofthnf clear transparent white-
ness, which shows with sach dazzling effect at
night--ailthes attractions were in themselves
enough to fascinate the sight. But there was
shat about la Florinda" which interested the
| ieeiings fully as much. The dreamy melan-
| choiy OF her profound and passionate eyes,
me entire repose Of all her features, the extra
ordthary expression about the small cherub
| NOUN, winch seemed formed for love and dim
pies, YET winch none had ever seen relax into
. slniie--shsa was which ieDtsuch witchery
| to her beauty, and threw around her 4 kind of
| mysterious charm, even amidst the Flare and
| fry olity with which she was surrounded
Though assaiied by temptation in every
| shape, so rigid and unblemshed had been her
conduct, that the noble family, to which she
was about to be allied, yainiy sought in il a
pretext to dissolve the engagement between
herself snd their relative. Yet she lived in
utter nnprotectedness. with only the compa-
nionship Of young girl. who officiated as her
attendant. With society she never mixed, nor
left her home, except TO attend her professional
duties.
On this her last evening of public existence,
all was done that could render her exit fri~
umphant. The stage was literally filled with
| bouquets flung at her feet, accompanied by
many valuable and less perishing testimony
to her worth and talent. When she made her
farewell acknowledg each felt a pang of
regret at parting with one SC lovely and gifted,
| and many bright eye was filled with tears-
| yet she, the cause, alone remained unmOved.-
There was gratitude in the graceful bowing Of
the head, and the meek folding of her hands on
her bosom--but the face was calm and impas-
siye as ever. The curtain fell amidst an OUT
break of such feelings as shook the very walls
of La Scala TO their foundation, and Florinda
was seen there no more.
Snow pray, Signora, on this your wedding
day, do look as if you were happy. Heigho!
chese, should be smiling all day long,"
"My good Rosalia, have long forgotten TO
smile or weep. In truth. poor child you have
had but wearisome life, in attending on one
in whose bosom the pulse of JOY hath for ever
stopped"
| Milan would be glad to wait on so kind, so
gracious, so genteel mistress-ay, and SO
pretty one, too. For when l am braiding
| these long tresses, or fastening the sandals on
your tiny feet, feel quite proud in being per-
mitted TO serve La Florinda, who all Milan
says, has borrowed the face and form Of the fa-
nous Venus at Florence" eaa
l tC Ou ti1CC, CHitu' WOutu Cniuc tffSc tOE
this fiattery, bat that an unkind word ever
sends foolish tears into thine eyes. But hasten,
| Rosalia; the time wears on. Give rue my veil,
| and leave me-" "a
The attendant did as he was hidden, and
| Flornda was alone. For while she sat in
deep meditation, her small white hands clasped
upon her brow as it to still the tumnlt of feel
| ings rushing through her brain. The day at
length had come for which she had patiently
waited for years; for which she had devoted
herself to profession she abhorred, and toled
| in it laboriously and ceaselessly-and nour-
| shed life she would otherwise have allowed
| the mildew of grief to corrode and Destroy
| The hour was at hand, when the one purpose
| of her existence was to be realized-the long
recorded VOW fulfilled. The near accomplish
| ment of her wishes gave to the cheek of Flo
| rinda flush of crimson, deep as the sunset of
summer, and lit up her lusrous eyes with al
| most unearthly brightness. As she contem-
plated herself in the mirror, arrayed in all the
costly magDiicence OF bridal attire, vanity for
moment prepondeiated; but II was transient
| weakness. An instant more-the brow re-
sumed its look of calm, ste1e 1edetermination--
the beautiful mouth its compressed rigidry.-
1 Having adjusted the orange wreath on her teni-
pies, and arranged the drapery of the long deli
cate veil, whose snowy folds enveloped her
| form from head to foot, she entered the conser-
vatory adjoining her chamber, and taking from
L III
arrival OF her bridesmaids and friends. IN a
| few minutes the expected guests assembled,
and leaning on the arm of the brother of her
betrothed. She entered one of the carriages and
the party proceeded to the church of 81. Am.
brose. The nuptal rites were performed-and
Florinda was greeted as Ia Marchesa on VI
valdi.
The Marchese gently passing his arm around
her waist, would fain have folded her to his bo-
som. A quick shudder, which seemed TO con-
vulse every limb. passed over her.
any beautiful love looks pale"'
"'Tis nothing-a sudden faintness. Gull
ed these flowers for you, your iavoriie hell
trope is there; take them-you will not surely
refuse your brides fret gifi I"
The Marchese took the bouquet presented,
pressed itpassionately to his lips. inhaled, its
fragrance, and fell OF the feet Of Florinda
A wild. unnatural burst of laugh,erfronrt the
Marchesa pealed through the church, "It Is
weIl-it is well! Victor, my beloved, thou ART
avenged. Now will join thee.
Uuering these words, she took from beneath,
the folds of her dress small poinaro, anu
buried il to the hilt in her breast.
The bride and the bridegroom lay dead to-
gether!
On searching her desk paper was found
explanatory of the catastrophe. Ii is scarcely
necessary 10 say that "Florinda" was the
name assumed by Isabelle d'AubigDy. lnihe
record left of her motives and actions, she
stated that after the execution Of Victor, she
made solemn vow to become bis asenger--
but with refined revenge. when his destroyer,
DeBiron, was at the height of earthly bliss.
For This purpose, her first aim was to capu-
AZ. his heart. As the widow of Victor she
mish ht fail in this. She was aware that he was
! nassiorate admirer Of dancing. Through
the agency Of that accomplishment, super
added to;her beauty Of person. .sshe hoped @ en-
snare his affection. Her first step was Q y.
come the pupil of the most celebrates mas1e "a
Of The iay, and by dint Of uurenliiiing tci sae
soan onal;6ed herself for public exhibition.
She resolved 70 appear in Italy, tns counny s1.s
Angns,s a. Biron had retired, 30 70 escape ss sn
strong Manifestations Of dislike wi'cn; ,n'.; I'M