New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-24

For it's very dull to stay home with counting
[From the New Monthly Magazine.
A Dark Deed of Days Gone By.
| In one of the sunniest spots of sunny Tuscany,
that favored department of Italy, may still be
seen the ruins Of a strong, ancient built castle,
or palace, surrounded by extensive grounds,
now run to waste; and which was, a century or
two ago, one of the proudest buildings IN that
balmy land.
1t was on an evening of delicious coolness there
so coveted, that a cavalier issued on horseback
| from the gates of the castle, which was then at
the acme of its pride and strength. Numerous
retainers stood on either side, by the draw
bridge, their heads barred to the evening sun,
till the horseman should have passed, but he
went forth unattended; and the men resumed
their caps and swung too the drawbridge, as he
urged his horse to quick pace. Itwas the lord
of that stately CASTLE the young inheritor Of the
lands of Visinara. His form, tall and graceful,
was bent occasionally to the neck of his horse, in
acknowledgment of the homage that was uni
versally paid him, though he sat on his steed
proudly conscious that such bearing beftted
the descendant of one of Italas noblest fami-
lies In years he had numbered scarcely more
than quarter of a century, and yet on his
beautiful features mig ght be traced shade which
told of perplexity or care.
Taking down narrow and not much fire.
quented way, which branched off from the main
road mile or two distance from his residence,
he urged his horse to fast pace, and at length
came in view of one of those pretty places, partly
mansion, partly cottage, and partly temple, at
that period to be seen in Italy; but which we
now meet with rarely, save in pictures. Fast
ening the bride of his charger to tree, he
walked towards the house, and passing down
| ei,a which o1nnr tha Snuth side M
it, entered one of the rooms through the open
; window.
A lady, young and beautiful, sat there alone
She had delicate features, and fair open coun-
tenance, the complexion Of which resembled
more that of an English than an Italian one, in
asmuch as a fine, transparent color was glow
, ing on the cheeks. The expression of her eyes
was mild and sweet, and her hair, of chestnut
brown, fell in curls upon her neck, according tc
the fashion of the times She started visibly al
r the sight of the count, and her tongue gave ut
"a terance to words, but what she apparently
= knew not So you have returned, signor -
p Sat last, Gina,' was the counts answer, a
= he threw his arms around her slender waist, AM
g essayed to draw her affectionately towards him
ssUnhand me, Count di Visinara ~ she impet
:. uously exclaimed, sliding from his embrace, an
o. standing apart, her whole form heaving wit
'n agitation.
He stood irresolute; aghast at this receptio
!. from her, who was his early and dearest love
j. care you not out of your senses'' was his ex
- clamation.
"No, but soon shall be- And have praye
"a to heaven that insanity may fall upon me rathe
than experience the wretchedness of these las
few days"
my love, my love, what mean you'"
: nv lore you call me your love, Count
F. Visnara Be silent, hyprocrite l know yo
= now Caioled that | have been in listening t
n you so longr'
d. ''Gina!'
"And so the honorable count di Visinara ho
ID amused his leisure hours in making love to Gin
is, Montana" she cried, vehemently. '' The lcrrll
:" chieftain, who
. BE silent, Gina !" he interrupted " Befo,
., you continue your strange accusations, tell n
the origin of them. My love has never wandere
or from you
!, Z" Yet you are seeking d; wife in the heire
of Della Ripa! All, sir count. your complexio
I'd changes now - Gina Montani was right; Il
y flush of excitement on his face had turned
al paleness ''Your long and repeated journey
in for days together, are now explained she col
tnued 'sIt was well to tell me business toe
- you from home'
nd 81 have had business to transact with Il
Prince of Della Ripa,' he replied, boldly, +
covering his equanimity.
..u ssAnd to combine business with pleasure
she answered, with a curl of her delicate Ii
:s you have been wont to linger by the side
his daughter"
: And what though l have sometimes seen t
AT Lady Adelaide he rejoined. 81 have no 10
1ss for her.
~, Gina was silent for u while, as if strugglil
a. with her strong emotion, and then spoke calml
II &c My mother has en- joined me, times out
rom mind, not to suffer your continued visits hel
Sa for that you would never marry me. You nev
m will, Giovanni
3c Turn to my own faith, Gina,'' he eXclaim
ntsd with emotion, d" and l will marry thee tome
fER row."
who ssThey say you are about to marry Adelai
a ma of Della Ripa,' she replied passing by his oN
and words with gesture.
nj # sThey deceive you, Gina
nbe You deceive me- she answered passio
:. ately g you, upon whose veracity would ha
.TH stnked my life. And this is to be my reward
AS AS &c You are like all your sex, Gina--wh
y j. their jealousy is aroused, good-by to reaso
iirsy Giiniy one and all are alike"
own "Can you say that in this case my susplclt
,ppny are unfounded; ,"
,. Gina he answered, rs he once again wo,
d. have folded her to his heart, sc let us not wa
a.. the hours in vain recriminations: | have
,diy love for Adelaide of Della Ripa." And, alf
III for the credulity of woman, Gina Montani lt
the ear once more to his honeyed persuasions, Ill
dbv she deemed them true; and they were ag
rSes happy together, as of old. But this secur
W. was not to last long for her. As the weeks q
on" months flew on, the visits of the court to
hnt mothers house grew few and far between
sa n. made long stays at the territory of Della Ri
hch and people told it as a fact, no longer dispu
avs, BILE, that he was about to make q bride Of
GSs. Iiau. Lady Adelaide.
IN They had come strangers into Tuscany
iard, Signora Montani and her daughter, but a y
1,s otms or two before. The signora was in deep G
iaid, for the loss of her husband, and they lived
uor. most secluded life, making no acquaintan
nina nina They were scarcely known by name or by sig
smp nre and, save the Count di Visinara, no visit
setly were ever found there, The signora was of L
cali thern extraction, and of the Reformed fa
ss and had reared her daugter in the princil
" of the latter, which of itself would cause Il
,uf to court secluson, at that period, in Italy.
the Lord Of Visinara, Independent and haug
es - as he was by nature and by position, would
.ore more have dared to take Gina Montani to
-, his welded wife, than he would have braved
- Mightiness the Pope of St Peters chair.
ers, H.
. 1t was on n calm moonlight night, that cl
- - ly-wrapped-up form stood in the deep shade
Nd grove OF cypress-trees, within the gates OF
M, Castle OF Visinapa. ansiousy Watching, !