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

AiSt ClIdpIGT.
CHAPTER II.
''Love is not love that's born and dies in thought;
True love dares all in hopes to conquer aught.''
1t was a fine summers evening that at an open
window of the Palazzo Trevora, sat Lucrezia, the
Counts only child. He, with the Countess his
wife, were seated in their own apartment in the
wing of the mansion. Lucrezia had just dismissed
her attendant, and now sat alone, with no other
companions than her birds and flowers.
There were many gondolas out upon the Adri-
attic, which sparkled and ripped below in the star
light like sheet of molten silver; and the merry
laughter and gay words Of their occupants, swept
along upon the light breeze which gently stirred
the white chalices of beautiful magnolia tree,
whose branches waved to and fro before the open
easement.
The apartment wherein the young girl sat, was
shrouded in dimness, for the silver lamps which
swayed to and fro in the night breeze were not
yet lighted; yet still by the bright starlight, it's
luxuriant furnishing could be fatntly seen.
The walls were draped with blue velvet of the
richest texture, and the low couches around the
sides of the room were covered with the same
material, richly fringed The floor was of the
purest white marble, and in the centre, the arms
of Trevorra, surrounded by wreath of myrtle,
were laid in gold.
In one corner of the apartment stood a table
spread with velvet cover. and upon twas az, or
namental basket composed of precious stones, and
also delicate proclaim vase, filled with pro-
fusion of rich and rare exotics. In a deep niche
of the farthest end was heard the low dropping Of
perfumed water, sent forth from a small fountain
in various jets and sprays, and then falling into
the marble basin beneath.
And thus, in silence and the purity of the eve
ming, sat Lucrezia Trevorra.
She was very beautiful land though only sixteen
still she was an Italian of sixteen; and her heart
born under the same Southern skies, and touched
by the sun as the orange trees, put forth all
its leaves, blossoms and fruits at once. Her
tenance was very expressive, with the most per-
feet repose of features and her eyes were of soft
hazel with heavily fringed eye-lids, that seemed
as if weighed down by their own beauty.
Her hair, of a rich chestnut hue, was drawn
back from forehead of snowy whiteness, and its
massive braids simply fastened at the back of her
head with golden bodkin. A delicate peach-like
bloom covered her cheek, and her ruby lips were
just parted with expectation, as she leaned from
the easement to listen to the sound of mufied oars,
which seemed approaching.
The light strokes of oars were heard-a Condo
la shot under the balcony, from which sprang
young man attired as citizen, who rapidly as
cended the landing stairs, and by seizng one of
the stone balustrades, cleared the balcony at one
bound, and stepping through the low, Venetian
window, stood by her side.
ssBe5p idol meo! dearest, dost think me bold!'
were the first and only words he uttered to the
beautiful and trembling girl beside him.
No answer came from her lips, for they were
sealed by those of her lover; and in the Circean
draught of Loves first kiss, she forgot her fears
and ceased to tremble.
Her lover was the first to speak, and to tell her
he evaded the security of all in coming thither.
Lucrezia shuddered as she exclamed-sI fear
for your safety. If you should be discovered, no
punishment too great could be inflicted on you.''
ssLucrezia, you think only ofmy danger, wholly
regardless of your osen for your noble rank would
not even protect you from the vengeance of the
Inquistion, were it known that you stopped to
love poor and lowly-born citizen"
s.Nay, Pierio, all these perils would willingly
brave-a fathers curse and the worlds scorn,
know, are dreadful to be borne, yet would risk
all, were but assured of your love-" said Lucre-
zia, with melancholy smile.
ssWere you but assured of it! Lucrezia, you
wrong me,'' said the citizen lover, sadly. ssAnd
YETI continued he, sit is but natural for you to be
haunted by such fears as these. I know that you
forfeit all the privileges of mobiles daughter, and
have oftentimes thought it unpardonably selfish
in me to win your love; yet when in your pres
ence, all my resolves to see you no more are
scattered like the winds, and only go from you
more and more intoxicated with love. Yet, but
utter the word noso that shall drive me from your
presence forever, and will leave thee"-and the
young man drew back few steps from the fair
girl he addressed.
"Nay, indeed you wrong me now, Pierio," was
her reply, as she sprang towards him, who caress-
ingy enfolden her slight form within his embrace,
and drew her closer yet, she said, 81 am yours,