Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-04-04
a WE'LL TOLD STORY. -----
T. II e DI AM ND EYES,
OR, THE BRONZE HORSE.
A NEAP0LITAN LEGEND.
cONCIIDEn.

CONCLUDED.
The eyes of the Italian flashed as she
concluded, and his countenance lowered:
but Cecile had turned his face from him
while she spoke, afraid to witness the re-
ception of her refusal. With a strong
effort, the count repressed the passionate
language that rose to his lips; and merely
replying: "You shall be obeved, made.
moiselle," he bowed profoundly, and leri
the room. Cecile in the innocence oi
her heart. was overjoyed that he had re
ceived her answer with so much ca.mness.
and delighted to think that the affair was
settled, and, as she hoped, without of
Tending her father: she flew to her friend,
the duchess, and, with radiant smile.
communicated the above particulars, ad-
ding: "How very happy l am that shall
never more be annoyed by his attentions ~
"And you think that the count will be
satisfied to give you up so easily l"asked
the duchess: s'do not flatter yourself he
will: however, | am glad that you have
answered him so decidedly, and We shall
hope the best. But let us think no more
of your rejected swain for the present
you must come with me and choose
dress for grand masked-ball, which is
to be given by the Marchese Severlipe ON
the marriage of his son. 1t is expected
to exceed all the carnival fetes in splendor.
and l intended that my dear CeciIe shall
be its brightest ornament
Ceclle, however, begged to be allowed
to go to the ball as simple peasant of
Providence, and the duchess consented
taking herself also French character
that of the Duchess de la ValHere. II
was on this occasion that the Young Con.
stantno found chance of openly avow-
ing his love for Cecile. His kind friend
the Duc,lese de st. Marguerite, gave him
a hint of the masked characters chosen
by herself and Cecile, and he went to tie
same ball as Provcncal troubadour. to
heve an opportunity of lingering appro-
priately by his fair countrywoman' s side.
The issue of the princes avowal of his
passion was to him deeply mortifving.-
Cecile was even affected to tears but his
declaration only seemed to recall her to
remembrance Of her fathers aversion and
her forgotten duties. She babe Constan.
tinO think of her no more, and left the
ball, overpowered by conflicting feelings.
The principino soon followed.
On that same night, his father died sud-
denly. The grief of the young prince
was violent and deep. Having had but
one parent from his early infancy, all the
warm and enthusiastic feelings of his
heart had been concentrated in his love
for his father, and, until he met with
Cecile de Montemar, no other attachment
had found place there. He, therefore.
sunk almost into despair, on finding him.
self alone, as 1t seemed, in the world
without any natural connexion on whom
he could rely, and the affairs of his late
father were left in such disorder that
there was scarcely sum at his command
sufficient to keep him above actual want.
The latter misfortune weighed but little
upon him in the present state of his
mind; it onl y made him withdraw him
self still more from the world. He could
not bear to tax the generosity of the Due
de Marguerite, and many kind friends
who would have offered him assistance.
and he often seriously contemplated shut
ting himself up in a monastery for life.
For year after the death Of his father,
he remained almost entirely confined TO
his own palace; and his gay companions,
finding they were constantly denied adj.
mittance to him, by degrees gave up the
attempt; so that the prince, who had SO
lately been the life of all their parties
soon faded from their memories, as if he
had never existed.
The only recreation in which he in
dul ged, was in taking long solitary RAM
bles in the environs of Naples, and one
Of his most favorite resorts was to the
lovely little Lago d'Agnano he would
linger for hours by the most retired side
of it, carrying fowling-piece in his hand,
but rarely making use of it. Reclined
upon the grass, his thoughts would wan
der back to the happy days he had spent
on his first entrance into life, and Of the
bright sunbeam that had crossed his path,
in the vision of his Cecile: and often the
shades of evening had fallen ere he sought
again his solitary home. One night he
had taken q longer ramble than usual,
having sauntered for several hours in the
romantic woods of Actrone, the king IS
preserve, the ascent to which is by a
winding road from one extremity of the
lake, and the sun had set some time be-
fore he reached the broad path, skirted
by trees, which runs along the left side
of the water. He had advanced in it but
a little way, when he overlook lady and
gentleman; the latter. seemingly an in
valid, and very feeble, was leaning heavily
on the arm Of his companion, and Con-
stantino started as he once more heard
the voice Of. Mademoiselle de Montemar
who said anxiously:s" Dear Papa, | fear
you have walked too far; you are fl.