Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-17

u
les capracesP' In conclusion she timid
ly begged for-absolution-6sforeh
1t would be SO comforting!-and sh'
obtained it from the holy mani How
does this history please you, my love?'
continued the Marquis, raising himsel
from his horrible seat, on which no sigI
of motion was discernable.
"Of truth" he proceeded in sport
i've tone, "our reverend pastors ar,
somewhat too indulgent to the tender
passion. speak of the great number
of them. No doubt our excellent olC
friend and spiritual counsellor, Father
Gregorio, would have taken fair lady
to task in a different way: if you, fol
example, !iLauretta, had"-as he spoke
he slowly returned the pillow to its
place, and pushed aside the coYerlet.-
Before BIN lay the Architect Giulio
Balzetti! He had ceased to breathe.
"Hsve you been lately to confession,
Lauretta?" asked the Marquis. 'eThere
you have pins in your mouth, though ]
have often warned you against the prac-
tice! Tell me is it long since you were
at the Confessional" he proceeded, in a
somewhat louder tone.
"Not long" returned his wife, with
almost stifed accent. Ell .st
"Apropos," resumed the Marquis
again, hiding the head and frightfully
distorted features with the counterpane,
eve are to go together TO the grand cere-
mony of the Church, of the Holy
Magdalen. Precisely at twelve the pro-
cession will commence, and l must take
my place at that hour. l can delay no
longer.
He stepped into the dressing-room.
His wife sat reclined in a large arm
chair, her luxuriant raven locks hanging
in wild disorder about her neck. A
deathlike paleness overspread her cheeks
and forehead, and both hands rested on
her knees. ..s f-
"Whst allies thee, my child?" said
the Marquis, with an air Of deep concern,
and with unaltered cordiality of tone.
"You have risen too early this morning,
and it must be fatiguing to make your
toilette without assistance. Has not
Rebecca been summoned? Shall ring
for herr"
He touched the bell string; then, ap-
preaching his wife, imprinted kiss on
her forehead and left the room.
~
AT midday, while all the bells of the
city were Ginning together in festive
discordance, the magnificent state car
rage of the Marquis drawn by four
horses, richly caparisoned, drove through
the arched gateway of the palace, with
a troop of bedizened pages, laquies,
chasseurs, and running footmen awaited
the arrival of the lord and lady.
But short interval had elapsed when
the Marquis attired in magnificent
court suit-the star knighthood glitter
ing on his breast-was seen descending
the broad marble staircase. In one
hand he carried his hat, with the other
he led, with a ceremoneous courtesy,
his young, beautiful and almost uncon-
scious wife. Her face was of the hue
of death-stone-cold and rigid as the
statues past which she glided with spirit
like motion. His countenance was lit
up with unwonted animation, his eye
sparkled with peculiar brightness.
The attendants flew to their several
posts-the carriage emerged from the
courtyard, and moved at a slow pace
through the crowded streets and
squares; while not few passers by as
they stood still to contemplate the pas
sage of the noble pair, exclaimed in
yoluntary-"There goes loving cou
ple"
The absence of Balzetti was the sub
ject of general remark at the church.
No one suspected that on the day of
the tete of which his presiding genius
had impaired the chief eelat, the artist
lay cold and stiff in death, with livid
and frightfully distorted visage, amid a
confused heap of robes, laces, slippers,
and band boxes, on the floor of lady's
dressing-room; or that his body was
transported at midnight, on the back of
a mule, by confidential servant of the
marchioness, to neighboring gorge of
the mountain and hurled from the preci-
pice into the torrent beneath.
A conYent of the Magdalen was en-
dowed with a considerable sum, for
masses for the repose Of the soul.
Don. Gregorio, the popular father
confessor of the aristocratic world, was
missing soon afterwards; but he was
allowed to pine away the remainder of
his days in monestary of Camaldolese,
whittier he had been conveyed by the
influence of the Marquis.
AS may be surmised, confessional
box No. s, was removed from the place.
The Marquis never once alluded to
the foregoing transaction in the presence
f his wife. In society, and at home he
continued to deport himself towards
her with the most perfect courtesy-at
times, indeed, with a tenderness alto
gether foreign from his character; with
in her chamber he never again set foot.
BED CLoTHEs.-The perfection. of