True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-14
PART II.

PART II.
FIVE years have passed away since the
events described in the first part of this
tale, and our scene is no longer laid in the
little room at Rome, but in the elegant
boudoir of titled lady in London.
The room was richly yet tastefully fur
nished. The delicate tints of the carpet
and the satn-covered furniture harmonized
well with the silvery hue of the paper that
covered the walls. A few beautiful paint
ings, one an exquisite Madonna, the rest
glowing Italian.landscapes, were hung with
an artists care in the best lights, and in
recess stood one perfect statue, a graceful
Hebe, from the magical chisel of Canova.
Above the mantle-piece of Sienna marble,
hung one other painting it was concealed
by curtain of black velvet, on which the
words "La Mia Sorella" were embroidered
in silver thread.
Seated at marble table, which was
drawn near the centre of the room, was a
young and beautiful woman, Her large,
black, brilliant eyes, and heavy braids Of
siIken hair of that rich blush black never
seen except OIL a native of Italy, contrast
ed the dazzling whiteness of her broad and
noble brow, and the soft yet rich tint of
her cheek. Her dress of violet satin was
cut so as to display the perfect contour of
her ivory shoulders, which were farther set
off by berthe of black lace fastened with
diamond star. She was employed in
looking over the contents Of small port
folio, covered with crimson velvet, with
clasps and corners of gold studded with
pearls, and filled with small pieces of paper,
all in the same handwriting, and bearing
the same signature. A smile curved her
beautiful lips, a strange smile for q mouth
so lovely it was cold and bitter, more pain
ful to look upon than frown. Such was
the Marchesa d'Agliano, the most beauti-
full woman in London. A servant announc-
ed "Lord LYNDON" and closing the port
| folio, she rose to receive him, the smile on
her lip giving place to one of welcome.
Five years had made bat little change in
the appearance of Lord Lyndon, except that
he was still handsomer than when he won
poor Nina's heart, and his manners had ac-
qured additional grace. Clasping the off
cred hand of the Marchesa, he pressed it to
his lips before he spoke then drawing a
chair close to hers, he said, "Well, Beat
rice, to-day the year of'my probation is
ended. 1t is now exactly one year since
the day l first told you loved you; will
you give me definite answer now !"
The Marchesa listened with the same
cold and caustic smile playing upon her
lips, and when he paused for reply, with
out needing his words, she said, "Lord
Lyndon, I will tell you little story" The
lover looked surprised, but without needing
his astonshed looks, she pressed the black
heavy braids from his brow, and, after a
moments thought, began. Hitherto the
conversation had been carried on in English,
but now she spoke in Italian with rapidi-
ty of enunciation that effectually precluded
every attempt at interruption.
"Some years ago, my lord, there lived in
Rome two orphan sisters. They were ol
noble birth, but poor, and they depended
upon their talents for subsistence the ell
der taught drawing, and the younger music.
She was very beautiful and very guileless,
and the elder watched over her with all a
mothers care, for she was the last being
who claimed her love. She always accom-
panied her when she went to give her les
sons, and guarded her with the Watchful-
ness necessary in land where beatty is al
most curse, but at last she fell sick, and
her sister went forth alone to her daily
tasks. She met, at the house of one Of
her pupils, young foreigner; he was cap
tivated by her beauty, and made her propo
sails, which she spurned with indignation
he then offered her his hand on condition
that the marriage should be kept secret
, she loved him, and she consented. But the
, valet of the young man sought out the ell
der, told her that her sister was about to
become the victim of pretended marriage
performed by false priest, and, as proc
! of his assertions, showed her letter which
I his master had given him to burn, con
! graduation from some one as base as him
self, on securing so easily the lovely prize
, He indicated to her. the house where tht
ceremony was to be performed; she hast
) ened thitherJand arrived in time to saw
f her sister; but her heart was broken
, Wealth and rank became theirs by tn,
r death of q distant relative, but all too late
My lord, look here" And rising from he
seat, the lady drew aside the black velve