The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-08


tain and enliven any circle which hs finds IN
ooh certainly; suppose You are right" said I'D
this Spanish Bayard,C and no ,douot you S.e
among those who admire HIM a.! tne more LII III
that hair shirt he is said to wear under MS SILK
and velvet, as we'll as for those ascetlc acts OF
discipline he is said to be in the habit OF Prac-
Using before his prayers. If he wants to DC
saint, why can't he take himself on to the 10
minicans OF Jesuits, and leave the worldly
honors he pretends 80 to contemn, TO those WHO
live for them, and by Them - -
~" am not so sure" replied Aviia, tnat ne
can't do better by staying where he 49, LOT the
example and influence Of such q life IN these
degenerate days, is worth something, and OF
more profit to a graceless court, than OF use IN
pious monastery. Besides that borgia does
not deem piety incompatible with life III the
world. OF even ut court, 10 evidenced ny MS
unmstakable preference for Leonora de Castro,
the Portuguese beauty, and pet of the empress,
and if there is any truth in signs 1t will not be
long ere we will see him standing at the altar
in u more enviable capacity than either that OF
priest or monk. As for me-" continued Avlia,
though graceless enough myself, yet must
confess that 1 admire that species of moral
courage that enables man to proclaim bis
faith before those who laugh at it as fit only Tor
monks and women; but setting aside such con
sderations, think it would be true policy LOT
you and /, Calderon, to cultivate this rising
sum- ..na
initiate, suppose, the hair shirt and cord IN
bargain No. BY my ady Eyes
loft outside, cursing fate, or whatever other
genii it may be, that thus robs me of the honors
was born to command and enjoy"
"Soldiers are trained for battle, mon ami, :
replied Avila, "but they must win the victory
before they can wear the spoils;" 80 saying,
the duke, nodding his head to the discounted
marquis, walked away.
,-x,a{i< fQ n11rQ
in the court below, there sat in room of the
right wing of the castle two beautiful young
girls, closely together-their heads bent over
embroidery frames, and their yoluble tongues
keeping time to the Stitch, stitch, of their busy
needles. Every thing surrounding them served
but to develop the beauty of their faces, the
airy lightness of their forms, and the graceful
sary to their work required. Hangings and
lounges of satin and velvet, inlaid tables and
cabinets, arches, doors, and windows, ara
besqued with those exquisiteiy delicate Moorish
designs that looked like threads Of gossamer
on a field Of morning mist, formed fitting
framework for the boudoir of the Princess
Catherine, and her chosen friend, Leonora de
sisters, and loved each other as though there
was no inequality in the blood or rank OF either
Leonora had been left early an orphan, and
confided, with her splendid inheritance of ped
igree and fortune to the care of the Empress
Elizabeth, by her mother, who had been first
her maid of honor, and subsequently the first
lady in waiting, and confidential friend OF her
majesty.
the princess had paused in her work, and was
looking earnestly in the face Of Leonora az she
said: ,
you can look with Indifference upon your noble
sutton. Why, there is not one in the whole
court that can compare with him, for he is as
is gifted. only wish that1 could believe my
future spouse to be one half as desirable"
could not deceive your highness, even If i
desired to; therefore, may as well admit that
this great prize; and as l told your august
mother yesterday, have, with the united con-
sent of both their majesties, accepted his suit y
"Indeedw exclaimed the princess. Il had
no idea that the matter was 80 thoroughly set
tied, and now begin to repent my completely
lest l should lose you, my Oldest and dearest
friend"
a know not how that may be. All of m!
future now lies in the hands of him whom !
have chosen, and have no fears for the result
Butt will tell you, that my own impression is
the sacred quiet of his own home, than Away
to look for her amid the distracting and entang
| ling excitement of a court life"
He is right, he is right earnestly replies lie
corridor, and by the wistful chances he cast
this way, 1 know that he is envying me IN,
! place; SO, as he cannot come in here, we-wil
rouse our dear old duenna, Garcia, from this, he
fifth nan, and take q stroll upon the yeranda
where he can meet us, and then you can arrang
tho final settlement of your momentous affairs.
Ths opportunity thus given was eagerl
grasped by the expectant marquis, and as tn
lady attendants of the princess were gathering
about her, he lost no time in urging Leonora t
consent to the command of the emperor, tina
their nuptials should take place without delay
'.But, . continued Borgfa, "before you ar
committed by your promise, it is but just an
right, my love, that you should know that il
accepting me for your husband, you will los
the palace as your home, and your long-love
friends daily companions. You know hoy
sacred and solemn appears to me this new tie
this mystical symbol OF Christ and His church
and as, when l kneel before the altar,I seel
God alone, so, when look for my wife, I mus
! find her i'll the sanctuary of my own home, witt
her Grcc to the seIltii aalafs Of he