The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-11-19

and feet yery bony and large. His face
would have been considered by every |
body as handsome bnt for the mouth, |
which was coarse and gross. He had a |
small retreating chin, a large heavy
throat, and ears that stood erect, win
fringe of hair at the edges almost as
black as his eyebrows, His voice, IKE
his manners, was very subdued and def
erential, and gave the effect OF one accus-
toned TO the highest court circles. lie
seldom looked at me in direct way,
though very often by indirect means,
snch as a mirror or side window; but
when he did look pointedly at me the
ewes almost paralyzed me with their cold
glitter, Notwithstanding the smile on the
rest of the features. His movements
were singularly easy and graceful, ana
he bowed and swerved as he walked
with a noiseless elasticity quite remarka-
BILE. When he offered me his hand to
lead me here or there, any one might
have supposed that | was princess,
He wore very choice and costly jewels,
and had various accomplishments.
Nevertheless, had made up TNy mind
not to accept his proposals..
As to accomplishments, he spoke sew
eral languages with fuency, was fine
musician, and intimated that he was
proficient on the viola and the bass
viol viola di gamba); and he was not
only a connoisseur of painting, but had
himself studied the art in Florence.
Twice he induced me, or, rather, 1t was
by the express wish of my father, to aC-
company him on alittle sketching excur-
sion, He certainly had much skill and
taste. But on the second occasion he
suddenly lost all his habitual courtliness
and made advances to me, both by words
and actions, that caused, on my part,
precipitate retreat, not, however, with
out my observing an expression upon
his countenance as though he could have
struck me dead at his feet, or worse. The
marchese returned not long after, and he
met in the evening with more than his
usual respect, as in humble apology for
his recent conduct, and my mother, to
whom | had Indignantly complained, de-
sired me to think no more about 1t, as
the attentions of the marchese were
perfectly honorable. His proposals had,
in fact, been accepted by Lord A.
When Iheard this my heart seemed
TO die within me. l hastened to my
own room, and wrote few lines to my
father, declaring that | could never be-
come the wife of the marchese, and,
moreover, that entertained an uncon-
querable antipathy with respect to him.
Not content with this, in an evil moment
and with rude indiscretion, | made a
copy of this note, and had it handed to
the marquese the same night, declining
to leave my room the whole evening.
Next morning the marquese saluted
me as usual, and without the slightest
appearance of constraint, so that !
thought the servant had never deliver
ed my note. But on inquiry | found
that It had been duly received. To my
surprise, not the least notice was taken
of It either by him or by Lord and Lady
A.. Meantime the marquese man
ifested no signs of taking his departure,
bnt often strolled out for long walks in
the neighborhood with my father, and
it appeared that they often sat up late al
night together Our table also was fal
better served than we had known since
our arrival in this seclusiOn, and hamp'
ers often came containing game, wine
and drogheria drugs or groceries, prOba
bly, the latter. How did this happen?
One morning early, after a sleepless
night, dressed anyhow, not feeling t.
care for myself, and went down before
any of the rooms had been put in order
Walking from room to room, without
any object, chanced to go into my
fathers library, so called, and found the
furniture as if it had been pushed about
half-flled wine glasses on side table
and dice-box and loose cards flung un
der the fireplace. What could all thi'
mean? | wandered round the garder
and strawberries in maze of perplexeC
thoughts. At breakfast the marchesC
was grave and thoughtful, while Lore
A. was far more cheerful than hi
had been for long time, more attentive
to the marchese-indeed, more attentive
to all of us-than usual. Did this bodt
any good to me? | scarcely thought so
The very next day there was a hustle
in the castle, old Andrengo being yer.
busy in packing up all that remained O
my fathers library, which the marches
had purchased, and also in packing NJ
for his masters departure. But before
had time to realize and enjoy the though
of this, ! was startled at finding LOr,
and Lady A equally busy in pack
ing things as for long journey, an,
> giving directions about shutting mp tn
castle for a period, they said, of perhap
several years. My mother now took IN
aside, and informed me that thrOugl
some secret political influence the mal
a quese had in London my father had oh
tanned the governorship of distant SET
tlement, and that his Kindness and ger
erosity had in various ways helped theI
out Of their ruined position. She wa
sure could not, after this explanation
do otherwise than accept the honor {
the marquese's hand, who proiesse
himself quite ready to forgive the insu
of my previous behavior. Lord A
she said, commanded my obedience {
the highest duty Of daughter, and
the same time, as my father, he mo
L earnestly entreated it. Otherwise-an
y here my mothers frmness was evident
3 failing, but she took her breath and wei
a through with it-otherwise there WI
g nothing before me but some low ina
u riage, or to become a pensioner in son
T. poor establishment, unless, indeed,
" preferred a convent. What else vi
ir there? They could not take me vii
them, my mother was sorry TO say, and
lS could not live alone in the castle.
y was dismayed and overcome by 1
Y, this, and yet more confused in II
A. thoughts when Lady A hint'
,f vaguely, but not without emphasis,
" certain gambling transactions renderil
our position with the marquese one
e. most peculiar delicacy and sense Of no
il or. Our positionl-delicacY-hOno
h what had occurred? 1t seemed as il
= had scarcely understood half that n
ls mother had been saying. What was
lr that was called upon to pay for wi
= my revolting mind thrown into the bs
no gain? Lord A, then, had lost hea
!; ily to the fnarquese in a gambling ira
III w. tl,a 1iaa loahaI 4