The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-11-03

ELISABETTA sIRANI.

ELIsABETTA SIRANi.
The sun shcnc Joyous and warm on
learned Bologna and the fertile hills and
plains beyond, as an aged man sat at the
door of little house opposite the church
Of San Dominica, hs hands claspcd upon
his lap, and looking about him with an
air Of rich content.
From the church came the strains of
devotional music, and now and then the
door opened to let the worshipers out or
in. As often as any one came out the
old man glanced wistfully across the
street but none Of those who came
seemed to interest him until several pa.
tricians--such their dress proclaimed
them to became out and stepped re.
spectlully aside to let female figure pass.
The lady responded modestly to their sa-
luton, and hastened directly across the
street toward the old man, whose ieatur-
es, which were still handsome and impos-
ing lighted up with radient smile as she
approached Her dress was not unlike
that Of the women Of the bourgeoise of
the better sort. but had something Of the
free and uustraincd about it, often seen in
the dress of artists Over her simply.
trimmed brown dress fell the folds Of
black veil, through which the little blonde
curls around her forehead, and the heavy
braids that hung down her back, were
seen The only ornament she wore was
a little filagree cross on her breast in
her hand she carried her prayer book.
As the tall, slender girl approached the
old man and kissed his forehead, he
pressed her hand aifectionatcly and said
in sonorous tone
We'll done, Gglia mia. Altcr the
mornings mass one works with a lighter
heart and clearer head. And poor kirg
Enzo, for the peace Of whose soul they
pray to-day, had trials enough in this
world to merit all the happiness in the
next their prayers can secure him
There is nothing | thought of less than
of King Epzio,' replied Elisabctta
'Ay, ay-nnd what was it, then, that
occupied your thoughts. my daughter p
The painting Of the great maestro
And as | stood with my eyes fixed on one
Of them, it seemed to me as though the
heavy stones that covered his ashes were
moved aside, and that he arose aud lock.
cd on me with gloriiied expression, "a
saw him only once--whon he was on his
death bed, And these features, father,
and this micn, will give to my Saint
Antonio my pencil will be able to pro-
1uoo thap, | an, SUM ~ will
Our great maestro, the immortal Gui-
do Reni = soliloquized the old man, as
his beautiful daughter entered the house
Yes, yes, his blessing rests on you, my
child-his great heart is your inheritance,
E!isabetta v
The old man had hardly finished his
soliloquy when a well kept hand was laid
on his arm, Very true, good Signov
Malve22i, said he this ugly gout oblig-
es me TO remain seated
Il know, | know, SAID Malvez2i who
might have been man Of fifty tell me,
rather, that | am welcome
"A cavalier n Malvezzi, Signor, hardly
needs such an assurance. Besides, You
are patron OF the arts>and of artists
Aye, and Of artists" cried the patri.
oan you know how I admire Signorinn
Elisabetta'
And she is not unworthy your ajmi.
ration, Signor, replied Sirani Guido
Reni's blessing rests upon her. Smiling
he raised himself up in his last hour, and
4 laying his hand on her head he sald y ou
were born to be immortal, my child-you
are more than woman-you are an angle !!
He bequeathed to me the task Of finish
ing his Saint Bruno but was unworthy
wns conciouus Of my inability Year:
passed | taught my daughter the divine
art, and, while remained a bungler, she
became the great masters worthy pupil.
Signor Malvezzi, the rich partrician
twisted his beard somewhat inpatient,
during the old m0eStro'S account of Gui
dos death and his daughters inheritance
which doubtless, he had heard many
times before.
'All Bologna recognizes yonr daugh
ter's grca. genius, he replied ard he
, name is often mentioned far beyond ou
! border; but not less is she praised for he
many virtues and admired for her sur
passing beauty, he added warmly. ''fh,
) wonder Is that the posscssor Of suci
charms should remain buried between thu
Q four walls of an artists studio. lla
never man, has never love, found the wa,
to her heart Z?
A cloud passed over the face of Clio
vanni Srani, aud, with an almost mean
choly nien, he shook his head and said
"A goodly number of most estimablt
members OF our profession have bee
suitors for her hand, Sgnor, but she ha
turned deaf ear to them all. She love
only her art and her old father. Sine
my gouty hands can no longer guide
pencil, she works with redoubled energy
, One thought alono troubles me--that
shall ere long be compelled to leave he
! without protector--so young, so beaul
. ful, alone and the object of so much ca
ousy, for already there is more than on
Of our brother painters who is cnvious q
her fame
Malvezzi's mien became grave as h
listened and it was with certain solemn
ty Of tone that he said
} She need not be alone nor unprotecie'
Giovanne Sirani lfyou will bring me
simple Yes from your daughter, N
household shall acknowledge her as mi
tress-where | command she shall con
mand, what is mine shall be hers
Beppo Malvezz, offer myself MS a suit
for the hand of Elisabetta Srani =
The old painter shaded his eyes wi
his hand. tho better to see the speakc
and finally stammered