The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-10-14
A ROMANCE OF NEAPOLITAN LIFE.
AN ITALIAN HEIREss IN AN INSANE ASYLUM
HOW SHE WAS ENTRAPPED BY HER
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BY HER
LOyER-THE SEQUEL.

A correspondent of the London Nesos
writes from Rome as follows: GA few
words of prologue before the curtain rises.
Miss Nerneri, still in her teens has lost
her father, and lives with her mother in
Salerno. She is beautiful, clever and ac-
compished, and inherits 10000 ducats or
about half million lire Her mother is
completely under the power of the family
physician, DR.. Cosimati who poses as pro-
tector of the widow and orphan. Eligible
offers of marriage are made to Miss Yer
nieri, but are skillfully STAYED off by the
Doctor and his dupe, the mother-their
object being to enjoy the administration of
the young lady's means, of which the
mother was simply the depositary, and of
which the prospective son-in-law would
become absolute master. At length Miss
Vernieri attains her majority, and her
guardians anticipate her intentions of mat
rimony by proposing to her as her fiance
her first cousin. This young gentleman
resided in Naples, and thither the MOTHER
daughter and family Doctor repaired to ar
range the nuptials. The youth, however,
found no favor in the eyes of Miss Eernieri
who, on the contrary, became desperately
enamored Of young advocate whom she
met under the roof of an aunt in Naples.
Her passion was returned, but the nnamo-
ratio had every qualification for her hand
but worldly estate, and knowing the mer-
cenary views of her guardians she did not
venture to speak to them of her love. She
resisted, l'outrance, all endeavors to make
her marry her cousin; and so with her
mother and the Doctor, whom she had sue
cessfully foiled, she returned to Salerno.
Now begins the story. The favored
sutton has left Naples and followed Miss
Verneri to Salerno, where he takes apart
ments facing her paazzo. Notes are ex-
changed but the Doctors vigilance is too
keen for Cupid's blockade runners. He
and the mother opposed the contemplated
match furiously, with the result of making
the young lady more resolute for it than
ever. Open war, evidently, will not answer
their end, SO Doctor and mother together
change their tactics. One morning Nine.
Verneri said to her daughter, Are you
really determined to marry h!m?' Yes
Then, as | can't bear to see you unhappy,
give my consent The young lady fell
on her mothers neck and wept with joy,
till, gently disengaging herself, Nine. Yer
nieri said, Now, as your lover and his
family live at Naples, it is better we should
go there to fix the day of marriage and
get your trousseau ready
They started accordingly, and took apart
ments at the Hotel Fiori, near the Flortini
theatre, intending to take house in the
country for the ensuing Summer, the mar
riage having been arranged for the end of
Autumn. They had been but two days in
the hotel when Dr. Cosimati came in with
a Signor Miraglia, whom he represented as
a cousin of his and as DESTROYS of forming
Miss Nernieri's acquaintance. The visit
seemed one of pure courtesy. The young
lady chatted pleasantly enough on current
topics with the new conner till he took his
leave, and she thought no more about him.
Forty eight hours after, the Doctor pro-
posed drive into the country, at which
the ladies were delighted, and all three
were soon in a carriage bowling along the
Via del Campo. Miss Verneri asked many
questions as to the palazzi and villas they
passed till they approached grand edifice
whose magnificent site awoke her admira-
ton. Whose was it? The Doctor, as if
suddenly struck by an idea, ordered the
driver to stop. Here, he said, is pre-
cisely what you want, country residence
till the close of November. This palace is
divided into suites of apartments. Come
in and let us see how you like them
They alighted and entered, and the Doc
tor asked for Nine. Flourens. An iron
gate was then opened, admitting to a court
yard, from which they mounted two flights
of stairs, and they were ushered into a
drawing room where they were politely
received by that lady. Dr. Cosimati then
intimated that Miss Nernieri wished to
take apartments for the Summer in the
palazzo, and would like to be shown
through the various suites. Nine. Flour
ems was only too delighted, and offered her
arm to the young lady, who mechanically
took it, when the mother said languidy,
you can go alone, my dear, and make
your choice, which is sure to satisfy me.
| am tired, and will wait here with the
Doctor till you come back
moved off, and the moment the door closed
behind them, the mother and Doctor slip
ped stealthily through a private passage,
gained the staircase, and were soon in the
court yard. Meanwhile Miss Nernieri was
making the tour of the apartments, when,
to her surprise, she saw across the corridor
a young woman in an adjoining room,
standing half undressed, with her hair all
lently. What Oh earth is that? How
came that girl here p 'Ah! never mind
her, replied Nine. Flourens, she is out Of
her mind-she has got brain disease. =
Miss Vernieri, struck with a strange mis-
giving, felt a sinking at the heart, but
walked on in moody silence. At the end
of the corridor they went into hall where
| quite crowd of women appeared, some
laughing some gesticulating, some chasing
imaginary butterflies, others rocking sup
positions cradles, or caressing visionary
sweethearts, or scolding husbands equally
visionary. 1t was an asylum, and that was
the morning room of non violent female
lunatcs. Then the terrible reality flashed
upon her. Disengaging her arm from
Nine. Flourens she rushed back through
the corridor. crying, Mamma. Mamma"
But in vain. She then made for the win
dow, and seeing through the bars her
mother and the Doctor just leaving the
court yard she screamed with the most
appalling of voices, Mamma, don't leave
me in this dreadful place. Don't GO away.
l am not mad. Come back and take me
out. If remain here l shall turn mad
indeed! am your daughter! The mother