Daily globe., 1878-05-19

of his relatives was a lady principal.
Giulio Mantoni accepted the invitation,
and for three months preceding the day
on which this slight tale commences he
had been to Titan afectionate, kind an
obedient as son. He was so skillful with
his pencil, too, that Titan was reminded
by his skill and enthusiasm of what his
own son had been at the same age, some
thirty years before.
Some days passed on and the portrait
still remained in Titian's studio. Giulio
often looked at it but nevor spoke of it,
and Titan Gid not err when he thought
that there was meaning in his silence.
But the grand festival DAY OF Venice
was at hand. This was Ascension Day.
of which the Dogc performed the annual
ceremony of signifying the maritime
power of the signory by casting golden
ring into the waters Of the Adriatic. The
custom was. at this proud celebration. for
Venice to send out her population of all
degrees, and it was cartain at such times
the tairest daughters of Venice never
were absent.
The short voyage of the Doge from the
quay Of the ducal palace to the boundary
of Lido and Maitmocca was always per-
formed on this occasion in a stately yes
sci called the Bucentaur, galley said to
be of equal antiquity with these maritime
nuptials. This magnificent vessel always
bore freight Of some importance; for
besides the Doge, the council, the chief
officers of state and the admiral of the
port (who acted as pilot, and was bound
by oath to bring the vessel back to her
harborage in the arsenaD, it bore the am
bassadors from the various countries in
alliance with the republic. Sometimes.
besides the ncbilissinni and the state
officials, it bore citizens of worth, and at
times the Doge was glad to see by his
side the great painter, Tiziane Vecelli,
whose pencil could confer such immor-
tality as earth is proud of, and whose
works reflected more fame upon Venice
than Venice in all her glory could bcstow
upon him.
Giulio, with others of his age, followed
in the procession, for it was scene of
matchless beauty and magnifcence, we'll
worthy the attention of painters mind
and eye. The Bucentaur was swept on
in stately manner by the rowers, and
Giulio's light gondola came near it, with
in full view Of the gallant company be-
meath It's gorgeous canopy OF crimson
damask, richly embroidered with gold.
To Giulio's amaze, Titan had by his side
a young lady, and when she turned her
face for moment, Giulio saw to his sur
prise and delight that she was the fair
original of the portrait.
The ceremonial went on, and Andrea
Critic, the Doge, welded the sea (an un-
stable and ickle mistress) with the accus-
toned words, "We wed thee with this,
in token of our true and perpetual SOW
ereignty" The moment these words
were uttered, and the ring cast into the
sea, it was strewn with flowers and fra
grant herbs, in the fancilul idea that thus
the bride was crowned.
The pageant ended, Giulio speeded to
Titian's house. He found the great artist
before the easel, busted, as usual. in some
work for immortality. They spoke on
various subjects, but Titan made no
mention OF the young signora, of whom
Giulio had just one glance. At last
Giulio said that he had seen Titan on the
deck Of the Bucentaur: but this, though
it challenged Titian's allusion to the lady,
drew no remark from him about her, SO
that, at last, Giulio ventured to say that
he thought the signora much resemblcd
the portrait which he had admired from
the moment it first met his view.
admire it, Signor Giulio Mantoni?
Fall asleep before it in excess OF admira-
ton! Well, we'll, thou needest not blush.
Tis my daughter Beatrice, whom thou
shalt meet anon. But sielor, II thou
shouldst admire her, or if thou shouldst
not, 1t would be we'll for thee to take thy
siesta ere thou nlcetcst her Women, as
thou knowest, like not cavaliers who are
drowsy. Nay, have not told her that.
She saw thee, and asked who thou vert,
and I told he- Giulio; but not that thou
didst gaze thyself to sleep before her
portrai.. Now, let US within. Thou wilt
like my gentle Beatrice She reminds
me of what her fair and loving mother
was"
And Giulio did very much like Beat
rice Vecelli. who, in turn, admired the
manly beauty and chivalrous bearing Of
the Spaniard. Admired? ?-alas. that is a
word all too weak. Woman scarcely
knows a medium, in her intercourse with
our sex between the coldest indifference
and the warmest love. Long before she
knew it Beatrice was deeply and dcvot-
edly attached to Giulio, Her father saw
this, and did not check it; he already
loved Giulio Mantoni as son, and cheer
lily anticipated that. in the natural course
OF time and circumstance, he would be-
come so-with the consentof Beatrice.
Very much did Giulio admire the love-
illness, the grace, the innocence OF Beat
rice Vecelli, but he did not love her with
more than a blothers love- To do him
justice heswas all unconscious Of the feel
ings which his attentive kindness had
awakened in her gentle heart. He read
to her and talked with her as if she were
his own dear sister; and she made the too
common mistake of thinking that these
general courtesies, made most kind
through the sauvity of his manner, had a
particular application. So, the signora
was in love!
Two months had passed by since the re-
turn OF Beatrice to her fathers house, and
during this time the young maiden, flush
ed with her growing passion Gnnocent as
= Il ,