The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-08-20

AS soon as Greuze had won means he
desired, like all truly inspired painters,
to make a tour Of Itaiy. He took with
him several letters of introduction. one of
which did him good service, if not in the
acquisition of fame, at least in knowledge
of love-
Immediately after the entertainments
made Tor hlm by his friends of the aca,l-
emy he went to the place of the Duke
OF Orr. The nobleman received him verv
graclously, as great lord who stands in
the presence of man OF genius. Greuzc's
arrival was most happily timed. The
duke had lovely daughter whose ONLY
dream was of art; she must have a
master; Grcuze would meet the need as
well as any other. When he first saw
letltIa the artist asked himself if the
lesson would not he for him, for she was
indeed natures masterpiece The lesson
proved good for them both.
"ienlus comes from the heart" (1rcuze
had already said to himself on more
than one occasion, but never hal said
1t =" truly ~ now. He loved Letitia
as an angel in a woman's form, she had
80 much of grace, divine and human. He
did not love alone. The souls of master
and pupil had hloomed on the same day.
IKE wv" roses IN the same sunbeam As
yet 1t was scarcely love that was between
them, bnt rather that inetfable emotion
that rises, like incense, from the earth to
God
TINS, like all other happiness, was soon
TO pass away; it was but 4 glance, a
smile, a tear, and nothing more; but do
not these make up happiness: Grcuze
tclt that this love could be but brief
Illusion 1t was born of folly, and, like
all loves, must die before the chill of
reason. ~ poor devil of a painter could
not lose his time in adoring the Princess
Letitia
But loves time is never lost. Now.
since kings no longer wed with shepherd
esscs, Grcuze felt that only one wise
course was open to him, to leave the
palace of Orr-thus taking away from
l.ctitla her love, her regrets and tears.
He took refuge in solitude, seeking to
escape her image, but her face smiled
everywhere before his eyes, like an en-
chantrcss. At the first stroke of his brush
Letitia appeared by magic on his can
vass; when he walked alone, memory
summoned the young princess to his side.
One day, when, perhaps to shut out from
his eyes Lettia's sweet face, he was
Sketching a virgins head, the Duke of
Orr made him visit
Are you not coming again to the
palace" he asked "My gallery is de-
serted. My daughter put away her
brushes when she lost her master Come
ha1E hoax
| have enriched nv collection bv two
heads of Titan. My old uncle would
like copies of thcmb by Lctitia; come then,
and help her again"
The next lav (ircuze returned to the
palace, pale and trembling at the mere
idea OF meeting the young girl once
m"r,. Dat vh;iu day he dld not see her
Lctitia had fallen i'll with tho eri.f of 80.
seeing her master again. lie began alone
the copy of Titan. On the following
day, rs he was dreaming before his work,
Lclita's maid approached him with a
mysterious air, bidding him follow.
Grcuze obcycd like a child. He came
into Il room darkened by heavy curtains
of damaak at the first glance he SAW
Lctitia in the shadow, lying languiShly
she bIushud deeply when Grcuze en-
tered. She offered her hand in silence
ne fell on his knees to kiss it. The prin.
cess grew radiant; She raised her head
and bestowed on Grcuzc the sweetest
look from the most beautiful eyes in the
world.
An, Grcuhc, | love you. DO not
condemn me for IN cNtravayAnt. | love
Won, butt"
She bowed her head aud seemed to
await Il reply. ireuzc knew not what to
say. He simply kissed Letitia's white
hand second time.
"Oh, why should not tell: | love
you! but you:'
Grcuze was still silent, lost in joy.
Lctitia augcred no good from this
silence She withdrew her hand, and
turning away her head began to weep.
At this Greuze awokc from his dream.
"Do | love you? ~ he cried. g All,
Letitia. Behold me! | am lost since |
see you"
"You love met ~ she joyfully exclaim
ed
She threw herself into his arms, and
for a second there was there but a sin gle
soul. Creuzc was the first to break the
enchantment.
"Alas :" said he, g" we are but children.
Think of it, Letitia. You love me. But
you are the daughter of the Duke of Orr.
| adore you; but | am poor painter,
without fame and fortune. Love mocks
me cruelty"
"You do not know what you are say
ing" replied Ictitia, who was still under
the charm. 81 love you and will marry
you. 1t is perfectly simple
You can not think of it. Your
father"
"My father, my father-I am quite
aware that he has i'll view for me hide
Gus old husband, his everlasting Gazza-
or. IN case this one should fail, that idi-
otic Count Palleri, whom | have never
seen. l am rich, fortunately, by my in
hcrtancc from my mother. give you
nv wealth, my heart, my life, all that |
have. if you will love me forever. We
will 90 to France, and there a cottage
will be better to us than palace.
Greuze will become Titan and | will
be his wife. | shall be there to smooth
his brow and to love him; | shall dwell
in his heart But why do you look SO sad
and thoughtful? DO you not love me
truly"
Gr.uzr allowed himself to be led he