The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-13

Doctors lead, and we three fell behind.
Did I do my duty as chaperon according
to italian ideas? l am afraid not, for [
often wandered off in search of some tempt
ing fern or flower, but not very far, and
Pia was very good in waiting till came up
to them again, or in seeking me if l lin
gered too long on the way.
How enjoyable was the drive home that
evening! l was in Signor Cesare's landau,
which led the way, with its owner, PA,
'Centina, and Lucia squeezed inside, while
Dr. Carlo sat on the box, but leaning over
every moment to look in his "idanzata's"
eyes by the bright light of the moon, and
even occasionally venturing to lean over on
some slight excuse to press her fingers,
with sort of shy efrontery. Once |
noticed Signor Cesare put up his glass and
watch this little game curiously; then he
dropped it with sigh, and began some
what irrelvantly to quote;
Look how the floor of heaven
| Is thick inlaid with patines of pure gold
then paused, but presently, under cover of
Lucia's, 'Centinas, and Carlos clatter,
went on softly to repeat Romeo's
Arise, fair sun, and kill the enyious moon,
as far as
1t is my lady oh, it is my love;
Oh that she knew she were
And there abruptly stopped, and in quite
different tone began to reprove his coach
man for his bad driving; while had felt a
little convulsive futter in Pia's hand that
lay on mine, which had given me sharp
prick of conscience, for began to ask my
self anxiously, is evil to come to my pretty
Pia from all this? Instead of the poor,
gray, colorless life 1 had rebelled against
for her, but which she had been ready to
accept with serenity, had l helped to pre-
pare long years of sadness and heartache
for one who was made to be happy and be-
stow happiness Oh, n,ea culpa n'ea
narinaa culpa if it should be so.
Signor Villaspina was going to give a
party. 1t was to answer the double pur-
pose of a house-warming and to put his
neighbors in a good humor with him and
themselves. But there was to be sort of
full-dress rehearsal, and we, from the Villa
Magnolia, with our now inseparable COM
panions, the Ruspinis, were to dine with
him the evening before, to inspect what
improvements he had already effected and
offer any suggestions that might strike us.
We were quite astonished at the transfor-
nation of the bare and dreary Palazzo we
had last visited into comfortable and lux
urious abode The Ruspinis were dumb
founded at the splendor; Signorina Modesto
voluble and enthusiastic; the Doctor philo-
sopbical and severely republican; 'Centina
almost envious; while my poor Pia became
every moment more silent and depressed.
After dinner we had some music. DR..
Carlo had charming voice, and gave some
of those graceful little popular songs of
which one never tires; 'Centina stood by
the piano, very proud and appreciative, and
during the last sad, doleful ditty the tears
fairly rolled down her plump cheeks.
By-and-by Signora Ruspini played an
old-fashioned waltz, and of couse the ''pro-
naessi sposiI' took advantage of it to take a
turn on the well-polished floor. Mean
while | had found my way to a balcony
rnnning all the length of the largest of the
reception-rooms. The night was so warm
and fine The moon was just disappearing
behind black peak, and l awaited for ii
to emerge on the other side, and with it a
long trail of silvery light on the dark waters
of the little lake.
"You are thoughtful, Signora," said my
host, as he approached and leant on the
stone balustrade beside me.
II was rejecting that you want one or
two things more to make all this perfect. ="
"And they are-?" he asked.
aFirstly," replied, ''these Italian gar
dens never look complete to me without a
peacock or two on the marble terraces" )"
"Oh peacocks they are easily found.
1 half thought the Signora was going to
suggest something delightfully."-, unreasona-
bly unattainable."
ga wife, for instance ?" l suggested, "to
prevent things going to skies and sevens
while you are poring over your learned
book"
"Ah," he sighed-the hypocrite l-''it
is pity am such confirmed old bach
elor. am thirty-fve, and l am getting
bald. I should have married at twenty
five like DIR. Carlo.
ale is twenty-eight," said; sit is never
too late to do wise thing, Signor Cesare. "
"Won't it be too late next year? p he
asked, with all the innocence Of the dove,
"Because shall not have time before then
to 90 back to Florence and look for rich
wife"
"And why rich?' l cried Indignantly
care you not rich enough already?'
"I have enough" he said slyly, "but
YOU know, it is the custom of our country
that those who marry should be nearly
equal in fortune"
at is detestable custom" L answered
GROSSLY, 'sand I am surprised that, after al
your travels and studies, you are not able
to throw off such miserable trammels !!
And [ turned my back on him, and march
ed back to the company in dignifed dis
pleasure, as usual dropping my fan, flowers
and gloves en- route.
Signor Cesare followed me, restored me
nv belongings, and remarked with imper
turbable good humor, "I will think serious
ly of the advice you have so graciously
given me, madame"
yaYou mistake, | said rather trlgldly
I have given none.
aOh these diplomates never will
have anything to say to one again as Ions
as l live" thought. ale only wants tt
show me that he sees perfectly through al
my little maneuvres." And l grew no
and uncomfortable in my new character o
matchmaker, and fearful lest l should hav'
acted in any way unworthy of Pas maid
enly dignity.
The end of May was fast approaching
Innocentina and the young doctor wer
formally betrothed, and we sincerely re
gretted that we could not remain till Au
gust, when the wedding was to come of
, but we promised them many future visi
to the Lago Maggiore and the Villa Mag
, nolia. The friendship we felt for thes
good, simple-hearted people moved then
deeply, and am sure it was warmly recip
rocated. My mother had made 'Centin
very proud and happy by presenting he
} with a great piece of Irish linen toward he
-o.... .~o-1, =,