Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-21
PALMA.
THREE SCENES IN A LIFE.

Where ~ Oozen from w" f"Fn''p' s~Nn''
A sofs April night in the year OF
grace Ise- witnessed an unusually gay
gathering in Louis Vansi.tart's bril-
liantly-iighted rooms, the artistic
though somewhat bizarre decorations
cfwhich accorded we'll with the Bohe-
mian assemblsge. An omnias, gothernm
of poets and artists, men Of let
tiers and science, both young aud
old. Some whose fame was yet to win,
and others whose names were house
hold words in many lands, were met
together in q certain little house in
Mayfair--a house which the cultured
tastes Of the American artist had made
q gem Of aesthetic art--to bid farewell
TO the celebrated Italian chemist, Pro-
lessor Bardi; who, with his fair wife,
vas well known and widely welcomed
in artistic and literary CIRCLES.
The brightest, most animated group
was at the upper end Of Louis Van
sittart's exquisitely-furnished studio,
clustered about tiger-skin rug heaped
with soft luxurious cushions Of some
sombre-hued velvet wrought with gorge
GUS sunhowers in quaint device. The
centre of attraction and the sole occu-
pant of this shrine Of subdued splendor
was a fair woman, whose skin was like
the petals Of q creamy rose, while her
vivid beauty by turns resembled
a diamond flashing in the light
or q languorous lily in her mo-
ments of silence and quiescence.
The tiger.skin with its pile OF
splendid cushions was arranged alter
the fashion Of an eastern throne, upon
which the eyes Of all men were bent
toward which sll hearts inclined-for
there was not one in the charmed cir
Gle who did not listen for this queens
highest word or catch warmth and ra-
dipsce from her smile, so rarely sweet
and sad. There were plenty of hand
some, even some lovely, women in that
piouant throng, but this one subdued,
outshone them all with her nameless
grace, her vivid, unapproachable
beauty.
Yet she was only fragile white wo-
man clad in dusky red satin folds Of a
coppery hue shot with threads of pure
gold, and the glowing tints Of this
sumptuous gown served as an exqui-
site foil for the pure carnations OF her
flesh. Her soft, rounded arms--the
actual realization Of q sculptor's
dream--were bare to the shapely
shoulders, while clouds Of filmy yell
low lace half hid the fair bosom gleam-
ing through those cobweb folds.
She speaks now, in answer to
young man, dark, slender Italian,
who leans over her with an air half
amorous, half reverent, as of some
worshipper at an antique shrine.
"You think shall miss London and
the life we lead here-as you are good
enough TO say-London will miss me
In q certain sense answer yes |
shall miss each and all. There will at
first be q strange void, the long hours
will be empty Of the many joys they
held here in England, but so to found
q new empire. 1 shall have a court,
even lift be composed of Maori Chiefs"
she ended, laughing softly.
:" A court of savages ~ he echoed,
with a slight impatient contraction of
brows. 81 do not understand now the
Professor can dream of immolsting you
and burying himself alive in New-Zea-
land"
"He has plans, and again, plans"
she answered, with changing express
sion. But we shall not be buried
on the contrary, we are exactly like
that light set on hill, which cannot be
hid. Can you imagine any concatena-
ton of circumstances which would ex-
tinguish the Professor so long as life
and freedom were left to him?" de-
manded the signora, with strange
CLEAN lighting up her great velvety
eyes.
Eyes as soft as purple pansies -"
thought Andrea Visconti, as, looking
down at them, he asked:
"And you-you share these
plans?"
~ share them, and yet stand apart
there's a paradox for YOU" she re-
piled with that slight, melancholy smile
fitting over her rarely-lovely Venetian
features.
"What is it you share, ANNA
m,a 2" demanded a musical voice, as
the speaker joined .he group about the
throne.
"Your plans, Silyio-which must
perforce be mine Also" returned Sig
nora Bardi.
Undoubtedly !" said the owner of
the musical voice, looking down with
an odd smile upon the fair woman in
her sumptuous nest.
Something in his gaze hurt her, or
she grew suddenly restless, for she
moved uneasily and averted her eyes.
1.-THE signora spoke of the Pearl
Bay appointment you have just ac-
cepted, Professor Bardi." said the
Young Italian doctor, who renamed
standing near.
"Science," answered the Professor,
"bss a mighty future, and we look for
brilliant results in fresh fields. In
founding . university in young coun-
try exceptional men are demanded for
work which lies somewhat out Of the
beaten track and it appears to me, "
he continued with sublimely uncon-
scious egotism, "that am precisely
the man of whom science demands
such q sacrifice wherefore I go With
room in which TO work and perfect
freedom, look for magnificent results,
with two or three ardent pioneers like
myself to clear the way" he con-
cluded, flashing his brilliant, inscruta-
BILE eyes upon his auditors.
A young English poet joined the cir
Gle at this moment and observed Il
the Professor only gets scope for hi:
splendidly original but CHASTITY theories
on the subject of poisons and ANNA
magnetism, ! for one shall be curious
to know where the evolution Of suci
theories will land him at last"
"The Professor is no theorist il
toxicology," rejoined Palma Bard
quickly. "He was one OF my father
pupils, and all who remember his fam,
IS . chemist will allow that those Wit
stadied under him could be neither the
orists nor noyices."