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

to leave Pia well off, with this villa and all
the vineyards She is good girl, and IT
she does nothing to forfeit our approval,
my mother and 1 will also leave her our
share in the little estate. But, cara pa
zienzai am too indiscreet in thus troub-
ling you with our affairs"
/ assured her l was sincerely interested
in her family and in all concerning them !;
and she presently trotted off to see that
Bettina and Pepa did not gossip too much
as they hung out the linen to dry. AL
though it seems terribly cold-blooded and
unpoetical to hear so much of the money
question mingled with love and courtship,
vet one cannot but approve the care these
people have for their children's future in
dependence, when we compare it with the
"apres nous le delage" sort of conduct too
often displayed by our own countryfolk with
regard to their offspring.
The usual quietude of the Villa Magno-
liza was no longer unbroken; the advent OF
a suitor had caused the greatest excitement,
not only in the household from the Doctor
to Cecco, the man of all work, but in the
whole village. As to my mother, she was
almost as much charmed as Signorina Mod
esta herself while I must confess that
while taking all due interest in 'Centinas
love-story with some pleasure, not only on
my own account, but because had conceived
adeeply Machiavellian plot, which had not
dared impart to my innocent parent or quite
acknowledge to myself; but of this 'more
anon," as they say in the historical novels.
We were to make the acquaintance OF this
interesting gentleman on Sunday; he was
to arrive Saturday evening at the Palazzo,
and the Doctor had left word that he should
expect him to dinner at the villa the next
day at II o'clock, which was the primitive
hour at which we dined.
| was always longing to give the girls
pretty little bits of feminine finery, but
hesitated, not only from fear of hurting
their pride, but because, if they were to
pass their lives in this secluded spot and
with narrow means, it was hardly wise to
encourage tastes suited to quite different
state of things; but l did so want Pia to
look her best on this particular Sunday.
And Innocentina, too-why not? Was
not her young doctor sure to come in the
afternoon? So l turned over my boxes
and selected, among some things | had
bought for possible presents to my nieces
and other young friends, two delicate pink
coral necklaces and two sets of fine Maltese
lace collars and cuffs. With these in my
hand went and knocked, in some trepida-
ton, at the girls door. 'Centina was al
ready dressed in her gray frock and help
ing Pia on with hers.
"Now, cdrine," l began, 81 have often
told YOU of my nieces and my affection for
them. am growing to look on you two
almost as if you were my nieces too, and L
want you to accept these little gifts from
your new aunt"
'Centina's eyes sparkled, and she clapped
her hands with delight, while Pia, with
moistened eyes, murmured, "You are too
good to u.s."
| fastened on the lace and the necklaces,
pronounced them very becoming, kissed
them both, and betook myself to the
sald.
NV health and strength were so improv-
that l now often Joined the Doctor, his
his daughters, and one or two of their
friends in long walks about the country.
| used to hire the only thing on wheels our
village afforded. We would start early af-
ter our coffee and rolls for some town or
village from which we could make our ex-
cursion, put up the trap and horse, and
ramble about for hours amidst some Of the
most exquisite scenery 1 have ever seen.
The Doctor fetched some wine and beer
from the tiny "osteria" built in the shadow
of the black gorge and within perpetual
sound of that roaring Maggin, and having
unpacked our provisions fowl, salami
"a kind of sausage, and bread we sat down
under some Spanish chestnut-trees, on the
softest moss and and among the loveliest
flowers, to take our midday meal On
these occasions the Doctor would hold forth
on philosophy, poetry, creeds, and politics
He was a strange mixture of mind and
matter, and with him one had always to be
on ones guard, for he would suddenly
come down from the most transcendental
heights with rush to some Rabelaisian
remark that quite startled ones weak
nerves.
Near our village stood rather fine
country-house, generally called the "Pa-
lazzo." 1t belonged to certain Signor
Cesare Villaspina, whose father, a school
fellow and friend of the Doctors had been
dead for some years. The father had been
a soldier. The son having tried diplomacy
for time, and passed some years as
attache in London and Paris, had now
settled down in Florence as dilettante in
art and letters.
One morning the Doctor informed us
that Signor Cesare was expected shortly at
the Palazzo. He was pleased as child
over this little excitement, and insisted on
our all going over with him to inspect the
house and grounds. My mother and |
decided that, with plenty of warm yet
subdued hangings and carpets, Indian
muslin curtains looped back with Indian
silk scarfs, the huge, haunted rooms
could be made quite habitable. Pia listen
ed intelligently and with pleasure to the
description 1 gave her of early English
chimney pieces, carved oak panels and cab
inets, old china and flowers and flower
stands, and all the other things that we
love to beautify our homes with.
| asked the Doctor what sort of man
was the owner of the Palazzo. He laughed.
"He is my opposite in everything.
And so was his father, the colonel, and
vet we were excellent friends. Cesare is
an aristocrat to his fnger-tips, and l am a
republican; he likes the life of courts, and
I''-here the Doctor became little POM
pous as he unconsciously fell into his favor
ite role of Cincinnatus planting cabbages-
''the free life of the country. | tend my
vines and make my own wine. l take
life seriously, while he plays at art, plays
at literature, and probably plays at love.
l smiled.
"What will such man do here?"
ave shall see very little of him" he re,
piled. "He comes for month at time
to Pallanza, puts up at the Grand Hotel
and runs over here occasionally with q
friend to spend the day and fish, Here
he caught sight of Signor Villaspina's
steward, and ran off to catch him for a