Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-24

How can ] describe that chlld's rap
ture and gratitude when | sent her into
her room to dress for dinner and she
found my gifts on her bed? | must
conf, IS that have experienced the
greatest satisfaction at times in wear
ing a pretty and well-ftted gown, but
it was nothing like the less selfish plea
sure now felt in witnessing Pas de-
light and admiration. To quiet her
agitation | made her put on one of
the dresses there and then, and
was almost surprised my
self at the beauty and distnc-
ton Of the young lady in creamy robes
| led before the long cheyal glass in the
corner Of the room. We went down
together to the salon, where the lamps
were not yet lighted, and in the gloam-
ing we saw various figures reclining on
the sofas, looking out Of the windows,
or walking impatiently up and down
while awaiting the welcome sound of
the dinner bell. But some one was
standing near the door as we entered,
turning over the newspapers it was too
dark to distinguish.
"Signor Yillaspini?' | asked, slight
" startled. And some one hurried for
ward with an eagernesS and animation
rather new to him. laughed.
This is quite a surprise | said.
Il fancied you were absorbed in your
New system Of Philosophy.
"Wbo can work in such bot wea-
iher:" he answered, unabashed. And
| thought that perhaps you and Sig
norma PA would accept me for cice-
rone-" Here the bell rang, and we
all stleamed into the dining-rOom.
At dinner Pia sat between US, and |
could not help smiling at Signor Ce-
,are's bewllderment when he found the
meek little Cinderella Of = suddenly
transformed into brilliant young
princess. =,
Pleasure and happiness had colored
her checks with delicate wild-roSe
flush. diamonds shone in her eyes, and
1t would not be easy to describe the
new radiance Of her smile. But | am
Getting too poetical suffice it to say
that. like all women when they
feel themselves well dressed and
admired, PA had this evening
gained the little amount of self
confidence she usually lacked. Instead
of hardly yenturing to give an opinion
berore her hero, she conyersed merrily
and wittily, and even put him down
once or twice, to my great satisfaction.
\ young Englishman opposite to us
was evidently nightly struck with her,
forgot to eat his dinner, and let the diff
fercnt dishes 20 by one after the other.
Strange to say, Signor Cesare did not
seem to approve of this open admira-
ton. and, putting up his glass. tried
several times to look my countryman
down.
Aha - said to myself. You
thought. NJ. lie Diplomatic, that you had
hut to throw the handk erchief and she
was yours; there was no one to dis
pute the point, and you were not even
sure YOU meant to throw it at all. /
wish for once my little PA knew how
to hirt, and would give you little
useful lesson" After dinner we ad-
iourned to the garden, and sat on a
bench half buried in rosebushes, which
were one mass of flowers. The night
iugales were in great force. and their
notes seemed a fitting accompaniment
to the whole scene. Whenever hear
a nightingale's song in future shall
think Of Pallanza, and balmy, fra
grant summer nights, and lovers and
Marechal Mel roses but it will bring
no such pleasant memories to two
ladies who were walking up and down
near us and who complained that those
wretched birds kept them awake
every night till - and |, and woke
them up again at or in the morning.
wish had time and space to give
YOU the history Of seven happy days,
during which the little tender plant |
had watched with so much sollcltude
threw out strong roots and blossomed
and daily unfolded itself We went
everywhere-to the islands and to lntra,
and Bayeno. and the Madonna del Cam
pagna but we made up no pleasant
parties, nor. indeed, one single &C
auaintance. We three kept together,
and notwithstanding the old adage about
two being company and three none, |
hope made myself as little unpleasant
as possible under the circumstances.
| Everything, however charming, must
end. and the last day Of our holiday
was drawing to a close. ! was work
ing. seated on my fayorite bench
among the roses. PA bad gone to fetch
NE some embroidery silks | had left in
my room, and Signor Cesare was walk
ing up and down the path smoking q
cigarette. AS soon as PA had dlsap
peared, he came and leant on a tree
near me and remarked abruptly
Your English fashion is by far the
most rational and natural
looked up inqulringly.
He blushed little as he continued
"ls il not more natural when a mar
loves girl to tell her so first before h
speaks to her parents ?"
Certainly" | began, looking vel
down at my work to hide the WICKED
light of triumph which lighted up my
countenance, but before | could procse'
he said coolly: -.
Then / have your permission?
and forthwith hurried away.
i had my afternoon tea alone, and
was already twilight when my PA cam
to me with sort of hushed rapture OIL
her face. She knelt down by me, AM
laid her soft cheek on my baud as sh
whispered;
! "Signora, he loves me, aud he say
you permitted him to tell me So"
IL not strictly true to the letter m