Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-08


 the dancing to commence. A rapid movement now took place in the midst of this crowd of beautiful women and noble lords. large space was cleared in the center of the principal saloon. Into this space number of couples advanced and be- gan whirling round to the sound of the casta- nets, marking with their light steps the joy ous cadence of the music, varying their attitudes with marvellous grace, and exciting each other with their gestures, their looks and their voices.
 Dressed in his fisherman's costume, which, in truth, formed strange contrast with that of the naughty Spaniards and of the vain Neapolitans, Masaniello contemplated, with a feeling of naive simplicity, sight so new to him.
 Don Juan Fernandez went up to the fisher man, and, putting his arm familiarly under his, led him into neighboring room.
 "What do you think of our fete?' said he, in a winning tone.
 Ut is magnificent" replied the young man; nothing could be more admirable"
 "Unless it were a revolt in the market place, ehg"
 Masaniello looked his interlocutor full in the face, and then replied: ''There is this difference between revolt and ball, senor: that those who take part in the one are starv- ing people, while in the other"-
 Come, come," remarked the Spaniard; "let us leave politics, and change the conver sation. You are a man of taste Masa- niello."
 1T am, at least, a man of courage"
 "Taste and courage are nearly connected Allow me to ask you, therefore, why you have come in the simple costume of fisher man to so noble an assembly!"
 ''The costume 1 wear belongs to my class"
 HAv if did a fayv 1oxr bao courage and talents had not raised you above the vulgar herd, when Naples had not yet bestowed upon you the title of head of the people-a title which you so we'll merit But todayn-
 To-day I am the same I was yesterday, the same l shall be tomorrow, the same wish to be all my life-a child of the people, who resembles. neither by his education nor his mind, nor, on my faith, by his frankness, those malevolent beings whom call il pre- potenti."
 "Masaniello, you do not set Q sufficient value on the consideration which the court manifests toward you. Seel every eye is turned to you, every one admires you. All these noble ladies whisper to one another how handsome you would be with a velvet mantle, and how we'll sword would become you, as we'll as bucket boots, garnished with point lace, and which it is so difficnlt to wear with grace"
 "As for the sword, " replied the chief of the people, proudly, ''the ladies are right. do wear it pretty wen-in my hand.".
 "Come, come, my dear friend; forget your stoicism for a moment, and let us talk sensi- bly, You love Isabella"
 ''I do, senor; that is no longer a secret from any one."
 And you are about to marry herg'
 CT desire this r1aTri with ba xvboIo fo,oo of my soul"
 Twill you renounce the pleasure of danc- ing with your wife, or will you forbid her to indulge ill an amusement which is fitted to her age and of which she is distractedly fondF'
 q do not know!" replied Masaniello, sharply.
 That is no answer. Your position will become most horribly difficult one at the viceregal court. In your fisherman's dress you will not be able to take any share in all these fetes, to which your betrothed is as much accustomed as you are to spread out your sail to the breeze, and of which she con- stitutes the brightest ornament" Ut is good, senor; I will reflect on what you have said" replied Masaniello pensively Judge of the future by what happens to you today, my dearest friend. Your be- trothed awaits you, and what a betrothed! The richest, the handsomest, and the sweetest creature ill all Castillo Our most popular | young noblemen press around her, all solicit ing the honor of guiding her steps in bolero or a saraband. But Isabella refuses-her | eyes seek you; she would fain indulge, as she has been wont to do, in the amusement of the 1 dance; but she would blush to have any partner save Masaniello; and you-you dare not approach her, you dare not offer her your hand, and conduct her, triumphant and | radiant with joy, through the ball. And 1 what is the reason? 4 ridiculous One-be- l cause you have on a monks hood, a carmans l gaiters, and a pointed hat, like the steeple of 1 Notre Dame del Carmine." 1 ''I know some of these same young nobles who are parading before these high born l danes this evening, whom this hat, this hood and these gaiters have struck with terror at Santo Domenico, and on the market place, said the young man, whose face frightened up with pride at the recollection.
 "Well my dear friend, the times of revolt are passed You are the Head of the People the equal of the viceroy, and the betrothed | of Isabella Try to fill worthily the high DO | sition that you have achieved. I am giving you piece of friendly advice. Good-by fol a time. I see Donna Marie de Badajoz whose saucy little foot is impatiently count ing the measures of the bolero. I must gc and offer her my arm, and lead her to take her place in the dance"
 Fernandez disappeared in the crowd that blocked up the room.
 After having long waited in vain for Masa niello, after having sought him with hel glance in every direction, Isabella had, a length, not been able to refuse the invita- tions of the young nobles who pressed around her. In obedience to her fathers orders, sh, selected as her partner the Duke of Spinola.
 Her betrothed perceived her bending hel voluptuous figure and turning aloft hel charming arms in the midst of the group that were moving in cadence to the jerking measure of the bolero. His heart was wruni with jealousy. A cry of rage and impetu ous passion burst from his breast, and h. hesitated whetGer he should rush into tn midst of this diabolical vision, stab Spinola seize Isabella, and carry her off from tn dance. Who could place any obstacle in hi wayi Was she not his betrothed-his prop erty-whom he had gained by talking o love to her in the bay, and in fighting like lion in the midst of the carnage on the fell | of battle?