The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-27
CHAPTER TX.
A TERRIBLE ORDEAL.

IL had been, for several years, the custom
of the Duke to give select parties, or recep-
tions, to very few II the closest and most
intimate friends of his fair ward and him
self. They occurred once in two weeks, and
were, as rule, enjoyable. The Duke could
here unbend himself from the dignity of his
high estate, and lay aside the cares of a
jealous and critical government He had
once thought of inviting the artist Juan
Zanoni to one or more of these social gath
erings; but, before doing SO, he had spoken
with Steffano, and with Count Deuaro, on
| the subject So we can well understand
why the thought had not been carried into
execution.
With regard to the Count Giuseppe Den
arc we will say, the Duke had consulted him
on the subject of the invitation to the
artist, not because he had any great respect
for his judgment, or for himself, person
| ally, but, simply, because he had been
admitted as friend and companion-aye,
and as a suitor-of the Princess Isabel.
And now-did the Duke regard the
Count as the one man fit ed to be his dear
wards husbands Certainly he did not
But Isabel was already woman, and more
than a twelvemonth beyond what was gen
orally considered the proper manageable
age, and it was to be expected that the time
would ere long come when her heart would
find its mate. When her guardian thought
of this, he cast about him for the man most
worthy to be her mate for~life. He was
susprised at the result. OF a full score of
young mobiles of Parma whom he brought
before his minds eye for examination, not
one approached his standard. The few who
were fitted by rank and wealth to mate
with her, were either dissipated, or of nm
favorable dispositions.
Suffice it to say, in the end the Count
Giuseppe had come nearer to the mark than
any other; and. above and beyond that, he
loved the gentle maiden with all his heart.
Even he had been at times seen under tine
influence of much wine; but when he had
asked the Duke-had implorsd-that he
might be permitted to win the love of the
beautiful Princess if he could; and when
the subject of his habits of life had been
alluded to, he had pledged himself, by a
solemn oath, that never, never again, would
he suffer wine to become his master
Giuseppe Denaro was OF an ancient
family, and wealthy; and by right Of in
heritance he occupied position in the front
rank of the councillors of the realm. So,
on the whole, Antonio could fix upon no one
to whom he would more willingly give his
beautiful cousin and ward, and he had
given his promise to the Count. If he
could win the lady's heart, he should have
her hand.
On the evening in questionable evening
on which the Marquis had held his inter
view with old Madison, and. later, with his
brother-a gay and seemingly happy party
were assembled in one Of the large drawing
rooms of the ducal palace-not in the larg-
est-but in a cozy, comfortable, luxurious
apartment, well fitted and furnished for So
cial enjoyment.
AS we enter neither the Duke nor his
brother had arrived. Count Denaro was
there and had assumed the direction Of af-
fairs until the master should put in appear
ance. Several others, perhaps a dozen in
all, male and female, were present. and Of
them we find our two youthful friends,
Henri Vavallia and Paulo Alavado, the pair
of them evidently finding their fill Of hap
piness in basking in the bright light Of the
Princess Isabel's electric smiles. And they
had cause for happiness, for the Princess
liked them. Icy were intelligent and gen
tlemanly, and when she compared them
with Count Denaro 1t was greatly to the
disparagement Of the latter. In no other
respect than that Of wealth was he their
equal
And in another way had they won upon
her regard and liking. They were admirers
Of the painter, Juan Zanoni, and could not
say too much in his praise In his account
of his unpleasant passage with the Marquis
Steffano, Zanoni had incidently mentioned
the names of these youths, and had told her
how deeply he was indebted to them for
their kind offices on that occasion. As the
matter was fresh in her mind, only few
hours having elapsed since her dear lover
had told 10 ner the story, it, was very ma
tural that she should, on the present occa-
sion, ask them to give their version Of the
scene.