The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-12-28
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CHAPTER Xxx.
POISON IN THE FLOWER.


Rrandee Of Spain, in his excitement against
Senior Badajoz y Suerry y Nevada y Fualdes,
and especially against his daughter Isabella,
It the moment the revolt was threatening
him at the gates Of the Vicaria and on the
market place.
Hernandez was standing up, leaning against
the wall, while the duke was hastily pacing
up and down, stamping impatiently on the
bright colored carpet under his feet.
Most certainly his grace the Duke of ARGOS
had lost great deal of his dignity and his
marvellous calmness.
1.-TWO days more" said he, "two days
more, during which must master my anger,
and veil, with a continued smile, the rage
4 which is gnawing at my heart"
"But, then, your grace, you will revenge
yourself like kingr' replied Fernandez
"Yet, after all, will it be less true that
this fsherman-this boor-has been for three
days betrothed to Isabella; that no has
spoken to her of his love before every one;
and that, with his lazarone hand-a serf's
e(hand-he has pressed that Of tho noble
daughter of the house of Arcosp
"Your grace is devoted subject of tho
king, our master, and you were resolved,
even ut tho most fearful sacrifice, to pre-
servo intact the sacred pledge of power
which you had received"
With a gesture of rage, the duke tore his
rufiles of Brussels lace.
"What will his most Catholic majesty say
( of this revolt? Ho will DO irritated against
me, and host of cowardly enemies will
seize this opportunity of running mo- Oh!
Masaniello, Masaniello! accused lazarone!
can it DO true that have degraded myself
SO far as to hate your
4.
honor your grace does him." said Fernandez.
'You have seen tho court perfumerF'
"Yes, this evening we shall have the flow
ers ordered"
Shave you written to CorcelliT
"Your grace must excuse my not having
done that; never commit such an act of
imprudcnce. A person on whom l can de-
pend, and of tried fidelity has made an APP
pointment with him for tomorrow even
ing"
''But supposing that our projects are not
successfuln-
"They will be successful, mi senorl"
Shave we not another revolt to fear fsom
this people!'
''Masaniello," replied Fernandez, with
gloomy smile, "has, for tho last two days,
shared with you tho supreme authority.
Yesterday the Neapolitans still adorcd him;
today they look on him with indifference;
tomorrow they will desert him. Such is
always the course Of popular favor, mi
senor!'
"You have not yet been able to persuade
him to assume a court dresss"
"Not yet; but when he has beheld the
splendid entertainment that you are prepar-
ing for this evening, the rich toilets and the
brilliant uniforms, in the midst of which his
wretched fshermans costume will look like
a black spot; when alone, il the recess OF q
window, feeling himself ridiculous, and not
daring to go near Isabella, he has seen his
betrothed, light and joyful, following tho
excited rhythm of the boleros and sarabandes;
when wo have rendered him intoxicated
with jealousy, and still more intoxicated
with the perfume of the flowers l have des-
tined for him--oh, then, never fear, he will
put on his mobiles dress. know Masaniello."
"Goodl In this dress we will take him''-
''In state carriage, mi senior, that all eyes
may see him."
"The very thing. We will show tho Nea-
politans tho head Of the people transformed
into courtier"
Sand your grace can then celebrate tho
marriage of your daughter Isabella added
Don Fernando, with his sinister sElilo.
lney lSlO unc apartment JOSctncf.
The hour fixed for the fetc given by tho
viceroy on the occasion of the approaching
marriage of his daughter was now arrived.
Twenty chandeliers Illuminated the principal
saloon-twenty chandeliers covered with
crystal drops which glistened like C myriad
Of stars, and were reflected by tho show of
diamonds around.
All tho court were assembled. Hardly had
of,f ;oI Iva 10
officers of his household, traversed tho w.
rious apartments in which the guests were
collected, courteously saluting the ladies and
addressing few words Of 1attery to the
men, ere the orchestra gave the signal for
the dancing to commence.
rapid movement now took place in the
midst Of this crowd of beautiful women and
noble lords. A 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
Gus 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 fshermans costume, which,
in truth, formed o strange contrast with that
Neapolitans, Masanieilo 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 Familiarity under
his. led him into neighboring room.
"What do you think of our feter' said he,
in winning tone.
"It is magnificent" replied the young man;
nothing could be more admirable"
"Unless it were revolt in the market
place, chr
Masaniello looked his interlocutor full in
the face, and then replied: "Thcre is this
difference between revolt and ball, senior:
that those who take part in the one are starv-
ing people, while in the othern--
"Come, come" remarked the Spaniard;
'let us leave politics, and change the CONVEX
sation. You are a man of taste, Masa-
niello."
~ 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 wear belongs to my Glass;
SAY, it did so q few days since, when your
courage and talents had not raised you above
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