The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-09-04
LADY ANGELA'S LION.

decidedly catholic, and nothing that
was original came amiss to her. There
fore it was no marvel to her friends
when she fell into raptnres about
certain marchese di San Noriuno, who
was good-looking, possessed an inn
posing title, and III addition could play
u little instrument she called man
dolinetta, sing delightfully."- (and quite
ncomprehensible) Italian ditties, and
make delicious sWeetmeats. whereof he
was in the habit Of sending little pack
cts to his friends.
One hot morning in July her draw
lng-room was specially crowded, as a
whole constellation of particular
stars" We're gathered, and she and her
niece, an enthusiastic young lady OF %.
We're extremely busy among the guests,
introducing and entertaining them. A
gentleman with long fair hair and an
enormous display of shirt-front had
just finished a recitation, at which his
audience seemed doubtful whether it
would be more polite to laugh or to
weep, when there was small stir in
the doorway, and Lady Angela ex-
tended her hands in greeting to a
slight, dark young fellow with a care
fully trimmed mustache, who was car
rying under his arm a diminutive
guitar.
''Ah, marchese," she said, Il feared
you could not come; you are SO late. y
The young man bowed gracefully as
he made his excuses, and his hostess,
placing her hand on his arm, led him
across the room to be introduced to
several of her friends. During the
process he preserved an admirable
gravity, Notwithstanding the fact that
the execrable Frnnch in which she
chose to clothe her remarks on his
talents or those of the person to whom
she presented him made her converse
ton at times irresistibly comic.
ri "Voilal marquis" she said at length
as she paused in front of a pretty girl
in pale blue dress, who was accom-
panied by handsome lady in black vel
vet; this young lady has come all the
way from Windsor to hear your de-
lightful Music
81 Agnes Sherard, as the young lady
was named could hardly suppress q
smile as she murmered few words in
response; and Lady Angela, being
called away at the moment left the
marchese to improve the ACQUAINTANCE.
Agnes, however, though a genial girl
with plenty to say, seemed seized with
an unaccountable fit of silence. and her
cousin, Mrs. Marston, was obliged to
take up the conversation until the
Italian was summoned to the music.
room to .'give one of his delightful bal.
lads" Here, seated on low divan,
with his little guitar slung across his
shoulder by a broad red ribbon, he
thrummed few chords, and sang in a
pleasing tenor voice an air with re-
frain in valse time, very much like the
popular Santa Lucia"
agnes, why do you stare at that
poor young man SO intently, and why
did you not speak to him?" inquired
Mrs. Marston under cover of the ap-
plause which followed the cessation Of
the music.
5g His face and voice seem familiar to
me- /" replied Agnes. Il can not help
thinking have seen him before
nYou met him in Rome perhaps?"
queired Mrs. Marston.
mo, am sure I did not" answered
Agnes, and silence ensued, as Miss
Smythe, Lady Angela's niece, begged
the singer for another ballad.
The one about the girl at the festa,''
she said entreatingly.
Il fear I can not recollect it, was
the reply.
ooh, yes, please do SOL" exclaimed a
chorus of voices.
You can improvise ifyou do not re-
member" added Miss Smythe.
Thus adjured, the marchese began a
quaint little air with rapid changes of
time and variations Of key, and sang
in patois the history of one Ninetta,
who lost her purchases, her dinner,
and finally her lover, through series
of foolish mischances at fair.
Il wish I could remember where I
have seen him. said Agnes. per
haps l shall when Ispeak to him again.
l seemed to know all about that song"
1T is popular little canzonet you
might have heard anywhere" said
Mrs. Marston, who was becoming a
little tired of Agnes preoccupation.
They did not again speak to the
marchese, who remained all the time
till his early departure in the music
room, and the circumstance soon faded
from Mrs Marston's mind. Agnes,
who shortly returned to her home in
the country, thought sometimes of the
young Italian, and told her mother
about him. In the course of few
weeks they heard that he was seen
everywhere with Lady Angela and her
niece, and Agnes was told that she had
better be prepared to attend the we'd
ding of her friend Florence Smythe,
as the marchese evidently intended
taking back to the Italian estates an
English marchesa.
One morning, among a pile of let
tiers on the breakfast table, Mrs. Sher-
ard found note with an invitation to
a picnic from Lady Angela.
Il should like to go, mother, y said
Agnes, as she read It. 1T is to be in
Lord Hilderton's park, and you know
how lovely it must be there now. We
have been talking of spending day
there ourselves. .
Yes, we can easily drive over"
said Mrs. Sherard, as she rose from the
breakfast table.
Perhaps l shall meet the marchese
again. ssid Agnes.
Ny dear, | shall begin to think the
Italian hoe ,nada on IN, r,,.ace;on ~,