The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-31

II
almost opposite here. That house, you
see, where there are so many lights. ="
The officer went toward the house
pointed out to him. 1t was an antique
building of rich and elegant style-a
pearl among lentils in comparison with
the other houses.
''She must be lady, and no mistake!"
said Terbiani to himself, not only at see
ing her home, but also at the aspect of
the servant that came to open the door.
'The signora marchesa is at the Villa
! di Givioso," said the domestic, showing
the lieutenant into drawing-room fur
nished in antique brocade, where great
fire was cracking merrily in the poryphry
chimney-piece. The servant added:
'If the signOr teRente wishes to read,
on that table are the newspapers, in that
bookcase some books. :. If the
SignOr tenente wishes that should pre-
pare him some tea or coffee that
l bring him some liquors :"
mo, thank you :" replied the
officer, absent-mindedly.
perhaps the signOr tenente would like
to go to bed?"
''No, no, thanks,n repeated Terbiani.
81 never go to bed before midnight"
This last phrase was uttered in the
hope that the marchesa would come
home before that hour.
"Here is an apartment kept as 1 like to
see one, and domestic worthy to be the
envy of many master!" was the mental
approval of the officer as he stretched
himself in wide, low and. deep arm
chair before the glowing fire.
He opened newspaper, read without
understanding syllable the leading ar
ticle, which was upon the foreign policy;
then, little by little, he forgot his read
ing; he began to watch the flame that
arose in tongues, blue, golden, red, and
ended by absorbing himself in thous-
and dreams more luminous, strange,
many-colored, and capricious than the
flame itself They lasted until the
moment when the marchesa in person en-
tered the room, little after ten o'clock.
She was much prettier, to look at her
closely, than Terbiani had judged her at
first sight.
'Weicome, lieutenant" said the lady,
with the ease Of perfect woman of the
world. 81 have just met, at my mothers
house, one of your companions, and
from him learned that you were here;
so I'm come home in great haste to do
the duties of hospitality"
The young man bowed deeply, at once
subjugated by those bright eyes that
looked mischievously at him and by the
subtle smile of those red lips which adj
dressed to him words so gracious-with-
out suspecting, poor fellow, that he him
self was the cause of that mirth held
within bounds only by exquisite polite
ness.
In fact, that indiscreet Bompane, in
formed by chance few moments after
his arrival at GiviOso of the existence aud
perfect health of the Marchese Gamberti,
had not been able to restrain his hilarity;
and invited to explain it by the family
into which he had been received, he had
related the change of the billet of quar-
tiers, the enthusiasm and the matrimon-
ial hopes of Terbiani.
Such was the true motive of the ready
return of the marchesa, who, delighted
with the opportunity which presented it
self for the exercise of her wit and her
good humor, had fastened to come to
take her part in the little comedy.
'sDo not let my presence hinder you
from retiring, lieutenant" said the lady
with coquetry. "You must feel great
need of rest after this fatiguing days
march in the snow"
And he, CALAMITY:
80 signora, there is no WEAKNESS that
|
of your charming conversation"
"As to the charm of my conversation"
she said, laughing, ''permit me to make
you observe that you are not yet in po-
sition to Judge OF it. Asfor me, instead"
she quickly added, determined to appear
coquettish ''it seems too good to be true
to chat with person who does not be-
long to my family and whom do not see
every day. / assure you that one has
quite enough of solitude after whole
long winter passed in this forsaken little
placew
81 can believe it, signora marchesa.
But why condemn yourself to this Sc
clusionP'
"Ah, this is it: the physician has
known how to persuade my family that
this rest was absolutely necessary fol-
me; and have preferred to subject my
self to the doctors advice rather than to
the scenes of tender reproach that my
refusal would have provoked. At all
events | have gained the color of peas
ant; for it seems that to be bored is good
for the health. You can't imagine the
impossible length of winter day in this
place and how hard it is to occupy the
endless hours that compose it,"
81 understand. oh, underestimate re-
peated the young man, pulling his point
ed mustache.
The dialogue, thus begun, ran success.
lively over the whole ground where il
could be carried by man and woman
of good society who meet for the first
time. They talked Of literature, art, so
! ciety, and discovered that they had sew
eral mutual friends at Rome, Milan and
Naples.
The marchesa, pleased with the affair
which was moreover very harmless, and
treasured by the fact that her husband
would return the very next day, permit
ted herself some phrases, enough to lead
on any man.
"Ahl wish they would send me ev
cry day an officer to entertain!" she con
cluded, offering to Terbiani her slender
little hand. II have been so well amused
this evening""
In saying these words she was perfectly
sincere.
AS to the lieutenant, he was in the fiftl
, heaven.
''Really. this is what is wanted fol
me-" he thought, as he sank between the
fine linen sheets, perfumed with Orris
that had been prepared for him. pretty
elegant. witty; certainly of good family
and with money. What nose like ;
: hunting-dog / have had, Ell? Now it is
question of man@uvring well. To-mor
row will develop my plans"
! And he went to sleep, dreaming OF hi
good fortune.
On awaking, he found an invitation
!, from the Baron Corati di Giyioso for
breakfast, followed by fox-hunt.
T "rm going ahead under full sail!'' ex
/ claimed the young. man, rubbing hi