New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14

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from what socalled honorable motive Of considera-
ton, would be to make her life far more unhappy
than it would ultimately be if she knew the truth,
He was satisfied with what he had done, therefore.
when he went back to his rooms and lay down to
rest after the fatigue of his first day out. Buo
the meeting had left very sad and painful i'm
preston. and all that he felt Of remorse and re-
eret for what he had done was doubled now. lie
hated to think that by his fault she was cast upon
the world with little left to save her. tying 10
amuse herself" as she had said end he wondered
at her cenisncss and kindness to HIMSELF so dler-
ent from h,r behavior at their last meeting.
That at last. comforted him. In woman who
could thus forgive there must be depths Of good
ness which would ultimately come to the surface
lie remembered how often he had thoucht her
hard. unjust. unkind and. above all. unbeheving.
in the days that succeeded the first outpursts OF
unreasoning love. and how. even while loving her.
he had not always found it easy not to Judge her
harshly She was very different now. Possibly
since she felt that she had lost her old power over
him, she would be less impatient with him when
she did not understand him. and when he dis
pleascd her. Come what might. treat him as she
would he owed her faithful allegiance and Ger
vice-and those at least he could give. lie could
never atone to her, but in the changing scenes Of
the world he might. by devoting to her interest
all the skill and tact he possessed. make her life
happier and easier.
Before night he received note from Laura
Arden. She wrote that she had seen him driving,
though he had not seen her pass, as he had been
looking in the opposite direction. II he was able
to hear the fatigue Of making call, she begged
that he would come TO her at any hour he chose
to name, as she wished to speak to him. lie
answered at once that he would be at her house
on the following day at o'clock
lie knew very we'll what she wanted, and why
she did not wait until he came of his own accord
She meant 10 speak to him of the duel, and her
questions would be hard 10 answer, since she was
probably in ignorance of many details of his
former life, familiar enough to people Of his own
age He knew, of course, that the world said he
had really fought on her account. and that he
could never prevail upon the world to think other
wise But he was very anxious that Laura
herself should know the truth. She might for
give him for having let people believe that she
had been concerned in the matter. rather than
Maddalcna dell Armi, out Of womanly considera-
ton for the latter, but she would assuredly not
pardon him if sho continued to suppose that he
had made her the subject % useless gossip.
The situation was not an easy one
AT the appointed hour he entered her drawing
room. lie was almost startled by her beauty when he
first saw her standing opposite to him. She had
developed in every way during the many weeks
since he had seen her. The perfectly calm and
regular life she led had produced its inevitable
good effect. She, on her part, was almost as
much shocked by his looks as Maddalena had
been.
Have net asked too much Of you p she in
quired, pushing forward comfortable chair for
him, and arranging cushion in il.
Not at all. Thanks" he added, as he sat
down, you are Very good, but pray do not
imagine that am an invalid"
81 only saw you in the street." she said,
almost alphabetically. II did not realize how
desperately i'll you still looked. Please forgive
me-
But should have come to-day or tomorrow
IN any case" protested Ghsleri. After what
has happened-yes, 1 think know why you sent
for NE. You have heard what every one is say
ing. The men who came to see me before could
60 out told me all about it, l knew beforehand
that it would turn out as it has, though we gave
our seconds another excuse. as you have probably
also heard, and which. if the truth were known,
was much nearer to betraying the cause Of the
quarrel than any supposed. Am l right
You wished to ask me why had the impertinencc
to fight duel about you. Is that it Pr
- would not put it in that way said Laura.
But did wish TO ask You why you took the
matter up violently. Please do not enter into
the question now-yOu are not strong enough
am very sorry indeed that l wrote TO you"
You need not be, for l am quite able to tell
you all about it. ] have thought the matter
over, and | think you will forgive me if tell
you the whole story from beginning to end. 1t is
confidence, and have not the least fear that
befr
hear it, YOU will always believe that have wan
tony made you the talk of the town. II is en-
tnely to justify myself in your eyes that ask you
10 listen to what am going to say. Some points
may shock you little. Have / your leavc?n
Yes II you really wish to tell me for your own
sake For minc 90 not ask you to tell me any,
thing"
1t is for my own sake. l am quite selfish
When sou have heard all, you will know more
or less the history Of my life. of which many
people know certain details
lie paused and leaned back in his deep chair.
closing his eyes moment as though
he were collecting his thoughts Laura set
tea herself to listen, turning IN her
seat 20 as not to face him, but 80 that she
could look at him while he was speaking.
Il have never told any one this story" he
began. for l have never had any good reason
lor doIng so. When l was very young man
loved the Princess Corlcore, who was, by
Ncr maiden name, Donna Blanca Campodonico,
the daughter Of the old Duca di Norba. who
died OF paralysis, and own sister to Gianfortc
Campodonco, with whom ! fought this duel
loved stiat lady with all my heart to the day
of her death. and, being young and tactlcss. |
showed il too much Her brother, Gianforte.
hated me il consequence. because there was talk
about his sister and me-and our names were
constantly coupled together. ! did my best to
remain on civil terms with him, but at last
he insulcd me openly and fought. This first
duel took place little more than six years ago. in
Naples, where Donna Blanca lived after her
marriage CumpodonicO did his best to kill
ne. and at last ] ran him through the arm On
the ground, without needing the slight wound
which disabled his right arm, he demanded
pistols but the seconds both sides refused, and
declared the affair terminated. As the original
challenge had come from me, his position was
quite untcnable. lie sought occasion after that