Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-06-13

between the fine linen sheets, perfumed
with orris, that had been prepared for
him Pretty, elegant, witty, certain
ly of good family and with money
What a nose, like a hunting dog, have
had, ell? Now it is a question of ma
neuvering we'll Tomorrow will de-
velop my plans. y
And he went to sleep, dreaming of
his good fortune.
On awaking he found an invitation
from the Baron Corati di Givioso for
breakfast, followed by q fox hunt
''I'm going ahead under full sail, :"
exclaimed the young man, rubbing his
hands ''This breakfast and this hunt
today are what is wanted for my ma
neuvers-of love, not war. -
No sooner said than done. So far as
depended upon himself. Terbiani profted
as much as possible by the situation, to
the great amusement Of the Corati fam
lily and the pretty Marchesa Gamberti.
When, after a day passed mostly in
the open air, amid noise, but in more
than one place worthy to elicit senti-
mentality, the marchesa found herself
again before the fire, in the drawing
room of the previous evening, she was
acquainted with Terbiani as few other
women had been, for he had related to
her during those hours the life, death
and miracles of himself, wishing-re-
peated the worthy fellow-that she
should have in regard to him neither
illusions nor delusions.
Then he dilated, with melancholy re-
f1ections, upon the WEAKNESS and empti-
ness of bachelor existence.
The marchesa of course listened with
patience and good will, full of encour-
agement, to these propositions, rather
verbose, but Of an irreproachable moral
ity.
"And suppose that the conclusion
Of all this is that you are thinking of
MARRIAGE" she said, looking at the
clock on the mantelpiece The train
that brought home her husband was
just then entering the station, and that
phrase seemed to her suited to hasten
the denouement of the comedy
Precisely, marchesa. The difficulty
is, however, that I am very exacting
in this matter without any right to be
So"
81 am not of your opinion, lieuten-
ant, as to your right said the lady,
with peridious candor. ''And I should
undertake willingly to discover some
perfection Of a little girl who would
call herself happy to become Signora
Terbiani. -
''Do you believe it possible?" asked
the young man, with southern ardor,
and he added, hesitating little, This
encouragement, marchioness, offers me
the opportunity to ask you-to ask you
since you say''-
Steps were heard in the anteroom
She interrupted him: ~
"Ah, I see that my sister Lucia has
greatly pleased you"
''Oh, certainly, certainly. The Sinor-
ina Lucia is one Of the most charming
ladies. That can be seen. But as have
only seen her beside sister-yourself -
"Her sister has been married for 10
years, my dear lieutenant. She is al
ready an old wife and an old mother -
the marchesa said, laughing
At that point the door opened, and
there appeared handsome man, tall
and powerful of person, followed by two
boys, with fresh, rosy faces, in travel
ing costume. All three flung themselves
upon the neck of the nlarchesa without
even perceiving the presence of the poor
lieutenant, stupefed, turned to stone,
more immovable and mute than statue.
1.-THE Marchese Gamberti my hus-
band" " the lady presented him after
Lieutenant Terbiani, an officer we
have the good fortune to entertain.
I am rejoiced to make your acquaint-
ance. lieutenant, - declared, with high
bred courtesy, the Marchese Gamberti.
Now said the pretty lady, with an
indescribable smile, which she was un-
able to repress, smile that curled
slightly the corners of her meath
''now, come, lieutenant, let me present
you to the marchesa, Widow Gamberti,
of the house and my mother
n-law' -
So saying, she went toward an old
gentlewoman, all wrapped up in hood
ed cloak of silk and lace, who followed
the marchese and the boys.
The word widow had been slightly
on purpose, but Terbiani,
who had not yet regained the use of
speech, bowed profoundly without even
to comprehend the scene.
And neither the best wines Of the dow
ager's cellar nor the hospitable kindness
of the marchese availed to give him
back his presence of mind and his good
humor
"My love, your lieutenant is rather q
dismal BORE" observed the Marchese
Gamberti when he found himself alone
with his wife in the intimacy of their
own room.
Rather, he was very brilliant, +" the
marchesa assured him, bursting into
laughter. "But it was the arrival of all
you others that made him change his
mood. Fancy, at the moment you enter
ed, he had launched forth into no less
than an offer Of marriage. He wanted
me-really me- Yes, please him, as it
appears. "
And gayly, while she loosened the
thick braids of her heavy dark hair, she
told the whole story in detail and by
what able maneuvers she had managed
the comedy to bring it to a denouement
just at the instant when her husband
her dear, adored husband-would ar
rive.
The story was long, SO that the Mar
chese and Marchesa Gamberti were still
asleep when the regiment went away
the next morning.
The snow had melted, like the hopes
of poor Terbiani, and folds Of whitish
mist foated sadly here and there over
the plain like tattered gauze.
It was lugubrious, this departure be-
fore daybreald in that gray and frosty
April morning.
'Well,' asked Lieutenant Bompane
misohievously, ''when is the wedding
with your beautiful widow to take
placer
wedding! shall never marry, re-
piled Terbiani, with tragic air that
wished to appear scornful. IT only
wanted to make little closer acquaint-
ace with that brunette, and I have play
ed a little bit of sentimental comedy.