Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-09-03
s,mona 7 was deeply impressed by ms

s'mona was deeply impressed by ms
aspc :. His years then num-
bcred AS many rs u,inc &c row. which
Is 20 say sevcr'y-orr. bur ne appeared
much older. his vitality hc,1- capped
Ly his intense application 20 Affairs or
com10crcc I'm early manhood ani mid
de &C and by stress o. recent sorrow.
10 say nothing OF the nc'rra; ravaGes
OF time Nevertheless he exhibited
traces OF nobility OF features and
stature which an attcnuated face and
bowed back failed to obiitcrate. The
moment OF my Introduction TO him
was a painful one. for he had just re-
turned from celebrating the obsequies \
OF his son. and his only remaining I
child. the young and beautiful Anita. !
was administering 10 her father such /
comfort as was possible in the circum- |.
stances. had entered the presence /
OF the old man and presented my let
tiers before l was acquainted with his
unhappy condition. but so soon as
was informed Of Il I sought 10 with
draw until a more fitting occasion
should offer. The fair Anita. perceiv-
ing that my business might divert her
fathers thoughts from the object OF
HIS grief. would not willingly suffer me
to depart: so I yielded to her Solicita-
zion and remained. My host was a
man OF extraordinary intelligence. de-
liehtfuliy frank and communicative.
notwiths .anding a quiet dignity which
usually accompanies combination OF
wealth and intellectual power. OF his
grief hr spake not. but 7 observed all
TOO many evidences OF Sc. After some
f. conversation with him on general mat-
tcrs IL was easy for mo to understand
how this man had from humble be-
ginnings risen 20 De the most opuicnt
shipowner IN Venice. When I asked
his advice in respect OF n house where
In 10 live during my soiourn In Venice
the old man regarded me with mild
surprise. Il know OF no other than
this" he said. "wh0 comes from Eng
land with credentials such as yours
must be my guest" These words a.
forded me great content. and in Signor
Simona's house I accordingly took up
my abode.
November 13. "A thorough mastery
OF the Latin and French tongues
helped me greatly In acquiring the
italian speech. sans such equipment
I doubt not 1 should have failed. foi
my method OF learning differed great,
from what isprescribed by the schools
; Signorina Anita Simona was my In
structress. and her lessons occupied
nearly the whole OF every day. Sb
told me the names OF things, and cor
I sH.sff
or grammatical rules She snake not;
fear she had but scant knowledge O
them herself Though no Catholic,
went with her each morning 90 mass
which pleased her greatly. FOR she la
"A supersduOus horror OF Protestan'
ism. And here I may remark upo
the convenience OF conforming 60 th
a religious preiudices OF the peopl
, among whom one may be cast. IL
= both easy and polite. and may 3
" done by most travellers without strain
My days in Venice passed with gre'
= swifmess. as days OF pleasure alwal
= do. Signor Simona was mcrchai
prince. and his marble palace WAS
= st0rchouse OF works OF art brought
.e his captains from all the countries
pc the world His kindness 90 me w.
- very marked. and that OF his daucht
- vet more so. After many weeks
y daily expeditions 20 examine the wo
ders OF Venice, IN all OF which w
- accompanied by the daughter OF "a
y host. the beautiful Anita showed
many ways that she had fallen in 10
with me, and this circumstance oc,
stoned me much disQulet. II b
talked with any other woman. on sd
" tured 70 express admiration OF e..
TUNE worn by one OF the Do-aress
a. maids her pearly teeth would ellen
- and her dark eyes dash. IL was
great difficulty. and FASTENED my
pSrture from Venice. with strange q
- sequences disastrous 20 herself
- would not love her i'm dishonora
- fashion for the sake OF her father.
- host: nor would I marry her. FOR
~ previously resolved 10 measure
faith Of all women 10y the pcrhdy
ms one. and my unreasonable distrust n
t'e 4 yet undated.
leu To Dp continued.