The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1906-03-09
The music they heard before now

The music they heard before now
passed Montoni's barge, in one of the
gondolas, Of which several were seen
Skimming along the moonlight sea i,
full of gay parties, catching the cool
breeze. Most OF these had music.
made sweeter by the waves over which
it fioated, and by the measured sound
OF oars. as they dashed the sparkling
tide. Emily gazed. and listened, and
Thoughts herself in fairy scene; even
Madame Montoni was pleased; Mon
toni congratulated himself on his re-
turn to Venice, which lie called the
first city in the world, and Cavigui
was more gay and animated han ever.
The barge passed on 10 the graz d
canal. where Montopi'S mansion was
situated. And here, other foIms OF
beauty and grandeur, such as her i'm
| aginatiGn had never painted, were
uni 'lded 10 Emily i'm the palaces Of
Saufovru and Palladiu, as she gIided
ng the waves. The air bore no
sounds, but those of sweetness, ech-
| ul,tg along each margin Of The canal,
and from gundolas on its surface,
while groups Of masks were seen dan
cing Oh the moonlight terraces, and
seemed almost 10 realize Tie romance
of fairy land.
The barge stopped before the por
Lico Of large house, from whence
servant of MontOni crossed the ter
race, ard Immediately the party dis
embarked. From the portico. they
passed u noble hall to a stair case of
marble, which led to a saloon, fitted
up in style Of magniiicence that
surprised Emily The walls and
ceiling were sdorn, with historical
and alleguricrl paintings in fresco;
silver tripods depending from chains
OF Ihe same metal. iIluminei the
apartm utS, lie floor OF which Mas
coveted with Indian mats painted III
variety Of colours and devices: The
cOuchcs and diapery of The la;tices
were Il pale green silk, embroidered
ana iringed with green and gold BAL
cony latLIceS opened upon TIE grand
canal, whence rose Il confusion OF
voices and Of musical Instruments,
and tie breeze II al gave freshness TO
the apartment Emily, considering
the gloomy temper OF Muntoni, look
I'd upon the splendid furniture OF his
house with surprise, and remembered
the report Of Lis being man OF brok-
an fortune with astonishment. An.
said She to herself, if Valancourt
could bat see this mansion, what
peace would it give him! lie would
tucn be convinced that the report
was grnu ,dlcss.
Madame Montoni seemed to assume
the airs OF a princess; but Montuni
Was restless ana discontentCd, and
! diu not even observe the civility Of
! bidding her welcome TO her home.
soon after his arrival, he ordered
his gondOla, and with Cavigni, went
out TO mingle in the scenes Of the ev,-
ming Madame then became serious
and thoughtful. Emily, who was
charmed with every thing she saw
endeavoured TO enliven her; but re-
tlectiUn had not, with Madame Mon
toni, subdued caprice and i'll humor,
and her answers discovered so much
Uf both, that Emily gave up the at
tempt of diverting her, ana with
drew 10 lattice, I" amuse herself
with the scene without, So new and
so enchanting.
The first object that attracted her
notice was group OF dancers on the
terrace below, led by a guitar, and
sume other Instruments.
Emily, n she listened, caught the
enSive enthusiasm; her tears flowed