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 light sea,
full Of gay parties, catching the cool
breeze. Most Of the Sc had music,
made sweeter by the waves over which
it tioated, 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 Cavi9ui
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 forms OF
beauty and grandeur, such as her i'm
aginatiGn had never painted, we're
uni lded 10 Emily in the palaces Of
Sanfov 10 and Pala6iu, as she glided
ng the waves. The air bore no
sounds, but those vi sweetness, ech-
pI"g along each margin Of The canal,
and from gundUlaS On its surface,
while yroups of masks were seen dam
cing on the moonlight terraces, and
seemed almost TO realize Tie romance
of fairy land.
The barge stopped before the por
tico OF large house, from whence
servant OF MontOni crossed the ter
race, ard Immediately the party dis
embarked. From the portico- they
passed noble hall TO a stair case of
marble, which led to saloon, fitted
up in n style Of magniiicence that
surprised Emily The walls and
ceiling were sdorn,d with historical
and allegoricrl paintings in fresco;
silver tripods depending from chains
OF Ihe samc metal, iIluminel the
npartm ntS, the floor or which sas
covcrCd With Indian mats painted in ii
variety Of colours and devices: he
cOnchcs and diapery OF the la;tices
were + pale gleen silk, embroidered
and fringed With green and gold. Bal
cuny latuceS opened upon tie grand
canal. Whence rose "a confusion OF
voices and Of musical instruments,
and tie breeze II a. 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 repC!. OF Lis being man OF brok-
an fortune with astonishment An.
said She to herself if Nalancourt
could bat see this mansion, what
peace would 1T give him! lie would
! tucn be convinced that the report
was grnu dless.
Madame Montoni seemed to assume
! the airs OF princess; but MCntuni
Was restless and discontentCd and
diu not even observe the civility Of
bidding her welcome 10 her home.
Soon after his arrival, he ordered
his gOndOla, and with Cavigni, went
out TO mingle in the scenes Of the evt :
ming Madame then became serious
and thoughtful. Emily, who was
charmed with every thing she saw
endeavoured 10 enliyen her; but re-
fectiUn had not, with Madame Mon
toni, Subdued caprice and i'll humor,
and her answers discovered so much
Of both, that Emily gave up the at
tempt Of diverting her, ana with
drew TO a lattice, To amuse herself
with the scene without, 50 new and
so enchanting.
The first object that attracted her
notice was group OF dancers ON the
terrace below, led by a guitar, and
some other Instruments
Emily, a. she listened, caught the
.ensiye enthusiasm; her tears flowed